Mouse and keyboard

[pcslookout]

Does a really good mouse and keyboard really make a huge difference in comfort ? Is it worth getting wireless or is there to much interface or delay if you type fast ?

 

[Tlkki]

I love these back/forward buttons on my mouse. And the wheel is a must of course. Ive been using a flat keyboard on my desktop computer for a loooong time now and i tell you there is no going back.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: Tlkki
I love these back/forward buttons on my mouse. And the wheel is a must of course. Ive been using a flat keyboard on my desktop computer for a loooong time now and i tell you there is no going back.

back/forward buttons ? What exactly is the difference between a flat keyboard compared to a normal keyboard ?

 

[CurseTheSky]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes.

A good mouse and good keyboard DEFINATELY contribute to your computer experience. You can have the nicest display, the greatest speakers, and the fastest internals, and have them all basically go to waste if your keyboard and mouse don't perform. These are the #1 and #2 ways of interacting with your computer.

With that being said, try an old, generic PS2 2-button beige ball mouse. Use it for a week. When the week is up, switch to something like a Logitech G5, Logitech G7, Logitech MX518, etc. Try those for a week, and decide which you like better.

While mice are much more performance oriented, I find that keyboards are more comfort oriented. Some of the more comfortable keyboards I've used are from the recent Microsoft Laser (Wireless) sets. They're not my favorite, but they're definately easy on the hands and wrists. I personally use a Logitech G15, and I love it. It's not as confortable as the Microsoft options, but it gives me better gaming flexibility with the customizable keys, and the LCD (which does come in handy, especially for Ventrilo).

 

[Tlkki]

I have the logitech MX518. Loved it for 3 years now i think. When you browse it just too easy to use the back and forward (in the browser as well) with just a little thumb movement.

 

[pcslookout]

I am looking at newegg and see keyboards and mouse ranging from $4 to $300

What amount of money is it worth spending on a keyboard and mouse ? Whats the most you should spend on each item ? Is it stupid to spend more than $50 or $100 ?

 

[Synomenon]

The amount you spend really depends on you. If the keyboard you find comfortable costs $300 and you can afford it, go with that keyboard. Same with the mouse. You really should try some keyboards out at a local store before you buy one online. If you can't find one in a store that you saw online, you'll just have to purchase it and do the RMA thing if you end up not liking it or you can find user reviews on it (though those may not really help). I've personally spent up to $150 on a mouse / keyboard set, but that's when the Logitech's MX3100 set first came out. Now I've found my perfect keyboard and it's a simple Dell RT7D50 USB keyboard. Got one on ebay for five bucks. My current mouse is a Logitech MX Revolution. It's one of the better mice I've tried so far. I had a MX1000 previously. I don't prefer one over the other.

 

[shikhae]

Here's my two cents on wireless products.
I own the Logitech Dinovo (not edge) and the MX revolution. Both are pretty good. And I would recommend both. However I can't say how reliable the keyboard connection is because I don't type that fast (around 50-60wpm). Perhaps if I typed over 100+ wpm I may see some skips. As for the MX revolution I would say it's rather comfortable, however I don't use it's best feature at all. (the frictionless hyperscrolling) I haven't tested the range accurately, since they are on my desk the majority of the time but when I clean them in a different room several feet away I can see my pointer and screen go crazy as I wipe the keys and button. I'm not a fan of logitech's set point software though.

Recently I bought a wired mouse and keyboard because the battery issues were getting in the way of gameplay. (This is entirely my fault, not the products as I was the one who forgot to charge) But it really sucks when youre involved in a party in an mmorpg and your mouse just dies. Actually the keyboard never had any battery issues. Seems to go on for months without a battery change. But one day I was getting some sort of interference and I could barely type.
My new keyboard has macro functions which I am hesitant to make full use of because ethically it seems like cheating for mmorpg's, but I did some testing and it does indeed make a few things a little too easy. It's quite convenient for other applications as well.

Anyway this is all in my point of view. The OP may not play any games at all. It's hard to give a recommendation because we don't know how fast he types, how he prefers the keyspacing, the size of his desk, the planned use of the keyboard (general, gaming, multimedia), etc. Same goes for the mouse.

 

[Roguestar]

Logitec Ultra-X and any decent Microsoft wireless optical/laser mouse = happy.