Contour Design Unimouse

Adjustable mouse earns universal credit

Everyone’s hands are a different shape, and many of us have individual problems with aches and pains caused by hours of computer use. So it makes sense that there are thousands of PC mice to choose from. But who has time to try them out? Contour has an alternative: one mouse designed to suit everyone.

The Unimouse can be as wide and as angled as you like, because it’s adjustable. It comes in wired or wireless options, both officially priced at £90 but with the wired versions typically discounted by a tenner. If Amazon or your local shop doesn’t stock the one you need, try The Keyboard Company ( www.snipca.com/29304). The wireless model, which comes with a USB receiver, has a rechargeable battery that should last months and can be charged while in use.

You’ll need to allow time to fiddle about and see what setup suits you best. The top of a conventional mouse is roughly horizontal, but your hand naturally rests at a diagonal angle, with your thumb uppermost. So the upper section of the Unimouse tilts outwards, rising on the left with the right-handed version, or vice versa. A stiff hinge lets you set the angle you prefer.

The second mechanical innovation is the thumb rest, connected with an extendable arm so you can position and angle it to avoid having to bend your thumb inwards to grip the mouse. This is far better than other ergonomic mice that just offer a more supportive side profile. The only obvious omission is similar support for your little finger, although

SPECIFICATIONS

USB or Bluetooth scroll wheel mouse • Five buttons

• Optional software requires Windows XP or later, macos 10.10 or later • 56x76x119mm (HXWXD) • 200g • Two-year warranty www.snipca.com/29306 there’s a slightly textured strip for it to rest against.

There are three main buttons, with the scroll wheel between the left-click and middle-click buttons. Most people operate the right-click button (for contextual menus and so on) with their middle finger, which rests on the wrong button here. Of course, you can switch their functions. There are also two customisable thumb buttons, and you can adjust the mouse’s tracking speed with a physical switch, as well as in Windows.

If you just want a vertically angled mouse, there are lots to choose from, including fixed-angle and joystick designs (see Bakkerelkhuizen’s range at www.snipca.com/29308, for example), and many are cheaper. But it makes complete sense to choose something that you can adjust to your own preference, and the Unimouse is very well put together.

VERDICT Some people may need an even more specialised model, but this is a clever way to make a mouse less painful to use

★★★★ ★ ALTERNATIVE

Anker Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Mouse £14 Available from Amazon, this fixed-angle mouse a USB receiver

Adjustable mouse that tilts and extends to suit any hand