Best I Mac For Gaming 2018

Are you looking for the best desktop for photography? The criterions for buying a desktop to edit your photos and videos involve more than just a high display resolution. It requires the ability to multi-task handling several editing applications at the same time without any visible lag time. Finally, it also requires a large display with a high resolution.

1. 2018 Best Gaming Pc
2. Best Laptop For Gaming 2018
3. New Imac 2018
4. Apple Imac For Gaming

We jump right into the top 8 desktops for photographers in 2018, if you want to read more about the minimum specs your new desktop should have, scroll down to the Minimum Specs a Photo Editing Desktop should have (in terms of RAM, CPU, Storage, Graphics Cards).

Bottom Line: Corsair's first PC, the One Pro, is the new benchmark for small-form-factor gaming systems. It delivers high-end gaming performance of desktops twice its size, with a sleek look and a. A gaming monitor should be equipped with a variety of video inputs, so you can stay connected to multiple PCs and gaming consoles such as the Sony PS4 Pro and the Microsoft Xbox One S. SteelSeries is known for making top-notch game controllers for Mac and PCs, and the Nimbus wireless game controller is the top of the line for gaming on Apple TV.

Product	Details
Apple iMac Pro MQ2Y2LL/A Intel Xeon W 8-Core processor AMD Radeon Pro Vega 56 processor Display is 5120 x 2880
Apple iMac MNED2LL/A 27-inch 3.8 GHz Intel Core i5 Quad-Core processor 8 GB DDR4 RAM AMD Radeon Pro 580 graphics
Dell XPS 7760 27' Multi-touch all-in-one desktop 16GB 2133MHz DDR4 Intel Core i7-7700 Processor
Dell XPS 8930 Tower Desktop Intel i7-8700 6-Core 3.20 GHz Processor 32GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 Graphics
Dell 3668 Inspiron Intel Quad Core i7-7700 16GB DDR4 2400MHz RAM 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 Graphics
Lenovo ThinkCentre M710 Tower Intel i5-7400 Quad Core Processor 16GB DDR4 2400MHz 500GB Solid State Drive
Intel NUC8 VR Machine Mini PC 3.1 GHz Intel Core i7-8809G Add up to 32 GB of memory Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics
Microsoft Surface Studio Intel Core i7 processor 32 GB of GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M GPU

We review new gaming desktops every week, each with its own quirks and eccentricities. For the most part, the internals in a lot of the top-of-the-line desktops are going to be remarkably similar. Apple iMac Pro Best All-in-One for Pros 4.5 Dell XPS 27 7760 Best All-in-One For Audio 4 Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO Y910 Best Gaming All-in-One 4.5 Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 910 Best 4K All-in-One 4 Our. The Very Best Gaming Graphics Cards In 2018. Best Monitor for Video Editing – 2018 Edition. The Best Curved & Ultrawide Gaming Monitors 2018. Ten Best Cheap 4k Monitors For Gaming – 2018 Edition. Best G Sync Monitor – 2018 Reviews & Guide.

1. Apple iMac Pro MQ2Y2LL/A

The new Apple iMac Pro is powered by the Intel Xeon W 8-Core processor. The base clock speed of the processor is 3.2 GHz, while the maximum speed is 4.2 GHz. The processor comes paired with 32 GB of internal DDR4 SD RAM. The memory has a speed of 2666 MHz.

Graphics are powered by an AMD Radeon Pro Vega 56 processor with 8 GB of GDDR5 VRAM integrated.

The display is a large 27″ one with an aspect ratio of 16:9. The native resolution of the IPS display is 5120 x 2880. The 5K Retina Display is more than enough for any and all photography and video editing work.
The 500 nits brightness ensures a bright realistic display of the images/videos while editing. The display supports up to a billion colors.

Internal storage of the computer is a healthy 1 TB which is entirely composed of an SSD PCIe unit. There are no optical drives on the device.

