Controlling the mouse
Your laptop’s mouse hardware is controlled by using the Mouse icon in the
Windows Control Panel. By opening that icon, you’ll find the controls for configuring
and setting up your laptop’s pointing device.
In addition to the standard mouse information, you may find a custom tab in
the Mouse Properties dialog box, similar to what’s shown in Figure 5-8. That’s
where you can configure the laptop’s touch pad or custom pointing device. In
Figure 5-8, the IBM’s TrackPoint and touch pad mouse options are set.
- If you’re a southpaw, use the Buttons tab in the Mouse Properties dialog
box to switch the functions of the left and right mouse buttons. Do be
aware, however, that most manuals refer to the main mouse button as
being on the left!
- You can use the Pointers tab in the Mouse Properties dialog box to
change the way the mouse pointer looks on the screen.
- Items in the Pointer Options tab can be used to help you locate a lost
mouse pointer. Settings such as “pointer trials” and “show location” can
also be used to help find hard-to-see mouse pointers on the laptop’s
display.
- Note that it’s possible to disable your laptop’s mouse pad. This is entirely
acceptable if you plan on using an external mouse. (See the next section.)
- See Chapter 6 for more information on the Control Panel.
Figure 5-8:
Setting
custom
mouse
options.
Get a real mouse!
The best solution for using a mouse on a laptop is to get a real mouse. No, not
the furry rodent kind. Silly. A desktop computer mouse.
Consider getting a desktop computer mouse and using it on your laptop
instead of the touch pad. Yes, it’s one more thing to carry. But because desktop
computer mice are so familiar, and people are used to them, it often
makes sense for the laptop to have a “big computer” mouse.
- There are specialty computer mice available designed just for laptops.
Some are smaller than regular mice, some come with retractable cords,
some are even cordless!
- Buy your laptop a nice wheel mouse, and you’ll never moan about your
laptop missing a wheel button ever again.
- I’ve seen people on airplanes use real mice. Even in that cramped space,
people will find a place to roll about the mouse. Pants legs work.
- Consider disabling the mouse pad if you attach an external mouse. Refer
to the previous section.
- Be careful when you install the software for your external mouse.
Sometimes doing so disables the software controlling the laptop’s touch
pad. My advice is to connect the external mouse and see whether it
works. If it does, and you’re happy, then just skip installing the software.
- Note that not all laptops come with a mouse port! If so, get a USB mouse
and plug it into your laptop’s USB port.
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