Microsoft Optical Technology replaces the old-fashioned mechanical mouse ball and works on virtually any surface.* With a convenient scroll wheel and comfortable design, Wheel Mouse Optical is a great value.
Benefits- Reliable Optical Technology. Wheel Mouse Optical brings the precision and accuracy of Microsoft optical technology to an affordable mouse.
- Faster Wheel Scrolling. Move through documents quickly without clicking on the scroll bar. Accelerated scrolling reacts to how quickly you roll the wheel, saving you time and effort.
- Designed for Right or Left Hand. Whether you control it with your right hand or your left, you'll appreciate the way Wheel Mouse Optical is shaped and styled for your comfort.
*Microsoft Optical Technology performs best on surfaces with detail to track. It will not function on surfaces without visible detail (e.g. glass) or surfaces where it will see its reflection (e.g. mirrors). The sensor may also have difficulty tracking on highly repetitive patterns (e.g. some printed glossy photographs).
Microsoft has replaced the old-fashioned mouse ball with the Wheel Mouse Optical, featuring an IntelliEye optical sensor to provide smooth and precise motion. Without a mouse ball, there are no moving parts to clean or wear down. The IntelliEye optical sensor is sealed in to keep out the dirt and lint that can cause a traditional mouse to skip or jam.
The Wheel Mouse Optical comes with a scroll wheel for scrolling and zooming. Move through documents by simply rolling the wheel forward or backward instead of clicking on a scroll bar. Use the wheel to see either close-up or big-picture views without having to use menus or toolbars (in compatible applications). The mouse also features an ambidextrous design for comfort. Whether you are left-handed or right-handed, have a large or small hand, the design of the Wheel Mouse Optical feels comfortable.
The Wheel Mouse Optical's IntelliEye optical sensor scans the desktop 6,000 times per second, delivering smooth, precise motion on virtually any surface, even through dirt, dust, and fingerprints. The IntelliEye sensor performs best on surfaces with detail to track. It will not function on surfaces without visible detail (e.g., glass) or surfaces where it will see its reflection (for example, mirrors or glossy surfaces). The sensor may also have difficulty tracking on highly repetitive patterns (for example, some printed photographs from magazines or newspapers).
Microsoft offers a three-year warranty on the Wheel Mouse Optical.
1 Bad Microswitches
I have one of these mice, but it wasn't purchased here. Like several other Microsoft mice I have purchased it came with a defective microswitch under the left button. Most of the time it works, but sometimes when you single-click you get a double. Microsoft mice used to be great, they are no more.
I have purchased 4 or 5 of the past couple years out of brand loyalty and only 1 of them worked correctly out of the box and it only lasted a few months.
2 Everything A Mouse Should Be..
I purchased this mouse some 2 months back and till date I have wondered why I didnt go out and buy this before. My beloved Logitech Trackball died on me. I wanted to get something which wasnt flashy just plain neat good looks. I purchased this for some $20 and I think I am satisfied with my purchase.
There arent any hotkeys. However I've used this mouse on many surfaces. Since I purchased a laptop recently I needed a mouse that would stay with me. My desktop PC mouse is safely connected to my notebook via the USB port. Its just a breeze. I love Microsoft.
I enjoy playing Age Of Empires with this and at the same time I like scrolling through web pages.Its a simple mouse that has everything a mouse should be. Not "can" be.
3 A great no-frills mouse
I personally like the more full-featured Microsoft IntelliMouse Optical, but if you don't really need all the buttons and still want the benefits of optical technology (enhanced precision, no rollers to clean, etc.), it's hard to go wrong with this. Installation couldn't be simpler--just plug it in and go, and not just with Windows.
The equivalent Logitech Wheel Mouse Optical has all the same features, but is more expensive (here on Amazon at the time of this writing) and not as comfortable after hours of use. And you could easily go for a cheap knock-off, but I've gone through way too many cheap mice in my day. Pay a little extra up-front for quality--this mouse won't let you down.
4 Yet Another Microsoft Hardware Win!
I purchased at a local retailer, after researching on-line.
It is WONDERFUL...I haven't had any of the jumping problems (like I've had with cheaper optical/ball mice).
