Mouses
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 34,381
Total Cats: 7,504
From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Ok, this is serious business.
My current Microsoft Intellimouse Optical 1.1 is just about dead, and I only have one left after this one. This is the best mouse which has ever been created, and I'm going to start having serious emotional issues after I un-box the last one.
I need a plan B.
Seriously. I need recommendations on what to do after I run out of Intellimice Optical 1.1s. If I weren't such a cheapskate, I'd have done the right thing and purchased a literal lifetime supply of these mice after they were discontinued. But like I fool, I only bought one. And if history is any indication, presupposing that I open that one now, it will be in need of replacement sometime around the year 2020.
I just don't know if I can function under that kind of pressure. I need to have something in reserve, so that I know life will go on after I run out of Intellicemice Optical 1.1s.
My current Microsoft Intellimouse Optical 1.1 is just about dead, and I only have one left after this one. This is the best mouse which has ever been created, and I'm going to start having serious emotional issues after I un-box the last one.
I need a plan B.
Seriously. I need recommendations on what to do after I run out of Intellimice Optical 1.1s. If I weren't such a cheapskate, I'd have done the right thing and purchased a literal lifetime supply of these mice after they were discontinued. But like I fool, I only bought one. And if history is any indication, presupposing that I open that one now, it will be in need of replacement sometime around the year 2020.
I just don't know if I can function under that kind of pressure. I need to have something in reserve, so that I know life will go on after I run out of Intellicemice Optical 1.1s.
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,717
Total Cats: 830
From: Detroit (the part with no rules or laws)
Joe Perez; I feel the same way about my Logitech MX518 It has lasted 11 years now and still going strong. It's a two-timing dirty bastard of a mouse that goes back and forth between my laptop and my desktop.
I suspect that the Logitech M500 is probably a similarly well-built mouse, but it is an ergo instead of the ambidextrious design of the 1.1.
I suspect that the Logitech M500 is probably a similarly well-built mouse, but it is an ergo instead of the ambidextrious design of the 1.1.
I had been using the G400 for YEARS (I have to confirm that, might have been the MX500), when it died I bought the MX518 which seemed identical to me but for the chrome "camo" design and the notch for your pinky.
If this one ever dies, I'll buy another. I couldn't imagine using a mouse without at least those forward/back buttons for the thumb. I could care less about the wheel speed buttons which I typically bind for other uses for games.
If this one ever dies, I'll buy another. I couldn't imagine using a mouse without at least those forward/back buttons for the thumb. I could care less about the wheel speed buttons which I typically bind for other uses for games.
I'm currently using the mx518 and i love it (i think its 6-7 years old now and still works like a champ). Its been gone from the market for like 2 years though. Its replacement was the G400.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 34,381
Total Cats: 7,504
From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
That's a negatory, good buddy.
The Intellimouse has one button on each side (one under the thumb, one under the ring finger.
Both of the Logitechs have two buttons under the thumb (assuming right-handed operation) and no buttons on the other side. That's a total deal-killer. I already own one mouse like that (my tiny little bluetooth mouse) and I detest it.
Mice, like breasts, are best when symmetrical.

RussellT94 was on point here. Never occurred to me to look for NOS mice on Fleabay. I just ordered five of them. In addition to the two that I already have (I'm hoping the current one is repairable), I figure that should last me for the next 30 years or so, until the USB standard is completely deprecated and I'm forced to switch to something else.
EDIT: looks like I could have gotten them even cheaper if I'd have searched around a bit. Ah, well. I consider this an investment in my future. Hopefully I'll never need to buy another mouse again.
The Intellimouse has one button on each side (one under the thumb, one under the ring finger.
Both of the Logitechs have two buttons under the thumb (assuming right-handed operation) and no buttons on the other side. That's a total deal-killer. I already own one mouse like that (my tiny little bluetooth mouse) and I detest it.
Mice, like breasts, are best when symmetrical.

RussellT94 was on point here. Never occurred to me to look for NOS mice on Fleabay. I just ordered five of them. In addition to the two that I already have (I'm hoping the current one is repairable), I figure that should last me for the next 30 years or so, until the USB standard is completely deprecated and I'm forced to switch to something else.
EDIT: looks like I could have gotten them even cheaper if I'd have searched around a bit. Ah, well. I consider this an investment in my future. Hopefully I'll never need to buy another mouse again.
Don't be cheap, get a Razer Mamba and never look back. will last years. Have had mine for 2 years now and about to get one for work.
RAZER Black 7 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Optical/Laser 6400 dpi Mamba 2012 Elite Ergonomic Wireless Gaming Mouse - Newegg.com
RAZER Black 7 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Optical/Laser 6400 dpi Mamba 2012 Elite Ergonomic Wireless Gaming Mouse - Newegg.com
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 34,381
Total Cats: 7,504
From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Don't be cheap, get a Razer Mamba and never look back. will last years. Have had mine for 2 years now and about to get one for work.
