My name is Martin Scholes. I like writing reviews on Ciao. I am married, we have a cockatiel and a c...
My name is Martin Scholes. I like writing reviews on Ciao. I am married, we have a cockatiel and a cat. And a growing African Grey. Who orders the cat around!
Member since:06.12.2003
Reviews:334
Members who trust:65
I cannot stand the stupid, stupid, stupid mouse pad device thingies that come with laptop. I mean, sorry, life is too short to have to try to mess with these spawn of the devil style devices.
So in the same branch of Dixons that I bought my new laptop (sadly, this ultra-user-friendly and extremely good branch of Dixons was culled not so long back and we are supposed to now go to the nearest branch of PC World, home of the sneering techo-nerds, who love to show how clever they are and how stupid their customers are. But, I digress.
I decided that I wanted one of the new-fangled optical mouses. Or is that meeces? Dang, correct grammar is not alwayseasy when applying it to new fields!
There was, at a reasonable price, a Packard Bell infrared optical mouse, complete with three interchangeable tops, to give it three incredibly funky, different styles. Well, that's the theory, and has I not put the other tops somewhere for safe keeping ("safe keeping" = lost and gone forever, sadly, in my study) I would be able to report on this stylish feature.
But on with the mouse. The mouse works by taking a constant infrared picture of whatever is directly beneath its undercarriage. This picture is then transmitted to the computer, but is turned, electronically, into signals that make the cursor on your computer screen move about as you move the mouse.
Now, in theory the optical mouse should be able to be used on any surface. Whilst this is true, up to a certain point, it does not always work all that well if you do use your trousered leg, the back of your hand, etc.
It also does not work very well on some high contrast surfaces and on some items bearing photographs.
The only real problem with it is that the wheel on the mouse is quite noisy and can be distracting especially if you are using the computer at night an someone else is trying to sleep, or even trying to concentrate on something else.
In all, it is a good, three control optical mouse (two buttons, plus the noisy wheel!) and should cost you about a tenner. At least, that's what I seem to recall paying. If in doubt, check with Ciao's price comparison service.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Helps you keep up with technology; No need for a mouse-pad; Longer product-life; Attractive models to choose from Disadvantages: Product flies off the shelves....so you have to hurry.
Advantages: Helps you keep up with technology; No need for a mouse-pad; Longer product-life; Attractive models to choose from Disadvantages: Product flies off the shelves....so you have to hurry.
Dec 30th, 2005
very helpful by (57%):
helpful by (43%):