I'll continue to purchase Microsoft hardware as long as they keep the quality this high!
5 Great mouse
Great mouse, very responsive, glides well, only objection is the bloody wire its attached to, sometimes it gets in the way, and its hard to clean sometimes, because of its texture. I love this mouse for gaming, never missed a shot =P
6 Excellent mouse choice
I've been using this mouse for about 2 years and it's a great product. I look for, review, and recommend products like this that do their job well and unobtrusively. Installation was a snap, performance is rock-solid. Very accurate pointing device. Never gets dirty. The red glow under the mouse is really neato. Highly recommended.
7 VERGATARIO
es lo maximo en ratones...
tiene una precisi—n inigualable y un dise–o practicamente hecho para mi mano!... es un gran descanso... les recomiendo una mousepad de tela para que el rat—n no se pele por debajo ni "ruede" mas facil!
8 Regular Microsoft POS
The right click broke. I should have expected a problem like this, it IS made by Microsoft. Next time i'll go with a better brand, like Logitech, Kensington, or Belkin.
9 I Love It!!!
This is a GREAT product, especially for the price. I've been struggling with a ball for far too long and I am seriously questioning why I haven't moved to optical yet. It is very accurate and it works on many surfaces. My bed, carpet, oh... and it even works well on my desk!!! I did notice it did not work well on a white book... but it did work well on a blue book.
This mouse is entry level. There are other versions (the one I have at work has buttons on the side for web page navigation and there is even a wireless one) but for the price, you cannot beat this quality.
Another plus is that if feels very comfortable and ergonomically correct in my hand.
If you are using a mouse with a ball on the bottom, you are really losing out. Consider this upgrade!!!
10 Good basic mouse
A good basic mouse to replace the older ball type mice. Once you go optical, you don't go back.
11 A pretty good mouse....
I got this mouse on sale over a year ago and it's worked
flawlessly with two different Windows 98SE systems (connected
through the mouse port). I've had no problems with it at
all. Smooth scrolling, decent with FPS games. All in all
it's a good deal.
12 i like it, but...
this is a good mouse, but my first one would double click on single clicks after about a year. i bought a new one and the buttons seemed a little too "loose" for my preference. eventually got the cheap logitech one and it's been great.
13 my kitty and I love this mouse!!
Well, kitty just tries to sit on it, not eat it, but I found this a great mouse. I have it on my PC, and it is so easy on the hand and wrist. I have a bad wrist, surgery twice, so a mouse not constructed for comfort can be a real PAIN. The ease and response was super, I could work four hours and not have my wrist stiffen up. I love ease of scrolling, letting the mouse do the work.
It was easy to install and nice not to have to worry about tangling cords.
14 We'd buy another...and another...
We've bought four of these mice on separate occasions over the past 20 months. We use them daily, some of them in USB mode and some of them in mouse-port mode. We've had no problems with them. We rarely even think about them.
15 Lacking Features
For a couple of dollars more, you can get one that fits in your hand more comfortable, has back and forward buttons on the sidem and doesn't make an annoying sound like this one. Its called the Microsoft Intellimouse Optical. Its ten bucks more, but its alot better than this one. I have both of these, and i prefer that one. You will notice the differnce. But, this is still a great basic mouse.
16 Excellent
I was so tired of using the old mice with balls so i went out and got this bad boy. It responds very well to fast or slow movement (the older optical mice couldn't handle being moved quickly very well)An excellent choice for a consumer.
17 Very simple, very durable.
After wearing through three or four regular roller-mice within a year (each one's interal rollers wearing out distressingly quickly with normal but intensive usage), I finally tried out one of these optical mice (i.e, no moving parts), and was very pleased with the results. My first Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse lasted me almost two years, and another two years later I'm still using the second. Beyond an occasional dust-wipe, I've never needed to clean it at all. The mouse motion, buttons, and scroll wheel are all still very responsive, whether I use a mouse pad under it or not.
I've used this mouse extensively with both Windows 98 and Windows XP, and had no problems with either. It also works just as well using either the regular PS/2 connection or the USB plug (although the USB plug is more easily recognized by the computer if the mouse is connected while the computer is already running).
I wish my employer would buy a nice big supply of these for the office, so I could stop having to bother them for replacement roller-mice every few months.
