Same. The mouse is always something I’m going to use on the desk next to the computer. I don’t understand the advantage of making it wireless, that’d just be one more battery for me to keep charged. Honestly, if I had a wireless mouse I’d probably just leave it plugged in to the charger as I use it. (And don’t get me started on Apple’s mouse charge port on the bottom.)
I used to live with a cat that chewed on cables. Other devices could have protective sleeves on the cables, but for the mouse that wasn’t readonable.
So that’s the only reason I know for having a wireless mouse.
I switch mine (and my keyboard) between private PC (located under my desk because it’s cramped enough atop it, to the right) and company-issue laptop (placed atop it, to the left) when working from home. Like hell am I pulling the cable(s) out of my cable management to move it (them) over and move it (them) back, sometimes multiple times within the same day.
I’ve got my private headphones and my controller wired, but mouse + kb are keyed to the same dongle, which I proceed to move as needed. It’s a concession to convenience.
They’re also very efficient - I chronically forget to turn them off, but they still last so long that I was genuinely puzzled when the mouse started acting up and turning off until I noticed the blinking signal to indicate low battery. They’re not rechargeable, unfortunately, but I probably should see about getting rechargeable batteries.
When you get rechargeable batteries, get yourself some good ones! Usually it doesn’t matter, but input devices are the one big exception because weak batteries can cause lags and sluggishness. VR controllers run on batteries too and some games turn into motion sickness hell if you have bad batteries, so a lot of people in the VR community have strong opinions on what rechargeable battery brands are good (iirc, the consensus is Eneloops and Eneloop Pros are a good choice, but that might have changed in recent years)
These generations of wireless mouses are fine. The advantage, as small as it is, is less drag from the wire and not having to juggle with wires when working with a laptop. Given the batteries these days I’m fine with wireless.
Now I do not have the same view on wireless keyboards as these are pretty much stationary by default.
4 day battery life? I forget to charge until it dies, and then it dies in the middle of using it.
The mouse I have is only wireless for the “less drag while gaming” aspect but the cable is actually super nice, so I dont even mind the cable… I just leave it plugged in now.
My laptop’s wireless mouse has used the same AAA battery for months, and it gets used regularly. It’s not daily, but it’s at least a few times a week for an hour, and usually a lot more.
My wired mouse on my PC gets used about the same amount, but the cable occasionally catches under the corner of the keyboard. It’s not helped by the fact that I move the keyboard around depending on what I’m doing. That’s also the reason I’m considering a wireless keyboard as well though.
I had a wireless keyboard where the internal battery was total crap, had to keep it plugged in because it would drain within an hour. Got one with replace batteries, plenty of those available. Might be safer bet for you as well.
Mine lasts several weeks. Also, it has a little light that turns red when it’s low (as in, needs charging within a few days). It can also be used while charging without much issue. When I see the red light, I just plug it in while I’m not using it or doing something like watching media. It’s really convenient. I have a mouse bungee, from when I had wired, and the cable just sits there waiting until it’s needed.
I work tech support. And I’m often working in weird or cramped places on site with my laptop.
I hate using the touchpad! So I always bring a wireless mouse.
It’s a lot more convenient than a wired one.
Also, I can connect the laptop to a TV and watch movies from streaming sites, using the mouse as a remote while I’m on the couch.
I actually do this. I have a small power bank I keep the mouse hooked up to, and when it falls low enough it taps into it. Every few weeks or even a month I recharge the bank up. But wires being a problem will depend on your setup and desk real estate. This doesn’t bother me, but having a wired keyboard would lose some space, so I’m glad for my wireless there. And that’s even less of a hassle, as it’s still running off the original batteries it came with years (and years!) ago. Makes sense, there is very little power usage there being a boring old Logitech non-backlit keyboard.
Same. The mouse is always something I’m going to use on the desk next to the computer. I don’t understand the advantage of making it wireless, that’d just be one more battery for me to keep charged. Honestly, if I had a wireless mouse I’d probably just leave it plugged in to the charger as I use it. (And don’t get me started on Apple’s mouse charge port on the bottom.)
