Why doesn't the magic mouse have a red light?

[mrsir2009]

Why doesn't the magic mouse have a red light? If optical mice don't need it, why is it in pretty much every other mouse?

 

[Intell]

Because it uses an infrared light. Much like the light in your TV remote control.

 

[miles01110]

It's an IR laser. My MX Revolution (2006) uses the same kind of technology, as do many others. "pretty much every other mouse has it" is not accurate.

 

[mrsir2009]

Is this technology more expensive than the red light method? Because I don't see why all mice use it...

 

[1nteresting]

A IR mouse is more accurate, while an optical mouse using a red light can be inaccurate and jumpy at times, and some surfaces just do not work with it. I'm not sure if they are any cheaper though, I'm pretty sure they are because most mice that have and IR receiver I've noticed are about ~$50 or more, while I've picked up a cheap mouse with a red light for less than $15.