I now have two of these mice, soon to be three with the introduction of a laptop computer to our household. In my opinion, they offer basically everything a mouse has to offer with minimal expense.
Looks. The mouse isn't particularly hand-moulded like some of the ergonomic mice you see today. However, this doesn't sacrifice comfort - this optical mouse is very easy to hold and manoeuvre, and it certainly isn't badly designed. Aethetically, it stands up to most mice, the alternative to the all-black model pictured is a white and grey combo, which I posess. The mouse also has a red light indicating it is plugged in.
Features One of the better features, which is often standard these days, but nonetheless excellent, is the presence of an optical sensing system, rather than a ball that often gets clogged up with dirt and dust, rendering it useless. I have heard people with problems with the optical 'laser' equipment, but we've had two mice for years in a less-than-squeaky-clean environment and they are yet to falter. A red light seeps through the bottom of the mouse when the mouse is moved about, and remains there for the next second or two, which is quite a fun, if not technically useful, feature.
The wheel in the centre of the mouse is, again, excellent. No frills, just functionality for scrolling down documents with ease. It seems to have the perfect amount of spin for the roll you give it, though that may just be me used to it. You can also use it to scroll quicker down word documents, etc, if you hold it down then move the mouse. This ensures the document isn't highlighed, as is would be if you left-click-dragged.
The left and right buttons do exactly as you would expect, though, if you're some crazy person who expects them to do different functions, then you can switch them around easily in Windows.
The mouse isn't wireless, but if you're considering one of those, you're unlikely to be reading this review. However, if you are, I'd like to make a little pitch to convince you that wired is the way forward. Wireless mice get lost. And stolen. The last thing you want is for people to be controlling your computer from the next office / house / desk. Not at all funny.
There are manuals and online help, which seem very comprehensive but I've never had to use them, it is literally a case of plugging the mouse in and you're away in a second or two. Remember that if you're using the PS2 port rather than USB, then the computer will need restarting, often hard to do properly without a functioning mouse! Normally I would recommend the USB port, but if you don't have many to spare, then the PS2 works just as well, it just requires a tiny bit more setting up effort. We use PS2 on our old computer, because the USB ports are so tightly packed together that our memory stick and mouse couldn't fit in together.
Price Ebay sells the latest intellimice at around £11-14 including postage, whereas older models are going for £8. If you'd rather shy away from auctions and unknown sellers amazon.co.uk does it for £18, or £43 for three.
Conclusion. A solid mouse that you are sure will last and offers pretty much all you need from it. It still doesn't get five stars, just because a standard mouse that works shouldn't. No attached fan/drinks-ordering service here... But one doesn't need a five-star mouse. And this one should fit everyone's bill.
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