Customer Reviews

Microsoft Arc Mouse - Red

5 star:		(160)
4 star:		(62)
3 star:		(36)
2 star:		(48)
1 star:		(40)

 

 

I recently saw some of these posts regarding the problems people are having with the Arc Mouse scroll wheel. I work at Microsoft Hardware, and use the Arc Mouse every day, so wanted to try to help.
After we first shipped the Arc mouse in September 2008, we quickly discovered an issue with the scroll wheel. We fixed it and new mice being manufactured don't have this issue. (And for people reading this review who have not already purchased a mouse, any new mice you purchase TODAY should not have this problem.) However, there were a small amount of units manufactured that we couldn't catch in time before they made their way to the store shelf or warehouse.

If you are using the Arc Mouse, and your scroll wheel stops functioning, you can call this number to get support: (800) 360-7561. (US customers only.)

We really value your feedback and want to ensure you are satisfied with your Microsoft products. Keep the reviews coming.

I like this mouse. Here's why:

1. The size. It's a full-sized mouse, yet it folds up nicely for transportation.
2. The laser is accurate. Finally! A laser mouse you can use on your bed sheets/blankets/pillows without skipping horribly. Does it work on a glass tabletop? Sorry, I didn't try it, but I would think not.
3. Appearance. Sure, this may not be a big deal to anyone, but it looks good -- well, the black one does anyway...
4. Noise. The buttons don't have a pronounced "plastic click" sound. Some may find this to be a disadvantage, but my wife is thanking me dearly for not keeping her awake when I'm on my laptop late at night.
5. The small USB plug -- not quite as small as the Logitech Nano, but close.

Of course, there are some shortcomings:

1. Functionality. This is a very basic device -- Right click/Left click/Scroll/Back are your functions. That's it; no browser forward, email, volume, etc. features here. To me, not a big deal. To you, it might be.
2. The browser 'back' button is WAY too far down toward the nose of the mouse. I can't imagine the prehensile anatomy of whoever thought this would be ergonomically viable to us modern-day hominids.

All things considered, I like this mouse a lot. It could have more features, but what it lacks in that regard, it makes up for in comfort and styling.

I bought this mouse as a trial to see if I might like to use it for corporate replacements when mice fail. Answer: Yes. And I've sampled just about every mouse that Microsoft has produced.

The mouse feels full sized when opened, but takes little space when folded up. It uses the tiny usb transciever with no wire or "pod" extending from the part that plugs into the computer. No direct line of sight necessary.

The scroll seems good, not quite as high quality as the Explorer 2 wireless, but the clicking is phenomenal. The back button is good. The only missing feature is a forward button, though rarely used, is noticeably missing.

The fit and finish of this mouse is superior. The build quality seems very high. Possibly the best mouse Microsoft has made, from an overall perspective.

Ergonomics seem very good with this mouse. It took me no adjustment time going from an Intellimouse Explorer 2.0 to this mouse. It takes only 2 AAA batteries for which Microsoft says should last 6 months.

Best feature: The mousing seems incredibly precise and high resolution. It is very good at navigating very fine movements.

Edit in, a few weeks later: I bought two of these and while I'm still very happy with both of them, the scroll wheel stopped working on the red one. It spins, but there's no clicking and the computer doesn't register that it is scrolling. Amazon is replacing, and since the other one is fine I'm hoping this is an abnormality.

I was looking for a portable mouse to use with the ASUS 1000H. (The trackpad works fine, but I just prefer an actual mouse.) I went to the local electronics store and clicked and held many mice of its an unbelievable variety of shapes, sizes, and features. I kept coming back to this one, so I went for it and am quite pleased with it. I like the pronounced arc shape of it, as it fits in my hand well and comfortably and I can rest my palm on it. I have average sized hands for a woman--people with big hands should try it out before purchasing. I also like the light weight and the fact that it folds up. The USB piece sticks to the bottom of it with a magnet, so people like me won't lose it. The buttons click softly and easily. The scroll wheel does make clicking sounds, so if you need your mouse to be totally silent while scrolling, you might look elsewhere. As the other reviewer noticed, the "back" button is in a slightly awkward place, but if I just hold the mouse at a very slight angle, my thumb reaches it with no problem and I can still right click. It doesn't come with software and I've found that I have to insert the USB piece before booting for it to work. Once working, its been quite nice, moves easily, and does what I need it to do, both quickly and accurately. Folding it up turns it off, which is a nice feature for forgetful people. Once folded up, it slips into a small black bag that hardly takes up any room at all. Finally, the manufacturers were kind enough to include the two AAA batteries that power the mouse.

