🖱️ 1. What Is a Mouse?
A mouse is a hand‑held pointing device that lets users interact with a computer’s graphical interface. It translates physical movement into cursor movement on the screen and provides buttons for selection, dragging, and commands. The computer mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1964, first shown in the 1968 “Mother of All Demos.”
🧩 2. Types of Computer Mice
| Type | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical (Ball Mouse) | Uses a rubber ball to detect movement | Early PCs (1980s–1990s) |
| Optical Mouse | Uses LED light and sensors to track movement | Standard modern desktops |
| Laser Mouse | More precise than optical; works on more surfaces | Gaming, design work |
| Wireless Mouse | Connects via RF dongle or Bluetooth | Laptops, portable setups |
| Trackball Mouse | Ball controlled by fingers/thumb | Ergonomic, specialized tasks |
| Gaming Mouse | High DPI sensors, programmable buttons, RGB lighting | Gamers, streamers |
| Vertical/Ergonomic Mouse | Designed to reduce wrist strain | Long typing sessions, RSI prevention |
| Touch/Hybrid Mouse | Combines touchpad gestures with mouse functions | Modern laptops, ultrabooks |
⚙️ 3. Key Specifications
- DPI (Dots Per Inch): Sensitivity; higher DPI = faster cursor movement.
- Polling Rate (Hz): How often the mouse reports position to the PC (e.g., 1000 Hz).
- Buttons: Standard (left, right, scroll wheel) vs programmable extra buttons.
- Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth, RF wireless.
- Power: Wired (no battery) vs wireless (AA/AAA or rechargeable).
🕰️ 4. Brief History
- 1964: First mouse prototype by Douglas Engelbart (wooden shell, two wheels).
- 1980s: Ball mice became standard with early GUIs (Apple Lisa, Xerox Star).
- 1990s–2000s: Optical and laser sensors replaced mechanical balls.
- 2010s–2020s: Wireless, gaming, and ergonomic designs dominate.
- Future: Gesture‑based, AI‑adaptive, and VR/AR pointing devices.
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