What is the difference between an optical mouse and a laser mouse? Choosing a mouse for games: optical vs laser. And also find out what the resolution of the sensor should be. Which mouse is better Optical or Laser? Optical sensor or laser

A manipulator called "Mouse" has already entered our lives so tightly that we do not even notice how often we use this device. The mouse allows you to control your computer with maximum comfort. Remove it, and the speed of working with a PC will decrease several times. But the main thing is to choose the right mouse, based on the types of tasks that will need to be solved with its help. Some situations will require special types of mice.

Types of computer mice

According to the design features, several types of computer mice are distinguished: mechanical, optical, laser, trackball, induction, gyroscopic and sensory. Each type has its own unique characteristics that allow you to successfully use the mouse in a given situation. So what mice are best for pc? Let's try to understand this issue, having examined in detail each type separately.

Mechanical mice

This is the same type with which the history of computer mice began. The design of such a mouse assumes the presence of a rubberized ball that glides over the surface. He, in turn, makes special rollers move, which transmit the result of the movement of the ball to special sensors. The sensors send the processed signal to the computer itself, as a result of which the cursor moves on the screen. This is how a mechanical mouse works. This outdated device had two or three buttons and did not differ in any features. Connection to a computer was carried out using a COM port (in earlier versions) and a PS / 2 connector (in later models).

The weakest point of a mechanical mouse was exactly the same ball that “crawled” along the surface. It became very dirty very quickly, as a result of which the accuracy of the movement fell. I had to clean it often with alcohol. In addition, mechanical ball mice categorically refused to slide normally on a bare table. They always needed a special rug. At the moment, such mice are obsolete and are not used anywhere. The most popular manufacturers of mechanical mice at the time were Genius and Microsoft.

Optical mice

The next stage in the evolution of computer mice was the emergence of optical models. The principle of operation is fundamentally different from mice equipped with balls. The basis of the optical mouse is a sensor that registers the movement of the mouse by photographing at high speed (about 1000 shots per second). Then the sensor sends information to the sensors and after appropriate processing, the information enters the computer, causing the cursor to move. Optical mice can contain any number of buttons. From two in ordinary office models to 14 in serious gaming solutions. Thanks to their technology, optical mice are able to provide high precision cursor movement. In addition, they can glide perfectly on any flat surface (except for a mirror).

Now optical mice are the most popular among most users. They combine high DPI and an adequate price. Unpretentious optical models are the most cheap computer mice. In form, they can be very different. By the number of buttons too. There are also wired and wireless options. If you need high accuracy and reliability, then your choice is a wired optical mouse. The fact is that wireless technologies make the user dependent on batteries and wireless communication, which is not always up to par.

Laser mice

These mice are evolutionary continuation of optical mice. The difference is that a laser is used instead of an LED. At the present stage of development, laser mice are the most accurate and provide the highest DPI value. That is why they are so loved by many gamers. Laser mice don't care what surface they "crawl" on. They work well even on rough surfaces.

With the highest DPI of any mouse, laser models are widely used by gamers. That is why laser manipulators have a wide range of models aimed at game fans. A distinctive feature of this mouse is the presence of a large number of additional programmable buttons. A prerequisite for a good gaming mouse is only a wired connection via USB. Since wireless technology cannot provide the proper accuracy of work. Gaming laser mice are usually not cheap. Most expensive computer mice based on a laser element are produced by Logitech and A4Tech.

trackball

This device does not look like a standard computer mouse at all. At its core, a trackball is a mechanical mouse in reverse. The cursor is controlled by a ball on the top side of the device. But the sensors of the device are still optical. In its form, the trackball does not resemble a classic mouse at all. And it does not need to be moved anywhere in order to achieve the movement of the cursor. The trackball is connected to the computer via USB.