18 USB is fine (XP); PS/2 mouse port, OTOH, is not (98SE)
I bought this for my (ancient) Thinkpad A20 that's running Win98SE. It only has one USB port so I'd rather save it and use the serial PS/2 mouse port; however, the scroll wheel doesn't work. I plug it into my Dell desktop running XP and the wheel works fine.
If this glitch doesn't affect you, then I'd say the mouse is pretty good, especially when taking the price into consideration.
19 Very easy to use
This is a very easy-to-use optical mouse. It is made my Microsoft, so I am suprised at its quality. I only bought it today so I cant really say much about it but from the two minutes I have owned it, I would have to say it is very good.
20 Get a faster machine in seconds.
Blast your old mouse away with this new delight -- replacements do help; my system is better and I am much happier.
I had to replace my Old Faithful mouse, because it was no longer faithful -- the tail had stopped wiggling. I figured it was due to a broken wire connecting it to the USB port, which had been winding around my computer and bending it for years. However, I had no idea that this new beauty would add so much oomph to my system.
I replaced a Microsoft wheel mouse with this one, and I did not even have to change a driver. I'm tempted to upgrade the driver, but that little part in the back of my mind that knows, absolutely knows, a software change can affect everything says, "Why bother? It might be faster, but it might not."
Tomorrow I may just decide to replace my old keyboard with a fresh new one because I am so happy with the new mouse.
All of the freedom that an optical mouse gives you is there, plus the absolutely required once you use one, wheel works perfectly.
It is the best. Five stars.
Victoria Tarrani
21 Great Mouse!
The mouse has a nice and round back that fits nicely into your palms. The click has a very nice "tough" sound. I like it. Very light and durable. I have carried it around everywhere with me for my laptop, still works like a charm.
Excellent Microsoft customer service, excellent product.
22 Adequate Optical Mouse
As the price would suggest, this mouse in nothing special. It gets the job done, but that's about all you can say for it. Of course, we're talking about a mouse here, so it doesn't really need to do anything special except point where you direct it to.
I found one annoying design element, this mouse has extremely loose action on the scroll wheel. If you like some feedback from your mouse scroll wheel, stay away from this model.
23 I was wrong! Great product!
My first review of this was a 1, because I was unable to install the software to operate the mouse. After all but giving up, I finally got the software installed and it works great! It has a very smooth and quick operation, and I believe that for the price it is a good value. I have tried others that were more expensive, but they do not operate any better than this one. I stand corrected!
24 Mouse will last forever
I have had this mouse for over 2 years and it still feels brand new. I love it and got another one for my other computer. For the price you can't beat it.
25 Great Mouse
Worked Perfectly From The Start! Even on the seat of my car.
26 would not work with windows 98
I bought this mouse and spent at least a week trying to install it. I could not get it to work at all. There was nothing mechanically wrong with the mouse, since it worked on the computers at the shop I bought it from. I was told that the problem was with windows 98, and that I needed a usb patch. Got the patch, but it still would not work. Went to the microsoft site to get help online, but they didn't want to know about it. After about a 10 days I gave up and returned it to the shop.
27 Worked good for a while...
This optical mouse worked intermittently for a few months, then the pointer disappeared for good. The red light stayed on, though - even when the computer was shut down...
28 If you're going to spend the money...
...buy something that feels well-made. For utility, it's a mouse - and that's all. If you spend any amount of time using your computer though, you'll notice it feels cheap, and the (completely unnecessary) red light on the back of the mouse is very distracting. I highly recommend, instead of this mouse, the Logitech Optical Wheel Mouse. It is much more pleasent to use, especially for long periods of time.
29 What he said
I have enjoyed using this mouse tremendously. Nice fit, no cleaning, I like the response of the wheel when scrolling it. The problem is, as someone else said, that the cable connection has started to die, and although I'm no electronics expert myself, if this thing could be unscrewed I could probably get a friend to resolder it, but now I need a new one because it dies and revives occassionally. Sometimes permanently until I unplug and replug. Also, on some older games, the mouse easily spazzes out when trying to do fast movement. Even in newer games, quick motions can confuse it. I think newer optical mice have better sampling rates which help with this. I got enough out of this mouse not to regret having purchased it, but I could not in good conscience recommend someone else buy it now, since there have to be better ones available at a comparable price.
