Microsoft Optical Mouse (Blue)

Manufacturer:	Microsoft
List price:	~~$29.99~~
Our price:	$18.04 that is 40% off!

Microsoft Optical Mouse (Blue)

Average rating: Stars

Works with my KVM.

Appearance/Aesthetic: The mouse is a neutral-ish blue and grey that fits well in a cozy home office. Good fit for a comfortable workstation with a layed-back atmosphere. Not a good fit for a LAN party, someone who likes sexy high-tech looking toys, or a workstation with an ultra-contemporary style.

When the mouse is not moving, a barely-noticeable red glow emerges from its underside. The mouse responds to movement by substantially brightening this glow. Yes, this mouse is equipped with ground effects. I don't understand it either. There is a small "bull's-eye" logo that glows in red on the tail end of the mouse.

If you like the reddish glow emerging from beneath the mouse, you may be more pleased with the Logitech 3-button optical mouse (B0000659A7). The bottom and both sides of this Logitech mouse glow bright red. If you prefer _no_ light emerging from beneath the mouse, consider the Logitech MX310 (B0000A1GOF). The MX310 side panels have no transparency, and none of the underside light is visible unless the mouse is raised off the mousing surface.

Ergonomic/Functional: The mouse is not as light as the el-cheapo bargain basement mice, but not as heavy as a "performance" mouse (you know the kind; it has 15 buttons and looks like the remote control to the BattleStar Gallactica).

The click pressure on the first and second buttons is moderate.
The scroll wheel movement is _very_ light, which makes pressing down on the scroll wheel (actuating the middle button) slightly awkward. The scroll wheel material is hard plastic with a corrugated surface for traction (I found the smooth surface of Logitech's "rubbery" scroll wheel to be more comfortable).

As the shape of your hand is a huge ergonomic factor, the best check of this is a trip to your local CompUSA/Office Depot/Best Buy/Whatever to test drive the floor models.

Pros:

Works with my KVM (Iogear MiniView Plus 2 port PS/2 + audio: ASIN B0000512HI).
Overall impression of quality is high. The mouse isn't as light as the bargain-basement optical mice.

Cons:

Doesn't glide as easily as I prefer (the four corner-positioned glide pads seem a bit on the sticky side).
The packaged "Getting Started" card suggests using PS/2 over the USB connection, but offers no explanatory details. While this cryptic comment isn't a direct criticism of the mouse, it does make you wonder why Microsoft suggests the PS/2 connection superior.

Microsoft Optical Mouse (Blue) - Microsoft

Simplicity is elegance

The light, no-frills profile of this mouse along with its small size makes it a nice mouse to pair with a laptop on the go. Sometimes it has a plasticky feel to it and seems cheap for a $20 when for a little more one can get a well featured mouse (say Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 or Logitech MX700..love them all), but it's still a solid deal.

Having gone through several mice over the years (not because they're not durable...my favourite,the IntelliMouse Explorer 2.0, is still going strong as the mouse on my primary system) going with Microsoft or Logitech will do you no wrong. Why would you spend $10 on a generic mouse when for a little more you can get a brand-name one that is more solidly built? Think about it. $10. Two meals at Carl's Jr. Two packs of cigarettes. A bottle of cheap wine. 100 miles worth of gasoline...so on.

Microsoft's technical support and warranty replacement are by far the most superior in the industry (Logitech's is great too). Microsoft will ship you a replacement of your broken mouse within the one-year warranty period if you faxed/mailed an xerox copy of the bottom of your mouse and the purchase receipt (sometimes even optional), then within the week DHL delivers a mouse straight from their fulfillment centre, free of charge, NIB, just like an early Christmas. I don't know if Microsoft still does it anymore due to abuse, and please, people: DO NOT ABUSE MICROSOFT'S WARRANTY REPLACEMENT POLICY - EVERYBODY LOSES IN THE END. Logitech's is also the same - call them up with the serial number of your mouse for RMA, they'll fill a case on your defect, then ship you a replacement...

There's a reason Microsoft is still in the business of making computer hardware, especially mice. They rock.

Microsoft - Microsoft Optical Mouse (Blue)

It's great- until it breaks

I don't know what I did to deserve this. This mouse was comfortable, scrolled well, and worked very well in video games. Just yesterday, however, the wheel started acting funny- when I scrolled down, it would scroll up, then down, then random text would be highlighted. Now, it's worse- Even a left click will mean that the arrow is stuck to some scrollbar somewhere, more text gets highlighted, icons are flying across the screen because the button release isn't registered properly. I guess I do exaggerate a bit, but seriously, folks, this mouse, after half a year, has ceased to be functional in a normal sense. For the record, I have never abused this mouse. I am certain that the problem was not software related, as it does the same thing on my other computer. Both the USB and PS/2 adapter do the same thing.

I do not recommend this mouse to the mentally unstable.

Discount Electronics

Accessories

Fellowes Easy Glide Wrist Rest and Mouse Pad

$30.39

Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite

Microsoft Internet Keyboard

$67.44

Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000