Sensor
The model of the sensor installed in the mouse. This information is indicated mainly for models equipped with high-end sensors, which are significantly superior in their capabilities to simpler solutions. Such characteristics are important primarily for gaming mice, so most of the devices for which the sensor model is specified belong to this category.
Knowing the name, you can find detailed data on the sensor and evaluate its capabilities. Note that one of the most popular brands nowadays, under which advanced sensors are produced, is
PixArt ; on the market are often found, in particular, sensors
PixArt 3325(advanced low-cost level),
PixArt 3360(top class) and
PixArt 3389(an even more improved version of the 3360 model). The second common brand is
Avago(recently owned by the same PixArt); the most popular model of this brand is
Avago 3050, the simplest and most affordable representative of gaming sensors.
Sensor resolution
Resolution of the sensor responsible for tracking mouse movements on the work surface. Specified in DPI — dots per inch.
The physical meaning of DPI as a whole is as follows. The sensor of a modern mouse works on the same principle as the camera matrix, and consists of pixels. And DPI is the number of pixels that fall on 1 inch of the underlying surface (length or width), "visible" by the sensor.
It is believed that more DPI means a more advanced sensor and mouse in general; nowadays, models for
3500 – 5000 DPI,
12000 DPI,
16000 DPI even
more are not uncommon. In a way, it is — high resolution contributes to accuracy. However, the only thing that is directly determined by this indicator is the speed at which the cursor moves across the screen: the higher the resolution of the sensor, the greater the number of pixels that the cursor will move when the mouse itself moves a certain distance. At the same time, it is worth recalling that too high a speed is even more undesirable than too low. So the real need for high DPI (
1000 and above) arises mainly when working on large screens (4K resolution and more); for more modest displays (HD and Full HD), smaller values are often enough.
Max. acceleration
The greatest acceleration during movement, at which the mouse maintains normal performance; if this indicator is exceeded, the cursor may “break down” (moving to an unexpected place due to incorrect processing of data from the sensor).
The faster the mouse moves, the greater the acceleration acting on it. Accordingly, this parameter determines the sensitivity to sudden movements, the extent to which this model is able to normally perceive and process such movements. High values of maximum acceleration (
40 G,
50 G) are important first of all in dynamic games, especially for professional e-sportsmen and advanced enthusiasts. If the mouse is bought for relatively simple tasks (working with documents, surfing the web, etc.), you can ignore this indicator.
Max. speed
The ips (inches per second) parameter is the linear speed of mouse movement, expressed in inches per second, at which the manipulator's sensor is able to read the surface. In top models, the maximum mouse movement speed often reaches 400-600 ips, but devices with ips in the region of 200 are more common.
Switch resource
The durability of mouse switches is measured by the number of clicks the keys can withstand before they begin to show signs of wear or malfunction. Switches can have a lifespan of several million to tens of millions of clicks. In laboratory conditions, this parameter is checked using special testing machines, which diligently press the keys the required number of times, on the basis of which a verdict is made regarding the approximate service life of the switches.
Leg material
- Teflon (PTFE). Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) glides - also known as Teflon - are characterized by an extremely low coefficient of friction. As a result, mice with Teflon feet boast excellent glide and high cursor speed on any type of surface. The minimum level of friction allows you to easily control the movements of the mouse. Manipulators with Teflon gliders perform well in dynamic games and reduce wrist strain during prolonged work at the computer.
— Metal. When properly sanded, the metal feet provide excellent glide for the mouse, and they also have a long service life before abrasion. Note that manipulators with metal gliders are best used on plastic or other hard-wearing playing surfaces. Using a mouse without a mouse pad runs the risk of scratching the surface.
