If you use your computer on a regular basis, you may be wondering about the difference between an optical mouse and a laser mouse. Both types of technology have essentially replaced the ball and rollers first used on analog mice. However, choosing between an optical mouse and a laser mouse is most often a matter of personal preference and your technology budget.

An optical mouse is a computer mouse which uses digital image processing technology to track the position of your mouse and translate that information to position your cursor on the screen. In fact, an optical mouse includes a tiny camera that is able to take an astonishing 1,500 pictures per second. Optical mice are also quite beneficial in that they are easy to maintain and have no moving parts that are prone to failure.

In most cases, an optical mouse is a plug and play device that requires no special software for installation. One of the main advantages of optical mice is that they require no mouse pad. An optical mouse will work even if run on a surface that is not entirely flat, although some models may have trouble on black or shiny surfaces.

The goal of both laser mice and optical mice is to provide a way to transform the motion of your hand into digital signals your computer can use. The main difference between laser mice and optical mice is the type of light which is used to track movement on the computer screen. While a standard optical mouse uses an LED light, a laser mouse contains a small laser that is used to monitor the movements of the mouse and represent them on the screen. For this reason, a laser mouse is typically more expensive than an optical mouse.

When shopping for a mouse for your computer, it's helpful to consider the dpi (dots per inch) rating of the model you’re considering. Generally, an optical mouse can track between 400 and 800 dpi. In comparison, a laser mouse can often track more than 2,000 dpi. This makes a laser mouse much more precise and accurate when compared to an optical mouse. Gamers and professional graphic designers often prefer a laser mouse for its added sensitivity, but many typical computer users find that this feature can be distracting when merely sending email or surfing the Web.