Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

pure71453 · 2026-04-17 05:58:12

I tested many linux distros(archlinux, manjaro, eos, debian, debian testing, mint, ubuntu, fedora and others) with XFCE on the same PC. Mouse settings, desktop resolution are identical but mouse tracking are different. I even create /etc/udev/hwdb.d/71-mouse-local.hwdb file with correct data but it didnt help. Mouse tracking on debian based linux systems are more accurate and perfect. While on arch based and fedora based mouse moves more faster and more accelerated and this is very bad for my mouse accuracy. Tested even on two different computers, changed many mouses for last 8 years but it didnt help. I got am3 and am4 rigs with amd gpu. Where to dig?

dimich · 2026-04-17 06:43:09

pure71453 wrote:

Where to dig?

Is there difference between "accurate and perfect" and other systems in output of

$ xinput list-props <id>

?
(<id> is identifier of your mouse device in output of "xinput list")

Also check

$ xset q | grep -A1 "^Pointer Control"

Last edited by dimich (2026-04-17 06:44:16)

seth · 2026-04-17 07:01:19

Also compare the Xorg logs and check whether you're using xf86-input-libinput resp. xf86-input-evdev on either system.

pure71453 · 2026-04-17 23:40:52

dimich wrote:

pure71453 wrote:
Where to dig?
Is there difference between "accurate and perfect" and other systems in output of
$ xinput list-props <id>
?
(<id> is identifier of your mouse device in output of "xinput list")
Also check
$ xset q | grep -A1 "^Pointer Control"

output are the same, mouse settings from xfce mouse applet are the same

pure71453 · 2026-04-17 23:41:56

seth wrote:

Also compare the Xorg logs and check whether you're using xf86-input-libinput resp. xf86-input-evdev on either system.

I am using xf86-input-libinput, xorg logs are the same

pure71453 · 2026-04-17 23:51:56

Maybe some kernel modules are build into kernel(arch based, fedora based) while on debian based those modules are separate from kernel

dimich · 2026-04-18 05:34:30

Can you quantify how "fast" movement is in both cases? For example, how far you have to move mouse to move pointer a fixed number of pixels. Or how many pixels pointer moves if you move mouse a fixed distance. At low speed, first.

seth · 2026-04-18 06:59:30

While on arch based and fedora based mouse moves more faster and more accelerated

What mouse?

There're three stages where this can deviate
1. the hardware (mouse resolution, some have a button for that but logitech and razer can be software controlled)
2. libinput
3. X11 (the xset output)

The most likely difference will be libinput (version dependent or maybe debian patches it)
Switch to xf86-input-evdev on either system and see whether the behaviors align.

pure71453 · 2026-04-19 06:06:04

seth wrote:

While on arch based and fedora based mouse moves more faster and more accelerated
What mouse?
There're three stages where this can deviate
1. the hardware (mouse resolution, some have a button for that but logitech and razer can be software controlled)
2. libinput
3. X11 (the xset output)
The most likely difference will be libinput (version dependent or maybe debian patches it)
Switch to xf86-input-evdev on either system and see whether the behaviors align.

logitech g203 prodigy, g402, logitech mx(dont remember full name model), several a4tech, msi and other mouses for last 8 years. Most of them was with on-board memory. Problem not in mouse software app. As i said all mouse settings are the same(xfce mouse applet, xinput output, xorg logs, xset, 71-mouse-local.hwdb). I tried evdev few years ago but mouse tracking with evdev are so bad so i back again to libinput.

pure71453 · 2026-04-19 06:24:12

dimich wrote:

Can you quantify how "fast" movement is in both cases? For example, how far you have to move mouse to move pointer a fixed number of pixels. Or how many pixels pointer moves if you move mouse a fixed distance. At low speed, first.

Mouse feels faster by 100-200dpi on arch/fedora based distros. So if i use mouse with 600dpi on debian then on arch/fedora mouse feels like 700-800dpi with strange acceleration. Mouse tracking on debian with 600 dpi are not the same as on arch/fedora even with decreased dpi to 400-500.

seth · 2026-04-19 06:29:51

I tried evdev few years ago but mouse tracking with evdev are so bad so i back again to libinput.

1. evdev is completely unfiltered
2. it is completely irrelevant how you "feel" about it, the point is to determine *where* the behavior deviates

Right now you *claim* that "for last 8 years" "mouse tracking" on debian "feels" better than anywhere else.
This is not actionable, we need to figure you're even talking about, so eliminate variables as you can until the behaviors align.

dimich · 2026-04-19 06:48:48

pure71453 wrote:

desktop resolution are identical

Is display resolution the same, not only display dimensions in pixels?

$ xdpyinfo | grep 'dimensions\|resolution'

Is sensitivity different in virtual console with gpm if you boot without GUI?

pure71453 · 2026-04-19 08:39:24

seth wrote:

I tried evdev few years ago but mouse tracking with evdev are so bad so i back again to libinput.
1. evdev is completely unfiltered
2. it is completely irrelevant how you "feel" about it, the point is to determine *where* the behavior deviates
Right now you *claim* that "for last 8 years" "mouse tracking" on debian "feels" better than anywhere else.
This is not actionable, we need to figure you're even talking about, so eliminate variables as you can until the behaviors align.

Mouse tracking is better on debian based distros compared to arch/fedora based. Video settings, mouse settings are the same but mouse tracking are different. I am former professional sc2/wc3/dota player, so i am very sensitive to mouse tracking. I can tell what linux distro(arch/fedora xfce or debian/mint xfce) are running just only by mouse tracking. Or is it gnome xorg or gnome wayland, kde xorg or kde wayland. I dont use other DE cuz they introduce input lag and i am very sensitive to it.

seth · 2026-04-19 20:06:45

Cool.

seth wrote:

This is not actionable, we need to figure you're even talking about, so eliminate variables as you can until the behaviors align … the point is to determine *where* the behavior deviates

Otherwise this will not go anywhere.

Arch Linux

#1 2026-04-17 05:58:12

Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

#2 2026-04-17 06:43:09

Re: Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

#3 2026-04-17 07:01:19

Re: Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

#4 2026-04-17 23:40:52

Re: Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

#5 2026-04-17 23:41:56

Re: Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

#6 2026-04-17 23:51:56

Re: Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

#7 2026-04-18 05:34:30

Re: Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

#8 2026-04-18 06:59:30

Re: Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

#9 2026-04-19 06:06:04

Re: Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

#10 2026-04-19 06:24:12

Re: Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

#11 2026-04-19 06:29:51

Re: Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

#12 2026-04-19 06:48:48

Re: Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

#13 2026-04-19 08:39:24

Re: Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

#14 2026-04-19 20:06:45

Re: Different mouse tracking on linux distros(arch based vs debian based)

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