These hybrids use a rubber ball to generate movement but interpret that movement with photo-interrupter discs that are turned by the internal rollers. Most mice communicate with a computer through a cord attached to a port on the back of the computer. Newer IBM-compatible machines have dedicated mouse ports, while older machines use a serial port . On most Macintosh computers, mice plug into the keyboard or the computer's Apple Desktop Bus port. Newer radio mice use low-power radio signals to transmit positioning information to the computer.
All remote mice require batteries.
Some use replaceable alkaline batteries, while others have rechargeables. If the batteries run out of power or fail, you can't use the mouse until you replace or recharge them. Buttons, buttons and more buttons Pressing a mouse button signals your computer that you want to do something. The software that comes with your mouse or the operating system interprets the message and acts accordingly. Apple's designers thought people would be confused by more than one button, and they've stuck with that principle for Macintosh mice.