For over a year now, as a non-stop laptop user, I’ve tended towards portable mice. It’s a lot easier to lug around smaller peripherals, and definitely easier to use them on those small tables road warriors often find themselves working on. But a few weeks ago, my wrist started hurting. Looks like my twelve years(!) of computing had finally caught up with me; I’d finally started experiencing the first signs of repetitive stress injury.

I’m planning to go to the doctor soon enough. In the meantime however, I swiped my officemate’s desktop mouse, which is literally three times bigger than my convenient and handy Bluetooth mouse. The dirty deed was done out of necessity—basically a laziness to use the track pad. So imagine my surprise when I found out a big mouse is much much easier on the wrist. The nagging (but not sharp) pain on my tendons was less acute in other words.

Now don’t take my unsolicited orthopedic advice seriously, and sue if it doesn’t work. But if you’re an avid computer user suffering from wrist pain, already under the doctor’s supervision, maybe you should try sticking to larger mice. There’s nothing wrong with finding ways to relieve your own discomfort after all.

Better yet, if you have any scientific data to back up my conclusion, feel free to share it here.

Post from: The Gadget Blog

On a recent trip to Singapore, I kept a watchful eye for a Bluetooth mouse. Eventually I settled on a black Razer Pro|Click Mobile, which was buried in a bargain bin.

The relatively low price notwithstanding ($40), this Bluetooth mouse seems like a good buy so far. Within the box were two AA Duracell batteries, so I was using the mouse within minutes after unboxing. Pairing the mouse with my Windows XP laptop was a snap.

Build-quality is great all-around, with the buttons feeling solid click, and the middle mousewheel striking a good balance between snapiness and softness.

Of course, like any Bluetooth mouse, the Pro|Click Mobile’s weakness is its reliance on batteries that you need to change every so often.That represents additional spending for owners, unless rechargeable batteries are used.

On top of that, this circa-2007 mouse is showing its age. The optical sensor has a hard time tracking on certain surfaces and textures—the same ones that proved no problem for my older (not as brand-new) wired optical mouse.

Still, the compact size and relative affordability of the Razer Pro|Click Mobile is well worth your money. Amazon’s currently selling it for less than $44.

Post from: The Gadget Blog