What Is A Computer Mouse?

Date First Published: 11th April 2023

Topic: Computer Systems

Subtopic: Computer Hardware

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty Level: 1/10

Learn more about what a computer mouse is in this article along with the key features, types, plural, the types of devices that use them, and the history.

A computer mouse is a basic and widely used handheld input device used to control the pointer on the screen in order to directly interact with a graphical user interface (GUI). The pointer can also be used to select and drag and drop files, folders, and other items on the display screen. Mouses work by translating backward, forward, left, and right movements into equivalent electronic signals that are used to move the pointer. This handheld device has to be put on a hard flat surface to be used.

Features & Parts

Below are the key features and parts of a computer mouse.

• Buttons - Most mouses have at least two buttons. The left-click button is the main button used to select, move, and drag and drop items and the right-click button is used to provide additional information on a selected item. Some gaming mouses have up to five buttons, depending on the purpose.
• Scroll wheel - This usually sticks out the bottom of the casing and is located in between the two buttons. It is used to scroll up and down on a display screen without using the vertical scroll bar on the right side of an application. Pressing the scroll wheel will allow you to drag and scroll the page in any direction. This is also known as the middle button.
• Cord - A wired mouse comes with a built-in cord that is used to connect to another device by the USB or PS/2 port.
• Wireless receiver - A wireless mouse comes with a USB wireless receiver to receive the signal and input it into the computer.
• Body - This is the biggest part of a computer mouse. It is the hard plastic cover where the palm of the user's hands is placed to support their hands whilst resting the mouse on a surface.
• Circuit board - The circuit board is located inside a computer mouse. It is used to send all mouse signal information, clicks, and other information. It includes all the electrical components required for it to properly work and accepts input in the form of electronic signals when you give any instructions, like clicking or scrolling.
• Microprocessor - The microprocessor is the processor that is embedded into the circuit board of a mouse. It can be thought of as the brain of the mouse. Without the microprocessor, the components of a mouse would not be able to work.

Types Of Computer Mouses

Below are the types of computer mouses.

• Optical mouse - The most common type of mouse. It uses a light source, usually LED, and a light detector to detect movement on a surface. It then takes thousands of images per second and uses those images to track the movement of the mouse. That data is then sent back to the computer to instruct it to move the cursor. It evolved from the ball/mechanical mouse due to its increased accuracy and better quality.
• Laser mouse - This type of mouse is similar to an optical mouse. The only difference is that it uses a laser instead of an LED or an infrared light in order to be slightly more accurate.
• Trackball mouse - A stationary type of mouse that consists of a large ball that can be used to roll in place to move the cursor.
• Wireless mouse - Also known as a cordless mouse, a wireless mouse that connects to a computer without a cord. A USB wireless receiver is used to receive the signal and input it into the computer and the mouse is powered by batteries. The benefits of wireless mouses are not limited by the range of the cord and reduce the chances of tripping over wires, but they are more likely to be dropped and get damaged. For example, they might fall off the desk.
• Corded mouse - A mouse that connects to a computer using a cord. Most corded mouses plug into a USB port, although older ones use a PS/2 port. It does not require any batteries as it uses power from the computer. The benefits of corded mouses are that they are more durable than wireless mouses in that it is hard to drop them because there is a cable connecting them and the signal is not vulnerable to interference. However, the range is limited by the length of the cord and it is harder to store because of its cord.

Is The Plural "Mouses" or "Mice"?

When referring to the computing device, both plurals are acceptable. However, the plural of the handheld device is often written as "mouses" instead of "mice" to avoid confusion between the computing device and the living creature. In this article, the plural "mouses" was used to make it clear that there is a reference to the handheld device instead of the living creature. Some writers might avoid using either plural form. Instead of writing "mouses" or "mice", they might say "mouse devices" as the plural.

Is It Possible To Use A Desktop Computer Without A Mouse?

Using a desktop computer without a mouse is much more complex, but it is still possible. In Windows, there is a feature called Mouse Keys, which allows you to use the numeric keypad on your keyboard instead of the mouse to move the pointer. This will allow you to control Windows with only a keyboard.

Do Mobile Devices and Laptops Come With Mouses?

Because laptops are designed to be portable, they don't come with mouses and you don't have to use a mouse with a laptop. Instead, they come with a built-in touchpad, which can perform the same functions as a mouse. However, nearly all laptops come with built-in USB ports, which you can use to connect a corded or wireless mouse if you prefer to use one.

Mobile devices, like tablets and smartphones don't come with mouses. Because they are designed to be portable, they use a touchscreen and your finger is the mouse on those types of devices. Most of them do not come with USB ports, so it probably won't be possible to use a corded mouse with them. However, you can connect a Bluetooth mouse to a mobile device if it is compatible with the model.

Why Is It Called A Mouse?

It is called a mouse because the shape of the handheld device looks like a living mouse. The term came from the fact that the original computer mouse resembled a living mouse due to its small body and the attached wire, resembling the tail.

Mouse is not an acronym that stands for "manually-operated user-select equipment". Even though Douglas Engelbart helped to develop the mouse, he named it a mouse because the device resembled the rodent.

History

In 1968, the first public demonstration of a mouse controlling a computer system took place. Originally, mouses used two separate wheels to track movement across a surface: one in the X-dimension and one in the Y. Later, the standard design changed to use a ball rolling on a surface to detect motion. Most modern mouses use optical sensors with no moving parts. Although all mouses were originally connected by a cord, most modern mouses are cordless and rely on short-range radio communication with the connected system.

Before computer mouses were invented, users had to enter text-based commands to perform tasks, even the most basic tasks, like opening files and folders. The invention of computer mouses greatly reduced the use of the keyboard.

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