The computer has an array of input and output connectors. This includes 4 thunderbolt ports, 4 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type A ports and 4 Mini Display Port via Type C. Apart from these you have a 3.5mm headphone output as well as integrated speakers and headphones.

45 Reviews on B&H

• 3.2 GHz Intel Xeon W 8-Core
• 32GB of DDR4 RAM - 1TB SSD
• AMD Radeon Pro Vega 56 (8GB HBM2)
• 27' 5120 x 2880 IPS Retina 5K Display
• UHS-II SDXC Card Reader
• Thunderbolt 3 - USB 3.0
• 802.11ac Wi-Fi - Bluetooth 4.2
• 10Gb Gigabit Ethernet
• Magic Keyboard & Magic Mouse 2 Included
• macOS

B&H price as of 2019-08-25

2. Apple MNED2LL/A 27-inch iMac

This is a slightly less powerful Apple 27″ iMac from mid-2017. This iMac is powered by a 3.8 GHz Intel Core i5 Quad-Core processor (7th generation Kaby Lake). The processor can fire at a base speed of 3.8 GHz, which when boosted can be overclocked to 4.2 GHz.

It is paired with an 8 GB DDR4 RAM (2400 MHz). Internal memory is powered by a 2 TB of Fusion Drive. The device’s graphics are powered by an AMD Radeon Pro 580 graphics processor unit.

Related Post: Best Computers for Video Editing (Top 7 Picks in 2019)

The 27″ iMac boasts a 5120 x 2880 Retina display. The display’s aspect ratio is 16:9. This is an IPS display which normally gives a much wider viewing angle than traditional TN panels. It has a maximum screen brightness of 500 nits and it supports up to a billion colors. Thanks to the P3-based color gamut it is able to display much better color rendition compared to standard sRGB displays. Same as Adobe RGB, though you get slightly different color space than Adobe RGB.

Connectivity slots on the iMac include UHS-II SDXC card slots, plus two thunderbolts 3 ports. It also has four 5 Gb/s USB 3.0 Type A ports and Ethernet port. It also has 2 DisplayPort via thunderbolt port. Additionally, there are 2 integrated speaker, plus integrated microphones and a headphone (3.5mm) output port. There are no optical drives on the iMac.

For security purposes, a Kensington Lock slot is also provided.

362 Reviews on B&H

• 3.8 GHz Intel Core i5 Quad-Core
• 8GB of DDR4 RAM - 2TB Fusion Drive
• 27' 5120 x 2880 IPS Retina 5K Display
• AMD Radeon Pro 580 Graphics Card (8GB)
• UHS-II SDXC Card Reader
• Thunderbolt 3 - USB 3.0 Type-A
• 802.11ac Wi-Fi - Bluetooth 4.2
• 1 x Gigabit Ethernet Port
• Magic Keyboard & Magic Mouse 2 Included
• macOS

B&H price as of 2019-08-25

3. Dell XPS 7760 27″

2019 Update: No Longer Available

The Dell XPS 27 7760 is a multi-touch all-in-one desktop that has a display of 27″. The display resolution of the computer is 4K / UHD (3840 x 2160). Not a big fan of touch displays on the primary photo editing device. They tend to be fingerprint magnets and then you have to clean them up regularly.

The display on the computer is a stunning 27″ which offers UHD resolution. The display covers 100% of the Adobe RGB color gamut. The computer comes with the Dell PremierColor software that will adapt content to display them correctly within the Adobe RGB color gamut.

The Dell XPS is powered by a 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7-6700 Quad-Core processor (6th Generation). The processor clocks 3.4 GHz when running at normal load. However, it can be overclocked to 4.0 GHz when you need to handle heavier processing loads.

It comes with a built-in memory of 32 GB DDR4 RAM (2133 MHz). There is a provision to expand the memory and you can add up to an additional 64 GB of memory.

