How to Connect a Wired Mouse to Laptop

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A mouse is one of the most conventional pieces of input devices that have been used for controlling the cursor in a desktop setting. It is one of the most popular input devices, which has been the sole controlling or modulating device for desktops. The mouse had been widely used and preferred before the arrival of wireless or touch technology arriving in the market. Although laptops come with a touchpad and can be controlled by a fingertip, users still prefer to use a mouse just for the sake of convenience and ease of use. Keyboards or any other relevant input devices cannot replace an input device like a mouse. However, recent times have seen a surge in wireless mouse devices along with the wired unit.

A wireless mouse is simply a device that has all the features of a wired mouse but does not have the wired setting and need not be attached directly to the laptop or desktop. This means that these units provide the user with freedom and let him or her operate the laptop or the desktop from any place given that the user is within the perimeter of the band of connectivity of the wireless device. Before understanding how to connect a wired mouse to a laptop let us look into the fundamental settings that a mouse used to get connected and how it works. 

Mouse Input Device: How it works

Mouse Input Device
Source: wikimedia.org

The mouse is an input device that works by supplying the user-modulated data to the machine. The type of data depends on the operation that is being processed like the text, graphics, or sound. The computer cannot process the data unless it is being fed into the system. The mouse helps with that part of the operation. Some of the other similar input devices include a keyboard, trackball, and touchpad.

It must be noted here that all wireless and wired mouse devices make use of USB as the connection interface to be linked with the laptop or the desktop. Nowadays, almost all input devices come in the form of wireless mouse. However, earlier systems were manufactured with serial and PS/2 interfaces for the wired devices to be connected. Moreover, the wireless technologies used in modern times are Bluetooth connection, Radio Frequency, and Infrared connection. Now, let us look into the advantages that a wired mouse comes with over the wireless units. 

Wired Vs Wireless Mouse

Wired Vs Wireless Mouse

The wired mouse comes with a few advantages that it enjoys over other wireless devices. The user can make the guess here that the wired mouse allows faster speed. This is because it is connected to the laptop or desktop and can send the input signal smoothly. However, the old mouse requires a USB port, which is a PS2 port and is becoming obsolete day by day. Let us look into the benefits of using a wired mouse as follows:

  • Precision and Speed – Wired mouse are especially preferred by gamers. This is because they are no doubt accurate and to the point. This means that while playing a game, you require being precise and fast, especially with the cursor point. A fractional lag can result in missing the target. This means that to get an enhanced game playing experience, it is better to have a wired mouse as it is physically connected to the device and lets you have high-speed gaming control with your PlayStation or other consoles. 
  • Least Maintenance – This input device unit requires the least maintenance. This means that it does not require a power source like batteries, which wireless devices often need. 
  • Price – This is another feature, which sets this input device apart from the rest of the similar-featured devices like a touchpad or a trackball, or other wireless devices. This means that a wired mouse requires the least maintenance and comes within an affordable price range of being as cheap as hundred bucks. 

These unique features set the wired mouse apart from the wireless devices. Although the wireless devices add to the aesthetic value of the workstation, they can never be as precise and accurate as of the wired devices. Moreover, often the wireless devices are connected with Bluetooth or other technologies, which can easily be disrupted and you are left with a non-operating mouse. Therefore, it can be taken for a fact that the wireless devices are not as reliable as the chorded devices. The only disadvantage that a chorded mouse has is that it cannot provide the sense of freedom that a wireless device can enable the user to have. 

Steps to connect a Wired Mouse to Laptop

To connect a wired mouse to the laptop, follow the steps as given below:

  • Connect the USB cable of the mouse to one of the compatible USB ports of the laptop.
  • It must be noted here that a laptop powered with Windows 10 shall have a USB port on the side of the rear back of the machine. 
  • Plug into the port and make the connection.
  • Make sure that the cables are connected securely to complete the process of pairing.
  • The laptop must come with the required drivers for recognizing the hardware.
  • It shall commence installing the drivers automatically.
  • It must be noted here that if the mouse comes with additional buttons or functions then additional software might be required.
  • In that case, contact the mouse manufacturers for guidance.

Your wired mouse shall be connected to the laptop without any issue by following the above-mentioned steps. 

FAQs

Does a wired mouse require a mouse pad?

Yes, a wired mouse will require a mouse for smooth and uninterrupted operation.

How big shall the mouse pad be?

If your mouse has a low DPI, then it is recommended to get a large mouse pad, as the mouse will require more space to move properly.

What kind of USB port does a wired mouse need?

A wired mouse requires a PS2 port. 

Conclusion

This is all that you have to know about the wired mouse. It can be connected to the laptop much easier and does not require a complicated process to be followed, unlike its wireless counterparts. 

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