Skimping on purchasing a high-quality computer mouse is like skimping on tires for your car: It may make short-term financial sense, but it's long-term stupid and potentially very dangerous.

Far too many mice are designed to look good, not to feel good. This is a tragic mistake.

Try this example to see what I mean:

Take your hand and just rest it naturally on a flat surface. Most people will find there's a natural curve their fingers and their palm is not flat on the table. A mouse should fit in your hand with a natural feeling of comfort, which is why I prefer a mouse that has a sculpted curved shape.

What's most important is that it feels comfortable to use.

I prefer a mouse that has a high, curved 'back' that supports my hand. Any mouse that's too flat is definitely out.

Also, it's a good idea to get a new mouse once a year - or whenever you notice the clicker is getting stiffer, so it is more difficult to make it work.

One of the latest trends in mice is to have optical tracking instead of a mouse ball. Optical tracking works by detecting the motion of the mouse against the surface it is moving across, as opposed to a ball that has to physically be moved by the user pushing the mouse against a the surface.

Optical tracking mice don't get clogged with lint the way a traditional mouse can, so there's no cleaning to worry about. And no mouse pad is required. The only caveat is that an optical mouse won't work on a clear surface. Also, optical mice allow for much more subtle movements, for those who need accuracy.

I tested several different mice and found one head and tail above the rest: the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer ($75). This is the top-of-the-line mouse, and it shows.

The five-button optical Explorer has a very high profile, which puts my fingers into the right position for comfortable use. I don't notice a big difference between an optical and regular mouse when it comes to accuracy in my work, but I really do enjoy the feel of this critter. Also, the scroll wheel is very smooth, allowing me to quickly move up and down pages with just a twirl.

Microsoft also makes a less-expensive version, the IntelliMouse Optical ($55). The profile is slightly lower, which may be better for those with smaller hands. In addition to the lower profile, it has buttons on both sides, so it can be used by either a left-handed or right-handed person.

As an added bonus, these two Microsoft mice work on both Windows and most current Apple Macintosh computers that support USB peripherals. (Visit the Microsoft Web site for exact system requirements.)

Another mouse I tried and enjoyed was the Contour Perfit Mouse ( www.contourdesign.com ). What's unique about this mouse is that it's available in five different hand sizes for right-handed users and three sizes for lefties. (The Web site has a chart to determine which size is best.)

I was intrigued by the concept of the ergonomic design - it has a more natural feel than most mice - but there were a few design features that I didn't like. For example, on the side of the mouse, there's a thumb-grip - to help control the mouse - but people I had try this mouse kept trying to thumb-click. Also, I found the high front of the mouse forced me to bend my wrist back slightly - as opposed to allowing my hand to cup the mouse in a natural position - and this caused me some immediate wrist pain, so I stopped.

The Perfit mouse costs $90 for Windows or Macintosh version for older computers or $100 for USB version, which works on most recent computers.

A different approach to the problem of dealing with different people's hand sizes is actually having the mouse change its size.

The Whale Mouse ($69), made by Humanscale, adjusts to different hand sizes, but I really didn't like this mouse at all. It is just too flat for my use, as my fingers were stretched for even the most basic mouse tasks. After about a minute of use, my hand started to hurt as my palm was being forced too far out of a comfortable position.

But what feels comfortable and works for me may not be right for everyone. It is important to experiment to learn what is best for someone's specific body shape and size.

Steve Segal is the computer columnist for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached at computer@tribweb.com .

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