A recent internal debate at PC Gamer about the utility of mouse side buttons has spilled over into a reader poll, revealing a surprising division in how gamers utilize these extra inputs. While the majority assign them to standard web browsing functions, a dedicated group advocates for their use in copy and paste operations.
The controversy ignited when the PC Gamer hardware team discussed Razer's new MMO gaming mouse, which features twelve side buttons. This led to a discussion about the more typical two side buttons found on most gaming mice. The prevailing opinion among the team was that these buttons should be used for web browsing's forward and back functions, a default setting for many gaming mice.
However, a poll conducted by PC Gamer presented readers with a choice: "Do you have your mouse side button set to forward/back or copy/paste?" The results showed that 67% of respondents use the buttons for forward and back. Counter to the majority opinion, a notable 10% have assigned them to copy and paste (Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V). Another 23% selected "Something else entirely," which the publication speculates includes game-specific macros.
One argument presented in favor of the copy and paste assignment is its ergonomic efficiency, allowing users to quickly copy and paste information without reaching for the keyboard. This contrasts with the forward and back functions, which are already easily accessible via other mouse inputs. The author humorously questions the urgency of needing to navigate web pages so rapidly, implying those who do might be "hiding something."
The article acknowledges that many of the "something else entirely" responses likely pertain to in-game macros, a practice the author admits to employing by mapping the buttons to 'C' and 'V' for first-person shooter games. The piece concludes with a lighthearted remark about the author's unconventional mouse grip, resting their middle finger on the scroll wheel and using their ring finger for right-click.
PC Gamer also announced its next poll, which will focus on the amount of RGB lighting present in users' gaming PCs.