The system is not labeled as an “all-in-one” for nothing. The audio quality is exceptional. The display comes with an integrated sound bar that incorporates ten well-concealed speakers and amplifiers. Additionally, there are two tweeters as well as four full range drivers that give a fantastic sound effect for watching movies or playing games.

Graphics processor on the Dell is an AMD Radeon R9 M485X graphics card with 4 GB of integrated GDDR5 memory.

Internal storage of the computers is a hefty 2 TB hard drive plus a 32 GB SSD used as cache for faster loading of applications and operating system.

4. Dell XPS 8930 Tower Desktop

The Dell XPS 8930 is a tower desktop (no display included). The desktop is powered by an 8th generation Core i7-8700 6-core processor. The maximum clock speed of the processor is 3.20 GHz and when overclocked the processor can clock a maximum of 4.60 GHz.

The processor is paired with a 16 GB DDR4 RAM (2666 MHz). Internal storage on the desktop is a 2 TB HDD (7200 RPM SATA). There is an optical drive as well on the desktop.

Graphics on the system is powered by an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 processor with 4 GB GDDR5 integrated memory. The desktop comes with Intel UHD Graphics 630.

The desktop has a series of connectivity options. These include 1 display port, 1 HDMI port and 1 DVI port. The device is powered by Windows 10 preloaded which should take care of all your photo editing and video editing tasks.

Sale Dell XPS 8930-7814BLK-PUS Tower Desktop - 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8700 Processor, 32GB...

• 8th Generation Intel i7-8700 6-Core 3.20 GHz Processor (12M Cache, up to 4.60 GHz), Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)
• 32GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory, 1TB SATA Hard Drive + 16GB Intel Optane Memory Accelerated, DVD-RW Drive
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 Graphics (3x Display Port, 1x HDMI, 1x DVI), Intel UHD Graphics 630
• Dell Wireless 802.11a/c + Bluetooth v4.1, Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio with Waves MaxxAudio Pro
• 1 Year Limited Warranty, Dell USB Laser Mouse - Black, Dell Wired Keyboard - Black, No Monitor Included

Amazon.com price as of 2019-08-25

5. Dell 3668 Inspiron

August 2019 Update: No Longer Available

The Dell 3668 Inspiron is a mid-range tower desktop PC (no display provided). The desktop is powered by a 7th Generation Intel Quad Core i7 processor with an integrated memory of 16 GB DDR4. The processor clocks 3.6 GHz. It can be overclocked to a maximum of 4.2 GHz. Internal storage on the desktop is a 2 TB HDD.

The processor is paired by an internal memory of 16 GB DDR4 2400 MHz RAM. Internal storage is 2 TB.

Graphics processor on the desktop is powered by NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 GPU with an integrated memory of 2 GB.

The device comes with a series of connectivity options including two USB 3.0, 4 x USB 2.0, a HDMI port and an audio jack output. The desktop comes with an optical drive (DVD-RW) and an Ethernet port. Windows 10 come preloaded into the system.

2017 Newest Dell 3668 Inspiron 7th Generation Mid Size Tower Computer PC (Intel Quad...

• 1- Year Limited Hardware Warranty and 90 days Limited Technical Support for Software and Initial Setup (From Date Of...
• Intel Quad Core i7-7700, 7th Generation High Performance 3.6GHz Processor.
• 16GB DDR4 2400MHz RAM / 2 TB Hard Drive. ( McAfee LiveSafe ) Free Internet Security For 1 Year.
• 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 Graphics, 802.11 Wireless-N + Bluetooth 4.0, 2 x USB 3.0, 4 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 x...
• Microsoft Windows 10 Professional (64-bit). Comes With 1 Year Brand New Limited Warranty. Comes In Original Brand New...

Amazon.com price as of 2019-08-25

6. Lenovo ThinkCentre M710 Tower

This is yet another desktop computer ideally suitable for the purpose of photography (and videography). The Lenovo ThinkCentre M710 is a Tower PC (no display included). It is powered by an Intel Quad Core i5-7400 (7th Generation) processor. The base clock speed of the desktop is 3 GHz but it can be overclocked to a maximum of 3.5 GHz when you need to run resource hogging applications.

