AARrrggggg!!! Cat loving computer geeks, question:

[Kali]

Is there a brand/model of cat hair resistant (I don't dare hope for "proof") computer mouse?

signed,
sick of cleaning the mouse

[Deja Q]

1. Does your mouse use a roller ball or is it optical (the emitted red light)?

Roller ball mice are horrid - do get an optical mouse. Or if you have the dough, laser mice are fantastic.

I don't care for the cordless ones, however... battery life is short and it's wasteful for the environment...

[Kali]

2. roller ball, and a scroll wheel - and that seems to be where the hair

causes the most problems (gets wrapped up around the internal "bearing" structure)

do you have a brand or model that you like or are they pretty interchangeable?

[Deja Q]

4. Logitech makes the best mice, IMHO...

Microsoft's ergonomic mice are nice as well (especially their laser mouse 5000), but you would never go wrong with a Logitech.

Since I work with large displays (3840x1920), I use the Logitech G9 corded mouse. At 3200DPI, it takes little wrist movement to get the mouse pointer from one end of the screen to the other...

I'd definitely get rid of the roller ball mouse if I were you. Even for non kitty owners, those things are torture.

And always look for something and try it out at the store -- ergonomics is a big plus and worth the money. Every time.

[Kali]

5. thanks!

I'm far from any real stores except wallyworld - I might check there but will probably order on-line. I am SICK of this mouse - it makes pages jump all around and if I am reading a long document I can't find where I was - bleh!
Thanks again.

[pokerfan]

7. They are pretty interchangeable.

Don't bother with a wireless version. It's just a another battery that will go dead eventually. If you have the ports, get a USB version rather than PS/2. USB polls at a faster (2x) rate than PS/2. Get one with the minimal number of buttons (2) and obviously a scroll wheel. Too many buttons and I wind hitting them by accident. Go to Best Buy and find the one that fits your hand the best. You should be able to find one for around $20.

And get one that doesn't look like a mouse for pete's sake! I mean, what did you expect keeping a mouse on a desk in a house with a cat. :)

[BlueJazz]

3. Exactly what Deja Q said.

:)

[Jamastiene]

6. Switch to an optical (laser) mouse.

Problem solved.
I'm serious.

I had the same problem. I got so tired of cleaning mouse balls. I switched to the optical (no ball) kind and haven't had to do anything since.

All you need is an open (not already used) USB port and you are well on your way.

No more spending a Saturday night fidgeting with your mouse's balls. Soooo much better. It's worth it.

[LeftyMom]

8. You need an optical mouse.

There's a little light on the bottom, and no real opening, instead of a roller ball to collect hair and other junk.

A touchpad would also work, but those aren't great for some applications, and people tend to love them or hate them.