By SIA LING XIN

LET the mouse-hunt begin: More young Singaporeans are splurging on computer mouses that cost around $100 or up, retailers say.

A check with various stores showed that sales of high-end mouses from November 2009 to January 2010, compared to the November 2008 to January 2009 period, have gone up.

Increases range from 10 per cent to 20 per cent for two shops in Sim Lim Square. Another retailer there says that his sales of high-end mouses for the same period have increased by a whopping 50 per cent.

Two stores in Funan the IT Mall saw sales jump by about 25 per cent in that period.

Harvey Norman tells my paper that while it carries one model of high-end mouse, it plans to branch out into the market. It is looking to bring in more models soon.

High-end mouses, from brands such as Microsoft, Razer and Logitech, have functions which allow users to customise the speed the mouse travels at, or have ergonomic features.

Some cater to a more exclusive market - they have built-in buttons that allow the user to make command selections without having to exit games, or have space-saving designs.

While these mouses are priced higher than the typical, no-frills mouses on the market that cost from $20 to $30, their advanced features appeal to the technology-savvy crowd, especially gamers, who are willing to splurge.

"Some claim to defeat their opponents in computer games because of their superior mouses," says a Sim Lim retailer.

A gamer with a good mouse can be likened to a soccer player wearing a good pair of cleats.

He literally has the virtual gaming world in the palm of his hand, says another storekeeper.

Gamers pick their mouses by reading posts on forums that typically comment on how a certain mouse offers comfort even after a prolonged period of use.

Avid gamer Alfred Teo, a 22-year-old student, owns three of such high-end mouses which cost him more than $400 in total.

"I bought my first (high-end) mouse about two years ago, after hearing about it from other gamers. After that, there was no going back," he says.

He adds: "A good mouse really does make a difference when you're in a high-level game with other skilled players. It won't improve your skills, but it can give you an added advantage."

These mouses, with their ergonomic designs, also play a big role in preventing aching wrists and fingers, he says.

"This is especially important for those who spend hours holding onto a mouse," he adds.