30 Trusty mouse
Have used mine for over 3 years now, and never needed to clean anything! Mouse movement is precise and smooth, and it's pure plug-n-play. It can't get easier than this. Solid quality, will probably last a lifetime... hopefully I'll live a long life. :)
31 Disposable
For the price, this is absolutely the best mouse on the market, hands down. The only problem I have with it, is that after a couple of years use, the cable seems to have a bad connection inside the mouse...no problem, just take it apart and re-solder...done it many times before. Not with this mouse, throw it away. No screws holding it together, completely destroyed it and it still won't come apart. Broken wire = cost of new mouse.
32 Best mouse I have ever owned
This mouse is amazing. I've had it for over a year and it still functions perfectly. I must be hard on mice, because until I bought this one I was going through about one every four months. The laser movement tracker is pinpoint accurate and amazingly precise. The buttons are quiet and work perfectly even when abused. It fits comfortably in your hand and even has a pleasant texture. I've gone through over a dozen roller-ball type mice and one other brand of laser mouse. Even in the category of laser mice, this one is the best, in my opinion.
33 not reliable
i bought this mouse and used it for about 3 months before i started having problems. it would only work intermittently, stopping for a few seconds and then re starting a few seconds later. this would repeat about 5 times a minute, making any work impossible.
After consulting the microsoft help files( refer to: Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 321122) and trying some of their fixes (it seems like quite a few other people have had this problem), i still could not fix the problem. i ended up buying a Logitech optical mouse and havent had a single problem.
Before buying a microsoft mouse ask yourself, how often does my microsoft software crash? Do you really want to buy their hardware?
34 Great Mouse
This mouse is better than my old $10 generic optical mouse. The mouse wheel scrolls faster, and it's ergonomically better for my hand. The optical mechanism is also very good. It's more precise and reliable than a mouse that uses the ball mechanism. The included software wouldn't install on my Windows 98 SE computer. However, it worked just fine after I plugged it into my computer. Software installation is not required.
35 It's a mouse, it works...
The title says it all. Works in many surfaces so you can retire that old, dirty mouse-pad. Sturdy, except for the whell - it feels cheap; but works fine too.
Tested on Windows 2000 and Linux Mandrake 9.1
36 It's a mouse, it works...
The title says it all. Works in many surfaces so you can retire that old, dirty mouse-pad. Sturdy, except for the wheel - it feels cheap; but works fine too.
Tested on Windows 2000 and Linux Mandrake 9.1
37 Pretty Good Mouse
Easy to use, quite precise and a good buy. The wire is a little long for my convenience but it's not that big of a problem.
38 Tough and trouble free
I have three MS optical mice. They all work flawlessly, and the one I take along with my laptop gets banged around quite a bit.
39 Good, Not Near Perfect Though
This mouse is good, not nearly perfect though. If you are on a budget, grab this mouse, you won't be sorry. If you have the money though, go get the IntelliMouse Explorer Wireless, it is much more comfortable than this mouse, it also has the extra buttons on the side. Overall a good mouse. Much better than anything Logitech can throw at it.
40 Exactly what you pay for
Its an optical....just slightly better than a regular ball-mouse in that you don't have to clean it.
41 Perfectly adequate for daily use; also a great laptop mouse
With its optical sensor, this mouse avoids the pitfalls of gathering dust on the ball and wheels that commonly befalls traditional mechanical mice after a while.
No more cleaning required. Smooth operation on virtually any desk surface (well, I haven't tried glass or a mirror, but those would probably be less common, anyway).
This USB mouse comes with a PS/2 adapter, thus allowing for operation attached to newer, as well as slightly older equipment.
In terms of notebook mice, this mouse deserves my recommendation, since it is by far more ergonomical than Microsoft's Optical Notebook Mouse. The smaller form factor of the latter one tends to result in a cramped grip and operation, while the regular size of this mouse leads to a considerably more relaxed hold and smooth handling.
Save yourself the pain of trying to fumble with the notebook mouse and rather enjoy the same benefits of the optical sensor while being at ease.