The system has an integrated memory of 16 GB DDR4 (2400 MHz), with a 500 GB SSD unit making up for the internal storage. Window 10 comes preloaded into the system.

The desktop comes with a series of connectivity options including two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, two USN 2.0 ports and an Ethernet port. There is also a VGA port and two DisplayPorts along with PS/2 ports for keyboard and mouse.

• 3.0 GHz Intel Core i5-7400 Quad-Core
• 8GB of 2400 MHz DDR4 RAM
• Integrated Intel HD Graphics 630
• 1TB 7200 rpm SATA 3.5' Hard Drive
• SuperMulti DVD Burner
• 1 x Gigabit Ethernet Port
• USB 3.0 Type-A - USB 2.0 Type-A - PS/2
• DisplayPort - VGA
• USB Wired Keyboard & Mouse Included
• Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)

B&H price as of 2019-08-25

7. Intel NUC8 VR Machine Mini PC Kit

August 2019 Update: No Longer Available

Barebones systems are not a new concept in desktop computing. We have been using it for some time now. These systems give the ultimate in terms of freedom to configure your desktop computer. Under the right circumstances, that is. For someone who wants an up and ready system that s/he can use straight out of the box, barebones systems are not for them.

Barebones systems, as the name suggests, are mini-PCs which don’t have an operating system, RAM, and hard drive installed. So, you will have to get all of these, install and load them before you can start using it. Works for some advanced users, definitely not suitable for someone who needs to get up and running in the minimum possible time.

The Intel NUC8 VR, by definition, is a barebones system. This system can be upgraded (or brought to working condition) by adding RAM, operating system, and a hard drive. The processor inside the NUC8 VR is a 3.1 GHz Intel Core i7-8809G (eight generation) quad-core system.

Related Post: Best External Hard Drives for Photographers (10 Top Picks)

There are slots for 2×2400 MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM RAM. You can add up to 32 GB of memory on to the device. Additionally, there are slots for 2 x PCIe 3.0 x 4M.22242/2280. You can attach up to two SSD units in different RAID combinations. Paired with the processor is a Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics processor unit with 4 GB of integrated memory on board.

Integrated into the system are media card readers capable of reading all types of SD cards (SD, SDHC, and SDXC. The system comes with 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports, HDMI and Mini-DisplayPort. Additionally, there are a total of 7 USB ports. It is compatible with Bluetooth devices and is VR ready.

The NUC8 VR supports a maximum of 6 displays. Scalable and fast this is the ideal solution when you are working on a budget.

8. Microsoft Surface Studio

We finally come to the Microsoft Surface Studio. The Surface Studio is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor. The processor is capable of clocking 2.7 GHz. Integrated memory on the computer is 32 GB of GDDR5. Graphics is powered by a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M GPU with 4 GB integrated memory. Internal storage on the computer is 2 TB of hybrid drive.

Additionally, there is a secondary 128 GB SSD installed which should result in faster booting time and better performance when loading applications. As a result, making the Microsoft Surface Studio one of the best desktops for photography.

2018 Best Gaming Pc

The salient feature of the computer is the fact that it can transform from a desktop computer to a studio laptop device in no time. The 28″ screen size gives a display resolution of 4500 x 3000 pixels. It supports multi-touch with your fingers as well as the Surface Pen.

Integrated connectivity ports include 4 x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 x Mini DisplayPort, a 3.5mm Aux out for headphone/sound bar and mic in jack. Apart from these, there is also an integrated microphone and a speaker for crisp sound when watching videos or mixing sound.

There is also a flash media slot that allows all types of SD cards to be accepted including SD, SDHC, and SDXC.

