In this post we will mention the most useful hardware you have at your fingertips when you work in Microsoft Word. We speak mouse or also known as mouse, of English.
This peripheral will help you to interact between the computer and the program in a quick and easy way. In this way, you will save a lot of time and you will be able to carry out any type of writing, including graphics and other illustrations.
If you want to know more about what a computer mouse is, we invite you to continue reading this article. We will tell you about its history, evolution and the different types that you will find today.
What is a computer mouse and what is this hardware item for?
The mouse is a peripheral device that connects to the box of the CPU through a USB port. This connection can be through a cable or wirelessly. It is formed, in the most basic models, by two buttons (one left and the other right) and a central or lateral wheel. In addition, they have a diode sensor led or by a laser.
Its main function is to interact with the graphical interface of Windows and from other programs to access more quickly the different functions that the software presents. In this way, the use of the keyboard is avoided, since the different combinations between the keys "Alt", directional arrows and "Ctrl" require more time use.
There are several types of mouse. There are the most basic, which are used for office work and the most complex, used in gaming tasks. They differ from each other by the number of buttons, quality in precision and response time. But we will see this later.
History and Evolution How have computer mice mutated over the years?
Computer mice were created by the Stanford University of the United States in the 1960s, being its first formal appearance in late 1968. Its main task so far has not changed much, since it had two metal wheels that were used to move around a surface and thus find a coordinate point in an X Y plane on the screen.
The first models were made of wood and could fit in one hand, they had a red button on the top and allowed anyone without knowledge to execute actions with a PC.
But it was not until 1981 that the Xerox company launched its Star 8010 computer model., which included a peripheral mouse. In this way it caused a revolution in the market, since it had a great acceptance in the public. Due to this, other computers like Commodore, Atari and Lisa from Apple included this prototype.
The problem I had at the time was its high cost. Its price was around a little less than 200 dollars, so it had a small setback in this beginning. This was solved directly in the year 1984 with the appearance of the first Macintosh that was launched by the Steve Jobs company.
From that moment Microsoft, Apple and all the other manufacturers did not stop launching their products to the market without this type of peripheral. So its cost dropped dramatically until it did not exceed $ 30 at that time.
Mouse types How are these hardware classified and how is each different?
There are different types of mice that you can find in the market. These are divided by their mechanism and by the type of connection they have with the computer.
Regarding the mechanism, you will find the model that has a rubber sphere on the bottom, somewhat heavy. This serves to move the internal mechanisms so that pulses are sent to the computer and thus, through a program, it is possible to interpret what the user needs.
Another prototype related to this group is the optical mouse.. Which eliminates the sphere of the previous model and instead detects variations suffered by the photographs it takes of the surface each time its position changes therein. That is why those surfaces that are too smooth and with shiny materials are not the best for these models. Its precision in dots per inch can go up to 800.
Laser mice they are an important evolution of the previous models, since they are much more precise and sensitive. They are ideal for gaming and people who are dedicated to image editing. It has a laser that replaces the optical mechanism of the previous model and achieves an accuracy of up to 2000 points per inch.
Trackball It is another type of mouse that you can find in the category that is divided by its mechanism. This model works by having a flat surface on the peripheral device, which does not move. In order to interact with the program's interface, the index finger must be moved, that is, it is a mechanism contrary to all the previous ones.
By last, you can find Apple multi-touch mice. These are designed with a one-piece plastic housing, so it does not have buttons or any other element. Only move the device across the surface.
So far we have developed mouse types through a classification of mechanisms. Now, we will talk about a division through the connection to the computer.
The first model that we have to mention is the wiring, which is the most used and cheapest of all versions. It is connected through a USB port, being ideal for those who like online video games, since the level of response is one of the most efficient.
On the other hand, you will find wireless mice, which have a built-in battery in the same device. Send a signal to a receiver that must be connected to a USB port. You do not have to confuse the previous model with the radio frequency ones, which work by means of a 2.4 GHz signal. These allow a connection of up to 10 meters without interruptions or cuts in the tasks performed by the user.
Infrared It is another model that you can find in a classification by mouse connection. They work with the transmission of data by means of commands that use infrared technology. They have a scope that does not exceed 3 months, as long as there are no elements that interrupt the connection.
By last, you can find mice that use Bluetooth technology. Its great advantage is that they can reach a distance of up to 10 meters and do not require a connection from a receiver to any port on the computer.
What are the main errors or failures of the mouse and their possible solutions?
When you use a mouse that is not an optical or laser technology, you may have the problem that the pointer gets stuck in the graphic interface of the screen. This is because the rubber ball is dirty and to fix it you will have to remove it and clean it. It is also recommended that you use pads on the surface to prevent dust and greasy elements from sticking.
Another problem you will find in a mouse is when the buttons do not respond sensitively to the actions you want. You will notice this when you have to press more than once to activate any function. This happens due to the normal use of the mouse, due to the fact that its useful life has a programmed wear of up to 5 years. To solve it, it is recommended to replace the mouse with another one.
In case you are a frequent user of a computer and feel muscle tiredness caused by using the mouse, You are going to have to consider the implementation of ergonomic pads, as well as buying a mouse with a better design to fit your hand.
List of the best manufacturers of computer mice that exist in the market
If you want to buy a good mouse for your computer, pay attention to the following list. You can find the best mouse manufacturers on the market.
Genius
It is an international company dedicated since 1985 to the manufacture of mice, keyboards and headphones, among other types of peripherals. Its central factory is located in Taiwan and I know characterized by having low prices and excellent quality.
You can find optical, wired, wireless, rechargeable models and a combo includes the keyboard.
Kensington
Design, quality and technical assistance have set the course for this company for more than 35 years worldwide. Its headquarters is in California and it is considered one of the largest providers of quality mice.
It is characterized by having a wide variety of wired and wireless mice. It is ideal to buy when you are just starting your gamer activities.
Logitech
You will be able to find mice over € 110 with up to 16 buttons, in which you can add different functions. They have a high definition in points per inch, thus becoming one of the favorite products of video game players.
This company was born in Switzerland in 1981 and currently employs more than 7,000 people. It has offices in Japan, China, Taiwan and the United States.
Thermaltake
This Taiwanese company that provides the market with an important variety of components for gaming and office. It was founded in 1999, standing out in the manufacture of equipment for computer refrigeration. His mice are some of the most complete that exist today.
Asus
It was created in the late 80's and it has its main offices in Asia. Its value for money is one of the best you can find in relation to mice. In addition to these peripherals, it also manufactures boards which are highly sought after by professional users.