It is difficult not only for beginners but also for experienced users to navigate the current variety of computer mice on the computer accessories market. In order not to be mistaken with the choice, you need to know the basic criteria that distinguish various manipulators from each other.
A computer mouse is a mechanical manipulator that converts the user's movements into a control signal. With the advancement of computer technology and engineering, the original direct drive mouse has undergone many improvements, resulting in a huge selection of these accessories on the computer accessories market today, from laser and optical mice to touch-sensitive touchpads.
Principle of operation
Computer mice became widespread with the advent of the graphical user interface on the PC. Any mouse, regardless of its type (optical, laser, mechanical) perceives its own movement on the working plane and transmits the information received to the computer. In turn, a special program installed on a personal computer processes the data received from the mouse and reproduces it on the screen in the form of an action corresponding to the direction and distance of its movement, for example, moving the cursor on the computer screen exactly in the direction in which the mouse moved. This is the basic principle of work.
In addition to moving the cursor, the mouse is responsible for managing windows: opening and closing them, as well as movement, acting as a kind of manipulator. In addition to the motion sensor, the mouse is equipped with one or more buttons and other control parts (scroll ring, joysticks, etc.). These buttons associate an action with the current position of the cursor on the computer screen.
Computer technologies are constantly evolving and, in this regard, a huge selection of mice has appeared, which not every experienced user can understand, let alone beginners.
The difference between an optical mouse and a laser
Optical and laser mice are in the greatest demand in the current market for computer mice, which is why it is worth knowing what exactly distinguishes them from each other so as not to be mistaken with the choice.
The main difference between computer mice is the type of sensor used to analyze motion. The principle of operation of an optical mouse is based on a light diode that emits light in the visible range, and a small video camera is presented as a sensor, which takes about one thousand photographs per second. The data received from this camera is processed by a processor and then fed to a computer monitor. The principle of operation of a laser mouse is arranged in a similar way, with one significant difference: instead of a camera with a diode, a semiconductor laser is used, which captures the movement.
The next difference between these types of computer mice from each other is their resolution. The optical mouse has a resolution of 1200 dpi, and the laser mouse has a resolution of 2000 dpi. For the functioning and control of the mouse without delays and difficulties, 800dpi is enough, but the higher the resolution, the faster and more accurately the mouse responds to movements.
Another criterion for comparing optical versus laser mice is movement speed. To move the cursor across the entire screen, the laser mouse needs to be moved by 2-3 cm, and the optical mouse by as much as 5.
The next comparative criterion is the surface on which the mouse can move without delay or difficulty. Here the laser mouse has a solid advantage, because it can move on any surface, such as glass, fabric or wood. An optical mouse will also work on these surfaces, but with significant difficulty and multiple jumps.
And, finally, the last difference between a laser mouse and an optical one is the price for them. A laser mouse, in comparison with an optical one, costs a little more, but consumes significantly less energy. For wired mice, this will not play a special positive role, but for wireless laser mice powered by batteries, there is a significant saving in battery power consumption.
Thus, a comparison of laser and optical mice showed that the former have a large number of advantages over the latter. Laser mice are not fussy about the choice of work surface, they have higher resolution and lower power consumption, which makes them one of the best computer accessories.