Microsoft Surface Studio (1st Gen) (Intel Core i7, 32GB RAM, 2TB)

• Includes Surface Pen, Surface Keyboard, Surface Mouse and a Zero Gravity Hinge that moves the display weightlessly from...
• Enjoy a 28-inch adjustable PixelSense Display with touchscreen and 13.5 million pixels of color and clarity
• With Intel Core processors accelerated by a discrete NVIDIA GeForce dGPU, Surface Studio is up for anything
• Reinvent the way you create with a unique set of tools like Surface Pen, Surface Dial*, and Windows Ink
• Microsoft Surface Studio: Touch it. Draw on it. Visualize and develop your ideas like you would on a sheet of paper

Amazon.com price as of 2019-08-24

Minimum Specs for a Photo Editing Desktop

(RAM, CPU, Storage, Graphics Cards)

Looking for the best desktop for photography? The criterions for buying a desktop to edit your photos and videos involve more than just a high display resolution. It requires the ability to multi-task handling several editing applications at the same time without any visible lag time. Finally, it also requires a large display with a high resolution.

Resolution

High resolution is imperative both from the point of view of image editing as well as video editing. A higher resolution ensures that you can view an image in a large format without the image getting pixilated. When editing video you can get a larger view of the timeline.

Processing Power

Intel’s Core i7 is a good place to start. With the latest 8th Generation processor now available, it would be a nice way to future-proof your investment; at least for the next few years. Technically, you can still run Photoshop and Lightroom on an older Core i5 processor, but you wouldn’t like the experience nor have the patience to edit a large number of RAW files after a while.

Speed

Speed is the operative word here. And for that, you need the latest processors with a high number of cores. You don’t have to go crazy and buy the latest 12-core Intel Core i9 processor, as the processor alone will set you back by a thousand bucks. A six to eight core is sufficient for photo and video editing.

Still on the subject of speed, ideally, the best desktop for photography is the one that comes with a high-speed RAM, preferably 32 gigs of it.

Graphics Processor & Connectivity

Best Laptop For Gaming 2018

You also need a decent graphics processor unit. Plus, the ability mount several connectivity ports such as HDMI, USB 3.1 and the ability to mount SD cards. You need the ability to mount both SD, SDHC and SDXC cards.

Related Post: Best Laptops for Photo Editing (12 Laptops Compared)

Storage is a highly debated topic. There is a clear line of demarcation between users who prefer to have a high storage. They would want to store as many of their RAW images right on the computer itself. Then there are the other types of users who prefer to store as much as possible to an external (offline) storage unit. Storing a huge number of RAW files to a cloud storage can be quite expensive. It is better to store them to two or more external storages in a RAID 1 architecture. That way all the drives would be available for accessing of data at any time.

Going by this logic, even a small 256 GB SSD drive would be enough as the primary storage unit on a computer. You can always back up your RAW and JPEG files to the external storage unit as and when necessary.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the best desktop for photography.

Note: Amazon.com prices, reviews, and ratings were updated on 2019-08-25 - Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated and are subject to change. Some product prices may refer to used/refurbished items. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon sites at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of the product. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Certain content that appears on PhotoWorkout.com comes from Amazon.com. This content is provided 'as is' and is subject to change or removal at any time. For more information refer to our Affiliate Disclosure and Disclaimer.

Pointing the Way: How to Buy the Right Mouse

In its most basic form, a computer mouse is simple hardware—a sensor on the bottom, two buttons and a scroll wheel on top—that lets you interact with programs as though they were extensions of your own hand. But while a mouse is simple in concept, the market for them is a scattered mess of types, prices, and designs. You need to know a little about the landscape when you go shopping for a new model.

Over time, distinct classes of mice have evolved, each made for different computing situations. The most common of these is the mainstream desktop mouse, designed for use with a desktop or laptop PC at a desk or table. Aside from the inevitable right and left mouse buttons, the usual features are a clickable scroll wheel and, in some cases, additional thumb buttons that let you navigate forward and back in your Web browser.

