Gaming Mice Buying Guide

Overview

All mice  were not created equal; this is the sagely advice passed down from PC gamer to PC gamer throughout each generation. No, regular computer mice are sometimes not enough when you've been placed in a bloody virtual deathmatch; not fast enough, not enough buttons, not enough anything to stop your pretty little head from being blown off. It is with this in mind that computer hardware companies, like Logitech,  Microsoft  and Razer,  decided to create gaming mice,  crafted especially those looking to get every possible advantage over the competition. 

Razer Gaming Mice

Since the release of the original Razer Boomslang  in 1999, Razer  gaming mice have taken the gaming community by storm. While the original Boomslang was a gaming-grade mechanical mouse (yes, complete with a rubber ball inside), current Razer mice offer the latest in optical technology. Depending on the mouse, you'll find either a laser or infra-red sensor inside, capable of resolutions up to 4,000 dots per inch (DPi). Translating to real-people speak, this means that Razer mass can capture and transmit more data about the surface they are on, which means faster, more precise tracking. Combined with on-the-fly sensitivity adjustments and fully programmable buttons, Razer gaming mice are the perfect accessory for a gamer looking to improve his head shot skills.

	DPi	Optical Tech	On-the-Fly Sensitivity	No. of Buttons	Frames per Second	Onboard Memory
Razer Krait	1600	Infrared	Yes	3	6400	None
Razer Lachesis	4000	Laser sensor	Yes	9		32KB
Razer Diamondback 3G	1800	Infrared	Yes	7	6400	None
Razer DeathAdder	1800	Infrared	Yes	5	6400	None
Razer Boomslang	1800	Infrared	Yes	5		32KB
Razer Copperhead	2000	Laser sensor	Yes	7	7080	32KB
Razer Salmosa	1800	Infrared	Yes	3		None

Logitech Gaming Mice

Not to be outdone by their competitors, Logitech  entered the gaming-grade mouse market in the early '00s with the Logitech MX518,  and have since continued to improve on this award-winning design with later models. Unlike Razer,  Logitech offers wireless gaming mice in addition to wired, and have added a number of useful features including on-mouse battery level indicators, profile-saving features, an adjustable weight-tuning system, variable grips, and rechargeable battery packs (including docking stations). For those looking for a gaming mouse with some extra perks, Logitech might be the way to go.

 

	DPi	Optical Tech	On-the-Fly Sensitivity	No. of Buttons	Weight Tuning	Connectivity	Onboard Memory
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse	3200	Laser	Yes	5 (plus tilt-wheel)	Yes (28g)	Wired	Yes (5 profiles)
Logitech G7 Laser Cordless Mouse	2000	Laser	Yes	6 (plus tilt-wheel)	No	2.4 GHz Wireless	No
Logitech G5 Laser Mouse	2000	Laser	Yes	7 (plus tilt-wheel)	Yes (36g)	Wired	No
Logitech MX518 Gaming Mouse	1800	LED	Yes	8	No	Wired	No

Related Products

Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard	Microsoft Sidewinder X5 Gaming Mouse	Saitek Cyborg Gaming Keyboard	Bawls Energy Drink

External Links

• NGHQ.com: Hardware, software and driver news, plus product reviews for the discerning gamer.
• NewEgg.com: Your online hardware resource. Browse through hundreds of different video cards, peripherals, monitors and more, complete with user reviews.
• Metacritic.com: Not sure if that new games is worth plunking down your hard-earned scratch? Instead of jumping in blind, let Metacritic's aggregate review system help you figure out what's worth purchasing and what's just a rental.