I have a lovely mouse for my computer with a scrolling wheel.
In the past few days, I have noticed it doesn't want to work properly when I try to scroll down a page - it will scroll for a couple of cm, then just stop. It's ok when scrolling up.
Do these things just wear out? Or is it a sign of something software related? I know it's probably just worn out, but I wasn't sure.
Other than a few MS and Firefox updates, nothing else has changed on my computer over this time.
It sounds like one of the components in the mouse has worn out PG. If it was a software-related issue, it wouldn't work for the first 2cm and then stop, and probably wouldn't scroll up either.
So it looks like you're up for a new mouse. Make sure to get an Optical / Laser one as a replacement, not the old version with the ball that always picked up fluff.
This one is an optical one, and it was great before now. So my second question is, I've seen ones with cables and one without - are the ones without worth the extra money?
And how much should spend on a mouse/keyboard? For example, I've seen this
(as the keyboard is beginning to stick, despite being carefully cleaned) but I have no idea if that's a good deal quality-wise, vs this
, which is getting a bit eye-watering price-wise but looks to be very fancy.
The $199 one is for people who play a lot of music or video clips on their PC as it has an area up the top with special keys for Play/Pause/Stop/Fwd/Rewind etc. as well as Volume Up/Down and Mute. To be honest I'm guessing as to exactly what extra keys it has, but those are typical of so-called "multimedia" keyboards.
For myself, I really use those keys, and also the Forward/Back keys for my web browser, so it is worth spending the extra money on a multimedia keyboard because of the way I use it. But if you never (or hardly ever) play music or video clips on your PC, then it's not worth spending the extra money.
Logitech stuff is not a bad brand, and has reasonable durability compared to the cheaper "In House" DSE branded stuff, or other brands you've never heard of.
For myself, I have used solely Microsoft Keyboards for the past 16 years because they are so well made, and last so long. My son was still using a 15-year old Microsoft "Natural" keyboard bought in 1994, up until he upgraded his PC just before Christmas. The lettering on many of the keys had worn off years ago from being hammered by a lot of gaming, but the keyboard itself still functioned perfectly. You don't get that from the cheaper brands.
My other son had a Microsoft "Comfort Curve" keyboard which didn't last so well because it was the cheapest model they produce. But the higher end Microsoft Multimedia keyboards I have used for the past 10 years have been brilliant. Currently I have a wireless keyboard and mouse which is very convenient. Once or twice a year I have to replace the batteries, so I have tried rechargeables. However, they don't last as long as the non-rechargeable ones, so the convenience vs. cost is much of a muchness.
Wired keyboards are better for gaming, but I like being able to take my keyboard and mouse across the room if watching DVDs or Video Clips.
Dont do it PG!!! Unless your are really organised and remember to put it back on the charger religiously the blinkin thing is bluddy flat at the most inconvenient time. We have had two , the last one the pup ate the charger so have given up and gone black to the plug in type thingy. Thats my 2 cents worth anyway....
Pumpkingirl;302559 wrote: ... I've just found this one
too. What type of batteries do they take Grant?
The Microsoft ones use AA batteries. And as it says on DSE's website:
Extended Battery Life gives average 6+ months of battery life
So there isn't any issue about putting it on the charger as Cowmad says. Just be prepared to shell out for 2 sets of batteries (total 4) per year. Not really a major expense [^]
cowmad;302561 wrote: Unless your are really organised and remember to put it back on the charger religiously the blinkin thing is bluddy flat at the most inconvenient time.
Oh no! I'm not organised AT ALL and having no keyboard would a cataclysmic disaster!
Cables might be safer for me then
It wasn't expense so much as remembering to buy batteries! It's just it would be so nice to not have so many darn cables running everywhere.
If you spend a lot of time on your computer, particularly doing mouse work, maybe
this is worth considering. Roll-up silicon keyboard is pretty nifty too. There is a local seller of Evoluent equipment in NZ but a lot cheaper to source via Ebay.
My previous job often involved up to 10 hour days of precise mouse work and after changing to a 'vertical mouse' I am a permanent convert
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Organix;302601 wrote: If you spend a lot of time on your computer, particularly doing mouse work, maybe this
is worth considering.
That is very nifty Organix! If my Microsoft mouse dies one day, I might have a look at those.
A vertical mouse like this would avoid the need to twist your wrist at all. My Microsoft "Ergo" mouse is roughly half-way between horizontal and vertical, so it helps, but the all-vertical design is even better.
Wow, that is a very fancy thing, it took a bit of mind bending for me to work out how it works (I'm a bit technically challenged, in case you hadn't noticed!).
Not wasting any time, I'm now typing on my pretty super duper new wireless keyboard and zooming about with my wireless mouse, so thank you very much everybody.
So long as you keep a spare set of batteries on hand, and replace them as soon as you put a new set into service, you won't have any problems. I only changed my batteries once last year. It just depends on how much you use your keyboard and mouse.
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