Micro soft Intelli Mouse Optical

by Microsoft

Product Details

Product Manual [167kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004S9AK
• Item model number: D58-00002
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (160 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

When the people talk, Microsoft listens. This statement is true for Microsoft's IntelliMouse Optical, the company's latest addition to its hugely popular line of innovative optical mice.

The IntelliMouse Optical incorporates all the great features of the IntelliMouse Explorer mouse into its design--optical technology, cool red underglow, titanium accents, and superior performance. It also answers the most common complaints about the Explorer. For example, the two troublesome side buttons that were on the Explorer have been moved--there is one on each side of the IntelliMouse Optical, so both right- or left-handers can now program and use these buttons for any number of functions. In addition, the IntelliMouse Optical's smaller body is comfortable for people who don't have large hands.

Installation is quick and easy. The IntelliMouse Optical plugs into your USB port or into a PS/2 port with the included adapter. It comes with IntelliPoint software for both PCs and Macs so you can program the two extra side buttons and the wheel button. Once you set up the buttons, the mouse is ready to go.

Just like the Explorer, the IntelliMouse Optical works on most surfaces and doesn't require a mouse pad. We were able to use the mouse on a wood desk, stacks of paper, a pant leg, the carpet, and other nonreflective surfaces. Don't try to use this mouse on a glass desk, though--the IntelliMouse Optical needs to be on an opaque surface. The optical technology works by taking 1,500 pictures per second of the surface beneath the mouse and instantly comparing the series of pictures to track movement across the surface.

We also enjoyed using the IntelliMouse Optical for gaming. It's superaccurate and quick to respond. And the scroll wheel is tight, making it easy to select weapons. Whatever the application, the IntelliMouse Optical is a great mouse with almost no flaws. We highly recommend it. --Ara Jane Olufson

Pros:

• Now for right- and left-handers
• Easy-to-reach side buttons
• Mac compatible
• Never has to be cleaned
• Nice size

Amazon.com Product Description

The IntelliMouse Optical is one in Microsoft's family of ball-free mouse products using digital optical tracking technology. Sporting the silver detailing, signature red taillight, and glowing underside made popular by IntelliMouse Explorer, IntelliMouse Optical features a smaller design that is comfortable for both left- and right-handed mouse users.

Microsoft IntelliEye optical technology changes the way people use a mouse by removing the ball, thereby providing more control and accuracy and eliminating the need for mouse pads and cleaning. IntelliEye technology provides accuracy and durability by replacing the mouse ball with an optical sensor and digital signal processor (DSP). The sensor captures snapshots of the work surface at a rate of 1,500 images per second, and the DSP translates changes of the images into onscreen movements. The Microsoft IntelliMouse Optical works with both Macs and PCs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Product, May 2, 2000

By 

Bill "william5916" (Newport News, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Micro soft Intelli Mouse Optical (Personal Computers)

This is my second Microsoft mouse since December. I purchased the Intellimouse Explorer as a Christmas gift to myself and loved it. The size and button placement never bothered me, but the color and overall appearance did.

Microsoft got it right with Intellimouse Optical! Its color more closely matches the rest of my system, the placement of the extra buttons is admittedly more logical, and the price is even cheaper! Best of all, it's identical to its more expensive sibling in terms of features and performance.

The included Intellipoint software allows you to customize the mouse action (scrolling speed, cursor speed, etc.) and cursor appearance to your liking, and each of its five buttons can be reprogrammed to perform some other function if you'd like. As with the Intellimouse Explorer, my favorite feature allows you to lock the scroll wheel by depressing it momentarily. Then, to scroll through a document, simply move the mouse upwards or downwards. The farther upwards or downwards that you move the mouse, the faster the scrolling speed will be.

It's rare for me to spend this much money on a product, especially when a previous product is functioning properly, but I gladly parted with the money for Intellimouse Optical. It performs beautifully, looks and feels great, and is worth every cent of the purchase price.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 21st century mouse, which I'm using now, April 24, 2000

By 

Rob "Revuman" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Micro soft Intelli Mouse Optical (Personal Computers)

It's been over a decade since the standard mouse saw any real change in design. Sure they found a way to place 40 million buttons on the face of it without any trouble, but it still had the same problem that has been plaguing mice for years and that has landed them in the trash after about 6 months...they get junked up from massive use. And on top of that, no one wants to clean them. So, as usual, the think tank at Microsoft worked it out for a while and came back with what I think is not only the most inovative mouse of its kind, but also the most stunning, precise, and comfortable mouse ever made.

The Intellieye, or optical eye, in the IntelliMouse Optical is the thing that makes this mouse so great. Using a small motion sensor camera in the base of the mouse, the mouse will respond even to the slightest touch and work just about on any surface. In addition, since there are no internal tracks or moving parts, there are no more cleaning jobs or sticky mice. It works perfectly every time.

Also, this mouse, unlike it's larger brother the Explorer, fits beautifully into your hand as if it was meant to be there and all the buttons are positioned in easy to use places. Also it is great for both righties and lefties since the side and top buttons can be programed for either type of user.

Besides all of that, the red glow it emmits from its base around the "eye" creates a very cool effect, no matter what kind of place setting the mouse is in, and especially in the dark. It is also made to connect with any type of PC (PS/2 input) or Mac (USB Adapter included) and is an all around great product.

Only one little gripe, if you happen to be one of those people with slightly bigger hands, you might want to go with the larger model simply because you won't bump into the side buttons as often. However, beware, It's big and clunky compared to this mouse. And in most cases, the IntelliMouse Optical will do just fine even without those two extra side buttons. . . This mouse is a must buy, even if you think you have the best mouse out, you ain't seen nothing until you've seen this mouse in action.

Revuman: I need a vacation, peace people!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Mouse but Maybe Not for Gamers., January 9, 2001

By 

"zakvta" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Micro soft Intelli Mouse Optical (Personal Computers)

This mouse looks and feels really nice. The buttons have a solid "click" feel to them and the wheel turns with confidence. The mouse fits nicely in your hand. The extra buttons on the side also are handy when surfing the web. It is well designed and aesthetically pleasing. Also great for all those lazy computer geeks who don't want to bother with cleaning the mouse. With all the quibbles about Microsoft's software, they make excellent top-quality hardware.

As with all other mice with the "optical technology" feature there are some problems. When you move your mouse really quickly, the pointer on the screen goes crazy. I guess the technology isn't yet advanced enough to read those quick jerky movements. This is sometimes bad if you are a gamer that plays "first-person shooter" games such as Quake or Unreal Tournament and use the mouse. You can be playing and want to make a quick turn and end up facing a wall. I personally do use this mouse to play games but I realize the risk.

Overall this mouse is wonderful. The software is great and it works with all the programs I have. I would recommend buying it for general use but would give it second thoughts for gaming purposes. I believe there will come a time when the "optical technology" will advance so that these problems will go away.