- Labels for Windows and Mac keyboard shortcuts are good for users with all kinds of mainstream PCs, and the ability to pair the keyboard and mouse with three devices (either with Logitech's USB Unifying Receiver or Bluetooth) make this set the most flexible, versatile set by far.
- Find the best gaming mouse for your needs. We pick the top models for MMO gaming, RTS and FPS, plus specialty mice for Mac users and lefties.
- Windows and Mac Cross-Platform Solution. ShareMouse allows you to control a Mac from a PC: It also works the other way round and you can control a PC from a Mac. ShareMouse supports any OS in any direction. A whole new Synergy. ShareMouse can sync several events and actions between computers: Lock/unlock multiple computers simultaneously.
- There is nothing quite like using a mouse to navigate your PC. No matter whether you’re a Mac or PC user, a trackpad or a touchscreen just isn’t as good.
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If you have two or more computers at one desk, you don't want two or more sets of keyboards and mice cluttering up your workspace, too. You can buy a hardware gadget that lets you share a single keyboard and mouse with several computers (which involves a mess of tangled wires), or you could use a free software solution called Synergy. The Synergy application runs on all the computers you're using—the one that has the keyboard and mouse connected and the one(s) that do not—and lets you control all of them from that keyboard and mouse. That means you can move your mouse off one computer's screen and it will appear on the other, where you can type and work as well. Synergy also lets you share Clipboard contents between computers. If you copy information to the Clipboard on one computer and move your mouse to the other, you can paste it there, even though they're two different systems.
Note: We've covered Synergy in the past, but a recent update to the Synergy application has made setting up and using Synergy even easier, so we thought it was a good time to update the post and highlight this incredible app again.
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The best mouse of 2018: 6 top computer mice for designers By Natalie Steers 2018-07-18T14:09:42Z Graphic design For designers who prefer a computer mouse to a tablet or stylus, here's our pick of the best models to consider.
Synergy works between any number of PC, Mac, and Linux desktops. Below, we're going to explain how to set up both Windows and Mac sharing or Windows-to-Windows to share a single keyboard and mouse using Synergy.
Before you get started, you need to know two terms—server PC and client PC. When you set up Synergy, you'll have one 'server': this is the computer that has the keyboard and mouse physically connected to it. The rest of the computers will be 'clients.' First, set up the server.
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The invoicing suite should be enabled to save time and facilitate billing by processing credit cards on dot, and allow recurring billing and secure customer management. Best biological statistic and figure software for mac. • Accept PayPal or credit card. Some systems make it possible even to auto-bill cards so that clients won’t miss a due payment.
If you're sharing a keyboard and mouse between two Macs, consider Teleport, a free, Mac-only tool that works very much like Synergy but is a little easier to set up with Mac-only keyboard- and mouse-sharing.
What You'll Need:
- Two or more computers on the same local network.
- Synergy for Windows: If you'll be running one or more Windows PC's in your setup, download and install the Synergy Installer for Windows on each PC. (As of this writing, the current version is labeled 1.4.2 beta.)
- SynergyKM for Mac: If you want to run one or more Macs on your setup, download and install SynergyKM on each Mac you want to use.
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Note for Linux users: I haven't tried it, but quicksynergy looks like it could be a good graphical interface for Synergy. If you know of a better option, let's hear it in the comments.
Before you get started, you need to know two terms: server PC and client PC. When you set up Synergy, you'll have one 'server': this is the computer that has the keyboard and mouse physically connected to it. The rest of the computers will be 'clients.' First, set up the server.
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Set Up the Synergy Server
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Download Synergy for Windows and install it on your PC. As of this writing, the most current version is Synergy 1.4.2. Install and run Synergy, then select Server (Share This Computer's Mouse and Keyboard).
Then click the Configure Server button to open a Server Configuration dialog, where you'll add all the computers that will be controlled by the server's keyboard and mouse and their position in relation to each other.
