This handy optical mouse features a tiny snap-in receiver that plugs into your notebook when you're ready to work, and snaps into your mouse when you're ready to roll. And extended... more
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A review by digitalenvironmentalist on Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse mouse February 11th, 2007
Author's product rating:
Responsiveness
Very responsive
Robustness & durability
Excellent
Look & feel
Good
Ease of use
Very easy
Value For Money
Excellent
Advantages:
Effortless movement of the cursor on the screen with excellent shape for hands
Disadvantages:
Nothing except that you have extra AA battery after 5 - 6 months of using it
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
HAVING GOOD ACCESS TO a range of personal computer (PC) and /notebook/laptop gadgets provides us the ability to choose what devices and accessories that match with our computing requirements or personal preferences (style, model or brand). In particular, 'input devices' or 'pointing devices' (such as mouse) play an important role to enable us communicate/interact with the computer. The mouse also allows us to move or navigate the 'cursor' - the arrow, or any on-screen 'blinking' icon/pointer in the computer screen effectively.
Based on my experience with PC and notebook/laptop, there are four common types of mouse devices. First, the 'non-optical wired mouse' regularly used in our office/home PCs as being attached or connected to the computer unit by a cable/cord. An installation CD or floppy disk is required to install the device, and this CD or floppy disk is free upon purchase. This is a typical mouse that has a 'ball' inside rolled by moving the mouse over the desktop or across flat surface. Lately, this is redesigned without the ball, and the latest version called the 'optical' wired mouse. The second is the 'track point' commonly available in a notebook/laptop which is permanently attached at the centre of the keyboard. It has a rough rubber-rounded surface for easy grasp and movement of a finger. The third type is the 'touch pad' which allows the movement of the cursor by applying a pressure to the pad. This is very popular with notebook/laptop nowadays which is also located below the space bar of the keyboard.
As the technology progresses, there is another type of mouse which is complementary to the 'track point' and the 'touch pad'. This is commonly known as the 'optical' wireless mouse which I am using now for my notebook. I know a lot of people are using it in varying models and brands; and I am perfectly happy of having one of them - the Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 3000!
Listed below are the basic but important facts about the Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 3000 which always my sony viao laptop best mate since last year. Hope it will be your mate too as I listed down its salient features compared to other brands available in the market.
1. The Package/Content This Microsoft product is considered as the number one best selling optical mouse in the US (NPD Group/NPD Techworld, 2004-05). The package is a well-sealed plastic pack containing the wireless mouse (gray), the notebook receiver/connector version, one 'AA' alkaline 'energizer' battery, and the getting started manual. The battery is neatly attached inside the package which somehow not visible outside the package.
Be careful not to throw away the paper package where the battery is attached. As a typical getting started manual, it has the brief instructions for installation and the limited warranty agreement. The instructions are graphically demonstrated and easy to follow as I will explain later.
2. Installation and System Requirements This wireless mouse requires a USB port and runs in Windows: Windows XP, Windows 2000 or Windows 98 or in Macintosh: Mac OS X v10.2-10.4 except for Mac OS Xv10.0-10.1. It is obvious that before buying this product, make sure to have one of these existing operating systems in the PC or notebook/laptop. The specified operating systems are compatible to this type of optical mouse without any CD or cable installation.
For the installation of the battery, just press the Microsoft optical technology logo button located at the top of the mouse which allows the compartment cover to open. The position (positive and negative terminals/ends) of the battery is indicated/labelled inside the compartment. After placing the battery properly, return the compartment cover by allowing the three small protruding dowels to enter the designated holes and push down the cover slowly to create a 'click' sound. If it is successful in placing the battery in the mouse compartment, a 'red' light is beaming brightly at the bottom hole of the mouse.
To try the mouse, turn on first the PC/laptop/computer before the plugging the rectangular USB connector/receiver to the computer's USB port which is located either at the side or at the back base of the computer keyboard beside the power terminal, or sometimes near the DVD/CD player and modem/fax slot. However, for Windows 98 system, it requires a Windows98 installation CD when plugging the connector/receiver into the computer USB port. The required USB driver is located in the Win98 folder of the Windows98 installation CD.