Overall, I'm quite pleased and am thinking of using this with my desktop computer as well.

Cheers!


Update: (11/29/08) Bah. I have to change my review a bit. The scroll wheel, like so many have noticed, has stopped working and appears to be unfixable (at least, by me). I'm bummed, as I really liked this mouse. I've replaced it with a Logitech V450 mouse, which is okay, but the buttons make a harder click than I like and I have to actually manually turn it off when I'm done using it. I loved that the Arc would turn off automatically when folded. Anyways, if Microsoft fixes the scroll wheel and makes it more durable, I'd definitely buy another Arc.

Just bought this product today at my local retailer in San Diego and it's perfect for my Black Macbook:

Just plug the (micro) receptor in a usb port, pull the batteries in the mouse and you are good to go.

However, to activate the two other configurable buttons, you will have to go on the windows website and download a 10Mb software.

I configured one button for expose, the other for dashboard.

And contrary to the mighty mouse, you will not accidentally click the lateral button here.

I've been a Mac Addict since 6 years now but I gotta say that apple mice sucks and that Microsoft one is really really good and handle wells in the hand.

Thus, I recommend this product to any Macuser, really good portable mouse but with the normal size, really ergonomic, easy to setup and if you have a black Macbook, it's just PERFECT.

This is a neat design, and the laser works very well on most surfaces. Overall, it is compact, and the storage case is a nice touch. The actual sensor is offset, however, which might take a little while to get used to, but it's only a minor complaint.

The real complaint is with the scroll wheel. As many others have said, it ends up failing after only a couple weeks of mild use. I ended up taking the mouse apart and using a dab of super glue where the scroll wheel actually meets the little nut, and the problem was solved in 5 minutes. In order to access the screws, you can flip the two plastic/rubber pieces off with a knife, and peel back the sticker underneath the batteries. You'll need a very small phillips screwdriver and an even smaller hex/allen wrench to remove all of the screws (there are 7 in total).

Regardless of the easy fix, this is a terrible design flaw, and if you return the mouse to get another one, it will probably suffer from the same issue. Also, unless you can find it for ~$25, it is probably not worth the money. Several of my coworkers wanted to buy this mouse, but I couldn't give a full recommendation and therefore, Microsoft lost out on some potential customers.

If the mouse wheel was not such a failure, I would give it 4 stars because of its unique design. Instead, it drops to 2 for me (and probably 1 for others who don't bother trying to fix it).

I noticed this mouse because it looks so cool, but I was skeptical because I put comfort above all else. When I tried it, I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable it is. I can palm a basketball and this mouse still fit my hand. I also like how it looks... it's just cool plain and simple. My wife loves it too! Nice job Microsoft for bringing something new to the world of mice! I plan on giving this one as a Christmas gift as well.

This is a really cool product that is fatally flawed. The scroll wheel stopped working after one month of light usage (10-15 hours per week). Based on posts in various forums, this is a common problem. Do not buy this mouse until Microsoft fixes the design.

Great idea! Wish I had thought of this. It's really a full-size mouse that folds to the size of mini mouse. There's a small button near the right side where your thumb goes to page back. I'm 6' tall and 290lbs and my big thumbs never hit this button by accident. The scroll button is smoth and the right and left click buttons are standard plus the USB module is magnetized to the inside flap that folds; this makes it virtually impossible to lose when you have to store it. I accidentally ordered the red one but as it turns out it's almost burgundy and actually looks great. The arch gets a lot of attention and since it's an optical mouse you can us it anywhere. I don't often give Microsoft props but they did good by me on this

I'm a Logitech guy, probably always will be but there has always something nice about the Microsoft mouse click feel that Logitech can't quite get. But I didn't even know the Arc Mouse was coming out, saw it at a store, impulse buy and overall--very pleased. The wheel doesn't support left and right but I have never liked that. The 3D Flip feature is all I need.

Excellent look and (I saw one guy said his finger tips touch the desk???What???) the size and feel is really really smooth. I am really sold on this. Shoot, I may buy another one. (The Red has a slick plastic look where the black one has a texture that I'm concerned will attract dust and cookie crumbs).

One final benefit -- it folds to a small size. Nice job.