Kitz Forum
Chat => Tech Chat => Topic started by: roseway on September 01, 2007, 11:59:15 AM
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What do you people use for mouse input to your laptops? The mousepad on mine is a pig to use - it's difficult to move the pointer accurately and the click action is too sensitive, so I keep on clicking accidentally which makes navigating a menu a complete nightmare.
At the moment I'm using a normal USB mouse, but that's not very convenient if the lappy is on my lap. What I really need (I think) is a very tiny wireless mouse which I can use on the armrest part of the machine.
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I thought the plural of (pc) mouse was mice?
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Careful with that lappy on your lap, Eric. You could fall victim to "Great balls of Fire" syndrome!
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Would this fit the bill Eric ?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Wireless-Notebook-Optical-Mouse/dp/customer-reviews/B000AATBDM
The write ups are good too !!
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>> The mousepad on mine is a pig to use - it's difficult to move the pointer accurately and the click action is too sensitive.
The Acer software should allow you to change this although Im not sure if theres a linux version for it?
I normally use normal usb - for some reason mice with lappies dont seem to last too long. Last year I used to use the lappy a lot and I went through several mice. Personally (and this is just my opinion) I wouldnt go for cordless due to the fact that I would have gone through too many batteries and you still have to plug in the receiver unit.
I tend to find I do the most damage at where the usb sticks out of the side.. therefore although I dont normally mind paying extra for my mice Im a bit more conservative when it comes to paying out for the lappy. Obviously optical is a must.
Ive just got one of these http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/114185 for my lappy.
Its smaller than a normal mouse but its not that tiny and not sure if its really small enough to use on the "lappy deck". I cant really comment further though.. cause its still in the packaging and Ive not given it a work out yet.
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Thanks for the last two sensible answers. :D
>> The Acer software should allow you to change this although Im not sure if theres a linux version for it?
I hadn't even thought of that. I'll have a look around.
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The thing I find annoying with USB mice and lappies is the cable is too long and gets in a right old tangle on the desk. Do they do mice with short leads for use with lappies?
(Was that a sensible enough question for you, Eric?) ;)
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lol astral
btw.. I have seen somewhere mice with a "roll up cable" thing... cant remember where though now.
Back to lappies and the topic alan already brought up. One of the best things I bought for use with my lappy at home was one of those lap trays that are cushioned underneath. Theres enough room on the side of mine for the mouse to live. I think it cost me about £8 in one of those poundstretcher type stores.
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Is this the one you were thinking of Kitz?
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/90255
I like the idea of the cushioned tray.
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Bit of a sledgehammer to crack a nut IMHO. I can't imagine anybody swapping mice between lappy & PC on a regular basis. You could buy two ordinary mice for less than that. It would be nice if one of them could have a short lead for lappy use.
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Possibly could have been eric. TBH I didnt really pay that much attention, just knew they were available. The reason why I discounted them was because of the size of the attatchment that would come out of the side of the usb port.
I think the main thing to remember (or for me at least) is that the usb port is on the right hand side of the laptop. Anything you stick in there is going to get in your way (or it does for me) when you use the mouse.. or just in general.
The reason why Ive gone through a few mice is that the wire where it joins the usb plug has got damaged.
(This has happened on 1 M$ mouse and 2 logitechs in just one year).
Bearing in mind that cable is flexible and will bend at this point.. I'd hate to think what it would be like if I kept a usb stick or anything bigger in that port all the time.
If you use your lappy on a desk or table then you probably wont notice this.. but as you know I relied on the lappy quite a lot last year, and if you use it on your knees whilst sat on the sofa then its much more likely to become a problem.
The ports on your lappy may not be in the same place as mine (also an Acer) - but try sticking a usb pen drive in the port to see if it could become a PITA if you need to plug something in there for the cordless receiver. It may be ok on yours, but if you start to knock the pen drive whilst moving the mouse around you may have the same problems that I did.