With Microsoft's departure from a right-handed mouse design, this mouse now can be smoothly operated with either hand, without any ergonomical disadvantages. Switching the mouse buttons is but a few clicks away in the setup.
Rather than designating this mouse for notebook users, Microsoft might be well advised to consider repositioning it as "Optical Kids Mouse", since its overall size and handling is quite favorable for younger users with smaller hands.
42 Finally a Great Mouse!
I've finally found this Great Mouse that has no ball to get clogged with dust, hair and lint. There's no reason to have to disassemble this mouse! Once you plug it in, YOU ARE SET! It's just that simple. And the IntelliPoint software that comes with it makes simple tasks even simpler! No way can you go wrong by buying this mouse! So what are you waiting for??
43 Great mouse!
This mouse was a great, inexpensive buy. Good bye to a mouse with a tiny ball to get dirty and clogged.
44 Excellent -- but not lifetime
Without a doubt, the infared technology is a vast improvement over the old ball mouses.
I switched from the intellimouse explorer( a better model) to this mouse, and find myself a bit dismayed at the lack of 2 extra thumb buttons that were present on my old explorer mouse. However, It has a nice professional look and works great on just about any surface -- though an optical mousepad is recommended.
However, one word of caution is that if you are using a hard surface with texture, the pads(underneath the mouse) will wear out and eventually you will have to replace the pads or the mouse -- but I'm guessing by the time they wear out, might as well get a new mouse :)
45 Works as Promised
This mouse was extremely easy to set up and works as performed. The shape and feel are great for my hand... not too big, not too small. This is just a mouse, so it should just do it's job without much notice or worry.
It does lack some of the features of mice that have more buttons, but if you want simple and easy, this is it.
46 Try logitech wheel mouse optical instead
I own this mouse first, then just bought another one: Logitech Wheel Mouse Optical. Logitech is clearly the better choice at a comparable price. It's (logitech) more responsive, comfortable, accurate, better feel, better look..... Unless this microsoft one is free, go get the logitech.
47 A Great Buy
If you're looking for something better than your ordinary serial bus mouse for a very reasonable price, this is the way to go. It isn't a high-end mouse, but it has no mouse-ball to clean, and fairly precise movement, which makes this a great deal. Only drawbacks are that it's effective on only certain surfaces, primarily low-gloss surfaces, and the mouse cursor becomes spastic when the mouse is moved very quickly. If you are one to take your temper out on your mouse by slamming it on the desk, take care to avoid placing weight on the wheel-button. *grin*
48 Simple to use, works great
I wanted to replace my old-fashioned mechanical mouse with something that wouldn't suffer from clogged rollers, etc. I was really tired of moving the mouse, but not seeing the pointer move at all. This optical mouse is reasonably priced and does the job. It shouldn't suffer from the same lint-trap problems that the mechanical mice do. I have a Dell with Windows XP. I basically just unplugged my old mouse and plugged this one in after installing the software that comes with it. The mouse is actually a USB mouse with a PS/2 adapter plug. Macintosh users would just remove the adapter.
I haven't noticed anything unusual when using this mouse, except that now the pointer responds!
49 Great Mouse, No More Stick & Move
Stick and move, stick and move, stick and move; this action describes not the butterfly like movements of a great boxer, but the movement of my aging ball mouse across my computer screen. I undertook all of the regular remedies for this type of bad behavior; I removed the ball and cleaned it with alcohol, I removed the dirt and dust from all surfaces, I prayed the to mouse gods for smooth and silky cursor operations, all to no avail.
So I went searching for a new mouse, an optical mouse, one I had heard about in one of trade magazine I read; the one without the ball! The Microsoft IntelliMouse With IntelliEye is the latest in a long distinguished and creative list of hardware gadgets to come out of Redmond, WA over the years. The old fashioned ball, which has been the mainstay of the mouse since it introduction way back when, in the early 70's, is gone, replaced by an optical sensor, Microsoft has dubbed the IntelliEye. The IntelliEye has no moving parts, but instead uses an optical (red) sensor that tracks the movement of the mouse up to 1,500 times per second. And since the IntelliEye is sealed, dirt and dust, which has been the death knell for many a conventional mouse, is no longer a problem.
