OB Roundup

Mice are the unsung heroes of daily computing. Even in an era of capacitive touch screens, they still play an instrumental role in the way that we navigate through our digital lives. With Windows 8, this may be truer than ever. While the future of Microsoft's new operating system is anyone's guess, the importance of the mouse in this unfamiliar terrain is indisputable. For users unfamiliar with this new touch-dependent interface, the Windows 8 mouse may be lifeline that bridges the gap between old and new. Or what if you understand the nuances of Windows 8 but don't have a system equipped with a touch-screen display? Or if you simply don't feel like reaching across your desk to stroke your screen every time you feel like checking your email? Regardless of which camp you belong to, the right mouse can make all the difference in your Windows 8 experience.

Ironically, for such a touch-centric operating system, Windows 8 has breathed new life into the mouse by adding a slew of new functionality to their repertoire. Gone are the days where mice existed solely for clicking and scrolling. In the world of Windows 8, a good mouse can actually replicate the operating system's touch-screen capabilities and, in effect, deliver the full Windows 8 experience regardless of whether you actually own a touch-sensitive display. In other words, the ideal Windows 8 mouse will support full gesture controls that will let you swipe through the Start screen's tiles while also providing some helpful Windows 8-specific shortcuts, like switching between the Start screen and traditional desktop mode, cycle between all open applications, and accessing the Charms menu.

Before you make your decision, you should consider how you plan on pairing your mouse to your system. The following five mice connect wirelessly through either Bluetooth or wireless receiver (also known as a dongle). Connecting via Bluetooth doesn't require any free USB ports, a clear advantage for Ultrabooks users that don't have many ports to spare. If conserving free USB ports isn't a concern for you (or if you have a USB hub), then using a dongle won't pose any issues. That said, Logitech has come up with a clever solution to this common dilemma with their Unifying Receiver, which allows up to six compatible devices to communicate with your system via the same dongle.

As of this writing, Microsoft and Logitech have been leading the charge in Windows 8 mice. However, this is merely the beginning of a burgeoning (and lucrative) industry. For now, though, these five mice will help make your transition to Windows 8 as seamless as possible.

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