I used to live with a cat that chewed on cables. Other devices could have protective sleeves on the cables, but for the mouse that wasn’t readonable. So that’s the only reason I know for having a wireless mouse.
I think the main selling point was less the mobility and more that the cord didn’t get caught on things. Still not a huge concern, imo.
I switch mine (and my keyboard) between private PC (located under my desk because it’s cramped enough atop it, to the right) and company-issue laptop (placed atop it, to the left) when working from home. Like hell am I pulling the cable(s) out of my cable management to move it (them) over and move it (them) back, sometimes multiple times within the same day.
I’ve got my private headphones and my controller wired, but mouse + kb are keyed to the same dongle, which I proceed to move as needed. It’s a concession to convenience.
They’re also very efficient - I chronically forget to turn them off, but they still last so long that I was genuinely puzzled when the mouse started acting up and turning off until I noticed the blinking signal to indicate low battery. They’re not rechargeable, unfortunately, but I probably should see about getting rechargeable batteries.
When you get rechargeable batteries, get yourself some good ones! Usually it doesn’t matter, but input devices are the one big exception because weak batteries can cause lags and sluggishness. VR controllers run on batteries too and some games turn into motion sickness hell if you have bad batteries, so a lot of people in the VR community have strong opinions on what rechargeable battery brands are good (iirc, the consensus is Eneloops and Eneloop Pros are a good choice, but that might have changed in recent years)
I’ll save that comment for when I actually follow through on that resolution. Thanks for the advice!
These generations of wireless mouses are fine. The advantage, as small as it is, is less drag from the wire and not having to juggle with wires when working with a laptop. Given the batteries these days I’m fine with wireless.
Now I do not have the same view on wireless keyboards as these are pretty much stationary by default.
The batteries are my main issue.
12 hour battery? I charge every night.
4 day battery life? I forget to charge until it dies, and then it dies in the middle of using it.
The mouse I have is only wireless for the “less drag while gaming” aspect but the cable is actually super nice, so I dont even mind the cable… I just leave it plugged in now.
The batts last around a year if they are fresh
My laptop’s wireless mouse has used the same AAA battery for months, and it gets used regularly. It’s not daily, but it’s at least a few times a week for an hour, and usually a lot more.
My wired mouse on my PC gets used about the same amount, but the cable occasionally catches under the corner of the keyboard. It’s not helped by the fact that I move the keyboard around depending on what I’m doing. That’s also the reason I’m considering a wireless keyboard as well though.
I had a wireless keyboard where the internal battery was total crap, had to keep it plugged in because it would drain within an hour. Got one with replace batteries, plenty of those available. Might be safer bet for you as well.
Mine lasts several weeks. Also, it has a little light that turns red when it’s low (as in, needs charging within a few days). It can also be used while charging without much issue. When I see the red light, I just plug it in while I’m not using it or doing something like watching media. It’s really convenient. I have a mouse bungee, from when I had wired, and the cable just sits there waiting until it’s needed.
I’ve been using a wireless mouse at work now for over 12 years and can count on one hand the number of times I’ve had to change the batteries
My logitech wireless mice will run on a single AA for like … 2 years of daily use, I wanna say? At least 18 months.
Great, and my wired mice will run on no battery for eternity, no matter how much it gets used.
It’s running on your laptop battery
On the keyboard side it’s nice if your setup has you moving the keyboard to store it when not using the computer, eating when watching media, etc.
I work tech support. And I’m often working in weird or cramped places on site with my laptop.
I hate using the touchpad! So I always bring a wireless mouse.
It’s a lot more convenient than a wired one.
Also, I can connect the laptop to a TV and watch movies from streaming sites, using the mouse as a remote while I’m on the couch.
I actually do this. I have a small power bank I keep the mouse hooked up to, and when it falls low enough it taps into it. Every few weeks or even a month I recharge the bank up. But wires being a problem will depend on your setup and desk real estate. This doesn’t bother me, but having a wired keyboard would lose some space, so I’m glad for my wireless there. And that’s even less of a hassle, as it’s still running off the original batteries it came with years (and years!) ago. Makes sense, there is very little power usage there being a boring old Logitech non-backlit keyboard.