If you spend a lot of time on your Mac computer, you should consider investing in a good mouse. It’s ergonomic, convenient, and will save you a lot of frustration.
Choosing a mouse for Mac computers depends on how you primarily use the computer. Gaming, multi-monitor setup, and graphic design all require different things from a mouse.
Keep reading, and we’ll explain all about how mice work and how to choose the best one for your Mac.
Dots Per Inch
DPI, which stands for Dots Per Inch, is one of the common measurements you’ll see when looking at mice. The DPI tells you how many pixels your cursor will move across for each inch that you move the mouse.
In layman’s terms, DPI tells you how intuitive your mouse will feel.
An extremely high DPI might feel jerky and unpredictable to a casual user because tiny hand movements can translate to huge cursor jumps across the screen.
An experienced user, however, will feel bogged down by a mouse with a low DPI because it will feel slow and inefficient.
Most casual mouse users don’t need to worry too much about DPI, but it is important if you’re gaming. Gamers should invest in a mouse that lets you adjust the DPI, especially if you have a multi-monitor setup.
While a high DPI will allow you to react very quickly, a low DPI will let you move more precisely.
Almost half of American gamers play on their computers, and having the right DPI for your mouse can take your computer gaming to the next level.
If you’re a graphic designer and you’re running Photoshop or any other program that requires intense precision, a lower DPI mouse will be best for you.
Polling Rate
The other spec to pay attention to is the polling rate. Polling rate means how many times per second the mouse tells the computer what position it’s in. This is measured in Hz.
A high polling rate will mean the smoothest mouse movement possible. If you use your mouse for gaming, try not to go below a 500Hz polling rate.
Polling rate isn’t as noticeable or important as DPI, but it does make a difference in the overall feel of the mouse.
Types of Mice
Most mice are either laser or optical. Laser and optical mice are powered by similar technology, but there are a couple of key differences between them.
Optical mice can only be used on flat, solid surfaces like mousepads. That’s because optical mice use an LED light to reflect off the mousepad and track their movement. Laser mice can be used on virtually any surface.
Laser mice can also reach higher DPI settings. You might think that would make them better for gaming, but this isn’t always the case.
A lot of gamers prefer optical mice because laser mice can suffer from a problem called acceleration. Acceleration is when the cursor moves farther because of quick mouse movements and vice versa.
Bluetooth Mice
If you prefer the freedom of a wireless mouse, Bluetooth is the way to go. Bluetooth mouse technology has thankfully caught up with wired mouse technology, and you won’t have to worry about much lag if any.
A Bluetooth mouse for your mac is a good choice because it won’t take up a port in your monitor like other wireless mice do.
Radio frequency mice are wireless but still need to be plugged into a USB port with a dongle. Bluetooth mice are the only truly cordless option.
Bluetooth mice are also the best option for connecting to multiple screens at once, and they have a large range of connectivity; you don’t have to be close to your screen, and you can use them easily for projectors.
Though some people find the dependability of a wired mouse comforting, they add yet another pesky cord to your setup and will take up a valuable USB port.
Why Invest in a Mouse for Mac?
If you aren’t a serious gamer, it’s still a good idea to invest in the best mouse for your Mac. It will help you avoid problems with your computer and your hands.
If you’ve ever had problems with your mac cursor disappearing, you know how frustrating it can be. This is a common glitch and can be remedied by investing in a high-quality mouse.
If cursors from your mouse keep disappearing, you can usually fix that problem with troubleshooting. You can also download an app that links your iPhone to your Mac and allows you to use another device as a remote mouse cursor.
If that sounds like a hassle, though, a more sophisticated mouse could be the answer.
Hand Comfort
It’s more common than ever to spend long days working on your computer. If you work from a laptop like a Macbook, this can cause long-term hand problems like cramping, tendinitis, or even carpal tunnel.
There are ways to combat that, though. The touchpad that comes with your laptop may seem like a perfectly fine way to control the cursor, but your hands probably don’t agree with that.
Using the touchpad puts your hands in an unnatural and awkward position, where they’re bending backward and up from the wrists.
This usually leads you to type from this position too, instead of having your wrists poised above the keyboard like you’re supposed to.
Any mouse is a bit more ergonomic than a laptop touchpad, but you can get one specifically designed to be ergonomic as well.
Find the Best Mouse for Your Mac
Now you know more about the different kinds of mice out there and why it’s important to choose the right one. Investing in a good quality mouse for mac computers is investing in your health and quality of work.
Improve your computing experience by choosing a great mouse today.
For more tech tips, feel free to check out our other blog posts!
