What do you think are the best mice for use with linux?
What factors do you think are most important in selecting a mouse? (eg precision, build quality, comfort, other)
Price is optional
This is a wild question. Can somebody find me a mouse that doesn't have Linux support? I've never seen one in my life.
Tons of brands use Windows-only software to control button mapping, lighting, etc.
Anything outside basic movement, scrolling, and the first three buttons will need additional software.
It's been a while since I looked. Anyone know a good universal mouse config tool for linux that would let me map all buttons on a per-app basis?
i havent found a mouse that doesnt work at all, but my side buttons arent working (probably my issue, but still). it more about a mouse manufacturer who treats linux users as first class citizens.
I most logitech mice soley because you can unlock the scroll wheel and it can go brrrrrrrrr
I was looking for a mouse recently. My priorities were:
- Comfortable (i.e. vertical; after getting used to it I'm not looking back)
- Standard format replaceable battery, since built-ins always end up depleting or swelling and being hard to replace
- Nice scroll wheel (highly subjective though)
- Easy switching between Linux and Windows systems
- Small-ish, portable
I got the Logitech Lift. I am pleasantly surprised by how nice it is.
Granted I mostly use my mouse for browsing, scrolling and navigating UIs. The rest is all keyboard. For games I prefer controllers and game pads so precision/high performance wasn't an issue for me at all.
All xtrfy mice don't have any software and ate conpletely configurable through onboard buttons.
I personally would make sure to choose a mouse with on-board storage. E.g. most (all?) Logitech mice store DPI and RGB on the mouse, which means it works independent of the OS. At least some other manufacturers require a Windows "driver" to disable RGB and configure DPI, which is annoying as those aren't available on Linux, and have to be constantly run in the background.
Basic configuration of Logitech mice can be done through Piper on Linux.
Edit: Precision shouldn't be an issue with any decent mouse sensor. The PixArt PMW 3310 or later is good enough for even gaming and can be found in 20$ mice. Comfort is subjective, but I prefer larger mice where I can put most of my hand on top.
Edit 2: I've now read you're already using a Logitech mouse and are having issue with the the side buttons. What issues do you have with them? My G Pro Wireless side buttons work for going a website back/forward in the web browser, but I don't use them much.
To me Logitech mice are usually so much better than others that I wouldn't even look at other brands unless I was looking for an ultra specific feature. The cons are the pricing and I think modern Logitech mice use less durable switches than a few years ago.
They would need special vendor software nog available on Linux, but solaar is pretty good and for my logi keyboard it even offers features that Logitech's software doesn't (swap function and fn keys, map fn+right/left as Home and End).
Specifically, to me they are better because I still enjoy the build quality and because I need a feature that only pricey Logitech mice (and my out-of-production cheaper mouse) have. Which is connecting with both Bluetooth and an HID compatible dongle, and switch between devices with a button. Some other mice have the switching functionality, but they only have Bluetooth, and I also need the dongle.
The wheel that goes brrrr is also cool, but I don't have that.
Beware of rubber coated mice, the rubber will eventually come off. You can try to super glue it back on. You might need to get a new device, but mine is out of production, and the cheapest mouse with the feature I need now costs like 60€ which I'm not going to spend.
yes i have a logitech. i really like it - other than the side button issue mentioned elsewhere (probably my fault as others has noted). they seem to be often recommended - including in this thread - but i was wondering if there were other high quality mice i hadnt heard of.
Quite recently I moved to my first trackball (Elecom Deft Pro) and that was a life changer. I've shared my experience here.
I have Corsair Harpoon RGB Pro RGP0074. It is good and precise, except the two shoulder buttons are too high, and that's not very comfortable for a gamer. I have to reach with my thumb very far to press the upper shoulder button and that still means that I can misclick the other one very often. Zorin OS btw.
Have a ZOWIE EC2 for quite a while now:
- gaming mouse, 5 buttons
- USB compliant
- no special vendor drivers needed to use all mouse features (has buttons on bottom side for settings)
Works well on all OS.