The mouse has three common function buttons (inclusive of the scroll wheel at the middle) not much difference from other optical wired mouse. The scroll wheel is use to move the documents up and down. Unlike with the non optical wired mouse, this is really gives a smooth movement of the cursor on the screen and does not require space to move the mouse. So, every millimetre movement, it is reflected in the cursor, and even the smallest icons on the screen could be detected and highlighted.
3. Price/Cost, Warranty and Product Support I bought this device last year (August 2006) in Office Depot (Los Angeles, CA) at £29.99 + state tax (8.25%) = $32.46 (approximately, £18) with 2 years warranty; and costs as lows as £14.90 in Amazon. For troubleshooting, there is an available site: http://support.microsoft.com to provide technical support. Aside from the website, for international support in the UK, the number is 0870 6010 100 or in Ireland: +353 17065353. It seems that the mouse is functional well, but I still keep the 'receipt' for possible claims defects discovered within the warranty period.
4. Precautions for Better Performance and Health Guide It is recommended to have not more than 1.8 meters (6 feet) to position the mouse away from the PC and less than 1 meter (2.5 feet) for notebook. The connector/receiver should be away from any items that cause interference such as monitors, desktop fans and large metal objects.
To turn-off the mouse without removing the battery in the compartment, the snap-in receiver/connector is placed at the slot located at the bottom of the mouse, consequently save battery life. It is also expected that by doing this, the average battery life will extend up to 6 months.
I was surprised to find that the getting started manual contains much of the information on health and safety/regulatory measures in relation to the use of this mouse. It is worth sharing this information that occasional discomfort in our hands, arms, shoulders and neck while using a computer is associated to 'musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and this may cause permanently disabling health injuries or disorders which require medical attention. Furthermore, it is advised not to use the mouse inside the plane/aircraft which can transmit radio frequency (RF) energy similar to cellular/mobile phones which can effect air navigation. A free CD copy of the Healthy Computing guide is available thru its toll free number (1-800-360-7561, US only) or just visit www.microsoft.com/hardware.
IN SUMMARY, I strongly recommend to acquire/use it, or have a comparable/equivalent device and it surely guarantees improvement in the interaction with the PC or notebook/laptop; and due to its ergonomic design, it facilitate the comfort with the wrist, fingers and hand. This mouse offers a hassle free for cleaning, repair and maintenance. Conventional wired mouse requires regular cleaning of the ball and other internal rubber parts and it always suffer malfunctioning due to the dirt and dust accumulated inside the compartment or sometimes the mouse pad itself triggers the problem. Even with the 'track point' mouse, it is very hard to find this tiny rubber cover for replacement (always soften due to pressure and heat) and it is costly as well. In the long term, it also help maintains the efficiency of the 'touch pad' and 'track point' which could be dedicated for field work's needs or having limited desktop space. Finally, an innovative product with high precision, quality and performance for people who loved to touch their mouse gently and effortlessly. Aside from this, it saves some money for not buying a mouse pad.
Advantages: good for lefthanders and battery misers Disadvantages: fragile antenna and still easy to forget to unplug
What do you call a couple when one partner is right- and the other left-handed? Bidextrous? Whatever, it's jolly annoying having to untangle the mouse cable and wrangle it back over the other side of the desk each time you come to the shared PC. Answer: a symmetrical, wireless mouse, like this neat little one. The shape is not biased to right or left, so both can use it with equal facility, it's a nice, smooth optical system so doesn't seem to pick ... ...suspect was made by Dyson, and it's wireless. The problem with all wireless mice, of course, is they eat not cheese but batteries. With this one, however, you can tuck the receiver away into a slot below the mouse, forming a nice little integrated portable package, AND switching the whole thing off to save the battery. This is particularly cunning as it means it can't be switched on in your bag. What is missing is some kind of simple little soft ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: nice quality, nice "click" when pressed, pretty accurate, plug and play. Disadvantages: well, its small. battery life could be better for the mouse, and the transmitter sticks out a bit more than id like!
i used mouse for a few weeks before i change it. overall it looks quite smart, like a miniturised standard optical mouse. the mouse wheel scrolls and navigates just like my home mouse and i had no problem with that. i think the entire problem i had with the mouse goes something like this: Mouse is small
My hands are big
Buttons are small
My fingers are big.
you get the picture. while i never clicked the wrong button, the mouse isnt exactly great ... ...pretty much like holding a golf ball. my brother finds it fine however, so female users shoudnt have as big a problem
battery life is ok, but i feel it could be better if higher quality batterys are used.
