Wireless Mice and Keyboards – How Did We Live Without Them?

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One of the things most often taken for granted is the keyboard and mouse we use with our computers. These are two of the most important devices you can own. They can make the difference between enjoying your computer and fighting just to get information into and out of it.

One of my favorite keyboards was produced by IBM back in the days when the IBM AT was first introduced (1984). The keyboard had a great feel to it. It also had a tactile click that let you know when the key was depressed. Not only could you hear the click, you could feel it in the tips of your fingers. These keyboards were so popular that it’s only been in the last few years that I haven’t seen them for sale at computer shows. I guess the last of these old work horses have finally been retired. Few keyboards on the market today can compete with them.

The keyboard I?m using now is a Microsoft product. It?s got a nice touch, but no click. Actually, you can turn on a software click that?s produced over the speakers, but that?s not the same thing. In fact, it?s kind of annoying. Touch is the most important part of the keyboard anyway. Every keyboard has its own touch. Usually, the more expensive keyboards tend to have a better feel to them.

I?m pretty much sold on the concept of a wireless keyboard and mouse. Having cords lying around the desktop is just not acceptable these days. It?s not so bad with the keyboard, since it?s pretty much a stationary device, but the mouse is a different story. It?s constantly being moved and the cord limits the movement and it seems like it?s always getting snagged by something. If you can?t have both, a wireless mouse is the only way to go.

Wireless keyboards and mice come in two flavors. IR (inferred) and RF (radio frequency). I prefer the RF version. IR and RF refer to the way wireless devices are connected to your computer. When you get ready to install a wireless device, you?ll find that there?s two parts to it?a sending unit (located in the device) and a receiver. The receiver is usually about half the size of the mouse and connects to one of the USB ports on your computer. It draws its power from the USB connector. The mouse and keyboard are powered by batteries.

Before installing any USB device, be sure you read the instructions. Most of the time, you?ll need to install the software before you plug in the device. In this case, I?m talking about the receiver. I like the RF devices because they will pickup the signal from the mouse and keyboard from just about any position. IF devices are line-of-sight only so the receiver has to be placed directly in front of the mouse and keyboard. If something gets between them and blocks the signal, they?ll stop working.

One more thing to consider is batteries. Mice drain batteries much quicker than keyboards. The batteries in my keyboard will last from 12 to 18 months while 5 months is about average for the mouse. Some mice use a charging cradle that holds it while it?s not in use. This feature is well worth the extra money.

Logitech and Microsoft are the leaders in wireless technology. Google, ?best wireless mouse? to get current reviews on the various models. Expect to spend between $30 and $50 for the mouse, $70 to $120 for the mouse/keyboard combination. These are the prices you can expect to find at the big retail computer stores. Look on eBay?you can usually find the same components for 30 to 50 percent less!

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Randy Benjamin is an author and syndicated columnist. His latest books, “FREE Internet” and “How To Publish Anything On Amazon’s Kindle” are available on http://Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle e-book formats. For more information, visit his website: http://randybenjamin.com