Shaped like the conventional IntelliMouse, the IntelliMouse With IntelliEye offers the same neat fit to the hand and the same innovative track wheel for easy scrolling of web pages and web-enabled documents. And you can throw away those often in the way mouse pads because the IntelliMouse With IntelliEye will work on hundreds of work surfaces, including clothing, and will also work if lifted two or three inches above a flat surface. However, the IntelliMouse With IntelliEye will not work on a reflective surface such as glass or other surfaces with a glossy finish. The mouse may also have difficulty tracking on magazine covers, photographs, or newspapers.
Installation of the mouse was a snap and can utilize either the traditional round 9-pin DIN connection, or a USB port; I chose the 9 pin DIN connector. Windows 98 Me, recognized the mouse automatically and the software installation via CD-ROM was seamless.
I have been using the IntelliMouse With IntelliEye for a little over a month now and I couldn't be happier with its performance and operation. The mouse cursor glides smoothly and effortlessly across the screen, and I am as happy as a man with a bowl filled high with Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream with mini chocolate chip cookies, crumpled on top, watching a Bruce Lee movie; in other words I am a happy Bard.
If you are as tired as I was of the stick and move technique of mouse pointing, you'll fall in love with the IntelliMouse With IntelliEye from Microsoft.
50 Not slow
It's said that optical mouses slow down the computers. This saying stoped me from optical mouses for years. After trying this mouse, i really love it. It doesn't slow down the computer much. For new computers, you definitely don't need to worry about it.
51 Works fine
The cable is the only thing that prevents if from being a joy to use. The cable on any mouse is a drag. Literally.
52 value for money
I have been using the mouse for more than 2 months and it works great. It is light weight and response time is fast. mail in rebate came fast.So in the end I got a optical mouse for [cheap]
53 I Like It - Works Great
Microsoft IntelliMouse works as advertise. It was easy to install, insert the CD and within a couple of minutes the mouse and its features are ready to be used.
You don't have to use a mouse pad anymore but you can still use one if you want. I'm sure there are a few surfaces the optics won't work on but it worked on my mouse pad and desk surface.
Only time will tell if it will last longer that a ball mouse!
The features include:
-----------------------
Three Programmable Buttons - The three buttons, including the wheel button, can be reprogrammed easily to perform popular commands with a single touch.
Faster Wheel Scrolling - Move through documents quickly without clicking on the scroll bar.
Designed for Right or Left Hand
No need for a mouse pad (You can still use your favorite mouse pad)
System requirements:
-------------------------
Pentium 133mhz or higher processor (Pentium 233mhz or higher for Windows XP)
For Windows 98 or Windows ME - 32 MB of RAM
For Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP - 128 MB of RAM
25 MB of available hard-disk space
An available PS/2 or USB port
For Macintosh:
15 MB of available hard-disk space, USB Port, MAC OS 8.6 or 9X, MAC OS 10.1 (Excluding MAC OS 10.0)
54 Works Flawlessly
I have had this mouse for a while now, and my dad just purchased one for himself.
To start off, i have not had any problems with it yet (maby 1 1/2 years old).
It is USB compatible, but works fine with the other adaptor.
I use this with a mouse pad, and it has perfect response.
Without a mouse ball, it requires a lot less effort, and does not get "old". By old i mean that after a while of use the parts inside a ball mouse would collect stuff, and would cause the mouse to lock up at times.
The only thing i do not like, but can easily suffer with, is that
1) The mouse is symmetrical (ment for use with both hands). I am used to the old right handed microsoft mouses, and this isn't as designed to my hand as the old one. But still works fine.
AND
2) The Scroll Wheel is very free moving, where as my old microsoft mouse was harder to move. I do find that i might accidentally move the wheel, and when playing games it can get a little bothersome. I have got used to it though, and now i just go very gentle.
This is worth the [money] any day. The box set which offers this optical mouse and internet keyboard is also a consideration, for i like the keyboard just as much as this mouse.
This mouse isn't even comparable to a IBM or Logitec mouse.
