Before comparing the optical mice with laser mice and see which ones are better, we should find out what they actually consist of first and how they work.

An optical mouse it’s clear that it’s working with the optical technology, and they are independent of the surface underneath. An optoelectronic sensor is in charge with taking pictures of almost any type of surface, which are then processed by specialized chips. To take the successive pictures, the LED integrated at the bottom of the optical mouse illuminates the surface underneath and the image-processing chip analyzes the reflected light translating it into the movement on the X/Y axes using an optical flow algorithm. This algorithm involves a pattern of apparent motion of the surface in a virtual scene determined by the mouse and the surface.



In other words, optical mice are characterized by the integration of a very small camera capable to take 1,500 pictures per second while the LED light bounces light off that surface onto a CMOS sensor, which sends the images to the digital signal processor. The processor, having an operating speed of 18 million instructions per second, detects image patterns changes and establishes the distance the mouse has moved since the last change. The coordinates are sent to the computer, which translates the information into the cursor movement.

The optical mouse history started in 1999 when Agilent Technologies launched the world’s first model that proved to be very accurate providing an increased tracking resolution, dirt-resistant and to work with almost any type of surface without a mouse pad.

A laser mouse replaces the LED illumination with infrared laser diode light and it was introduced to the retail market in 2004 by Logitech and Agilent Technologies.
While the optical mouse uses a light emitting diode, a laser model uses a very similar technology, but in its case we have an invisible laser beam responding to the slightest hand movement with high precision. The laser beam comes out via the ring on the base and the reflected light from the surface reaches the sensor, which is capable of taking 5.8 megapixels of details per second.



In the battle of the laser mouse versus optical mouse it seems that the laser wins in most of the rounds. Featuring a laser beam it provides higher image resolution on more types of surfaces, even on tricky polished or wood-grain surfaces, glazed ceramic tile, untextured plastic, metal surfaces, photo paper, laminate countertops, and opaque glass, while enabling 20 times more surface tracking power compared to the optical sensor.

This is what Martin Reynolds, vice president of research firm Gartner, declared in 2004:
“Lasers are a natural evolution of the optical mouse, as their illumination enhances surface textures invisible under LED illumination. This is physics in action, and will become one of the top volume applications for lasers.”

(Sources Wikipedia ; Semiconductor ; Tom’s Hardware ; MegaGames ; wiseGeek ; PSYORG)