New Microsoft Optical Mouse

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.leaderspa.it/?act=scheda&codice=605299&platform=pc&formato=hardware' target='_blank'>http://www.leaderspa.it/?act=scheda&codice=605299&platform=pc&formato=hardware</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Modern design’s primo gun-for-hire Phillipe Starck has worked up a USB optical mouse for Microsoft that cunningly hides a scroll wheel in the coloured line that bisects it, and supposedly includes the requisite two buttons (looks from the picture like the whole left and right segments would move when you click). Release date is listed as September 15."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/msftmouse.jpg" /><br /><br />It is about time thay Microsoft's Hardware devision put out another cool device. The last one that I truly liked was their Natrual Keyboard Pro, the one that they so wickedly discountinued. Apparently those units now sell on Ebay for as much as $300. Anyways, this mouse looks very cool. I have been absolutely addicted to my Logitech MX700 (didn't think I would go to any other mouse), but I would certainly be willing to give this one a shot, just based on the coolness factor. English translation of the article is <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?sourceid=mozclient&amp;u=http%3A//www.leaderspa.it/%3Fact%3Dscheda%26codice%3D605299%26platform%3Dpc%26formato%3Dhardware">here</a>. What mice do all of you use?

[mcsouth]

I use a Microsoft Blue mouse on my PC at home, and a Logitech Click! optical at work (cost factors in both cases). In general, I find both to be well made, but the Micorsoft mouse generally just "feels" better in my hand. I have been intending to try out a Logitech MX700 mouse (until I saw the cool new MX510 - is an MX710 far behind?), but haven't been willing to fork out the cash just yet..........

[Godsongz]

I'm a big fan of the Logitech Marble Mouse Optical Trackball. I use them on all of my computers.

[Bob12]

Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 2.0 (black, 5 button)

[ctmagnus]

IntelliMouse 1.1A :mrgreen:

[Chris Gohlke]

Looks like something Apple would design (except for the fact it has two buttons)

[klinux]

Nice design!

MS IntelliMouse® Optical (wired) at work.

Logitech Cordless Elite Duo™ at home.

[dean_shan]

Looks like something Apple would design (except for the fact it has two buttons)

:lol: I've never got that. They make their OS and Applications to have right click menus but don't include a right click on their comptuters. Not so bad on a desktop you can just switch mice out. But on a laptop, that drives me crazy. I have to hold down ctrl when ever I need to right click.

[dean_shan]

At work
Logitech Cordless MouseMan Optical (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=3,CONTENTID=4979)

At home
Logitech Cordless Elite Duo (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=486,CONTENTID=5061)

[SassKwatch]

Natrual Keyboard Pro
It seems all those design types are disappearing....which is a major bummer to me.

I've still got one of the above and a Logitech version as well. Will keep them running for as long as I possibly can.

[entropy1980]

Microsoft Bluetooth Intellimouse Explorer hounds down the best I love it!

[Crocuta]

I used to use all MS keyboards and mouses, but stopped when they refused to allow me to have the keyboards start up with F-keys active. Now I use the Logitech Cordless MX 700 mouse (comes with Cordless MX Duo with keyboard) at both home and work and they are excellent. I particularly like that the mouse is rechargeable sitting in its base at night, so I don't have to drop batteries in it all the time. They keyboard still uses disposable batteries, but it last a long time (>6 months) between replacements. This mouse in the article is definitely cool looking. It reminds me of the Cylons in the very old Battlestar Galactica TV series. All it needs is for the light to move back and forth along the red part to complete the look.

[Steve]

I like my wacom tablet, but I rarely use the mouse. I only use it in applications where I can use the middle button for a few features, like in 3ds max. You can see what they look like right here, http://www.wacom.com/graphire/images/lg_graphire6x8.jpg

The pen eliminates discomfort once you get used to it, and suddenly, you never want to use a mouse again. You'd be blown away by how much a mouse causes your wrist and arm to be in pain when you are using it a lot. (editing photos, painting images, 3d modeling)

[Zack Mahdavi]

I use a Logitech MX 700 and an Apple Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard. I'd get the Apple Bluetooth Mouse, but one button mice annoy me.. :)

On the other hand, I think the Logitech MX 700 is the best mouse I've ever used. It's accurate and precise, and it feels solidly built.

[marlof]

My setup:

- Microsoft Trackball Explorer
- Wacom Graphire 2

I alsp have the MS BT mouse that came with my BT keyboard, but since I use my mouse a lot at home (less so at work) I find alternating between a good trackball and a tablet (I use my trackball with my right hand, and my tablet pen with my left) keeps RSI at bay. Using a mouse in stead of a trackball always strains my right wrist too much, no matter how nice the mouse feels in my hands (like the MS BT mouse, which does feel awesome).

[Jonathon Watkins]

At Home: MS IntelliMouse Explorer
At Work: Don't ask. :(

[Jason Dunn]

I used to use all MS keyboards and mouses, but stopped when they refused to allow me to have the keyboards start up with F-keys active.

I know, that drove me nuts as well. But, FWIW, there's an easy fix:

http://www.mvps.org/jtsang/flock.html

Simple registry patch and it works like it should. I'm stunned that someone at Microsoft thought this was the right decision to make, having the F-Lock keys reset every reboot... :roll:

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Bring your own mouse to work! That's what I did! Got a MS Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 2 for less than US$20 and brought it to work. Sure beats the crappy wheeless mouse they set me up with.

At home it's the excellent Logitech MX Duo, but rather pricey things. Makes you wonder about the margin on these things.