Travel mice (or 'mobile mice') offer many of these same features but come in a smaller size. They're designed to fit easily into the pocket of a backpack or laptop bag.

For this same reason, however, travel mice tend to be small for most hands—you can use them just fine for short stints, but they become uncomfortable over long periods due to the unnatural grip required. Generally speaking, travel mice are wireless and battery-powered, so you may want to bring along a spare set of AA or AAA batteries.

The Right Mouse for Gaming

Gaming mice amplify every element of the basic mouse concept to the extreme: more buttons, higher tracking resolutions, curvier curves.

Some gaming mice are general gaming models, while others are designed for specific game genres. In the latter case, depending upon the style of the game that the mouse is intended for (first-person shooter, real-time strategy game, MMO title), you may see a variety of specialized features.

What most gaming mice have in common, though, is a combination of high-performance parts—laser sensors, featherlight click buttons, gold-plated USB connectors—and customization features, such as programmable macro commands and on-the-fly resolution switching. Gaming mice also stand apart in that the better ones tend to feature vendor-supplied software for setting up these custom features and shortcuts, defined sometimes on a per-game basis via profiles. The software's quality and functionality can vary wildly from vendor to vendor; that's where our reviews come in. Certain utilities are easier to pick up than others.

For maximum comfort, some gaming mice let you customize the body of the mouse itself. Removable weights are common, letting you tweak the total heft of the mouse one way or the other. Some models take this even further, letting you shift the center of balance, or adjust the height and pitch of the palm rest. For non-gamers, these features are overkill; for dedicated gamers, they provide a competitive edge.

Finding the ideal gaming mouse for you comes down to knowing your preferred style of game, determining whether or not you will take advantage of any of a mouse's more complex functions (it's easy to overspend on a gaming mouse), and then tweaking your choice to your specific tastes.

What's the Best Ergonomic Mouse?

Ergonomics-first designs put all of the typical mouse functions into a form factor that places your hand in a neutral position. Designed to reduce the stresses that can lead to carpal tunnel and repetitive strain injury, ergonomic mice may look unusual and take some getting used to, but they do alleviate some very real problems. Some have a vertical design; others may have one-off sculpts.

Whether you're looking at a specialized ergonomic mouse or ergonomics are simply a concern in a more ordinary one, pay attention to the size of your mouse. (Make sure that it's not too big or too small for your hand.) Weight is also a consideration. Some people prefer a heavier mouse that anchors the hand, while others, especially players of MOBA games, want something light that furnishes little resistance to flicking and clicking. As a rule of thumb, a heavier mouse requires more effort to move, and even though the difference may not seem like much, over time it can mount.

It's not just weight and size that are important. The sculpting of the mouse can also lead to unnecessary strain on (or conversely, extra support for) your hand and wrist. The most comfortable mice will fit the contour of your hand, rather than having a flat, shallow shape.Some mice have a thumb rest, providing a resting spot from which the finger can rise as needed to activate controls.

Not Just USB: Mouse Connectivity

The simplest way to hook up a mouse to your PC is through a wired USB connection. Computer mice are usually plug-and-play devices, with no additional software to install (with the exception of higher-end gaming mice), meaning that plugging in the cable is all the setup you'll need to deal with. Unlike wireless alternatives, a wired device will draw its power over USB, so there are no batteries to worry about. Wired connections are also preferable for serious gaming or esports use (no battery to conk out in the midst of a match), though some high-end wireless mice are indistinguishable, from a response-time perspective, from wired ones.

If you want more freedom and less cable clutter on your desk, however, it's hard to beat a wireless mouse. Instead of a wired connection, wireless mice transmit data to your PC through one of two primary means: an RF connection to a USB receiver, or via Bluetooth. Both have their pros and cons, but if you want to reduce the number of cables on your desk and gain the flexibility to use your mouse unhindered—or even from across the room—wireless is the way to go.

