Mouse for design work - on a budget

marty1990

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Sep 13, 2014
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Currently I use a Logitech B110 mouse that came with my MacBook, but it's on it's way out now and I'm looking for a new one. I'm a graphic designer and I tend to use a mouse more than anything else when working in Illustrator etc. I do have a Magic Mouse but find that incredibly uncomfortable to use.

I'm on a budget, and I use OS X so that kinda limits my options a bit in regards to mice, due to driver etc. A lot of people recommend the Logitech Performance MX but that's a bit out of my price range. I've seen the Anywhere MX which but that's a mobile mouse and I want something that'll be comfortable over long usage. I've also heard good things about the M705, but many people claim the tracking is terrible because the sensor isn't centered.

I also read that a lot of designers opt to use gaming mice. I've looked into them and again they seem expensive, however, I've seen a few 'game branded' mice that fit within my budget.

These include the SteelSeries Diablo III Mouse, Razer Spectre Gaming Mouse and the SteelSeries Sims 4 Mouse. Yes these are game branded but that doesn't particularly bother me since I design from home, and from what I gather these will work with OS X.

All I pretty much want is a mouse that'll work well with OS X, in the sense that all of the buttons will be able to be mapped how I want them to be, uses a laser sensor for accuracy and is comfortable in my hand. I'm not too bothered on if it's wireless or wired, it'll mainly be used at home. I do occasionally game, too, RTS and FPS games.

So are any of the mice I've mentioned any good, and will do the job? Or are there any other alternatives? My budget is around £25.

Thanks.
 

drapacioli

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Dec 6, 2010
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When it comes to comfort everyone's different, but sensor quality is important. I know a lot of people prefer wireless mice, but if your job demands precision then wired is the only way to go. TechNet seems to sell some high-rated gaming mice with 2,000 DPI sensors, maybe you could check those out: http://www.amazon.co.uk/TeckNet%C2%AE-Precision-Gaming-Button-weight/dp/B00E290JRE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410642675&sr=8-1&keywords=gaming+mouse

There are a few reviews stating they are rebranded Anker mice, which are nice quality.

I know Logitech is a trusted brand in mice, but I would stay away from their cheapest gaming mouse offering (the G100), because I've not been impressed by the reviews at all. I personally use a G500s and love it (had the G400 before that, same shape and really comfortable), but they're way outside your price range at 50-60. If you don't want to go the gaming mouse route, pretty much any comfortable mouse should do the job. Just search Ergonomic mice on your favorite website.
 

marty1990

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Sep 13, 2014
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Been looking into it, apparently an optical mouse would be best for me. So it kinda dismisses the options I posted above. I might be able to stretch my budget a tad, I just don't want to spend loads on a mouse. I mean, obviously I use a mouse more than anything, but still. It's hard to justify.

I'm also struggling finding mice that have programmable buttons that work well with OS X.

Any ideas?
 

drapacioli

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Dec 6, 2010
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Programmable buttons with OSX is not something I'm familiar with, though I know Logitech mice will work if they support the LGS software. Problem is they're more expensive. The mouse I linked was an optical mouse, but I'm not sure how "programmable" it is at all, let alone under OSX.