Customer Reviews

Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000

5 star:		(82)
4 star:		(51)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

Microsoft should rename itself Microhard. All of Microsoft's hardware (keyboards and mice, etc.) i've ever owned have been great, including the Presenter Mouse 8000. But the software that comes with it and the documentation are just horrific.

The mouse comes with a piece of paper that warns you to NOT use the install CD that comes with the mouse and instead go to Microsoft's web site for the latest software. So why didn't they just remove the CD from the package if they don't want you to use it??? When you go the web page that it tells you to go to for the software download, you find yourself on a page for Windows Vista support, which is NOT where you want to download the mouse driver from. A quick search for Intellipoint 6.02 (which the piece of paper claims you need) on Microsoft's web site turns up nothing. It turns out that 6.02 no longer exists. The current valid version is 6.1. Anyway, here's the correct software you need to download:

The installation of Intellipoint 6.1 seems painless enough, until you reboot your computer and find out that it has completely wiped out your touchpad driver and your touchpad no longer works the way it used to. As with all versions of Intellipoint, it is too stupid to figure out how to co-exist with other pointing device drivers. But at least the previous versions used to warn you that it wipes out the existing drivers. This version simply wipes them out w/o giving you any warnings or options to cancel the installation. Fortunately the touchpad driver for my sony sz360 IS smart enough to figure out how to work with Intellipoint. So after downloading the touchpad driver from Sony and re-installing it AFTER installing Intellipoint, both the touchpad and the mouse drivers now work.

If your laptop doesn't have built-in bluetooth and you're relying on the bluetooth transceiver that came with the mouth for wireless connection, then you're all set. Plug the transceiver into a USB port and you're all set to go. BUT if you want to utilize your notebook's existing bluetooth feature, the mouse has NO DOCUMENTATION on how to do that. And there is NO DOCUMENTATION on microsoft's web site whatsoever on this mouse. So after an hour or so of playing around with it, i finally figured out what to do:

1. Turn the mouse on
2. Using the tip of a pen or any other sharp tipped object, press and hold the little button below the power light on the bottom of the mouse for 10 seconds. This should make the power light alternate between green and red, indicating that the mouse is in a "discoverable", or "connectable" state.
3. Open the bluetooth manager that comes with your laptop and click on "connect to new hardware".

your computer should now find the mouse and everything should work.

Once you get past installing the software and figuring out what's missing in the documentation, the mouse works great! Ergo is not nearly as comfortable as Microsoft's full sized mice, but given its compactness and all the features it managed to pack in, it's hard to complain.

hope this help.

The shape of the mouse feels really nice in the hand, and it's loaded with features. On-off switch is much appreciated, and it even comes with a hard plastic carrying case with wrist strap. The scroll wheel scrolls very smoothly. A button behind the scroll wheel allows one to easily switch between mouse mode and presenter mode, although you need to install the IntelliPoint software in order for that (and the rest of the special buttons) to work. I already had IntelliType installed for my Microsoft keyboard, and even without the mouse software, the volume buttons did work.

The bluetooth is actually a nice feature, and the dongle can be used to connect other bluetooth devices, too. I was able to connect my bluetooth phone to my computer and transfer pictures from the phone to the computer. Note: you have to download IntelliPoint 6.02 from Microsoft's website in order for this to work (the version on the included CD is 6.01). The bluetooth range is pretty good, IMO, much better than the regular Microsoft RF wireless mice.

On the con side, the side buttons have a strange placement. You have to reposition your hand in order to push them. Also, as with many of Microsoft's new side-scrolling mice, the middle click requires way too much force to execute. On the bottom, the presenter buttons aren't really in an ergonomic location, either, but they are tolerable. This is primarily a mouse; the presenter functions seem secondary. Finally, I think there is a bit of a QC issue because the first one of these that I got had a squeaky right mouse button and did not sit perfectly flat on a hard flat surface, sort of like an annoying chair at a restaurant that tilts a bit. I exchanged it for another one, which no longer had the squeaky button, but still had the tilt problem.