This mouse looks pretty cool, but I wonder what price this will go for. It also looks like it has side buttons, but I could be wrong.

[Crocuta]

I used to use all MS keyboards and mouses, but stopped when they refused to allow me to have the keyboards start up with F-keys active.

I know, that drove me nuts as well. But, FWIW, there's an easy fix:

http://www.mvps.org/jtsang/flock.html

Simple registry patch and it works like it should. I'm stunned that someone at Microsoft thought this was the right decision to make, having the F-Lock keys reset every reboot... :roll:

Yeah, those are the kinds of things I never understand about MS. How hard would it really have been for them to just write the driver to make the start up state configurable? I can't believe that would have added more than one programmer-day to the development of the product. Probably more like one programmer-hour. Some people have said it's hard-wired into the keyboard, but the same argument applies since someone had to program that too.

It's as if they get these great ideas and then it never even occurs to them that there might be some people out there who actually need the original functions. As it is, I'm very happy with the Logitech and so wouldn't change back now even if they solved it. The Logitech also does the alternative new functions, but it lets me decide which way I want it to start up.

[dean_shan]

At Work: Don't ask. :(

That's why I bring my own stuff to use at work.

[igroknful]

I use a finger mouse. Some people call it a trackball but I prefer finger mouse.

[Chris Gohlke]

At Work: Don't ask. :(

That's why I bring my own stuff to use at work.

Same here, we get the basic generic stuff that comes with the PC. I brought in a Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elie and a Logitech USB Optical Marble Mouse. Plus I brought in my own monitor and speakers, and scanner. Added a cordless phone so I have more mobility. Also brought in an external USB drive for backups because the mechanism they provide is to burn CDs. I have two much data for that to be practical. But, I can just fire up the drive, go to lunch and have a full backup. Plus, whenever we have have a fire alarm, I can just carry all my data with me.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

OT: Fwah, talk about moving into your office!

[mcsouth]

Just dumped my MS Blue wired mouse yesterday in favor of a new MS wireless optical "Style" mouse - cool blue 'carbon-fibre' look to it. Saw it at Circuit City and had to have. At under $30, the price was right.

Wireless so far has been very sweet....except when it gets to close to my Monsoon speaker - pointer goes a little wacko then!

[Suhit Gupta]

Interesting, I am actually a bit surprised that the Logitech MX700 is not more popular. Perhaps the cost is prohibitive.

Suhit

[Jonathon Watkins]

Interesting, I am actually a bit surprised that the Logitech MX700 is not more popular. Perhaps the cost is prohibitive.[


That is true. I would like the MX900, but lets not talk about that price! 8O

[Suhit Gupta]

Interesting, I am actually a bit surprised that the Logitech MX700 is not more popular. Perhaps the cost is prohibitive.[

That is true. I would like the MX900, but lets not talk about that price! 8O
Actually I have a brand new MX700 sitting around. I had bought it for my parents but apparently it did not work in the 220V setup even with a transformer. Perhaps I should sell it here to someone for real cheap, thus doing my part in pushing this mouse. :) Hmm...

Suhit

[bjornkeizers]

I'm definitely going to buy that new MS mouse when it comes out - For one, I absolutely love anything by Starck; plus, it looks really cool next to my all silver Packard Bell laptop.

Right now, I use a microsoft optical trackball when I'm at home. It has four buttons plus a scroll wheel. Pure bliss. I can surf twice as fast with it since I don't have to take my hand off the mouse at all. On the road I use a tiny optical mouse; smaller and lighter then a zippo with a scrollwheel.

[Chris Gohlke]

OT: Fwah, talk about moving into your office!

Gotta be comfortable. Spend more hours in the office than in any other place.

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/assets/common/FileObject/jpg.gif KEY70022.JPG (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/media/users/4976/KEY70022.JPG)

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/assets/common/FileObject/jpg.gif KEY70023.JPG (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/media/users/4976/KEY70023.JPG)

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/assets/common/FileObject/jpg.gif KEY70024.JPG (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/media/users/4976/KEY70024.JPG)

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/assets/common/FileObject/jpg.gif KEY70025.JPG (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/media/users/4976/KEY70025.JPG)

[peterawest]

It seems all those design types are disappearing

Really? I just bought the Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop Pro. My wife and I both like the 'Natural' type of keyboard, and now we have it in a wireless version. It doesn't hurt that it's black, which matches my Dell.

Take a look
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=014

[lurch]

I use a wireless Gyration (http://www.gyration.com) mouse and keyboard my wife got me for Christmas...

If you visit their site, that's practically me on the front page! It's so great! I had dreamed of a mouse you could hold as you sat back and relaxed, and now I've found it! (well, my wife found it technically....)

After a replacement base was shipped to me to fix a bug, it works like a champ and I'm so pleased... the only thing is it conflicts with our new baby's monitor. :) Oh well... looks like late-night computing is out the window (as if it wasn't already).

[Suhit Gupta]

There was a fair bit of interest in this thread so I figured I should post this - Toms Hardware has a long (really long) review on Logitech's new mice (http://www.tomshardware.com/consumer/20040709/index.html). Interesting reading though.

Suhit

[Crocuta]

Hey Steve and Marlof, thanks for the comments on the Wacom tablet. I've been trying to get my wife to get one for some time as she has OOS and I thought it would help. She's hestitated because she didn't know if they would really work well or help the OOS. But seeing your comments, I finally convinced her to get one so we picked up a Wacom Graphire3. She's still getting used to it, but so far it's looking good.