The advantages and disadvantages of the trackball have been arguing for quite some time. On the one hand, it reduces the load on the hand and ensures the accuracy of cursor movement. On the other hand, it is a bit inconvenient to use the trackball buttons. Such devices are still rare and unfinished.

induction mice

Induction mice are a logical continuation of wireless devices. However, they are devoid of some properties characteristic of "tailless" models. For example, induction mice can only work on a special mat connected to a computer. Carrying the mouse away from the rug will not work. However, there are also pluses. High accuracy and no need to change batteries, since there are no batteries in such mice at all. Induction mice get their energy from the mat.

Such mice are not very common, as they have a high price and are not particularly mobile. On the other hand, these are the most original computer mice. Their originality lies in the absence of batteries.

Gyro mice

These mice do not need to slide on the surface at all. The gyroscopic sensor, which is the basis of such a mouse, responds to changes in the position of the device in space. Of course it's convenient. But this method of management requires a fair amount of skill. Naturally, such mice are distinguished by the absence of wires, because with their presence it would be inconvenient to control the mouse.

The computer mouse is probably the most massive and widely popular computer device. Over time, its design has undergone major technological changes. Mice with direct drive from 2 perpendicular metal wheels have long been forgotten. Optical and laser devices are relevant today. Which computer mouse is better - laser or optical? Now let's try to understand the differences between these 2 types of manipulators.

Types of surfaces and the work of mice on them

When choosing a modern computer mouse, one should not forget about such an important aspect as the coating on which it will work. An optical mouse is completely unpretentious in this matter and will work perfectly in any conditions, in addition to a mirror surface.

Laser mice are quite whimsical to the conditions. The best option for working with such an assistant would be a rug and not a simple one, but a special rug. On an unsuitable surface, the cursor of this manipulator will tremble, often twitching.

What's better?

It depends on one or another application and environment. If you look at the Logitech G brand, you will see that there the company mainly focuses on LED mice when it comes to different PC games. However, this brand also has laser mice, the same Logitech offers a small part of devices with a laser that are focused on working with office applications.

Another manufacturer, Razer, prefers laser technology more because it offers the highest sensitivity in gaming.

The cost of different types of mice

The choice of modern computer mice is simply very large, and if you put aside all the unsuccessful models, as well as unknown manufacturers, you can quickly decide on a pricing policy for various tasks. Choosing a mouse for daily or office work, you will have to pay from 100 to 180 UAH.

Pros and cons of an optical mouse

An optical mouse has the following advantages:

small price;
insensitivity to uneven surfaces.

Cons of the device:

does not like mirror, glass coatings;
differs in small accuracy and speed;
little sensitivity;
annoying lighting;
great power consumption.

Advantages and disadvantages of a laser mouse

Device advantages:

the ability to perform functions on different surfaces;
increased accuracy and speed;
significant sensitivity;
resolution adjustment;
there is no backlight;
low energy consumption;
various additional options.

Cons of the device:

expensive;
sensitivity to uneven surfaces.

Summarizing

Summing up, you can already answer the question: "Optical mouse or laser - which is better?" Given all of the above, the second option is considered the best. For home use, laser mice can be called more convenient. At the same time, there is a huge range of models in such cities as Gorlovka, Makeevka, Donetsk, and choosing the right option in our online store is not a problem.

Whether you use it for work or play, our hands grip a computer mouse almost every day. What is the difference between optical and laser mouse?

They are on store shelves in a large assortment, most are designed for right-handers, while a few have an ergonomic design suitable for left-handers. Of all the features and form factors, you will find two basic versions of computer mice: with an optical sensor or based on a laser. What's better? Let's figure it out.

Guess what? All modern computer mice are optical.

Modern computer mice are the same cameras that, instead of capturing faces, capture images of the surface from below (table, stand, etc.). The captured images are converted into data to track the current location of the peripheral on the surface. Ultimately, this is a low-resolution camera in the palm of your hand designed only to track X and Y coordinates thousands of times per second.

Essentially, all computer mice consist of a tiny low-resolution camera (CMOS sensor), two lenses, and a light source. All mice are technically optical because they collect data optically. However, those sold as optical models rely on an infrared or red LED to project light onto a surface. This LED is usually mounted at an angle and focuses the light onto the beam. The beam bounces off the surface, through a lens that magnifies the reflected light, and transmits it to the CMOS sensor.

