Computer mouse operation: is the left-handed user disadvantaged?
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Published on: March 21, 2025
E R Hoffmann1, W Y Chang, K Y Yim
1Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract:
A survey of University of Melbourne student-use computers showed that 100% had the mouse installed on the right-hand side. An experiment was performed to determine if the left-handed user was disadvantaged by this arrangement. Times to move the cursor to targets of different sizes and distances showed that left-handed users were not significantly disadvantaged and that, in accord with other tests, they were as good using their non-preferred hand as they were with their preferred hand. As expected, left-handers were superior to right-handed users when using their non-preferred hand.
