I’m doing a data entry position where the company’s IT team is strict on what software can be installed.
So I was looking for a mouse that can be connected to two (plus would be nice but not essential) computers at a time with possibly a high polling rate[1] as I need to save files which are one line difference so need accuracy at high speed as I will be saving files whilst renaming them.[2]
I’m guessing that high polling rate and being able to easily switch between different computers maybe mutually exclusive as Bluetooth only support 125hz polling rate.
I know that computer mouse’s use standardized HID protocols so keyboard and mouse input can be automated. Thus I think it’s possible to havee a mouse that can store either the mouse and key combo, or just key combo of <right mouse click>, <k> or <menu/application key>, <k> . I think this feature is called “on board memory”
It would be nice also to have it portable size and side scrolling middle mouse button as well.
The current mouse I’m using is the Logitech M585 and it’s satisfactory shape and weight. However it doesn’t support on board memory with macros and whilst the wheel is satisfactory I am curious about the mag wheel which may mean faster scrolling.
Have a look at the Rapoo MT760 mouse, there is still both a L and a M version, supports both wireless 2.4GHz and BT mode. It comes with two receivers already packaged, it will support up to 4 receivers.
Basic manual can be found at
There are others available, searching would find a few including some Logitech versions.
Otherwise a hardware switch with a corded mouse would have no latency, spend would vary on complexity and brand. Look on Amazon.
Thanks for the recommendation. It seems quite good except for the major point above about on board macros.
I had a look at your linked manufacturer’s website and also the Amazon Australia website but it seems macros aren’t fully supported onboard.
Reviewer one:
Driver: The driver is truly atrocious, the UI even looks bad. Don’t expect much from the Search term:macros, you can only bind simple things that combine ctrl, or shift, or alt, or win, PLUS one other key. This means you can’t create any complex Search term:macros like you could in Logitech, so this is definitely not going to be a powerhouse users. As an engineer, this is fine for me. As a video editor this may not be fine for you.
Reviewer two:
You’re not free to enter any key or command you like, and instead are presented with two methods: either any combination of the four modifiers (Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Win) plus a single character, or one from a list of functions like “calculator”. I’d prefer it to be a bit more free with letting you set arbitrary Search term:macros or keycodes.
Anyway I asked the question on the Amazon site about macros and onboard memory. Hopefully someone answers.
Once again thanks for your time and recommendation.
PS The PDF manual is an atrocious design (at least for online viewing) - it’s so small I had to magnify it and even then it’s hard to read and navigate through.
Maybe talk to the IT section. Often if specialist equipment or software is needed, they will either have ‘something off the shelf’ which has already been approved… or…evaluate your needs and what is required, test it and gain the necessary approvals for its use.
I already have when asking for permission to install the Logitech Logi Options+ software. I also asked if they had alternatives but they couldn’t help.
Initially they did link me to Keyboard Mapper of PowerToys utility but that’s only for keyboards, and not mouse when I asked if they could install earlier -
I haven’t used it much but it seems to be a very good program to remap keyboard and mouse.
Many of the mice that had on-board memory that were unwired have been removed. Most now rely on either software such as G-Hub on the PC or they are wired nowadays.
Still I would think a KVM switch for 2 machines would not be at a great cost and getting an appropriate wired mouse would then meet your needs with low latency, no extra software, and depending on the mouse high polling rates.
I agree that a KVM would be a good solution, but a very simple KVM like that little Nextgen box might not be adequate. It’d need to handle the maximum display resolution (being used) for both systems, and of course the type of display connection – HDMI, DisplayPort, or whatever. If very rapid switching between systems is important, that’d need to be taken into account as well.
Why does it need to handle the vid? From your first post it appeared that you only asked about a mouse to be used on two computers, The switch can be used purely to control the mouse movements on both PCs using just the USB ports (and keyboard if you wish), there is no need to use the HDMI port at all. It seemed you were only discussing the mouse need and that the PCs already had their own displays and possibly keyboards.
If they don’t have those peripheral devices then get the business to cough up for a premium KVM unit that supports whatever display properties you require such as 4K HDMI/Display Port, USB C, and anything else you require, or get them to approve an appropriate software solution to use the current systems in place.
Thanks for everyone’s detailed input. Sorry if I let you write too much on the wrong path.
But yeah @grahroll is right I only need it for the mouse and need is a bit of a stretch actually. It’s so I can access my YouTube premium music account. I mean I could use my mobile.
But the macros, maybe high polling rate (I’ve yet to know if that would actually make a difference) would be great.
I have used a keyboard/mouse switch ever since COVID had me working from home. Including video makes such a tool far more expensive, and wasn’t really needed. As long as only one device is ‘awake’, the monitor automatically detects the signal source.
For onboard memory, you will want a gaming mouse. Maybe have a look at some of these.
