Tech companies have been working hard to develop new innovative ways to make accessories easier to use. Also, they’ve been paying more attention to the ergonomics of the accessories with a goal to develop a mouse that won’t cause any pain in your arm.
If you spend many hours in front of your PC, you definitely felt a pain in your wrist from using the conventional mouse design.
That is where the vertical mouse comes in handy.
At first glance, it might look hideous and unusable, but let’s dig deeper and find if it is actually good.
Vertical Mouse
The vertical mouse isn’t something new. In fact, it was developed back in 1994 by Jack Lo, after he was unsatisfied with the feel of a traditional mouse. The shape of the mouse is known as “handshake,” and it hadn’t caught the attention of the audience until now.
This mouse was developed specifically for people who suffer from wrist and hand pain and provides great relief after switching over to this factor.
Regular vs. Vertical Mouse
To understand the logic behind the design, we have to compare it to a traditional mouse that most people use. The best way to describe the design is by trying to rest your arms on your desk. Most people place their hands at a 60-80 degree angle relative to the surface of your desk, rather than facing down.
So, tech manufacturers found a way to place your arms in a resting position at all times and still have the functionality of the traditional mouse.
A vertical mouse is more ergonomically shaped and helps people to maintain that handshake design while operating it. The regular mouse requires you to twist your wrist parallel to the desk you operate on.
After working with a traditional mouse for a long time, people can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, causing pain, tingling, and numbness of arms and fingers.
If you are a basketball player, an amateur or an athlete in BetAmerica’s free NBA daily picks, this condition might ruin your performance, as you will have less ability in your arms or writers.
Advantages of Using Vertical Mouse
Let’s go through the benefits of using a vertical mouse:
- Avoids wrist and forearm pronation – Rotating your wrist counterclockwise will compress the median nerve leading to carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Keeps your wrist and forearm in a natural resting position– This minimizes the muscle use
- The Handshake position lets you maneuver your mouse with your forearm instead of your wrist
- Keeps the underside of your wrist off the desk
Disadvantages of Vertical Mouse
- Most battery vertical mice are battery-operated – Most vertical mice are designed to have a futuristic and modern design, which is why you can hardly find a wired option.
- Vertical mice tend to be more expensive – Buying the latest vertical mouse will cost you more money than buying the latest state-of-the-art traditional laser mouse.
- It takes a lot of getting used to – If you are a graphic designer or gamer, the mouse plays a vital role in your ability to maneuver. However, after using a traditional mouse for 5 or 15 years, it will take time to get used to the new design. It is much different from the regular mouse and, for some people, a very difficult transition.
Verdict
A vertical mouse might look odd compared to the mouse we are used to, but there are many health benefits you should consider, especially if you spend most of your day in front of your PC.
The ergonomic factor of the product is crucial. There is a reason why sports organizations like the NFL are working hard to develop more ergonomic gear to make the athletes perform even better.
The same thing goes for the technology you use. Maybe it will take time to get used to it, but it will definitely be worth it.
