Laptop vs. Desktop: REACTION
Laptop vs. Desktop: REACTION
Holy Cow! In reaction time, after thirteen trials on my laptop I managed to break an average time below the 270 threshold. 2 weeks later instead of using the laptop left click button (below the touch pad) I tried the reaction test on a Desktop and in my first trial I averaged 225!!!
Has anyone else observed such difference?
Does anyone have any insight into the differences in hardware?
Has anyone else observed such difference?
Does anyone have any insight into the differences in hardware?
es138 | 3 years ago
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Does it have a PS/2 mouse? Try that (as opposed to a USB-mouse)... I got 100+ms speed-up over linux+touchpad (which is for some reason super-slow on my system) and 20ms over USB (either OS).
PS/2 and USB is handled very differently hardware-wise and that's the biggest noticeable change. CRT vs LCD and if a computer is 2Ghz dualcore or an ancient 600Mhz doesn't seem to matter at all for me (haven't been able to measure it with good confidence).
PS/2 and USB is handled very differently hardware-wise and that's the biggest noticeable change. CRT vs LCD and if a computer is 2Ghz dualcore or an ancient 600Mhz doesn't seem to matter at all for me (haven't been able to measure it with good confidence).
ilikebutts | 3 years ago
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Yup -- in my experience the hardware/software configuration does lead to noticeable differences. Usually on the order of a couple tens of milliseconds (which is very small, but still significant and relevant, especially for pure reaction time).
Slow computers can skip a timer beat, and you'd lose a couple tens of ms. Old LCD screens can have screen lag. CRTs have faster response time all-round (probably by a few milliseconds). Wireless input devices may have a few milliseconds in delay. All this could add up.
On my computer, for some reason (most likely timer related) my reaction time is always faster under Windows than under Linux. It's fine if you stick to the same configuration, but if not, it does lead to some rather misleading discrepancies.
Also, you can respond to the reaction time test with the SPACE key. Usually this leads to a slight speed up too, although I suspect it isn't hardware related, but physiology related :)
Slow computers can skip a timer beat, and you'd lose a couple tens of ms. Old LCD screens can have screen lag. CRTs have faster response time all-round (probably by a few milliseconds). Wireless input devices may have a few milliseconds in delay. All this could add up.
On my computer, for some reason (most likely timer related) my reaction time is always faster under Windows than under Linux. It's fine if you stick to the same configuration, but if not, it does lead to some rather misleading discrepancies.
Also, you can respond to the reaction time test with the SPACE key. Usually this leads to a slight speed up too, although I suspect it isn't hardware related, but physiology related :)
cognitivefun | 3 years ago
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I could have sworn that I read somewhere in here that the space bar would not be enabled for this test.
es138 | 3 years ago
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My difference was actually in the opposite direction. I've noticed that in a lot of studies where they measure reaction time the researchers specify the computer to an unreasonable level of certainty (iMac, 10 inch screen, viewed from 20 inches away...).
Whoopska | 3 years ago
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"I've noticed that in a lot of studies where they measure reaction time the researchers specify the computer to an unreasonable level of certainty (iMac, 10 inch screen, viewed from 20 inches away...)."
Alas, who knows, maybe there is an optimum target distance for perception :)
cognitivefun | 3 years ago
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cevapcici | 3 years ago
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I've noticed that on my laptop, the reaction time tends to give the same values, such as 183ms and 203ms. There's probably something about the internal clock, or refresh rate of the keyboard, or whatever, that favors those times.
Not exactly related, but probably the biggest difference between a laptop and a normal keyboard is the numeric keypad, when it comes to the subitizing test, PASAT, etc. It takes ages to locate the digits on a laptop.
Not exactly related, but probably the biggest difference between a laptop and a normal keyboard is the numeric keypad, when it comes to the subitizing test, PASAT, etc. It takes ages to locate the digits on a laptop.
1stone | 3 years ago
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My reaction time just improved by 20ms. How did I do it? I started hitting space instead of clicking (also I spazed and hit space randomly giving me a 63ms reaction time on one of the trials).
Whoopska | 3 years ago
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Wow, the space bar has improved my time by 20ms beyond the desktop mouse in my Original Post. I had no idea I'd reap 20ms from this discussion. Thanks!!!
es138 | 3 years ago
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