Wireless mouse and keyboard

[Zukan]

That's because they fear you Paul.

Fear is the key.

[Forum Admin]

I can write with both hands at the same time, either forwards, backwards or in opposite directions.

Wow - I gotta see this! Can you post a video somewhere?

[The Elf]

That's because they fear you Paul.

Fear is the key.

[Martin Walker]

I wonder how difficult it is to train your non dominant hand after you using the dominant one for decades?

Not as difficult as you'd think!
I lived in a pokey little rented place for while and the peculiar shape and lack of size meant the only layout where I could comfortably get at my master KB from the PC but also be able to type without twisting awkwardly or completely rearranging the room put the mouse in the otherwise largely useless appendage that is my left hand.
Felt very awkward at first but was more comfortable within a couple of weeks and in relatively little time I'd achieved true mouse ambidextrousness.

I found exactly the same thing, after reorganising my studio a few years ago and having to move my (non-wireless) mouse from the right to the left hand side of my PC keyboard. Yes, it took at lest a few days to adjust, but as a left-hander I perhaps found it easier to adapt than the dextrous folk.

I've bought several mice since then, and the only thing to watch out for is that you get one that's symmetrical about the vertical axis, as it then doesn't matter which paw you use with it - I'm currently on a budget Microsoft basic optical mouse that works perfectly



Martin

[Marbury]

A wireless mouse is a pain in the backside. I had one for years that didn't always show on boot up, resulting in me unplugging the usb and re-inserting to get it working. Since it was from 2004 I decided to get an updated one last year. The problem is worse than ever, despite having the correct drivers etc. So basically I wasted money on the upgraded. What gets me is the problem is intermittent. It should either work or not.

[Bob Bickerton]

Fascinating a 7 year old thread has been reignited on such a bland subject, but FWIW since my last post in this thread I’m all wireless (well keyboard and mouse) these days. Very secure and no cables!

I particularly like my Logitech MX Master 3s Performance Wireless Mouse and have it programmed to do wonderful things in Logic. Between it and an Elgato Stream Deck, I hardly touch my keyboard when tracking.

Bob

[ef37a]

A wireless mouse is a pain in the backside. I had one for years that didn't always show on boot up, resulting in me unplugging the usb and re-inserting to get it working. Since it was from 2004 I decided to get an updated one last year. The problem is worse than ever, despite having the correct drivers etc. So basically I wasted money on the upgraded. What gets me is the problem is intermittent. It should either work or not.

Not my experience at all. I had two such kbds and mice, one each for son and I and they worked famously with two W7 desktops. The mice were rather AA hungry!
They were branded "Microsoft" no idea if that was kosher but I got them from Sainsburys yonks ago. I might get another one when a bit of cash frees up to see if it will run my TCL Smart TV, a wire kbd works over USB.

Dave.

[Marbury]

Fascinating a 7 year old thread has been reignited on such a bland subject.

Bob

Well I thought at least it best rather than start a new thread as the subject is appropriate.

It seems like the issue is yet again a fluke for me then, despite it happening on 2 different pc's, 2 different versions of windows and 2 different mice.

[Nazard]

Never had an issue with wireless mice, or keyboards, for that matter. For my main PCs I use Logitech MX anywhere USB rechargeable and for my Pi and Intel NUC, Perixx battery mice.

[sonics]

I've used Logitech wireless keyboard and mice for two decades. Never an issue, and batteries last months, if not years. I'm certain it's possible to buy cheap rubbish that's unreliable and eats batteries, too.

[Philbo King]

Wireless keys & mice are great for starting/stopping recording while not sitting at your desk (like recording drums or keyboards).

As far as physiological effects of RF, there is no evidence that the power levels and frequencies involved have any effect. I worked on HF, VHF, and microwave radar stuff (4-10 GHz) at up to 1000 Watts radiated power for decades with no ill effects, though at age 69 I do have a slow-growing cataract in one eye... The power level of wireless mice & keys are on the order of 1/1000ths of a watt.

[Marbury]

I've used Logitech wireless keyboard and mice for two decades. Never an issue, and batteries last months, if not years. I'm certain it's possible to buy cheap rubbish that's unreliable and eats batteries, too.

Both mine are Logtech

[sonics]

Both mine are Logtech

In that case I suggest there may be issues with the computer, or you've received faulty equipment.

[The Elf]

I've found both Logitech and Microsoft's wireless 'desktops' (i.e. I wouldn't only buy a mouse alone) to be very reliable, and the batteries literally last years.

Like Bob, I am also a devotee of the Elgato Stream Deck - would that it was wireless too...

[N i g e l]

..... Fortunately I play an instrument where the melody is all on the right hand.
CC

so, a slight ambidexterity bias on this forum then, as the general public would just use their other arm for leaning on or wearing a watch, whereas musicians use both sides to some degree when playing an instrument; perhaps whilst stomping their foot and operating their vocals ?

----

I mainly use wired keyboard and mouse and have a £5 number pad with a long lead for DAW operation away from the desk. Numberpads seem to be all wireless now but still only £5-£10. You may need to set up keybindings for your app.

The biggest revelation was my touch screen laptop. It came with a pen, which is suitable for lefties & righties and is especially handy for drawing envelopes and adding other performance curves.

[Bob Bickerton]

Like Bob, I am also a devotee of the Elgato Stream Deck - would that it was wireless too...

I’d imagine most users of Stream Deck would instantly but wireless options!

Bob

[Marbury]

But why oh why oh why is this problem intermittent ? This should either be not working or working. Same for the pc refusing to come out of sleep mode. No reason and no way of solving it after trying everything. It doesn't make sense.

[Forum Admin]

A wireless mouse is a pain in the backside. I had one for years that didn't always show on boot up, resulting in me unplugging the usb and re-inserting to get it working. Since it was from 2004 I decided to get an updated one last year. The problem is worse than ever, despite having the correct drivers etc. So basically I wasted money on the upgraded. What gets me is the problem is intermittent. It should either work or not.

On my Macs, the white Apple wireless mouse (using Bluetooth) has not let me down EVER since it was introduced nearly a decade ago.

I do charge it up religiously though, every day, while I eat lunch and am away from my 'pewter.

[Zukan]

Logitech MX user here.

[Sam Spoons]

My old 'Apple Magic Mouse' powered by 2 x AA batteries is pretty good (actually I have three) but its connection to my old studio Mac Pro, has become slightly flakey this last year. I think it's more related to the Mac than the mouse though as the Magic Keyboards (again I have several accumulated over the years) also bug out sometimes (The Magic Trackpad seems mostly ok mostly).

[Marbury]

Well I just can't understand why sometimes when I boot up it fails to show up, and other times it doesn't. Surely it either works or it doesn't ?

[Marbury]

Aaaaand still this mouse causes intermittent failure to show on bootup. Why oh why oh why does this happen (or not)

[OneWorld]

A big 'Yes' from me.

Only one word of caution - buy a decent desktop kit. I like Microsoft and Logitech, though I'm less enamored of recent Logitech models. You ideally want something that is comfortable and responsive to use day in, day out, and you want acceptable battery life. The cheaper combos seem to eat batteries. From the sublime to the ridiculous, my office desktop keyboard and mouse have been running on the same batteries for over four years now, and my studio kit is onto year three.

I bought a cheap combo, and by the time I binned it, I'd spent more on batteries than I'd paid for the mouse and keyboard in the first place.