Computer mouse (manipulator)

This invention was a one-button wooden wheelie cube. The device owes its name to a wire - it reminded the inventor of the tail of a real mouse.

The first mouse was assembled by engineer Bill English, and programs to demonstrate capabilities were written by Jeff Rulifson. Inside the device were two metal discs: one turned when the device was moving forward, the second was responsible for moving the mouse to the right and left.

The first public demonstration of a computer mouse, graphical user interface, calculations, hypertext and text processing. 1968

Later, Xerox became interested in Engelbart's idea. Her researchers changed the design of the mouse, and it became similar to the modern one. In the early 1970s, Xerox first introduced the mouse as part of a personal computer. It had three buttons, instead of discs, a ball and rollers, and cost $400.

In 1983, Apple released its own model of a one-button mouse for the Lisa computer, the cost of which was reduced to $25. The mouse gained wide popularity due to its use in Apple Macintosh computers and later in Windows for IBM PC.

Today, there are several types of computer mice: mechanical, optical, laser. And they, in turn, are divided into wired and Bluetooth.

Market estimates

2023: Growth in Global Computer Mice Sales to $3 Billion

In 2023, costs in the global computer mouse market reached $3.05 billion. Sales of such devices are steadily growing, which is explained by technological advances and changing consumer preferences. Industry trends are addressed in the Market Research Future survey published in late December 2024.

The authors of the study call the increasing penetration of laptops, desktops and tablets the main market driver. Widespread adoption of computing in a variety of industries, including education, healthcare, business and gaming, is fueling the need for data entry devices. Laptop owners purchase mice for the reason that they provide more accurate and convenient navigation, including scrolling through documents and web pages, compared to built-in touchpads.

Consumers, as noted, are increasingly choosing ergonomic computer accessories that increase comfort and reduce fatigue when working for many hours. Long-term use of traditional mice can cause discomfort and tension in the wrist and hand: devices with a specially optimized design can solve this problem. Health-conscious users acquire manipulators that help reduce muscle fatigue. Often, such products are bought to replace ordinary mice, which contributes to an increase in the volume of the market in question as a whole. Some consumers choose vertical mice: the design of such manipulators allows you to hold your hand on the table in a fundamentally different way than when working with ordinary mice, which helps to avoid tunnel syndrome.

Another stimulating factor is technological advances. Consumers choose devices with advanced features, wireless connectivity, and flexible customization. With the growing popularity of games and esports, gaming mice are becoming more and more in demand, which provide advantages over rivals in the virtual space. In addition, gaming enthusiasts are attracted to products with personalization capabilities, including multi-color lighting with various effects.

In 2023, wireless mice provided revenue of $1.83 billion. Another approximately $1.22 billion was brought by wired devices: despite the smaller share, such models remain relevant due to their reliability, low delay and uninterrupted connection. At the same time, USB interfaces continue to dominate due to their wide distribution and compatibility with various equipment. Among the significant market players named:

• SteelSeries;
• Razer;
• ASUS;
• Microsoft;
• HyperX;
• Delux;
• Roccat;
• Cougar;
• Logitech;
• Glorious PC Gaming Race;
• Redragon;
• BenQ;
• VicTsing;
• Corsair.

In 2023, North America was leading geographically, due to the high level of development of the IT sector: revenue amounted to $0.926 billion. Approximately $0.715 billion was brought by Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Sales in the Middle East and Africa are estimated at $0.505 billion, while South America provided $0.188 billion.

At the end of 2024, revenue in the segment of computer mice is estimated at $3.24 billion. Market Research Future analysts believe that in the future, the CAGR will be 6.09%. As a result, by 2032, costs on a global scale could increase to $5.2 billion. The development of the market, as noted, depends on technological advances, changes in consumer preferences and the digitalization of the commercial sector.^[1]

Notes