The CMOS sensor collects light and converts light particles into electrical current. This analog data is then converted to 1s and 0s, resulting in over 10,000 digital images being captured every second. These images are compared to create the exact location of the mouse, and then the final data is sent to the PC for cursor placement every one to eighth milliseconds.

On older LED mice, you may have noticed that the LED was pointing straight down and shining a red beam on the surface that the sensor saw. Now the LED light is projected at an angle and is generally invisible (infrared). This helps your computer mouse track movements on most surfaces.

Meanwhile, Logitech was the first to introduce the concept of using a laser for a computer mouse back in 2004. Specifically, it is called a vertical cavity laser diode, or VCSEL, which is used in laser pointers, optical drives, barcode readers, and other devices.

This infrared laser simply replaces the infrared/red LED on optical models. But don't worry: it won't harm your eyes because it only emits light in the infrared range, which the human eye can't see. This major advantage allows the laser mouse to use a higher beam intensity, resulting in better visualization and increased sensitivity.

At one time, laser models were considered far superior to optical versions. Over time, however, optical mice have improved, and now they work in a wide variety of situations, with a very high degree of accuracy. The advantage of the laser model is due to the greater sensitivity than the LED mouse. However, if you're not an avid gamer, this is not such a big deal.

So, what's the difference between using an optical mouse and a laser mouse, other than the difference in lighting?

To begin with, it should be mentioned that both methods use surface irregularities to track the position of the periphery. But, the laser can penetrate deeper into the surface texture. This gives more information to the CMOS sensor and processor inside the mouse to manipulate and transmit data to the parent PC.

For example, despite the fact that ordinary glass is transparent, it still has very small irregularities that can only be traced with a laser. This allows you to use the surface of the glass table when working, although it is not ideal. Meanwhile, if we place a modern optical mouse on the same glass surface, it won't be able to track our movements. Place a glass surface on a black desktop and the optical mouse still won't be able to track motion. Remove the glass and the optical mouse will work just fine.

Of course, the chances of constantly using a computer mouse on a glass surface are extremely rare, but this demonstrates how the two lighting processes differ in performance. The LED will track anomalies found on the top layer of the surface while the laser can penetrate deeper to find additional positional details. Optical mice work best on non-glossy surfaces and mousepads, while laser mice work best on almost any glossy or non-glossy surface.

Accuracy and sensitivity

The problem with laser computer mice is that they can be too precise, picking up useless information like invisible surface particles. This leads to problems when driving at slower speeds, causing "judder" on the screen. This incorrect 1:1 tracking is due to useless data being passed to the general tracking used by the PC. The result is that the cursor will not appear in the exact location at the time your hand placed it there. While this problem has improved a lot over the years, laser mice are still not perfect when you're drawing details in Adobe Illustrator, for example.

However, jitter has nothing to do with the number of dots per inch a mouse can track per second. Instead, the jitter is tied to whatever is scanned by the laser, collected by the sensor, and sent to the parent PC's processor to display the screen cursor. To smooth out some of the judder, you can place a cloth-based material, with a hard, dark surface underneath, on your table so the laser doesn't pick up unnecessary or unwanted data.

Another option would be to decrease the sensitivity. The resolution of the CMOS sensor on a computer mouse is different from that of a camera because it is based on motion. The sensor consists of a given number of physical pixels aligned on a square grid. Resolution is related to the number of distinct images captured by each pixel as it moves across a surface.

Since physical pixels cannot be changed, the sensor can use image processing to divide each pixel into a smaller area. However, all computer mice have a given physical resolution, and increased sensitivity is associated with algorithms inside the sensor, so it is possible to speed up the movement of the cursor on the screen, with the same physical movements. Thus, the closer you are to the base resolution, the less unwanted positional data the sensor in a laser-based computer mouse collects.

