The main attraction
of a laptop has always been its portability. With a keyboard, display, and touchpad built
into one lightweight device, it offers a solution for productivity on the go
that has yet to be beaten.
Most
people wouldn't think twice about using a laptop when on a train, plane, or in
meetings, and in many cases an Internet connection is not required. However,
with these three things pausing in 2020, your laptop is unlikely to leave the
confines of your home.
It may
even have become your primary work-from-home device, with the kitchen table
turned into a makeshift office. This begs the question: should you make
your laptop more like a desktop computer?
Another
keyboard is likely to get in the way, but what about an external mouse?
Do I really need a mouse for my laptop?
There are many factor
to consider when decide whether to buy a laptop mouse.
And the
most important thing to keep in mind: what do you mainly use it for? If
it's still just a personal device, used for checking email, watching videos,
and browsing the web, the trackpad should
suffice, unless it's causing you some kind of problem.
However,
the coronavirus-induced lockdown has left many people working from home using
their personal devices. Your workflow can now include multiple tabs, word
processing, or even video editing. For all of these tasks, the added
precision a mouse offers will come in handy.
If the
above sounds like you, it's not as simple as going ahead and making a purchase. Will
you return to the office full time after the war, or is a more flexible job
likely to be introduced? If it is the former, you ill have to consider
whether it will actually be used beyond the next few months.
It is also
important to think about where you currently use your laptop. Any type of
computer mouse requires a flat surface to function properly, so if you've been
relegated to the couch or bed, it's probably not a good idea.
Even if
you currently have a table or desk to work with, will it be used for other
things once we get back to some form of normalcy?
Wired or wireless?
Even once you have
decided to buy a mouse for your laptop, there are many other decisions to make.
The most
important is whether you want it to be wired or wireless. Wired mice are
usually cheaper and have the great advantage that they do not need to be
charged.
That said,
many wireless mice last for months or even years on an AA battery. They
generally offer more flexibility and are often connected via Bluetooth or a dongle connected
directly to the computer.
In
addition to the wired or wireless connect, there are five other key questions
to ask yourself when considering which mouse to buy:
- Will I use the mouse with my
left or right hand?
- Will I use it to play?
- Want a portable mouse to use
on the go?
- How much money do I want to
spend?
- Will the mouse work in my
operating system?
See more
detailed information on our Best Mice list , but you might also be
interested in a more advanced gaming mouse.
Should I update my current mouse?
This is a tough
question. In general, for a laptop, even the most basic mouse will make a
difference. But you also have to consider if you need something more
advanced or precise, while you may need a separate dongle if your
laptop doesn't have a USB-A port.
The other
thing to think about is whether the accompanying software for the
mouse is compatible. Logitech, Asus, and many other gaming brands have
their own app available, but older hardware may not
be compatible with the laptop.
If you currently work from home, techwadia you may be interested in using a laptop as a second monitor. Many gaming mice also have the option to check their DPI.