As astral says, a short lead would be the best solution, but I dont think Ive ever seen one of those :(
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eric
theres a synaptics linux touchpad driver at :
http://web.telia.com/~u89404340/touchpad/ (http://web.telia.com/~u89404340/touchpad/)
i checked the synaptics webby and they dont have a linux driver suprisingly.
this should enable u 2 change the sensitivity and speed of the pad.
ive got a pcline mini optical mouse from PCW which has a retractable lead for my lappy, its ok but with it being so small and my hands so big it becomes a pain after about half an hour of use.
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As astral says, a short lead would be the best solution, but I dont think Ive ever seen one of those
I've just patented it. (try saying that when you've had a few bevvies) Not. :)
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>>> The ports on your lappy may not be in the same place as mine (also an Acer) - but try sticking a usb pen drive in the port to see if it could become a PITA if you need to plug something in there for the cordless receiver.
There are USB ports on the left and at the back on mine, but wherever they are I think you're right about the possible problem.
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>>> theres a synaptics linux touchpad driver at : http://web.telia.com/~u89404340/touchpad/
Thanks for that, Paul.
[Edit] Later - and it was amazingly easy to install and works perfectly, so thanks again.
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>> There are USB ports on the left and at the back on mine
Ahh you may be ok then. Mine are on the right - With me being right handed they get knocked when I use the mouse.. and or move between the mouse and to use the keypad.
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Thanks for all the comments. In the end I bought this: http://www.comet.co.uk/cometbrowse/product.do?sku=375349
It's not cordless, but the cord is very light, and the mouse is the smallest one I found and has a very nice action. The USB stick will come in useful too.
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Glad you got something :)
Happy mousing
<:3 )~~~~
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Too late as usual "story of my life"
I was going to suggest a "Kensington PocketMouse Pro" Mod No 72116 www.kensington.com (http://www.kensington.com)
Normal 2 buttons plus scroll wheel, which also acts as a 3rd button, so 4 functions in total.
Just slight smaller than most mice and the cable and USB connector actually recoils completely into the body of the mouse (ultra thin cable) but not the cheapest of mice.
Lead, approx 20" when fully extended.
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Thanks O.F.
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>> Do they do mice with short leads for use with lappies?
lol - I finally managed to get around to opening* up the logitech notebook mouse. and low and behold it has a short lead. (approx 20" compared to a normal 5 ft lead). Sorry Astral it looks like someone beat you to the patent :D
(after ripping my fingers with the damn plastic packaging).. :angry:
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>>> (after ripping my fingers with the damn plastic packaging)
Was it that horrible stiff celluloid stuff? It should be banned on safety grounds.
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Was it that horrible stiff celluloid stuff?
Best to use scissors with that stuff; you can shorten the lead at the same time as opening the packet if you're really clever! ;)
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:)
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lol @ astral :D
Yeah it was that horrible celluloid stuff thats so tough even scissors struggle with it. Whoever designed those packages should be shot.
(Or at least tortured with the equivalent of plastic paper cuts.)
Fair enough put a product in it cause its strong - but at least make an easy way of opening the package rather than molding plastic around the product and sealing it all the way round :'(
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I don't know if this gadget might help with those packages or not, it states 'cellophane' but I think this may include celluloid ...... I may try one (another thing for my list)
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/productimage.aspx/!20801
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I don't think that the cutter on that would be tough enough for celluloid packs. To be honest, I've become rather disillusioned with Lakeland in recent years, as so often their products don't live up to the hype.
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That gadget for cellophone wrap ie whats around cds/dvs etc is probably ideal.
However this stuff is real tough and theres no give in it at all - even the scissors struggled. :/
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Aaaah ... I've had a closer look and now see it's for CD's etc as you say Kitz ....silly me !! .... cross it off list !! what about a block and tackle :lol:
Eric, some of their stuff is a bit far fetched ( the tea bag squeezer foir instance ::) ;D ) ... I don't buy much, and only when visitors are due as the postage costs to Europe are astronomical !! although I might have a quick reccy when over there in the next couple of weeks :-\ I just spotted that item in their catalogue which they still send to me ...