Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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64 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Microsoft's best (non-bluetooth) wireless notebook mouse to date, December 19, 2007
This is my third MS wireless notebook mouse (see my uploaded product images). I also have the optical 3000 (original version with the 2 piece adjustable USB receiver that rotates - a design flaw in my opinion, as I will explain), and the laser 6000. I will briefly go over the differences between the three models.
Disclaimer: I am not a gamer; I use my laptop primarily for web browsing and office apps. I also have not installed the Microsoft drivers as I didn't want to interfere with the trackpad & trackpoint functionality on my laptop, so I cannot comment on the software or extra features that are available with the 4-way scroll wheel and additional buttons (on the 6000 and 7000).
The 3000 was a great wireless notebook mouse for its time, with long battery life, good ergonomics (for a portable mouse), and decent accuracy. After two years of use, it still works fine except the left and right buttons sometimes fail to register on light clicks, and require repeated forceful clicks to be acknowledged. The only other problem I have is with the 2 piece "J" shaped USB receiver design. While it seems like a good idea to be able to rotate the receiver for optimal reception, the design makes the receiver just flexible enough that it doesn't always stay put when snapped into the bottom of the mouse. It often becomes loose enough so that it stops engaging the "off" switch at the bottom of the mouse, causing the mouse to turn on and waste precious battery life. (Note: Microsoft later came out with a design revision that changed the USB receiver to a single fixed piece like in the 6000.)
Due to the problem with the USB receiver on the 3000, I relegated it to home use only and purchased the 6000 over a year ago to carry around with me. It adds: laser tracking, horizontal scrolling capabilities with the 4-way (now smooth) scroll wheel, and a (tiny) additional button on the left side of the mouse. However I felt that there was a reduction in ergonomics due to the flatter profile of the mouse, and the larger scroll wheel housing forces my fingers to spread apart more, resulting in a less comfortable feel. I was extremely impressed with the improved laser tracking though, so much so that I also upgraded my desktop mouse to a laser model. It's just much more sensitive than the LED optical pickup, and requires less movement to drag the pointer across the screen while retaining pinpoint accuracy.
I recently purchased the 7000 to replace the dying 3000, and it is an improvement over the 6000 in terms of ergonomics. It is slightly longer than the 3000 and 6000 (but has a smaller USB receiver than comes with either), and the scroll wheel housing takes minimal space now, so it feels better in my hand because I don't have to spread my fingers apart as much, and there is more surface area to rest my palm on.
The 7000 also adds a new right side button, and both side buttons are integrated into the smooth curve of the mouse making them easier to click than the tiny left side-only button on the 6000. There is a battery indicator light on the mouse now, which illuminates briefly after the USB receiver is detached from the mouse. In addition, the LED on the USB receiver now lights up whenever it detects motion from the mouse (it remains constantly on in the 6000). The 7000 retains the other great features of the 6000, making it a winning design in my opinion.
If you're a light mouse user, any of Microsoft's wireless notebook mice products will work fine for you. If you are a heavy mouse user though, you will appreciate the slight refinements Microsoft has added in the 7000.
P.S., Microsoft touts the 2.4GHz frequency of this mouse as an advantage over the older 27MHz technology, but it's probably more of a gimmick than anything as I've never had range problems with this or the older wireless mice. The good news is that this mouse doesn't appear to interfere with other 2.4GHz wireless devices in my house, and it works fine even though the USB receiver is on the other side of my laptop. I'm also running a Microsoft wireless laser desktop 6000 on my PC, an 802.11 router in my office, and various 2.4GHz/5.8GHz/DECT cordless phones throughout my house. I have yet to experience any sort of connectivity or interference issues with my wired and wireless electronics.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good little mouse, December 30, 2007
Fits the bill for me perfectly. I have smallish hands and prefer to use a laptop mouse with my desktop computer. I am not crazy about the silver and black color scheme, but that's superficial. Another superficial oddity, there's no red light beam on the underside of the mouse, a new technology? Maybe this will help with battery life, if I get six months as advertised on a single alkaline AA, I'll be quite happy.
I noticed that the mouse is easy to control, is smooth and responsive, has a nice click. It has no start up delay: my old bluetooth wireless mouse would lag for a second or two on first movement after a period of inactivity. This mouse doesn't do that, a welcome improvement. The included software is a mix of mildly useful and unnecessary features.
I trust Microsoft's name with hardware, they have long made fine mice and keyboards. I also know through experience that they stand behind their manufactured products, and I chose this particular mouse because it came with a 3 year warranty.
Overall, a great mouse. I spend a lot of time behind a computer, for work and recreation, so having comfortable ergonomics is important to me.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
True Plug and Play, August 17, 2008
I recently discovered the joys of watching TV episodes online, even better when I got my computer hooked to the big TV. But what a pain to stretch to reach for the wired mouse.
I first went with the Logitech V200 after finding what seemed like a good deal on an open box buy. Since it wasn't new I can't speak with authority about the source of the problem, but despite all reassuring messages that the mouse was recognized and installed properly, I couldn't make the cursor budge a pixel.
After wasting two frustrating days, I turned to Microsoft, since I've loved my optical MS mouse since day one. The first pleasant surprise was the packaging, which seemed impenetrable but actually had a thoughtful cutout built into the edge so you don't need a blowtorch to get to your purchase. Secondly, it was 100% recyclable. Kudos to MS.
It seemed to have the same setup as the Logitech, plug the dongle into a USB port and go. The difference is, the MS actually went. Instantly recognized and functioning, plug-and-play like it's supposed to be. The third pleasant surprise, no need to specify which mouse you're using - the wireless and wired switch back and forth automatically.
Fourth and last, believe the 30-foot range, a crucial feature since in the winter my computer goes back upstairs into the loft. Still works perfectly, and doesn't even require a clear line of sight.
I can't address the battery life since I've only had it a few weeks. The mouse is turned off by returning the dongle to the cradle underneath, but I'd rather change batteries more often than constantly plug and unplug from the computer and risk damaging the dongle.
This mouse does exactly what it's supposed to, and has taught me a lesson in wasting time with another brand of mouse.
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