Simply put, lower sensitivity results in more precise movement.

What's better?

It depends on the application and the environment. If you look at the Logitech G brand, you will notice that there Logitech mainly focuses on LED mice when it comes to PC gaming. This is because users usually sit at a desk and may even use a mouse pad designed for better tracking and traction. However, the company also has laser mice, the same Logitech offers a small part of devices with a laser that are not aimed at gamers.

Another manufacturer, Razer, prefers laser technology because it offers higher sensitivity in games. In general, we do not believe that optical or laser technology is completely self-sufficient in itself. Our recommendation is more specific for office use.

A laser mouse can be perfect when you're in a hotel room, in the living room, lying on the couch, or scrolling through Facebook while sitting in a meeting. Performance can be inconsistent given the surface below, but with a laser mouse you definitely have more options on all surfaces. A laser-based computer mouse comes in handy when you have to use your foot as a tracking surface, or when the office has nothing but shiny furniture that your LED device absolutely hates.

Most modern high performance mice use a laser. However, they usually cost more. While laser is the more versatile technology, a decent optical mouse can handle less as long as you use it on a flat, non-glossy surface.

We hope this article helped to understand at least a little better the differences in technologies in the main peripheral devices, and it's up to you to decide which computer mouse you need.

#Sensor_type

It is generally accepted that the laser sensor of the mouse is better than the optical one, but in fact it all depends on the tasks performed on the computer. If absolutely precise positioning is required from the mouse at any speed of its movement, then optical mice have advantages. For this reason, optical mice are best suited for professional gamers, designers, and photographers. Typically, optical manipulators are combined into a group of gaming mice, since it is gamers who are their main buyers. If the mouse requires versatility, that is, work on any surface and sufficiently high accuracy, then devices with laser sensors are preferable, which are popular among novice gamers, office workers and among those who travel a lot with a laptop.

Gaming sensors of average quality

Pixart Avago ADNS9800
Pixart Avago ADNS9500
Pixart Avago A3090
Pixart Avago A3059
Pixart Avago AM010
Pixart Avago PMW3320
Pixart Avago ADNS-3095
Pixart Avago ADNS-3888

Professional gaming sensors

Pixart Avago PMW3310
Logitech Mercury
Pixart Avago S3988
Pixart Avago PMW3366
Pixart Avago PMW3360
Pixart Avago PMW3389

Let's try to explain the above. The heart of any computer mouse is the sensor, which is responsible for registering the movements of the mouse on the surface. With the advent of operating systems with a graphical interface, the most common way to register the movements of the ball mice used at that time was an optical-mechanical sensor. Due to low accuracy, exactingness to the working surface and the need for very frequent cleaning, such mice have gone down in history, giving way to modern optical and laser sensors. Strictly speaking, the division into optical and laser mice is rather arbitrary. The principle of operation of optical and laser mice is the same, the difference lies in the type of light source. In optical mice, this is a regular LED, and in laser mice, it is an infrared laser. In what follows, if clarification is not required, we will use the terms "optical mouse" and "optical sensor".

So what is an optical sensor? The answer to this question is simple - it is a light source, a miniature video camera and a special microcircuit that registers the direction and speed of the mouse movement on the table surface. The registration process is as follows:

The light source, located at an acute angle relative to the underside of the mouse, creates shadows in areas of micro-roughness found on almost any surface, increasing the contrast of the image.
The miniature camera takes pictures of the work surface at a very high frequency (10 kHz or higher)
The chip sequentially, frame by frame, analyzes the received images and converts them into changes in the cursor coordinates.

Due to the lower cost of red LEDs and the greater sensitivity of silicon photodetectors to red, almost all inexpensive optical mice use a red LED as a light source. In more advanced models, LEDs of other colors can be used, including those emitting light in the spectrum invisible to the human eye.

As mentioned above, laser mice use an infrared laser diode as a light source. Due to the coherence of laser radiation, focusing on the working surface is much more accurate and this mouse requires surface microroughness with a much smaller size than is necessary for an optical mouse. For this reason, a laser mouse is better suited for everyday use, as it works equally well on both a cloth pad and a glass surface.

