Are wireless mice reliable? My mouse is failing, and if I don't get another of the same model, I want to go wireless. I also saw wireless mice that use lasers. What about them?

Well I use a wireless mouse several years now.
Since a few years only with light , without a ball on the bottom
Is the light a laser do not know , but it works fine.
Normally warranty time 2 years.

I've been using wireless trackballs and wireless optical mice for years. I only use them when I must; for my normal work I don't because I don't like replacing batteries.

For the best results, use a Bluetooth one because you can set up the "association" and encrypt the traffic - otherwise other people can intercept the information. This is why wireless KB/mouse are simply banned from most shops that do work for defence.

I recommend you get one with replaceable batteries, that way if they stop recharging you can easily get some more rechargeable batteries. I have an optical mouse like this and it works great.

I agree with the bluetooth option.

You'll obviously be required to replace/recharge batteries periodically, the rate depending on how much you use the devices.

I've heard that wireless mouses/keyboards are an issue with gaming due to latency, and radio interference during the most intensive parts of your games.

But you don't have to worry about the wires, and you have the option of sitting further away from your CPU/monitor.

Yeah, I have a Bluetooth mouse. It works perfectly, although I prefer my wired mouse as it's lighter.

interesting, I read that wireless radio mice/keyboards could be a security risk. I wonder, are infrared mice/keyboards ok from a security point of view?

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Hmm, I guess you are right. But the range is not too great. I mean if the keyboard is too far away from the receiver it won't get a signal anymore. This is especially true with bluetooth as it is only designed for up to 2m distance.

Argh. I didn't fully realize that this mouse type doesn't follow the KISS principle. I'm not sure I want to trade periodically dead batteries and potential data theft for one less cable.

I also do not want two mice. It would conflict with my minimalist habits. If a backup wired mouse would be advisable, I guess wireless is out.

Well, you're right. It was pretty cool that is was wireless, but there isn't much use. I never really used the wireless capability, I mean I never walked around the room with the keyboard just to feel cool that I have a wireless keyboard or mouse. However, I'm currently using that wireless set for my PS3, I bought a keyboard and (gaming) mouse with a cord for my computer.

The infrared mice/keyboards basically have the same problem as the radio versions (except that you can't 'see' the signal through most solid objects). I don't know of any infrared gizmos which implement secure transmission (that doesn't mean they don't exist, just that I never saw them).

Once I tested the range of my wireless mouse and keyboard after 3 meters
it stopped working
But every pair of keyboard and mice has his own frequency , discover it
because my keyboard broke after many years , my option was buy a new mice and keyboard or use a usb keyboard

I've had several wireless mice, and have reverted back to wired some time ago, for the following reasons:

1) wireless mice are much larger and heavier

2) lag can range from mildly annoying to problematic

3) precision not as good, esp. due to mouse weight / momentum

4) battery charging gets tiresome

A good wireless mouse won't experience interference in general. You mileage may vary.

Not sure where the previous posters are using for wireless mice but they don't share my experience. I've got a Microsoft wireless mouse and a Logitech LX8 wireless mouse. I change the battery in the Microsoft one about every 6 months and the Logitech is new but it advertised 8 months for battery life. Both take double A batteries. I don't notice much weight difference between them and a corded mouse. I've heard of latency with Blue-tooth mice but I've never owned one.
I don't understand the KISS comment, it's a mouse not a computer, I plug it in and it works. There isn't anything complicated about it. I don't get the security comment, it's a mouse. It was mentioned 3Meters for range and that may be a little further than I've seen. I'm not typing in my password with it, the mouse movement by itself isn't much value. Without context the movements aren't worth anything, and if you have context what do you need the mouse movements for?

Just in case I wasn't clear. Wireless mice are great.

You have batteries to change periodically; potential interference; slightly more complexity; and possibly a second mouse as emergency backup. That's what I meant.

I personally would not buy Microsoft mice. I looked at wireless mice at a Target store, and that was what prompted this thread; unfortunately, most of the mice were Microsoft. My current mouse is a pillbox-shaped ancient IBM PS/2 model, but if IBM even makes its own mice anymore, I don't suppose I can find them easily--or cheaply.