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If you want to use a Mac as the server, the process is very similar using SynergyKM; launch the preference pane, select Share my keyboard and mouse, and move to the Server Configuration tab to set up your screens.
Configure Multiple Synergy Screens
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In the Screens And Links tab of the server configuration, you should already see your host computer in the graphical layout screen. My server computer name is Windows, so that's what the first Synergy screen name is.
Now, to add the other computer (your client) to Synergy, you need to know its name as well. By default, the client uses the same name as your computer on the network (for example, my server is Windows; my client is Hack).
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To find the name of your computer in Windows, open your Start menu, right-click Computer, and select Properties. Your computer name is listed under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings. On a Mac, open the Sharing preference pane; your computer name is listed in the top text input.
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Once you know your computer's names, drag and drop the monitor icon from the top right of the Screens and Links dialog onto the layout (we're still working on your server PC); drop the new monitor icon next to your server in the same layout as your monitors are on your desk. For example, my Mac's monitor is to the left of my Windows monitor. Double-click the Unnamed screen you just added, then enter the client's screen name.
When you're done, you should see two computers on the Screens and Links grid that mirror the monitor setup on your workspace. If you have a particularly wild screen position (a checkerboard of flatscreens, perhaps?), you can even set up screens on top of and below each other here.
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Set Up the Synergy Client
Download and install Synergy on the client computer (the one without the keyboard and mouse connected).
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On Windows
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If you're Synergy client is going to be a Windows computer, download the same Synergy installer for Windows. After you've installed your Synergy client, launch Synergy exactly the same way as you did on the server, except choose Client (Use Another Computer's Keyboard And Mouse). Enter the name of the server computer. To try the connection, click the Start button: first on the server and then on the client PC. Try moving the mouse off the server screen. If all goes well, it will land on the client screen safely!
On Mac OS X
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If the second computer is a Mac, download SynergyKM. After you've installed SynergyKM, launch the SynergyKM preference pane, then choose Connect to a shared keyboard and mouse. Enter the name of the server computer in the Client Configuration tab and click the Apply Now button. To try the connection, click Turn Synergy On in the General tab.: first on the server and then on the client PC. Try moving the mouse off the server screen. If all goes well, it will transport seamlessly to your client PC.
Note: If you have any problems during this step on your Mac, I've found that entering the server's local IP address seems to work.
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When you're satisfied with the results, close the Synergy window. Synergy will continue running in your system tray, from which you can start or stop the application as needed. Now you're sharing the mouse and keyboard between two computers simultaneously. Piece of cake.
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You can contact Adam Pash, the author of this post, at [email protected]. You can also follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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If you've spent hundreds — or more — on buying or building the perfect PC, you're going to want something a little more sophisticated than the average office mouse to go with it. Selecting the best gaming mouse for your needs isn't easy, since there are dozens of designs, features and prices to consider. But the Tom's Guide team tests more than 20 gaming mice each year, spending days at a time with each peripheral to ensure that we know exactly how it will feel and perform during long play sessions.
To cut right to the chase: The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum is the best gaming mouse for most players, combining an ergonomic design with programmable buttons, robust software and tunable weights.
If you're on a budget, the Logitech G300s is the best gaming mouse value. This plucky little peripheral costs less than $25, but still offers lots of programmable buttons and a comfortable, contoured grip.
Whether you need a wireless gaming mouse, an FPS mouse, an MMO mouse or an ambidextrous mouse, there's an excellent option to suit your needs. And, if you need some additional help picking out the perfect mouse, we've written a comprehensive guide to how to buy a gaming mouse.
Latest News and Updates (July 2019)
- Tom's Guide has reevaluated the Razer DeathAdder Elite in light of its 10 million sales milestone. The mouse has held up well thanks to a few smart tweaks.
- Logitech has refined its G903, G703 and G403 gaming mice with powerful HERO sensors. The mice are more or less identical to their previous versions, but the new HERO sensor offers higher DPI and (in theory) more precise tracking.
1. Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum
DPI: 100 – 12,000 | Buttons: 11 | Size: 130 x 76 x 38 mm | Weight: 164 g (adjustable)
Intuitive and comfortable design
Streamlined software with lots of options
Improved scroll wheel
The Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum comes about as close as possible to the perfect gaming mouse. This device has a distinctive design, comfortable textured grips and 11 easily accessible, programmable buttons. Thanks to its tunable weights, adjustable scroll wheel and powerful software, the G502 plays nicely with any genre you can throw at it. With Logitech's powerful software and the G502's built-in RGB lighting, you can also optimize and customize the gadget for all of your favorite games. The device's angular aesthetics won't be to everyone's taste, but beyond that, it's hard to think of any area in which the G502 doesn't fully deliver.
Read our full Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum review.
2. Logitech G903
The best wireless gaming mouse
DPI: 200 – 12,000 | Buttons: 5 – 9 | Size: 130 x 67 x 40 mm | Weight: 107 g
Comfortable, ambidextrous design
Intuitive software
Long battery life
Niche audience
The Logitech G903 is one of the most expensive wireless gaming mice on the market — but that's justified, because it's also one of the very best. A slight update of the nearly perfect G900 Chaos Spectrum, the G903 has one crucial update: compatibility with the Logitech PowerPlay wireless charging mat. This means that with the right hardware, you can use the G903 indefinitely without ever having to plug it in. Beyond that, the mouse is also gorgeous and comfortable, from its sleek black chassis, to its swappable side button. That means that the G903 is fully ambidextrous, as well as fully programmable, thanks to excellent software options.
Read our full Logitech G903 review.
3. Logitech G300s
DPI: 200 – 2,500 | Buttons: 9 | Size: 114 x 71 x 36 mm | Weight: 82 g
Extremely cheap
Ambidextrous design
Dated appearance
You can pick up the Logitech G300s for $25 or less, but don't let the price fool you. This is no cut-rate peripheral; it's simply an old one. The model debuted in 2011, and in all fairness, Logitech has definitely come out with some more exciting designs since then. But if you want the best cheap gaming mouse that's built to last, and that comes from a reputable manufacturer, the G300s is as good as they get. This small mouse features an ambidextrous design, six extra programmable buttons and full compatibility with Logitech's gaming software.
Read our full Logitech G300s review.
4. Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless
A surprisingly cheap wireless gaming mouse
DPI: 100 – 10,000 | Buttons: 6 | Size: 116 x 68 x 40 mm | Weight: 99 g
Comfortable grip
Reasonable price
Unnecessary lighting
The Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless came out of nowhere to be one of the best wireless gaming mice we've reviewed at Tom's Guide. At $50, it even costs less than a lot of wired models. This small, sleek peripheral cuts out a lot of the bells and whistles on which more expensive mice rely. There are only two extra buttons, and the mouse's layout is straightforward rather than ergonomic. And yet, the Harpoon RGB delivers where it counts, with comfortable grips, excellent performance, nuanced software, flawless wireless connectivity and even some pretty RGB lighting for the palm rest. If you want an excellent, no-frills wireless mouse, this is the one you're looking for.
Read our full Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless review.
5. HyperX Pulsefire FPS Pro
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DPI: 100 – 16,000 | Buttons: 6 | Size: 128 x 71 x 42 mm | Weight: 95 g
Fantastic textured grips
Great performance
Temperamental software
It's not often that a textured contour becomes a gaming mouse's defining feature, but the HyperX Pulsefire FPS Pro has one of the most interesting grips I've ever felt. (In my original review, I compared the feeling to petting a hedgehog.) The coarse-but-comfortable grip is a good thing, since it helps keep the Pulsefire FPS Pro exactly where it needs to be during heated FPS matches. You can also expect pretty RGB lighting, satisfying thumb buttons, customizable DPI and a design that makes the mouse easy to hold for hours at a time. While the Pulsefire FPS Pro is ideal for first-person shooters, it's also one of the best gaming mice to suit any genre.