Overall, this is a good mouse if you want an alternative to the touchpad and only use the laptop for light use. it might be worth investing in a slightly larger mouse for extended use. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: any surface, distance, battery life Disadvantages: none
...I've had my wirelessmouse for 12 months now, and I'm firmly in the "don't know how I lived without it" category.
I don't normally buy gadgets - not a technical type, and get confused by all the options - but the fiddly and over-sensitive touchpad on my laptop was driving me to distraction. I bought the Microsoft WNO Mouse pretty much at random (ok - I confess - I liked the colour) but it's been excellent value for money. I work from home, and always have a phone, a notepad and pen, and copious printouts scattered around my laptop, so I need a mouse that will work from any range or on any surface - and this does.
The distance function is helpful for demonstrating stuff to clients without having to breathe down their necks. My daughter also discovered that it would work across the kitchen to get round the ban on using my laptop...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Simple, small and effective Disadvantages: Cant adjust zoom
...tomorrow (touch wood).
ITS A MOUSE AND.....
It has the usual zome function (which annoyingly you cannot adjust the sensitivity of) but also a handy scroll feature which allows you to scroll around pages using the toggle in the centre of the mouse.
INSTALLATION
Quick and simple, plug it in slip in the cd and it is installed within 3 mins - no trouble, no fuss even for a novice.
RECEIVER
The receiver plugs into the USB port but when not being used slips into the base of the mouse - this also disconnects the battery saving precious power. The mouse can pick up the receiver for a little over 2 meters and I have not lost connection signal yet!
BOX CONTENTS
MicrosoftWirelessNotebookOpticalMouse 4000
IntelliPoint Mouse Software
FEATURES:
Snap-in Receiver
Optical Technology
Smart Wireless Technology
Use with Either...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Comfortable, looks good, long battery life, works well Disadvantages: Bad packaging, not cheap
...MicrosoftWirelessNotebookOpticalMouse 4000
Don't you just hate it when you play a race game on your computer and the wire of your mouse makes you lose the game? Yes, I bought my new wirelessmouse for this trivial reason. I found it on Amazon for £14.64 and although I could have bought it for less from a different shop or website, I bought from Amazon for the obvious reason of having some Amazon vouchers that I wanted to get rid of. And, considering the fact that I bought my last mouse for £4.00 more than a year and a half ago and it's still in a perfect working order, I probably shouldn't have bought this one. Consumerism is bad!
I bought this mouse with a couple of other stuff that I didn't need much, and they all had the same fitting plastic cover. Why do they make these kinds of stupid packaging? The packaging of this...
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Packaged Quantity: 3 (specifications are for single item)
Input device
Connectivity Technology: Wireless
Interface: RF
Movement Detection Technology: Optical
Features: Programmable buttons, scrolling wheel
Buttons Qty: 3
Expansion / connectivity
Interfaces: 1 x USB - 4 PIN USB Type A
Manufacturer's product description
This handy optical mouse features a tiny snap-in receiver that plugs into your notebook when you're ready to work, and snaps into your mouse when you're ready to roll. And extended battery life lets you enjoy wireless freedom even longer.
Miscellaneous
Certified for Windows Vista: Certified for Windows Vista
Package Type: OEM, Retail
Battery
Type: AA type
Run Time (Up To): 6 months
Software / system requirements
Peripheral / Interface Devices: CD-ROM, CD-ROM, USB port
OS Required: Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional , Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows XP, Apple MacOS X 10.1 - 10.3, Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP, Apple MacOS X 10.1 - 10.3
07.09.2006
21.05.2008
