Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000
by Microsoft
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000
Customer Review: Simply the best bluetooth mobile mouse
Summary: 5 Stars
I gave away my Logitech VX Nano to my father who needed a mobile mouse so I needed to replace it. I was just going to get another Nano but thought why not try a bluetooth mouse since I paid extra to have built-in bluetooth support on my Dell laptop? I am extremely glad I did. I have had it for exactly 1 year now and am ready to share my experience.
PROS:
- No transceiver necessary, freeing up a USB port
- Ergonomic design for either hand
- Back button
- Comfortable, responsive scroll wheel
- On/Off button
- Low battery indicator
- Reliable connection
- Nice solid feel
- Looks nice
- No driver or software install required (or offered)
- Compatible with Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7/Mac OS X
- Supported by Microsoft's great hardware warranty for 3 years
CONS:
- Somewhat short battery life
- Doesn't automatically turn off to save battery
- AAA batteries difficult to remove when replacing
- Connection doesn't always reconnect when resuming from sleep mode
Next to the scroll wheel, a back button is a mouse feature I cannot live without. Many mobile mice do not include a back button so it was easy to narrow down my choices. Guess how many mobile bluetooth mice have a back button? Try 1. The Microsoft Notebook Mouse 5000 was the only one I could find. That made my choice even easier. I love not having to fuss with a transceiver. Even though the VX Nano uses a micro-USB receiver, it still took up 1 of only 3 USB ports on my laptop.
I like the way the mouse feels and looks. It also comes with a nice padded case with a velcro enclosure. The scroll wheel is nice and comfortable to use and doesn't feel flimsy like some tend to do. Battery life is just okay. It's rated at 3+ months but I have seen real-world results of closer to 2 months. I use it for probably 2-3 hours/day 7 days a week and I never turn it off. When I'm connected, I stay connected without any drops.
I view the lack of driver or software for required on the 5000 as a welcome feature. I never install Microsoft's driver software or Logitech's SetPoint software for my mice and keyboards. Sometimes I lose some functionality, mostly in programmable buttons and keys, but I've had enough driver-related issues on my system to cause me to avoid installing them.
I have only a few very minor complaints. Instead of only offering an on/off button, adding an automatic sleep/off feature would greatly improve battery life. When you do have to replace the batteries, you'll struggle with removing the batteries a bit because the little pulls that help you remove the batteries are undersized. I don't have long enough fingernails to easily grab the pulls. Lastly, whenever my laptop goes to sleep, I have to cross my fingers that the bluetooth connection gets reestablished. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. I have used the 5000 on my laptop with both Windows XP and Windows 7.
I thought that after a year, surely a new Microsoft, Logitech, or even Kensington bluetooth mouse would've been released that would take praise away from the 5000. Nope. This is still the best notebook bluetooth mouse on the market. The 3 year warranty isn't as long as I would like, but Microsoft's hardware warranty is easier to deal with than any other company's I've experienced. Logitech's support is great, but Microsoft's is excellent. Confidently purchase this wonderful mouse and you will be satisfied with the outcome.
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: The Worst Mouse Ever! Plus Zero Support!
Summary: 1 Stars
Hi, I'm from Singapore and I bought this mouse on 16 Nov when it was first released in Singapore. I liked the look, colour, and design of this mouse, and the Bluetooth function worked flawlessly, but this is the worst mouse I've ever bought. What's the reasons:
1. Before opening the package of this mouse (and any other Microsoft Mouse), you cannot tell if the scroll wheel is smooth and frictionless, sticky and rubbery but lack tactile feedback, or with the tactile feedback that most mouse provides. This mouse provides the tactile feedback type scroll wheel.... In comparison, all Logitech mouse provide standard and consistent tactile feedback, except for the new MX/VX Revolution/Nano with MicroGear Scroll Wheel which can switch between smooth frictionless scrolling and tactile feedback scrolling. And you can tell that by looking at the box!
2. The scroll wheel is a hugh disaster! The spring loaded tactile feedback is so strong that within an hour of use, my finger is already in pain. Also, this scroll wheel has several design flaws. Firstly, scrolling down is relatively quiet, but scrolling up produces a distracting 'tack', 'tack', 'tack' sound that'll drive you nuts! Also, at a certain position when scrolling down, the scroll wheel will get stuck and I need to use even high force to 'jump' over the stuck position. I've used mouse from cheap unbranded make, I've used Logitech's mouse, I've used Labtec cordless mouse, and even A4Tech's mouse, but they all have a consistent and comfortable scroll wheel tactile feedback.
3. The Back button cannot be re-assigned to another function, even when I installed the latest Microsoft IntelliPoint 6.2 software. I couldn't even find support for this mouse from the list of mouse that this software supports! Although the mouse does not require any software to work on its own, installing the Microsoft IntelliPoint software provides features such as customising the scroll speed, and providing indication on battery strength. However, even choosing another similar mouse with a customisable Back button does not allow me to customise this mouse's Back button. It's stuck to standard IE Back function!
4. Finally, the support from Microsoft totally sucks! Within a day of purchase, I used the microsoft support web site to complain about the mouse. I keyed in my mouse's product ID and it shows that the mouse I purchased qualified for on-line support. I then type out my unhappiness and demanded for warranty support to either repair, replace, or refund my purchase. I received an e-mail confirmation stating that Microsoft will reply to me on my submission in 1 business day. Guess what? 2 weeks later and I didn't even hear them fart! They have failed terribly on their on promise on customer support!
I've used and liked Logitech products but has never experienced such poor design like microsoft's. Wonder what engineer they employed to design their hardware.