~Hope this helps
55 Windows 95 is NOT supported, otherwise great mouse.
...The box clearly states that Windows 98 or higher is required. Attempting to install the driver software on a Windows 95 box brings up an dialog box informing you that it is not supported and the installation never even begins.
For Windows 98, this is a great mouse. I already had one on a another system and it works very well. Given the low price I'd say it is a great deal.
So as long as you are not running Windows 95, go for it, you will be very happy with this mouse.
56 Best Mouse Ever.
This is the best mouse that money can buy. It is a wonderful value, and it complements every desktop very well. It is ultra-comfortable, precise, and stylish.
57 Better than a trackball mouse.
This is a great mouse. I use this one at work and the only better one I can recommend is the cordless optical. This is a great mouse because there's no trackball, which means better control and no mess to clean all the time. It's a nice fit in your hand and you can set the many different buttons to do what you want.
58 Long lasting
I have had this mouse for over a year now and it functions as well as the day I bought it. Never had any problems. I use the computer a lot and prior to this mouse I used ball mouses. I had to replace these as often as once every month or two. This is definitely a bargain!
59 Freedom!
This mouse is to date, the best mouse I have ever encountered. The laser-guiding, no-rolling, smooth transitions from point to click are great. This is the mouse for anyone who is on the computer all day and is entirely sick of fidgeting with an old mouse. When I worked at an insurance company I was forced to use an old mouse that I had to clean out every day just to make it work, this mouse would have been a lifesaver back then. The great thing about this mouse is it is available now, and will really give you freedom of movement on your desk & desktop. You can't go wrong with this product.
Joseph Dworak
60 Least buggy microsoft product you'll ever own
This mouse is far and away the best I have ever owned. Not only does it never require cleaning, but after 2 months, it functions as precisely as the day it arrived. 2 thumbs up.
61 Christmas Presents
I just love it. I bought a stack and give them away as Christmas presents and Thank You gifts. They also work great on Macs so you can use it anywhere.
62 Possibly the best mouse you can buy
When I first saw the first Microsoft optical mouse demostrated several years ago, I laughed and thought that it would never catch on. Now it has become an indespensible part of my computer, both at home and at work.
By replacing the ball in mice with a beam of light, people now don't have to clean out the rollers in their mice or deal with them sticking or now tracking properly. After cleaning out other people's mice when I've had to use their computers, you get sick of cleaning out the junk.
Pro's:
-Doesn't jam or get stuck in one place
-Fairly responsive
-USB connection
-Works on a wide range of systems, including my ancient Macintosh.
Con's:
-Will not respond if the surface the mouse is resting on is one color or overly reflective. Most of the time this will not occur.
-Having to use non-optical mice on other computers.
63 Optical Mouse
This is an excellent next-generation product in the computer world. Gone are the days of cleaning the ball and wondering how you would clean up the inside of the mouse. This is well worth the money to upgrade any mouse you may have that is of the older ball roller style. At first I thought this was a ploy for computer vendors to make money, but was i ever wrong. I have since updated every mouse in my house and at work. I'll do the same for my family at Christmas.
64 Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical is AOK
Just plugged in Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse and I like it better than my old Microsoft Wheel Mouse!
Got it on sale & it works great.
4/5 stars it might be a little thicker .
65 Not a move smooth pointer mouse
The pointer doesn't move smooth like regular mouse.
66 Great Mouse! Just do it, if the price doesn't keep going up!
Ok, I have mixed feelings about this mouse. It is a GREAT mouse, don't get me wrong. It is cheaper than other mice (?mouses?), which I have not tried, and a very good value, however each time I visit this page, the price creeps up a little higher. It installed easily and as soon as I saw how well it actually works, I couldn't stash my ball mouse away fast enough! I love the fact that it works so well and doesn't require cleaning like the ole ball mouse did. You don't need a mousepad. It reads well on every surface I have tried. I use a book wrapped in a bandana for a mouse pad and it still works perfectly. The only complaint that I have about this mouse is the same as I have about all of them. It is same unnatural shape as all the others. I guess there was some kind of study done on tiny handed people as to what the proper shape for a mouse should be, but if you have big hands and long fingers like me, they all put that pressure on your wrist and clicker fingers that aggrivates CTS. It's about time for somebody to try a different shape. I do love the scrolling button a lot. Like me, you might find it hard to break the habit of going to the scrollbar. Ok. So the only reason I had mixed feelings about this mouse was the price fluxuations. I never saw an item that was not made for collectors keep going up in value as it got older. I might be tempted to try a different mouse, IF something happened to this one (Ball Mouse revenge or something) but if somebody made a truly ergonomic mouse, I would drop it like a hot potato. As long as it is an optical mouse design. I will never buy a ball mouse again. I LOVE OPTICAL MEECES TO PIECES!
