Find The Right Pointing-Devices

Microsoft Arc Mouse (black)

Microsoft's Arc mouse is almost as functional as its form is pleasing. The travel-friendly features make perfect sense, and in general, it's a serviceable mouse for Macs and PCs. Only a few minor design issues hold it back.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, USB, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wireless, Laser, Black

Microsoft Arc Mouse (red)

Microsoft's Arc mouse is almost as functional as its form is pleasing. The travel-friendly features make perfect sense, and in general, it's a serviceable mouse for Macs and PCs. Only a few minor design issues hold it back.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, USB, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wireless, Laser, Red

Logitech V550 Nano Cordless Laser Mouse (blue)

Logitech's new V550 Nano laptop mouse adds a unique "clip and go" dock that lets you clip the mouse to your laptop's lid, but we're not sure it's a feature anyone has been clamoring for.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, AA type, USB, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wireless, Laser, Blue

Logitech V550 Nano Cordless Laser Mouse (gray)

Logitech's new V550 Nano laptop mouse adds a unique "clip and go" dock that lets you clip the mouse to your laptop's lid, but we're not sure it's a feature anyone has been clamoring for.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, AA type, USB, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wireless, Laser, Gray

Microsoft SideWinder X5 Mouse

Microsoft's pared-down SideWinder X5 Mouse is supposed to offer PC gamers a lower-cost version of its award-winning higher-end model. Instead, it comes across as flimsy and overly stripped down. Other mice deliver better control for the same price.

Specs: External, PC, USB, 2000 dpi, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wired, Laser, Black

Logitech MX 1100 Cordless Laser Mouse

Logitech's MX 1100 wireless laser mouse is the best in its class thanks to a wide array of features that make navigation easier. You have to pay for all of that capability, but anyone who puts serious time in front of a PC will appreciate what this mouse can do.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, AA type, USB, 1600 dpi, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wireless, Laser

Macally Turtle - mouse

Macally's otherwise unremarkable Turtle laptop mouse at least has the good sense to keep its USB cable out of sight, thanks to a retractable cord.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, USB, 800 dpi, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wired, Laser

3M EM500GPS Ergonomic Mouse (small/medium)

The 3M EM500 Ergonomic Mouse requires some adaptation, and it offers only the most basic mouse functionality. But the payoff is a more comfortable mousing experience.

Specs: External, PC, USB, Mouse, 4 pin USB Type A, 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style), Mouse, Wired

Macally Accuglide

We like the idea of a travel mouse slim enough to fit into a tight pocket or a space-challenged laptop bag, but the Macally Accuglide's wired connection has limited appeal.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, USB, 800 dpi, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wired, Opto-mechanical

Evoluent VerticalMouse 2 (left-handed)

The Evoluent Left-Handed Vertical Mouse is worth a try for southpaws suffering from RSI-related pain. We just wish it were designed a little better.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, Mouse, USB, 1200 dpi, 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style), 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wired

Macally Pebble Wireless Laser Mouse

The Macally Pebble Wireless Laser Mouse is an inexpensive 2.4GHz wireless mouse that works equally well on Macs or PCs--but its unusual shape may not be what you're looking for.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, 1600 dpi, Mouse, Wireless, Laser

Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 (2008)

The Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 isn't cheap, but if you want to go wireless and have an extra $70 lying around, this mouse is certainly an option. If you're going to spend that much, though, we think you'll like Logitech's high-end offering better.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, AAA type, USB, 1000 dpi, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wireless, Laser

Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 (2008)

The Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 is travel-friendly and more comfortable than your standard point-and-click, once you get used to a few design quirks. If you're looking for an accurate wireless mouse and don't mind replacing batteries once a year, then the Microsoft Wireless Mouse 6000 is the way to go.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, AAA type, USB, 1000 dpi, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wireless, Laser

Wacom Cintiq 12WX

A great input device if you do a lot of brush-based graphics, the Cintiq 12WX nonetheless has some awkward design aspects and a bit of a high price.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, USB, Display / video, 4 pin USB Type A, 29 pin combined DVI, 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), Stylus, Digitizer, Wired, Electromagnetic, 12.1 in, 180 cd/m2, 1280 x 800

Trust GM-6400 Gamer Pack Advanced

The Trust Gamer Pack Advanced GM-6400 gaming-mouse-and-headset-combo is not a bad way to sell hardware to gamers, but we had some sound quality issues with the headset. Those problems and the high price tag scared us off.

Logitech G9 Laser Mouse

Usually we're fans of Logitech's gaming mice, but its highest-end G9 Laser Mouse is expensive, overly complex, and lacks the ergonomic thought we've come to expect. If you like to brag about dot-per-inch limits, perhaps the G9's 3,200dpi laser will be enough to sell you, but for the price, we expect the design to match.

Specs: External, PC, USB, 3200 dpi, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wired, Laser

Microsoft Sidewinder Gaming Mouse

Microsoft took almost every popular feature of various high-end gaming mice and wrapped it into one highly customizable product. The design could use a little refinement, but otherwise the new Sidewinder Gaming Mouse would be a worthy addition to your PC gaming arsenal.

Specs: External, PC, USB, 2000 dpi, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wired, Laser

Microsoft Mobile Memory Mouse 8000

Microsoft's ambitious, if slightly awkward, Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 covers all the bases with built-in memory, both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, and even a rechargeable battery.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, Hi-Speed USB, 1000 dpi, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wireless, Laser, Black

Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000

For mobile mousing without the hassle of a receiver, Microsoft's Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 fits the bill as long as you don't mind its somewhat lumpy design.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, AA type, Network, 1000 dpi, Mouse, Wireless, Laser, Gray

Microsoft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 7000

A little bit bigger and the Microsoft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 7000 could be a regular desktop mouse, which makes it easy to use, but not the best for easy traveling.

Specs: External, PC, Mac, AA type, Hi-Speed USB, 1000 dpi, 4 pin USB Type A, Mouse, Wireless, Laser, Pearl