This is a fantastic little mouse -- but unlike every other Microsoft mouse/keyboard out there, there is *NO* Macintosh support. This is quite bewildering and a bit surprising. There are hacks available to get the basic 4-button tilt/scroll mouse support working through the internal MacOS bluetooth driver (just google for "Microsoft Presenter Notebook 8000 Mac driver" or visit MacRumors) but no one has figured out how to support the presenter controls on the underside of the mouse -- the very reason for getting this model.

I'm happy nonetheless. I'm sure someone will eventually figure it out and this mouse is a stellar mouse for just regular mousing. You'll need to load a third party driver (like SteerMouse) to slow down the mouse sensitivity since the default / native driver is a bit too jerky.

This product seems nice, but funny that they NEVER mention that this product ONLY works with the POWERPOINT for the presentation control buttons on the bottom.

I use LaTeX and Beamer to create my presentation, and I use Acrobat for the presentation. Other presenters, like Logitech one, works fine with the Acrobat. But not this one. I figured out that general presenters like Logitech's send out "PAGEDOWN" or "PAGEUP" when the button on the presenter is pressed. This one seems to send out some instructions which is native to Powerpoint only. Worse thing is that the buttons on the bottom are NOT CUSTOMIZABLE. You CANNOT reassign these buttons for other purpose. Bottom line is that this one cannot be used other software than Powerpoint.

If you only use Microsoft Powerpoint for your presentation, this is your choice. If you use something else like Acrobat, avoid this one since you'll be paying good $80 for nothing but a wireless mouse.

The product description should include the comment saying that
"THIS PRODUCT ONLY WORKS WITH MICROSOFT POWERPOINT."

This is OK at best. If you want to have a one stop unit (both mouse and presentation controller), it's a really great option. It can perform basic functions, but the only drawback is that you have to isntall the software to get the buttons to work right. I'm not sure why Microsoft didn't just have the buttons emulate interrupts for keystrokes that move slides forward and things like that. I have several other wireless presentation devces (Gyros and remote controls) and they all work with no need for extra drivers.

Now, as a mouse... it's one of the best portabile mice I've owned. I've had mice from Logitecha and Microsoft in this small form factor and, as a mouse, it's definitely my favorite. I really like the addition on the newe cordless mice of the on/off switch so you can save battery. This also comes with a great hardshell carrying case.

If the presentation features were a bit more powerful and didn't reqire the installation of the drivers, I could give it five stars. If those issues don't matter to you, it may work out great for you.

I am currently in school right now finishing a four year degree for business. I have to give at least one powerpoint presntation for each class. I also wanted something to remotely control the media software for my laptop when I travel. This 8000 performs those two functions besides as a mouse for my laptop. This is the best three-in-one unit I have ever owned. Plus, it also saves room in my laptop bag. The only bad thing I could say about it is the placement of the side buttons for the magnification and back functions. I wish they had been placed a little more towards the front than where they are now.

The buttons on the top to switch the function from mouse to media/presentation is great. You can switch functions in less than a second. No more retrieving another unit from my laptop bag and switching the usb devices. If I am giving a presentation, I can use the mouse mode to activate the powerpoint, press the top button, and immediately start the powerpoint. With the media, you can forward/backward to the next/previous song, pause/play, and adjust the volume.

One more thing you can do with it is add bluetooth to your computer. You can wirelessly exchange information between your computer and another bluetooth capable unit.

My opinion is money worth spent. Like I said, it is a variety of functions in one unit. Great for someone who is on the go or would like the ease of an all-in-one.

