Have mouse, will travel: It doesn't take a laptop computer owner long to forgo the tracking pad for a wireless optical mouse. One bout of sweaty fingers or a flaky cursor will frustrate even the most patient computer aficionado. 

Besides, at a price tag of about $30, what's not to love about a wireless mouse? Many feature an optical sensor that makes it easier to use on any type of surface, and a packing system that makes it easy to take on the road. Some come with a chassis and snap securely inside when not in use. 

A portable mouse comes either with a USB cable for a direct computer connection, or wireless for use without a direct connection at all. In fact, a wireless mouse can work from as far as 33 feet away from your notebook computer relying only on two AA or AAA batteries for power. One with wires generally includes some kind of easy storage, such as cables that either wrap around the mouse or retract when not in use. A mini mouse is about 1 inch by 2.5 inches and weighs about 2 ounces. 

You can find different versions of the mini mouse. Here we compare four models -- two wireless and two with cables. All have great features designed for ease of transport and ease of use. All four also feature battery-saving on/off switches and status indicators. Price quotes are taken from each manufacturer's Web site: 

For more info and price comparisons, go to:

www.epinions.com

www.targus.com

www.logitech.com

www.pcworld.com

www.cnet.com