[SOLVED] Mouse Recommendations?

Microsoft's crappy wireless mice needed a new pair pretty much monthly. My current Logitech mouse, which is my first wireless mouse using a laser, is much more conservative. The batteries have lasted me about 4 months, and that's with daily use. I don't know if the laser ones just use less power or what.

I have the Microsoft Wireless Mouse 5000. As I noted above, I use my mouse on the left side, so I like that it is symmetrically shaped. I bought it last January and had to replace the batteries in August. I use the mouse several hours every day so I think that is good. Note it never turns off completely - it goes into sleep mode, but a quick wiggle wakes up the mouse, and my computer. The blue laser technology is nice too. It really will track over just about any surface.

I don't know who really makes Microsoft mice or keyboards, but their construction and quality seem top notch.

Thanks for all of the advice folks, I'm going to head to the shops over the Christmas hols and give a wireless mouse a chance .

They also make wireless mice that use rechargeable batteries and sit in a cradle and recharge over night.

I've seen those too, but I already have two monitors, speakers, a speaker controller, PDA cradle, phone, mouse, keyboard, TV remote, tape dispenser, stapler, scattered papers, and of course, my coffee cup on my desk. I don't need no mouse cradle too!

Well I wish I had room for two monitors. I actually bought 2 the same but put one on my brother's desktop. If I ever get the space and buy another monitor I will give the new one to him and take back my Samsung SyncMaster 2343BWX, I know my HD5770 is built to handle at least 2.

As for mice and trackballs, I'm afraid you left-hand users really get screwed on your selections.

Oh, and I believe my nephews Dell Bluetooth mouse battery lasts 5-6 months. It even has feedback to the notification tray to warn that the battery is low if you install their drivers.

Well, I started with two monitors when I upgraded from my 15" to a 17" and used both. That was years ago and I don't know how I could live with just one. Perhaps that is why I use my notebook only when necessary.

As far as using my mouse in my left hand, though right-handed, that was out of necessity. I got carpel in my right hand so I moved my mouse over to "distribute the load". I was surprised how easy it was to adapt and build up my dexterity (I think having a good, precise, mouse helps). I note I can move my mouse with my left hand and enter numbers on the numeric keyboard with my right much more efficiently than with just one hand.

As far as drivers, that would be prudent in any case as most mice drivers allow you to configure buttons, scroll wheels etc.