I have seen some reports that it does not work with a MAC. I downloaded the latest intellipoint 6.2 drivers from microsoft and then set up the mouse and all the features work great. I have full support for power point and all the other features. I am not sure if microsoft fixed the drivers recently but I know it works. I just wish Apple could make a good mouse. The only thing I have against it is its price is high

The Presenter Mouse 8000 is all I hoped it would be. First, I downloaded and installed the latest IntelliPoint driver from the Microsoft website on my Gateway Tablet PC. Then I cancelled the driver's request to set up the Microsoft Bluetooth USB adapter. Instead I used the Windows Bluetooth manager to pair the 8000 with my Tablet's built-in Bluetooth transceiver. (Pressed and held the little button on the bottom of the 8000 for a few seconds and then selected "search for devices in range" on the Tablet.) Everything worked flawlessly on the first try, without even requiring a restart. The 8000 works right along with the touchpad and the tablet's pen. All three pointing devices are useable at the same time - who would have imagined that?

I love the look and feel of the 8000. Yes it's a little small, but it still fits my hand nice and I prefer the small size for its portability and sleek look. Usability seems unaffected by its size, and my hands are at least a little larger than average. The tactile feel of the buttons seem just right to me - with the exception of the scroll-wheel click which is to hard to click. However if it were easer to click, it would probably interfere with the vertical and horizontal scrolling functions of the wheel. And btw, none of the buttons on my 8000 squeak - they're all quiet as a mouse...

The media buttons on the bottom of the 8000 work just as they should with Microsoft Power Point and Windows Media Player. Reliable wireless range seems to be at least 25 feet for me. And I like how easy it is to swap the 8000 from a pointing device to a media remote and back by pressing one button on the top of the 8000. Even the built-in laser pointer works just as it should - press an easy-to-find button and you get a predictable, tightly focused red dot on the wall.

Fine-tuning the 8000's functions through the IntelliPoint software was fairly easy even though documentation is lacking. Probably my only real criticism is the inability to customize the functions of the media remote buttons like you can the mouse buttons.

I don't take the time to write many reviews. But the Microsoft Presenter Mouse 8000 just strikes me as a very useful all-in-one device that is well designed. And hopefully it will install as easy for most people as it did for me. It works - I love it!

I'm using this mouse with my MacBook's built-in bluetooth. The buttons and feel are great, and although the size is a little small in my hand I find the mouse to be very usable. The "forward" button is in a really awkward place -- nowhere near any of my fingers -- so it took considerable practice to learn how to reach it.

And despite what others have said here, there is a new version of the MS keyboard/mouse software which lets you use all of the buttons and program them to do specific things in each application. Even the presenter controls work -- to do a degree. I find the presentation controls frequently lock up the mouse, and it rarely works to switch from presentation mode back into pointer mode.

The big problem with this mouse is that it frequently cuts off. It will disconnect from the computer for about 5 seconds. This frequently happens 3 or 4 times in a row, so that it takes about 25 seconds of shaking the mouse around to get it back into working condition. This happens most frequently when the computer has been sleeping, but also randomly happens if I use the computer for a while (say...over an hour). This is why I'm giving the mouse 2 stars. I paid $90 for it, and the darn thing still slows me down when I'm trying to jump on my computer and do something really quickly. Plus nothing is more irritating than being in the zone, working on a project, and all of a sudden the mouse cuts out and you lose your train of thought trying to fix it.

So I think it's a good pack-in mouse to travel with, and I use it day to day for most tasks, but when I'm working I get a USB mouse and plug that in, so I don't put up with the constant annoyance of this mouse not doing its most basic function. I would have given it one star, but I think the laser pointer built in is an interesting novelty and definitely something that will catch people's attention when you're giving a presentation. Just hope your mouse doesn't die in the middle of the presentation.

Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000. I hate it.
My major application software are ProEngineer & SolidWorks, which use Middle Button a lot and require smooth / precision cursor.
1. The middle button of this mouse is hard, require FORCE, require control so it can be pressed down vertically or it will tilt sideway due to excessive force apply.
2. The cursor is JUMPING. It jumps too often, seem like sleep and wake up every second. Imagin I am writing this review, I have to check the star (1 to 5 stars), I am having difficulty to place the cursor on the little star to check mark it.
The reason I buy this mouse because I don't like any dongles. Turn out not equivalent trade off.