Most wireless mice connect to the host computer via the same 2.4GHz wireless frequency used by cordless phones and some Wi-Fi Internet bands. A dime-size USB dongle—small enough to plug in and forget about—provides the link to your PC. Know, however, that only in some isolated cases (such as with Logitech's Unifying-branded gear) can a single USB dongle provide connectivity to more than one device. That means that unless the vendor specifically notes otherwise, you can't use the same adapter for your wireless mouse and keyboard. You may need to devote two USB ports to separate mouse and keyboard USB dongles.

Bluetooth options, in contrast, don't monopolize a USB port, and the stable, easy-to-manage connections are ideal for use with mobile devices, such as ultraportables, tablet PCs, and 2-in-1s. In regular use, a Bluetooth connection gives you roughly 30 feet of wireless range, but a Bluetooth mouse may not match the battery life offered by devices with an RF-based USB dongle. New innovations, such as motion sensors tied to power and connection management, can improve the battery life versus older Bluetooth devices, which maintained an always-on link that drained battery relatively quickly. But you'll want to look at the vendors' estimated battery life on a charge (as well as whether the mouse uses an internal battery you recharge, or disposables).

Sensors and Sensitivity

Most of today's mice use one of two types of light-based motion sensor: optical/LED, or laser. Unlike mechanical tracking options of yore, light-based sensors have fewer issues with dust and dirt, and the absence of moving parts means fewer failures.

Optical sensors pair a glowing LED beam—often red, blue, or infrared—with a small photo sensor, tracking movement by repeatedly imaging the surface below the mouse, translating any movement of the mouse into cursor movement. (The frequency of this imaging is called the 'polling rate,' expressed as hertz, or hundreds of instances per second.) Because of the imaging sensor used, optical mice are a little less prone to problems caused by lifting the mouse when in use or by mousing on an uneven surface.

Laser mice operate in a similar way, but they use an infrared laser diode instead of an LED. This allows, in some cases, for greater potential sensitivity (measured in dots per inch, or dpi) and polling rates. The one drawback is that they can be finicky about the surfaces on which they are used. Premium gaming mice generally use laser sensors, and they tend to work better with opaque mouse-pad surfaces meant for mousing; LEDs can be more forgiving. But this is not an absolute, and frankly, if you're concerned at all about mousing precision, a basic mouse pad will solve all ails.

To offer the higher sensitivity of a laser sensor and the versatility of an optical mouse, a few isolated mice use both in tandem. Most gaming mice also offer sensitivity adjustment, letting you shift from a precision setting for tight cursor-control circumstances (such as lining up a sniper's shot) to a broader-sweep one for melee combat and run-and-gun situations. This may be via dedicated-purpose button, or you may be able to program one of the mouse's buttons or toggles to execute resolution/sensitivity changes on the fly.

Ready for Our Recommendations?

Below is a rundown of the current top-rated computer mice we've run across in our testing. (Click through to read the full reviews.) We've tested a wide array of models across the categories of gaming, productivity, and specialized ergonomic mice.

New Imac 2018

Best Mice Featured in This Roundup:

Apple Imac For Gaming

• Logitech MX Master 2S Review

  
  MSRP: $99.99
  

  Pros: Comfortable. Switches automatically between devices. Cross-platform copy and paste. Works on all surfaces. Long-lasting battery.

  Cons: Gesture buttons and motions can be unintuitive at first.

  Bottom Line: The Logitech MX Master 2S is the ultimate wireless multitasking mouse, especially if you have a Mac and a Windows PC on the same desk.

  Read Review

• Logitech G903 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse and Powerplay Charging Mat Review

  
  MSRP: $249.98
  

  Pros: Light, ergonomic, and functional. When paired with the Powerplay mat, mouse offers a truly wireless gaming experience.

  Cons: Expensive. Few RGB lighting options.

  Bottom Line: The Logitech G903 Lightspeed wireless gaming mouse brings together a remarkably light and reliable peripheral with virtually limitless battery life, at a premium price.

