Microsoft Wireless Optical Notebook Mouse Review
07/30/2005
Written by: Josh Taylor
The Mouse:
Late last November, I finally purchased a much needed Sony VAIO laptop. I was caught up in the moment, and had to buy myself the perfect accessories to go along with it. I picked up a Microsoft Wireless Notebook Mouse and headed home.
For around $30, the mouse seemed like a great deal. The USB connector folds in and snugly fits into the bottom of the sleek, gray mouse. It takes one AA battery and can go for a couple months using just that.
I used the mouse proficiently for a month. It went through a fair amount of abuse being stowed away and taken out day after day, but it wasn't much. After that month, I started to have connectivity issues. I thought the problem laid with the USB hardware on my VAIO, initially. After a few trial and errors, I realized that after about five minutes of use, the USB connector would lose power. You can skip the five minutes of waiting by tapping on the connector lightly. This would ultimately leave the issue strictly with the mouse.
Disappointed, I went out immediately and bought a replacement. Instead of picking up another Microsoft mouse, I picked up a slightly more expensive Logitech. For about four months, I went through three to four more wireless mice.
Last month, the latest mouse had indeed died. For awhile I used the touchpad built into my laptop. After a week or so, I could no longer take the cramped wrist and pain anymore influencing me to make a trip to my local Wal-Mart. They didn’t have a wide variety of mice to choose from, so I grabbed another Microsoft Wireless Notebook Mouse. “Maybe the last one was just a glitch,” I thought.
Again, for a month, I went through using the mouse throughout my everyday life. It performed perfectly and efficiently during every day use. After a month, though, it again started to have the same issues as my previous model. I won’t lie; I haven’t had the best of luck with wireless mice. Finally, I recently gave in and purchased a regular USB mouse from Xoxide. In fact, the mouse is enroute and expected to arrive at my doorstep Tuesday.
In the end, I’d recommend against purchasing this particular wireless mouse model from Microsoft. In my mind, the problem lies strictly with the USB connector. From being folded and unfolded so much, it simply wears out. Hopefully the folks at Microsoft look into the issue and later release a mouse upgraded from this model.
The Review:
Pros:
Convenient
Light
Wireless
Takes One AA Battery
Excellent Battery Life
Cons:
Small Life Span