Check out this article to improve the range of a bargain bin wireless mouse.

“While shopping at Microcenter, I found a “bargain” wireless mouse and keyboard combination on sale for $12.99. I wanted to add something like this to my media center and the price was really low so I decided to give it a try. The first attempt at using this proved that you really do get what you pay for. Both the mouse and keyboard work fine if they are only a foot or two from the receiver, however, the mouse stops working intermittently as the range is increased. After playing with a few different designs, I settled on a 15-turn bundle of insulated wire to be attached in series with the single turn antenna on the board.”