Interface used for wired connection in mice that have this capability (see "Connection type").
The most popular nowadays is the connection through the
classic USB port. Mice for the newer
USB-C connector, for a number of reasons, are produced quite a bit, despite the advanced capabilities of this interface. And
PS/2, on the contrary, is gradually giving way to newer and more advanced standards. Here is a more detailed description of each of these options:
— USB. Connect to a traditional, full-size USB port (called USB A). Such connectors are extremely widespread: they are practically mandatory for modern PCs and laptops, and are also used as standard for working with peripherals in smart TVs, media centers and other types of electronics. That is why the vast majority of wired mice use this connector.
— USB-C. The newest (for 2020) type of USB connector; is significantly smaller than the USB A described above, as well as a convenient double-sided design. Such connectors are increasingly used in modern PCs and laptops, but very few mice are made for them; this is due to several reasons. Firstly, advanced versions of USB are often implemented through the USB-C connector, with high speed and high power supply; for mice, these characteristics are not needed, but they can be useful for more demanding devices. Secondly, the USB-C hardware soc
...ket can be used for interfaces other than USB (primarily Thunderbolt v3 and v4). Thirdly, it is simply easier to get into the full-size USB A connector with a plug — especially when trying to blindly find the connector on the back of the system unit. In light of all this, only a few laptop mice are produced under USB-C (see "In the direction").
— PS/2. A specialized connector with a characteristic round shape, used exclusively for keyboards and mice; colloquially known as "pee in half". PS/2 inputs are found exclusively in desktop PCs — they are too bulky for laptops. In general, this interface is considered obsolete and less used, but it can still be found in modern computers. At the same time, PS/2 has a very practical advantage: connecting a mouse to such a socket allows you to leave an additional USB connector free, which, in turn, can be useful for other peripherals. However, mice with only such a plug nowadays are almost never found — devices that can also connect to USB have become more common (see below).
— USB or PS/2. This option most often means that the mouse itself is equipped with a USB plug, and an adapter for PS/2 is supplied with it. Thus, the device turns out to be as versatile as possible in connection; at the same time, adapters are very inexpensive, their price is almost invisible compared to the cost of the mice themselves (even inexpensive ones). Therefore, most modern manipulators with the ability to work through PS/2 belong to this category.— microUSB. One of the miniature versions of the USB connector, still popular in gadgets, despite the emergence of the more advanced USB C. It has relatively modest capabilities (in particular, it is inferior to USB C in terms of the maximum possible charging power), but this point is rarely critical. At the same time, there are a great many cables and chargers for microUSB.
— USB C. The latest (as of the end of 2024) type of USB connector. It is symmetrical, which allows you to insert the cable in any direction, eliminating the possibility of incorrect connection. USB-C is more reliable, has an increased service life and supports higher data transfer and charging speeds. In addition, it is compatible with modern devices and is gradually becoming a universal standard, which makes mice with such a connector more convenient and relevant for users.