RAZER Black 7 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Optical/Laser 6400 dpi Mamba 2012 Elite Ergonomic Wireless Gaming Mouse - Newegg.com
RAZER Black 7 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Optical/Laser 6400 dpi Mamba 2012 Elite Ergonomic Wireless Gaming Mouse - Newegg.com
One button on each side, plus the usual three on the top. That is all. No more, no less.
Seriously, I'm not being pedantic here. I've used a lot of mice, and this is simply the most natural, intuitive layout.
Wait, you guys spend money on mouses? I had a Dell mouse before. Then it wore out and got weird and sticky and now I have a Lenovo mouse.
I do have a wireless Logitech mouse for my work laptop that I quite like.
I do have a wireless Logitech mouse for my work laptop that I quite like.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 34,381
Total Cats: 7,504
From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
No.
It's the simplicity of having only one button on each side, which can be hit with coarse, unfocused movement that is appealing, rather than having to make sure that the thumb is aligned with the correct one. This comes into play when weapon-switching in Team Fortress 2, which is the only videogame that I play. In that game, there are three weapon loadout slots, and it is natural and intuative to assign these to the leftside, wheel, and rightside buttons.
Having a leftside and rightside button is also the most natural layout when used in a forward / backward context, such as a web browser or frame-accurate video editor, where "backward" is traditionally represented by a left arrow, and "forward" by a right arrow. Likewise, these buttons are naturally and intuitively bound to the "slow reverse" and "slow forward" function of audio editing software such as Cool Edit Pro / Audition.
Jamming all of the buttons onto one side of the mouse causes one to have to think in a different paradigm with regard to mouse input vs. on-screen result. I find this to be a slower and more error-prone method of input.
It's the simplicity of having only one button on each side, which can be hit with coarse, unfocused movement that is appealing, rather than having to make sure that the thumb is aligned with the correct one. This comes into play when weapon-switching in Team Fortress 2, which is the only videogame that I play. In that game, there are three weapon loadout slots, and it is natural and intuative to assign these to the leftside, wheel, and rightside buttons.
Having a leftside and rightside button is also the most natural layout when used in a forward / backward context, such as a web browser or frame-accurate video editor, where "backward" is traditionally represented by a left arrow, and "forward" by a right arrow. Likewise, these buttons are naturally and intuitively bound to the "slow reverse" and "slow forward" function of audio editing software such as Cool Edit Pro / Audition.
Jamming all of the buttons onto one side of the mouse causes one to have to think in a different paradigm with regard to mouse input vs. on-screen result. I find this to be a slower and more error-prone method of input.
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,717
Total Cats: 830
From: Detroit (the part with no rules or laws)
I had to get used to the 3 buttons on the one side at first too, much like i would have to get used to a right side button. In game i do only use the middle of the 3 for the "push to talk" on my voice chat. The other two are great for forward and back.
I do understand where you're coming from though. Just though i would ask.
As long as you're not asking us about trackball mice i have no judgement.
When you want to actually be decent at PC video games, yes.
The switch from the old red light style "stolen from work" dell mouse to the g500 was night and day difference.
Made a noticeable difference in my kill / death ratio as silly as it may seem.
I do understand where you're coming from though. Just though i would ask.
As long as you're not asking us about trackball mice i have no judgement.
When you want to actually be decent at PC video games, yes.
The switch from the old red light style "stolen from work" dell mouse to the g500 was night and day difference.
Made a noticeable difference in my kill / death ratio as silly as it may seem.
Hmm. Haven't played fast-twitch video games seriously since college.
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,717
Total Cats: 830
From: Detroit (the part with no rules or laws)
Also, my hand feels so much better resting on something ergonomic. Which, is not symmetrical.
I suppose that's just a matter of opinion though.
I suppose that's just a matter of opinion though.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 34,381
Total Cats: 7,504
From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Haha. Oh, man. I seriously loathe trackballs. I'd rather use a laptop-style trackpad (yes, you can get them in desktop / USB versions- I had one mounted in my center console when the touchscreen in the first Miata started flaking out.)
And yet I've met a few people who swear by them. Not gamers, of course, but our old lead software guy at PR&E, for instance.
Prior to TF2, neither had I. That would have been 1999, using a mechanical mouse with an actual ball.
And yet I've met a few people who swear by them. Not gamers, of course, but our old lead software guy at PR&E, for instance.
Prior to TF2, neither had I. That would have been 1999, using a mechanical mouse with an actual ball.







