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What uses less power for a mouse, USB dongle or Bluetooth? (self.asklemmy)

submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by mortalic to c/asklemmy

18 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I have been spending a lot of time working remotely with my laptop in random locations. And usually just plug my mouse in via the USB dongle. But just curious if there is a noticeable battery difference doing this? Seems like Bluetooth would be better because it's already powering other things anyway.

Edit: seems like it's Bluetooth. Going to have to change my habits. Thanks all.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I've always assumed the dongle uses bluetooth as well. Why invent a new protocol when there's one that does exactly what you want?

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Dongles are usually 2.4ghz radios, supposed to be lower latency and more stable than Bluetooth.

Edit- in reality though, bluetooth has come a long way and generally more convenient, users likely wouldn't notice a difference in day to day work. Personally I still wouldn't recommend gaming on a bluetooth connection when latency and micro stutters matter.

[–] subtext -2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

That’s the same frequency as one of the main Wi-Fi bands, ~~I would imagine they’re probably just reusing that technology for this communication~~

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago (1 children)

KB/mouse dongles use their own, often proprietary, protocols but on the same 2.4 GHz band. It's like how WiFi and Bluetooth both operate on 2.4 GHz but use different framing and protocols.

[–] subtext 5 points 1 month ago

Interesting, I did not know how widely used the 2.4GHz band is, thanks for correcting me!

[–] shonn 4 points 1 month ago

It's also the frequency of Bluetooth and your microwave because it's unregulated. Dongles aren't Wi-Fi or anything like it.