  Read Review

• Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Review

  
  MSRP: $79.99
  

  Pros: Super-portable design. Tracks on virtually any surface, including glass. Robust customization software with useful Flow continuity feature. Long battery life. Works with Windows or Mac.

  Cons: Might be too small for some users. Somewhat pricey.

  Bottom Line: The Logitech MX Anywhere 2 is a well-built, versatile mouse that lives up to its name with a travel-friendly design and a sensor that works on nearly every surface.

  Read Review

• Corsair Dark Core RGB SE Review

  
  MSRP: $89.99
  

  Pros: Competitively priced. Solid and attractive form factor.

  Cons: Large, heavy frame may not appeal to everyone. Can't be used while wirelessly charging.

  Bottom Line: The affordable Corsair Dark Core RGB SE is a rock-solid entry in the realm of wireless gaming mice.

  Read Review

• Corsair Ironclaw RGB Wireless Review

  
  MSRP: $79.99
  

  Pros: Snappy wireless, via 2.4GHz adapter or Bluetooth. Hand-pleasing shape for big paws. Highly configurable resolution settings.

  Cons: Indifferent RGB placement. Can't configure while using Bluetooth. No wireless charging.

  Bottom Line: Corsair's latest wireless mouse, the Ironclaw RGB Wireless, is a little more practical than some of its top-end competitors. It's a strong pick for big-handed users.

  Read Review

• Logitech MX Ergo Wireless Trackball Mouse Review

  
  MSRP: $99.99
  

  Pros: Unique tilting stand lets you experiment between horizontal and semi-vertical orientation. Good build quality. Wireless.

  Cons: Expensive. Right-handed only. Struggles to perform precision cursor movements.

  Bottom Line: With its well-designed, premium-priced MX Ergo Wireless Trackball Mouse, Logitech is hoping to bring trackballs back into fashion.

  Read Review

• Razer Basilisk Essential Review

  
  MSRP: $49.99
  

  Pros: Comfortable shape for right-handed users. Removable 'sniper mode' resolution-toggling paddle. Solid configuration software.

  Cons: Only lighting feature is hidden by hand during play. No left-handed variant. $20 price drop means lower-endurance switches.

  Bottom Line: Razer's Basilisk Essential scales down one of our favorite gaming mice while keeping most of its best features intact.

  Read Review

• Roccat Kova Aimo Review

  
  MSRP: $49.99
  

  Pros: Ambidextrous design lets you customize right- and left-handed buttons. 'Taillight' RGB and Aimo light system add a novel approach to mouse lighting. Inexpensive.

  Cons: Sensor offers low maximum DPI compared with high-end mice. Ability to use off-side buttons leads to some weird finger reaches. Aimo adds some aggressive marketing hooks.

  Bottom Line: Roccat's Kova Aimo is a solid, affordable, ambidextrous gaming mouse, not just for lefties and claw players but for anyone who wants to experiment with new grip styles.

  Read Review

• SteelSeries Rival 650 Review

  
  MSRP: $119.99
  

  Pros: High durability. Excellent performance. No perceptible jitter. Can operate wirelessly or wired. Weight-adjustable.

  Cons: Price a bit high. No storage niche for USB dongle.

  Bottom Line: Able to operate wired or wirelessly, and packing removable weights and strong software, the SteelSeries Rival 650 is a highly flexible mouse for power gamers looking for an all-occasions device.

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• SteelSeries Rival 710 Review

  
  MSRP: $99.99
  

  Pros: Accurate proprietary sensor. OLED display, customizable haptic feedback are fun for tinkerers. Body is customizable via swappable sensor, side panels.

  Cons: Display and haptic feedback lack deep integration with many games. Pricey for a wired mouse.

  Bottom Line: Like its predecessor the Rival 700, the SteelSeries Rival 710 is a solid, pricey gaming mouse, with unique features (such as an on-body screen) that are more fun and flashy than technically useful.

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