The mouse and the keyboard are the two basic input devices for computers. The mouse is generally used to navigate through graphical menus, operating systems, and the World Wide Web, while the keyboard is used to enter text commands or work within certain software applications, such as a word processor or spreadsheet. Most mice have two buttons, and some have additional buttons and a scroll wheel on top that facilitates navigation through long documents or Web pages. A pointer on the screen allows the user to see where the mouse is. Most mice use a trackball, a plastic ball inside the mouse casing, to move the pointer, but some newer mice use optical technology, or lasers, to track the mouse’s movement. The benefit of this is increased precision and no need to clean the trackball occasionally, but optical mice are generally more expensive. Mice generally cost from as little as $10 up to as much as $100 . When it comes to keyboards, there’s not much variation among models. Some ergonomic keyboards have a sort of V shape, which some people find more comfortable, but these keyboards can be more expensive. Some keyboards also have buttons that are connected to your e-mail program, for example, allowing you to call up commonly used programs with the touch of a button. Keyboards range in price from about $15 up to about $65
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