Purchasing a new computer mouse or mouse and keyboard combo is not really rocket science. But please read the following and consider a few things that you may not remember about your current mouse. Just like a keyboard your computer mouse is a very personal thing, it's probably one of the most used devices on your computer and must work the way you want it to have a good experience. The feel, the touch of the keys or buttons and how moves across the desktop are just a few things to consider when purchasing a new mouse. Please take a few minutes and read below about a few things you may want to think about when purchasing a new mouse.

Laser Vs Optical: Your computer mouse may no longer have any moving parts like that old ball that used to get clogged up every other day. Most computer mouses made today have either optical camera or laser that reads mouse pad or desktop to change directions. Optical mouse's have a lower resolution and are the older style, they works pretty well but still has a few issues, don't buy this style if you can help it, the new laser mouse works much better. A laser mouse not only has better resolution, but it can read on shiny surfaces unlike an optical mouse. Laser mouse is are much more accurate and use less power making your batteries last longer. One thing to understand about the laser mouse, is that you don't have that glowing orange or red light to tell you that it's working, so make sure if the mouse has an off switch that you turn off when not in use to save your battery.

Button's: Let me just say a couple things about the buttons, most standard mouses come with three buttons. The left button, the right button and most wheels on a mouse are clickable as your third button. If you load the software it comes with your mouse you can program these buttons to do almost anything you want. Be careful of newer fancier mouses that have 4 to 5 and 6 buttons. I purchased a nice mouse for my wife's computer that had a total of five buttons, the original 3 and one on each side. While in theory this is a good idea my wife and I would always hit those two extra buttons and a crazy things happen on the screen such as the left button would activate a large magnifier and then I couldn't find out how to turn off half the time. Finally I decide to turn the two extra buttons off because they kept getting away. So when considering buying a mouse more is not always better, sometimes the extra's just get in the way.

The Feel: Let's talk about the feel of the mouse. What I mean by the feel is how big is it, is at high, wide, fat your hand or slim. For this purpose I suggest you go to your local big-box store or computer store and check out the few mouses they have on display next to the keyboards. Just like a keyboard how the mouse feels and the touch is very important. If the mouse is too big or too wide to fit your hand you will be unhappy and it will be difficult to use. Once you've found a mouse that works for you, go back home and read some reviews and check out online prices to see if you can get a better deal. Remember just because the salesman says is a bestseller, doesn't mean it's right for you. A mouse is very personal thing, it has to feel right so you can get a lot of work done or a lot of play depending upon what you want to use it for. With a little effort and a little bit of research you will find the perfect mouse feels natural in your hand.

Wired or Wireless: Computer mouses still come in both styles of wired or wireless. There are pros and cons to both types of mouses, which one is right for you only you can know. Corded mouses have that darn cord that can get in the way all the time. Wireless mouses give you much more freedom, but if the batteries are low or something's in the way of the sending unit they just don't always function properly. Not all wireless mouses are made the same, some cheaper models just don't have a good enough signal to work smoothly and cleanly. Don't get cheap when buying a wireless mouse make sure it has a range of at least 15 to 20 feet or you're wasting your money. Some nicer models have rechargeable batteries that you can put the mouse on a stand when you're not using it, it will be ready and fully charged when you need it. These models cost about $50-$60, but if you use your computer many hours a day this might be a better way to go. Think about how you use your computer and how your current mouse works for you, then make an informed decision and you will be happy with the new mouse you just purchased.

Laptop Micro USB Mouses: A new trend in the last couple of years is the new micro mouses that are used for laptops. These small USB mouses are nicer to use than most touch pads on your laptop. Once again find one that works for you, see if you can find one with a small micro sending unit and not the big one that sticks out. Don't buy the cheapest $20 version, you get what you pay for, do some research online and see which micro mouses work best for the average user. You will probably have to spend between $30 and $40 to get a good quality micro USB mouse. Trust me I bought the cheap ones, they're not worth the few bucks you save.

Well there you have it a few things consider when buying a new mouse, once again let me remind you that other than your keyboard your mouse is probably the most used part of your computer. It has to feel right in your hand and move the way you want it to move, there's nothing worse than trying to get something done on your computer and the mouse just doesn't work. On the other hand don't freak out, most mouses only cost $20-$50 and if you take care of them they will lasting several years. With a little patience, do your research, check the reviews and you will find the perfect mouse for you.

Check out Newegg.com they have several Mouses to choose from and detailed specifications on each.

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