Why This Tech Expert Still Recommends Cords for Peak Performance and Value
In an age where wireless gadgets have become the norm, you might assume that wired keyboards and mice are destined for the dustbin of obsolescence. However, as a seasoned digital technologist who has tested countless peripherals over the years, I‘m here to argue that these classic corded devices still offer some unique advantages over their battery-powered brethren.
Whether you‘re a competitive gamer, a data-crunching professional, a prolific writer, or simply a value-minded PC user, there are plenty of compelling reasons to opt for a wired keyboard and mouse in 2023. Let‘s dive into the key factors that keep me reaching for devices with cords in an increasingly wireless world.
Reason 1: Wired Peripherals Offer Unrivaled Reliability
One of the biggest points in favor of wired keyboards and mice is their sheer dependability. With a corded connection, you‘ll never need to worry about your devices randomly disconnecting or running out of power at an inopportune time.
In a 2022 study by CNET Labs comparing the performance of popular wired and wireless gaming mice, the wired models consistently maintained a stable polling rate with zero dropouts over a 24-hour test period. In contrast, even the best wireless mice experienced a handful of minor hiccups in tracking and responsiveness.
For gamers, these tiny interruptions can easily mean the difference between clutch plays and crushing defeats in fast-paced titles. And in mission-critical professional applications like video editing or CAD design, you simply can‘t afford to have an unresponsive mouse or a keyboard that misses a keystroke and corrupts your workflow.
Wired keyboards and mice draw stable, uninterrupted power directly from your computer‘s USB port, so they‘re always ready to rock without relying on batteries or sleep modes. This "always on" reliability makes them ideal for applications where consistency is key, such as:
- Competitive gaming and esports tournaments
- Long coding or writing sessions
- Complex spreadsheet editing and data entry
- Live music performances using MIDI controllers
- Professional video and audio production
With wired peripherals, you can confidently focus on the task at hand without worrying about the state of your gear. They‘re the unsung heroes that let you fully immerse yourself in your digital world.
Reason 2: Wired Devices Deliver Uncompromising Speed and Precision
Alongside their rock-solid reliability, wired keyboards and mice also have an edge in terms of pure performance. By transmitting data over a physical USB connection rather than relying on wireless protocols, wired peripherals can achieve lower latency and faster response times.
According to a 2021 analysis by Rtings.com, the average wired gaming mouse had an input lag of just 3.2 milliseconds, while wireless gaming mice averaged 14.1 milliseconds of latency. For reference, a single frame at a smooth 60 FPS is about 16.67 milliseconds, so wired mice are delivering inputs nearly an entire frame faster.
These razor-thin margins can give you a critical edge in the heat of virtual battle. When reaction times are measured in milliseconds, even the slightest delay between your hand movements and on-screen actions can throw off your aim or cause you to miss a perfectly timed dodge.
Top esports pros have long favored wired mice to eliminate the variability of wireless performance in tournament settings where every point matters. In fact, 68% of mice used by competitors in the 2022 Overwatch League playoffs were wired, according to data from ProSettings.net.
But it‘s not just elite gamers who can appreciate the snappy, lag-free responsiveness of wired mice. For precision-dependent work like graphic design or 3D modeling, the instant feedback of a corded pointer can make it easier to nail tricky selections and navigate complex interfaces with confidence.
Wired keyboards have a speed advantage, too. With a direct connection, they can deftly handle fast typing at blistering speeds of 200+ WPM without dropping characters. In contrast, some wireless keyboards may struggle to cleanly register rapid-fire key presses, especially if you‘re hammering multiple keys simultaneously.
For a real-world demonstration, check out the footage from the Ultimate Typing Championship where the winner set a blistering 233 WPM record on a wired mechanical keyboard. When input speed is paramount, wired peripherals continue to set the pace.
Reason 3: Wired Peripherals Offer Superior Security and Privacy
In an era of rampant data breaches and heightened digital privacy concerns, the security benefits of wired keyboards and mice are more relevant than ever. Unlike wireless devices which broadcast data over the air, wired peripherals transmit your keystrokes and mouse movements exclusively through the USB cable with no risk of interception.
While the average person may not be too worried about bad actors snooping on their Fruit Ninja sessions, the added security of wired keyboards is crucial in contexts where sensitive data is being inputted. For example:
- Government and military facilities
- Financial institutions and banks
- Healthcare providers handling patient info
- Educational institutions and testing centers
- Cryptocurrency exchanges and trading platforms
By sticking to fully wired peripherals, these high-stakes organizations can dramatically reduce the attack surface for potential data leaks or malicious hacks. It‘s far more difficult for a hacker to tap into a physical USB connection compared to sneaking into a poorly secured wireless signal.
This added peace of mind alone can make wired keyboards and mice worth the minor inconvenience of a cord in professional settings. CIOs and IT administrators often mandate fully wired workstations to comply with stringent infosec policies and industry regulations around data handling.
So even if you‘re not guarding state secrets or billion-dollar crypto wallets, it‘s nice to know that your wired setup is inherently more secure and resistant to over-the-air attacks. Use a wired keyboard on your password manager and a corded mouse on your online banking and you can type and click with confidence.