When it comes to computer games, the accuracy of laser sensors becomes redundant. The problem is that laser computer mice collect useless information, so moving the mouse slowly causes cursor jitter. Tracking errors are related to redundant data being sent to the computer. Despite the fact that engineers are struggling with this feature of laser sensors, and not without success, laser mice still cannot boast of ideal positioning accuracy in games. For this reason, professional esports players often choose optical mice with the most advanced sensors.

4 804

The computer mouse has become an indispensable manipulator with the advent of the graphical interface in operating systems. Since the appearance of the first models, there have been significant constructive changes. To date, only one type prevails - optical, which is divided into optical laser (laser mouse) and optical LED (optical mouse).

The previously existing optomechanical (ball) is no longer in demand (was superseded) due to its technical features in the form of rotating elements and a small difference in cost between optical and optomechanical technology.

Optical laser or optical LED

Optical and LED mouse- This is the same. Its distinguishing feature is the illumination of red, blue or green. This type does not work very well on glossy, glassy, transparent, mirror surfaces, in other words, on those that are able to reflect or transmit light through themselves. This manifests itself in the form of jerks of the pointer during the movement. For normal operation on such surfaces, a mat is required.

The maximum sensitivity value is much lower than that of the laser.

The design consists of an LED, a group of lenses, a sensor in the role of which is a tiny video camera that takes hundreds of dozens of pictures per second. The images are sent to a computer for further processing in order to obtain data on the position and movements of the device. An LED is required to illuminate the surface of the camera.

The optical technology is older, which means the cost of the final product will be lower.

laser mouse does not have visible illumination, since the laser emits waves in the infrared spectrum, which is inaccessible to the human eye for perception.

Unlike optical, laser is able to work on any surface, including mirror.

The sensitivity reaches much higher values. On such models, there is often a sensitivity switch button that allows you to make the pointer move faster or smoother on the screen.

The device is almost the same as in the previous case, except for the camera and LED, instead of which a laser is used.

The production technology is newer and more expensive due to the different technological approach to position reading.

The laser mouse is more perfect and modern. But does that mean it's better? Certainly for tasks such as precise work with graphics or video games, where accuracy and responsiveness are required. Does the average user need such a mouse for everyday tasks? - Probably not.

Which mouse is better wired or wireless

Each connection option has its pros and cons. For each they will be different, but the main ones, which are dictated by technological solutions, will remain unchanged.

wired mouse

A wired mouse is considered a classic option, but this does not mean that it is in many ways better than a wireless one.

pros

It does not require replacement or charging of the power source, as it receives power from the USB or PS / 2 (for earlier models) port of the computer.

Minuses

Limiting the range of a long wire. Does not give complete freedom, hinders hand movements

Another wire without which the rest are enough

It occupies a USB port, the number of which is very limited on laptops and some PC motherboards.

Wireless mouse

Modern wireless models are not much inferior to their classic version. For connection, a USB radio receiver is used, or a Bluetooth connection with a PC, depending on the connection method and model. There are two types of battery types: 1 AA or AAA batteries, 2 built-in rechargeable batteries.

In the first case, the batteries can be replaced with new ones or rechargeable batteries of the same size can be used.

In the second, you will have to charge the built-in battery.

pros

The most important plus is the absence of wires that limit the "fettering" movement.

The perfect choice as a laptop mouse.

Many models are small.

Minuses

Requires periodic replacement or charging of batteries.

It also occupies a USB port in case of using models with a radio signal.

myths

They say that a wireless mouse is slower than a wired one. This is indeed true, but applies mainly to first or poor quality models.

What is the dpi button on the mouse

DPI or Number of dots per inch. Indicates the limit of the ability to input, outputinformation. Displays the accuracy and smoothness of the movement of the manipulator. The higher the value, the smoother the cursor will move across the screen.