Read our full HyperX Pulsefire FPS Pro review.
6. Razer Naga Trinity
DPI: 100 – 16,000 | Buttons: 7 – 17 | Size: 119 x 74 x 43 mm | Weight: 120 g Best mac for video editing reddit soccer.
Versatile side panels
Sensible software
No way to adjust height or length
The first few Razer Naga mice were excellent MMO peripherals, but their huge profiles and myriad buttons weren't necessarily that helpful for other game genres. The Razer Naga Trinity allows users more customization options by offering three separate side plates: one with 12 buttons in rows, one with seven buttons in a hexagon pattern and one with two buttons side-by-side. It's like getting three gaming mice for $100, and each mouse is a top-notch peripheral. There's a textured grip on the mouse's right side, which helps make it comfortable to hold. There's also RGB lighting, software connectivity and a variety of opportunities to customize the mouse to your liking.
Read our full Razer Naga Trinity review.
7. SteelSeries Rival 600
A colorful and versatile gaming mouse
DPI: 100 – 12,000 | Buttons: 7 | Size: 131 x 43 x 27 mm | Weight: 96 – 128 g
Beautiful design
Pretty illumination
Weights are a little finicky
The SteelSeries Rival 600 is visually striking, with two rainbow LED strips running down the center of the device. That alone isn't enough to recommend the Rival 600 as one of the best gaming mice, but its fantastic performance is. The Rival 600 offers adjustable weights, a comfortable grip, a subtly textured scroll wheel, and nuanced software that lets you program buttons and DPI options. Where the mouse stands out, of course, is that you can do some extremely eye-catching things with the lighting options, from rainbow waves to almost imperceptible color shifts. Better still, since the strips aren't hidden under your palm, you can even admire your handiwork while you game.
Read our full SteelSeries Rival 600 review.
8. SteelSeries Sensei 310
The best gaming mouse for lefties
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DPI: 100 – 12,000 | Buttons: 8 | Size: 125 x 61 x 39 mm | Weight: 92 g
Excellent design
Reasonable price
Only two DPI settings
There are plenty of contenders for the best gaming mouse on the market, but most of them cater exclusively to righties. If you're a gamer of the sinistral persuasion, you have surprisingly few high-quality options at your disposal. Enter the ambidextrous SteelSeries Sensei 310, which works equally well in either hand. This mouse features a deceptively simple design, with textured grips and two programmable thumb buttons on either side. It's small, sleek and comfortable, and plays well with every genre, from FPS to MOBA to RPG. Thanks to the SteelSeries Engine software, it's also simple to customize DPI and button options. For right-handed gamers, the Sensei 310 is a fine choice; for left-handed gamers, it might be a lifesaver.
Read our full SteelSeries Sensei 310 review.
How We Test Gaming Mice
In order to test a gaming mouse, we use it constantly for at least two days — sometimes longer. Using the mouse for productivity purposes helps us test its general grip and comfort. Then, we choose four or five popular games and put the mouse through its paces, evaluating how well it handles a variety of different genres. For mice that claim to be genre-specific, we will often focus most of our testing on a single genre.
Although we can test simple metrics, such as DPI levels and number of programmable buttons, reviewing gaming mice is an extremely subjective process. Regardless of manufacturer or specifications, the mouse that feels the most comfortable in your hand will most likely be the mouse that helps you perform best in-game.
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How Much Do Gaming Mice Cost?
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Gaming mice range in price from $20 to $150, although the sweet spot for wired mice tends to be between $50 and $80. Wireless mice routinely go for $100 or more, capping out around $150. One thing to bear in mind is that almost every mouse gets cheaper over time. Models that debut at $80 can cost $50 within a year, and even the fanciest wireless models can drop below $100 once a manufacturer releases a newer model. Since good gaming mice can last for a decade or more, there is no reason to avoid a high-quality mouse from a few years ago, particularly if you can get a new-in-box model.
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