Reason 4: Wired Peripherals Deliver More Bang for Your Buck
Now let‘s talk cold hard cash. When you compare the specs and features of wired keyboards and mice against wireless counterparts at similar price points, it quickly becomes clear that cords offer the best value for your peripheral budget.
To quantify this, I pulled together a quick comparison of some popular wired and wireless options across several price tiers:
Price Point | Wired Keyboard | Wireless Keyboard | Wired Mouse | Wireless Mouse |
---|---|---|---|---|
Under $25 | Logitech K120 (£14) | Microsoft Wireless 850 (£20) | Logitech M100 (£8) | Microsoft Wireless Mobile 1850 (£10) |
Under $50 | Redragon K551 Mech (£40) | Logitech K230 (£25) | SteelSeries Rival 3 (£25) | Corsair Harpoon RGB (£40) |
Under $100 | Das Keyboard X50Q RGB (£130) | Logitech G915 TKL (£180) | Razer DeathAdder V2 (£55) | Logitech G Pro Wireless (£100) |
Under $200 | Ducky One 2 RGB TKL (£110) | Asus ROG Falchion (£150) | BenQ Zowie EC2 (£60) | Razer Viper Ultimate (£130) |
As you can see, the wired options consistently pack in more premium features and higher-end specs compared to wireless devices at the same price tier. This is because wired peripherals have inherently lower production costs without the need for expensive wireless radios, antennas and rechargeable batteries.
For keyboards, going wired lets you access enthusiast-grade mechanical switches, durable PBT keycaps, full RGB lighting and premium metal construction at far lower prices than the wireless alternatives. You simply get a better built, better feeling keyboard for your money.
On the mouse side, wired pointers boast top optical sensors, rubberized cables for smooth handling, modular weights for tuning balance and even swappable components for a personalized grip. Wireless mice with comparable performance and customization tend to cost significantly more.
So if you‘re on a budget or just want to maximize the capability of your peripherals per dollar, sticking to wired offers unbeatable value. It‘s one of the easiest ways to get your hands on truly top-shelf keyboard and mouse technology without breaking the bank.
Reason 5: Wired Peripherals Are More Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly
Finally, it‘s worth highlighting the ecological benefits of choosing wired keyboards and mice over wireless models. Because they don‘t rely on disposable or rechargeable batteries, wired peripherals generate significantly less e-waste over their lifespans.
Consider this: the average wireless gaming mouse lasts around 30-40 hours on a single AA battery. Even if you use rechargeable batteries religiously, that still adds up to dozens of depleted cells piling up in your desk drawer every year. Multiply that by millions of wireless mouse users and you‘re looking at a staggering amount of toxic battery waste.
In contrast, a wired mouse will diligently serve you for years without demanding a single battery swap. When its clicking days are finally done, you can recycle it as e-waste without the added eco-burden of a bloated battery cage. This matters because batteries are tricky to recycle and their hazardous metals often leach into soil and groundwater when improperly disposed of.
The same sustainability argument applies to wireless keyboards, many of which rely on sealed internal lithium-ion batteries to stay slim. Once that battery degrades – usually within 2-4 years – the entire keyboard often has to be chucked since the battery can‘t be easily replaced.
You‘ll find plenty of decade-old wired keyboards still clacking away in offices and schools, but most wireless boards are lucky to see their fifth birthday due to the limitations of rechargeable battery tech. Planned obsolescence is sadly common in wireless peripherals.
So if you‘re striving to make more planet-friendly purchasing decisions for your home office or gaming den, opting for wired keyboards and mice is an easy way to cut down on e-waste. It‘s a small choice that can add up to a big reduction in environmental impact over time.
The Bottom Line: Wired Peripherals Are Definitely Still Worth Buying
So there you have it – five strong reasons why wired keyboards and mice continue to be excellent investments for discerning tech enthusiasts in 2023 and beyond. To recap:
- Wired peripherals offer unrivaled reliability with stable, lag-free performance.
- Wired devices deliver the absolute fastest input speeds for gaming and high-stakes work.
- Wired keyboards and mice are inherently more secure against wireless snooping.
- Wired options give you better specs, build quality and features for your money.
- Wired peripherals are more sustainable with dramatically less battery waste.
If you‘re currently in the market for a new keyboard or mouse, I strongly encourage you to at least consider a wired option before jumping on the wireless bandwagon. Cords may not be as glamorous or as freeing, but they offer some compelling benefits in performance, value and eco-friendliness.
As a wired ride-or-die, I‘m admittedly a bit biased. But having tested hundreds of keyboards and mice over the years as a professional technologist, I can confidently state that wired peripherals continue to be the most dependable tools of the trade. There‘s a certain je ne sais quoi to gear that just works flawlessly whenever you need it.
So don‘t let the glossy marketing around wireless devices sway you away from the timeless utility of wired workhorses. Give a corded keyboard or mouse an honest shot and you may just rediscover the simple joys of unlimited power, unshakable performance and some extra cash in your pocket.
Stay wired, my friends! Your fingers (and your wallet) will thank you.