Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 Mac/Windows
by Microsoft
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List Price: Buy Used: from $12.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 Mac/Windows
Customer Review: The Mouse That Roared
Summary: 5 Stars
The Mouse that Roared
I waited five months to write this review to give the Microsoft Bluetooth notebook mouse a complete workout. I am using it frequently with my Asus EEPC netbook on the road and at home and am very impressed.
The size is excellent considering this is a small mouse. I have medium-large sized hands and enjoy a mouse that is usually much larger. The Microsoft Bluetooth notebook mouse fits nicely under the hand and has excellent response. In fact, the mouse works on more surfaces and more obscure locations than of the other wireless mice I use on my home computer.
The reason I waited so long to do this review was because others complained about the on-off switches breaking. I had no problems with this switch and while I take good care of my equipment five months of constant use has proved that the switch is as sound today as when it arrived. The on-off switch is located on the bottom and is embedded into the unit. It does not stick out and it would seem difficult to break unless you are pushing it too hard.
As far as battery life, well I am still using the original batteries sent with the unit and five months of use is a lot of life from a single set of regular batteries. I have many times put it away without turning off the power switch yet the original shipped batteries are still working fine. Of course that leaves me unable to comment on the light that would appear if the batteries start to go.
The Bluetooth works perfectly and it is so nice to this feature built into the mouse and the EEPC, which leaves the netbook with no dongles or use of the USB ports. The most interesting thing for me is that the mouse operates on almost any surface. No need for a mouse pad or surface with color or patterns. I can use it on a white table, the couch, a piece of white paper or whatever and it is live and responsive. It also can be used at a greater distance and more obscure angles from the netbook than my other full size wireless (USB related) mice.
While the mouse has a page-back feature button it has no right hand page-forward button. A small drawback. There is a very responsive scroll wheel, which besides scrolling up and down, you can bend to the right or left to scroll pages in the direction you want. This is a great feature on the newer netbook 10-inch screens, which seem to never put the content in view without movement. It now becomes apparent why advertising takes up all the top of a page.
The Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse is a solid unit that is handsomely designed, well engineered, works without dongles, does not use one of the valuable USB ports, and energy efficient, which offers most, if not all, the features of a full sized mouse in a small compact netbook sized unit. All in all I am extremely pleased with the Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook mouse and highly recommend it.
Customer Review: Great option for netbooks and Windows 7
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are like me and own a netbook, you bought one for the portability. I'm a college student and do a lot of studying at coffee shops. For some reason, the designers of these places feel that the tables can be no larger than 18 inches in diameter (or so it seems!). Once the text books are out, there is usually little space for the computer let alone accessories.
I was using a Logitech V220 Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks (Scarlet Red) with my Samsung NC10-14GB 10.2-Inch Blue Netbook - Up to 8 Hours of Battery Life. It's a great mouse with phenomenal battery life, accurate tracking, and a comfy grip. But I've always hated the inch-plus USB dongle sticking out of it. I've had a few close calls of almost breaking it off or knocking the whole computer off a table. There are newer mice out there with the Nano receiver, which is also great. Unfortunately the carry case I use is too snug to allow me to stow the netbook with even that tiny little receiver in it.
So I arrived at the Bluetooth option.
My netbook is running Windows 7 Home Premium, and associating this mouse was a cake walk. I was up and running within a couple minutes! The instructions included are brief but clear, but Microsoft's website has a more in depth trouble shooting section if the need arises.
I have not had the 5000 mouse as long as the V220, but I have never dropped a connection, and the laser tracking is quite accurate on anything from hardwood coffee tables to sofa cushions to the fabric arm rests on a Lazy Boy. The mouse is not heavy and if anything it feels almost too light, but this is a plus for the computer user on the go. I cannot comment on battery life, but I expect a bit less from a Bluetooth mouse vs. wireless.
Ergonomics - I find the mouse to be extremely comfy, but if I were picking at nits, I'd like to see the scroll wheel stick up a bit more. The back button placement, for me, is awesome. I hate the back buttons where you have to drastically change grip to hit it Microsoft Arc Mouse (Black) but that's me. This mouse just requires a shift in the thumb and 'boom!'
Drivers - I was at first dubious when Microsoft's IntelliPoint software (that allows you to remap buttons, perform special tricks, etc.) did not support this mouse. In fact, Windows 7 automatically found the needed drivers, installed them, and allowed me to go on with life. For me, button remapping is not necessary, and out of the box most right handed users will be well served by this mouse. But south-paws may not like it.
Final thoughts - as a student I study in various locations so portability is a must. The Bluetooth mouse allows me to free up a USB port, and I have found the signal reception to be flawless. When the computer is put to sleep )lid closed) it does take a couple seconds to work again upon awakening, but no complaints here. The accuracy is spot on for 99% of the tasks required of it (maybe a person working with minute details won't be happy, but for Office tasks, web surfing, etc., it works a charm).
I really recommend this product to mobile users, and if the ItelliPoint is updated in the future to support customizing this mouse, then more's the better. But as is, I feel its a winner.
Cheers!
Customer Review: Satisfactory but some drawbacks
Summary: 3 Stars
This mouse installed easily and works satisfactorily. If you want a bluetooth mouse, this one is worthy of consideration.
This mouse uses AAA batteries, which I dislike. AA batteries have a much longer life, and add desirable weight and heft to the mouse. My Kensington Bluetooth Mouse uses AA batteries and this gives it a much nicer, more solid feel. And longer battery life.
The scroll wheel on this mouse is not particularly good. It has a rough feel and if you press too hard you get that auto-scroll function when you don't really want it. My Kensington mouse, by comparison, was much less prone to accidental activation of that (not very desirable) auto-scroll feature.
On the plus side, this mouse has a nice shape to it. It is smaller than most notebook mice, which is a plus. It does not have any lights that flash during use which seems to increase battery life and perhaps compensates for the AAA batteries.
Overall, a decent mouse that I liked better after some use than when I first started using it. RJB.
Customer Review: not bad
Summary: 4 Stars
Great little mouse. Small and ergonomic. Only bluetooth mouse I could find that has a back button. Only problem is that you need to go to Microsoft's website to download the driver in order to use the back button. It should really have come with a driver disk.Customer Review: Best feeling laptop mouse with a soft click
Summary: 5 Stars
I am very picky about how the mouse click feels. Some models (like this one) have a soft and subtle click and others are harder to press and have a loud click. This is just right for the frequent user. The bluetooth connects reliably every time I bring the Windows 7 netbook out of hibernation (unlike a Microsoft bluetooth mouse that I had 3 years ago, which would only connect intermittently in XP). This is now my favorite laptop mouse. Looks nice too.