By the way, I threw in this mouse for free (even though it cost me SIN$74.90) when a buyer bought my laptop. Guess no hard feelings for me since I HATED this mouse so much! If I used it for another day, I'll damned sue Microsoft for finger injuries.
Buyers beware! Judge for yourself if my experience is the truth or I'm just trying to make a piss at microsoft....
Thanks!
Customer Review: Great travel mouse but not as a desktop mouse
Summary: 4 Stars
Understanding that this is a notebook mouse and that its purpose is for portability and ease of use above functionality and ergonomics, this is a great mouse. I have used many mice (Microsofts & Logitechs) and I would rate this one as one of the better mice for notebooks. A great feature is the bluetooth. For some reason it is difficult to find a bluetooth mice on the market. Even though the dongles for most mice have shrunken to micro proportions, I would prefer not to have one at all. Especially for a notebook that gets used frequently with a bag. I wouldn't want the dongle to be in a position where it can damage the laptop because it's sticking out (although a very small possibility, still exists nonetheless).
That being said if you use this for too long it puts a strain on your pinky finger, at least it does for me. After several hours of use it starts to get a bit uncomfortable and I find myself rubbing my hands or trying to shift my hands over to find a better position to use the mouse.
I have Windows 7 and it set up within a minute. There have been no problems connecting to the mouse since I purchased it.
I would buy this mouse if you like a stylish mouse that connects over bluetooth with some functionality (it does have a back button on the side).
I wouldn't buy this mouse if you are going to be using it for long periods of time, or for desktop use.
*update 9/22/10
I have been using this for awhile and I have to say that the battery life is much shorter than a Logitech mouse. I wanted this mouse because of bluetooth but if it requires me to change batteries every two weeks that is something else I need to put into consideration. I will add that I rarely turn it off and I do use the mouse heavily. Also the back button on the mouse is broken. It still works but there is no spring to it anymore and there is no clicking. I will warranty this mouse and see how that goes but my original rating is going down from a 4.
*update 9/24/10
I've contacted Microsoft about this issue to see if I could get a warranty repair or replacement. I changed my review back to a 4 star based on my original review. The mouse had a problem but was easily fixed by the company. They were prompt in emailing and in resolution. I will be receiving my replacement mouse soon and hopefully I shouldn't have another problem. :)
*update 10/11/10
I have received the new mouse within two weeks of my emailing. Microsoft was great about the warranty, it was simple and quick.
Concerning the mouse, after extensive use I am going to update several things:
1) The battery does not last as long as mice that use dongles. This mouse uses two AAA batteries and from frequent use (5+ hours a day) and having it always on it appears to drain in approximately 2.5 weeks. This isn't a big problem for myself because I use rechargeable batteries but it may detract others.
2) I initially reported that it was a bit uncomfortable because it was a small mouse to use. I bought this beanbag thing that elevates your wrist when you use a mouse and this has fixed the problem. I can use for hours without any discomfort so this may be something to think about for using a smaller mouse in general.
That's all folks
Customer Review: I've used this mouse for two years. Now looking for a replacement. . .
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased this mouse a little over two years ago when I bought my MacBook Pro. All-in-all, it has served me pretty well, but some of the annoyances I have with it have finally driven me to look for an alternative.
I love the fact that it's a bluetooth mouse and thus doesn't require having any dongles plugged into my MacBook Pro in order to use it. I never installed any of the software for the mouse because, quite frankly, I don't need any of the "bells and whistles" that mouse software typically provides. For all I know, Microsoft doesn't have any Mac software for the mouse anyway, but I haven't looked into it. On the positive side, I can also say that the mouse tracks very accurately, in my experience.
However, the two things that have finally driven me to look for a new mouse are the battery life and the fact that this thing disconnects more often than not of late while I'm in the middle of using it. First, about the battery life, be prepared to have plenty of AAAs on hand and in your backpack so that you're not left unable to use the mouse when it runs out of juice. This thing takes two AAAs, and using this mouse for anywhere between eight and twelve hours a day most days, I can only get about two to two and a half weeks out of the batteries typically. I've tried Duracell and Energizer. . .brand has made zero difference.
I've put up with the battery life issues since I've had the mouse (and don't want to think about how many dozens of batteries I've gone through in just over two years.) The thing that has been driving me nuts for the better part of two months is that I can be using this mouse with fresh batteries and all of a sudden, my mouse cursor will be dead in the water. The first few times it happened, I thought my computer had frozen. However, I quickly discovered that with a quick roll of my finger across the touchpad, the cursor jumped back to life. Usually, all I have to do to wake the mouse up again is to move it across the mousepad three or four times and then I'll see the message on my screen that the mouse has connected once again. Sometimes, the mouse only disconnects while I'm using it once a day, and sometimes it does it four or five times in one day. I'm fine with it going to sleep when I'm not using it and waiting for it to wake up when I return to my computer, but disconnecting while I'm in the middle of moving the mouse is unacceptable.
This is the only mouse I've ever used with this laptop, so for all I know, maybe my bluetooth stack has gone crazy on me, but I tend to think that's probably not the case. I'm running OS X 10.6.3 with all of the latest updates installed as of this writing. Even if the issue is with the bluetooth stack or the bluetooth radio on my machine, I'm looking at getting rid of this mouse so that I can stop going through AAAs like crazy. I'm strongly considering the Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks (Black) based on the positive reviews it has on both Amazon and Newegg. I know that I'll have to have a dongle plugged in to one of my USB ports in order to use it, but it's a good trade-off for me if I can get a reliable mouse that sips the battery power as opposed to chugging it down.