67 A mouse that works - it's about time.
Mouse technology catches up with PC technology.
I am responsible for order PC equipment for my department. I am constantly asked for a new mouse. The reasons are always the same - it won't roll smooth, it sticks, I have to bang it to work. The traditional mouse uses a ball the runs over an actuator. As the spring wares the actuator shift slightly causing the mouse ball to catch on the corner. With optical there is no mouse ball only a beam of light.
I have ordered every type in every price range with the same results. It is fine for a few months then in the garbage. Ironically, the ones that come with the new IBM Net Vista are the WORST.
I was so impressed with my new optical mouse I immediately order 20 more. It feels very comfortable in your hand. My people liked them so much they ordered them for their home PC's. It has been a month now and no problems. I plan to order an additional 40 more before year end.
The only OS I've tried the optical mouse on is Windows 2000. There is no need to load additional software. We also swap out the mouse while the PC's are running. No need to reboot.
68 no more fur balls !
No more having to dislodge cat hair from the inside of my mouse with tweezers !
This cheerful, glowing mouse zips along with terrific accuracy on the "Precise Optical Mousing Surface" I bought for it...the wheel responds to the lightest touch, as do the buttons.
At a reasonable price, this is a marvel of a gizmo, and since I like a dimly lit room at night, the red light is a jolly and friendly touch that delights the kid in me.
It does come with a CD, which I'm not informed on, as I'm a "plug it in and use it" type of person...so I can't tell you what it has to offer...but if you want to keep your life simple, get this mouse. No more cleaning, no more sticky wheel.
Though it works on any surface except for something like glass, I do recommend the "Optical Mousing Surface"...not only does it provide an even better glide, but it's noiseless as it moves on it, contrary to the slight scraping sound you might get on other surfaces.
Update from what was written above, in October of 2002: nearly 2 years later, this trusty mouse is not quite as "zippy", but is still going strong, and is serving me well.
69 Great...Mouse
I picked one up because I broke my last mouse. This thing is great!...Comes with a USB adapter if you need one. It is super light and very accurate(I use it for playing Wolfenstein a lot and it works very well). In fact it is so light it feels flimsy at first, but is definitely not. I have a habit of dropping my mouse or banging it when I get fragged in Wolf and it has worked flawlessly for over six months. I can't say the same for my old mouse.
The other thing that I love is not having to clean the ball. I felt like I was always doing that with my old mouse. Unless you want a wireless mouse or more buttons, you can't go wrong with this little guy.
70 sleek and sweet
Ok i got this mouse with the computer i ordered and found it really nice.There is no hassle of cleaning it and stuff and the shape is also very good.The central roller wheel is very very smooth to turn and works like a charm!If you haven't switched to optical mouse yet then this baby is for you!
71 perfect
I bought this mouse when it was first released and have never had a problem with it since then. I've also purchased two more for my other PCs and just bought the new explorer blue optical.
The current price/value ratio for this mouse is incredible. You just can't go wrong buying this mouse either for office or gaming.
72 Great Mouse!
Best I've ever had. It has 5 customizable buttons which makes it a lot easier!
I have my middle button (the wheel button) set to show desktop (which can get annoying for some people) and the side buttons I leave as default for web surfing! It ends up so that I rarely have to use my keyboard when I have browser opened.
73 product info wrong
This item is NOT supported by Windows 95, It is unusable to me and I have to return it.
74 Excellent!
I can't say enough good things about this product. I bought one of these because I was tired of my mechanical mouse sticking and hesitating on me at work, and having to repeatedly clean the ball and rollers every couple weeks, even though I am pretty much a clean freak at the office. This is no longer an issue for me since I switched to the optical mouse. It is extremely precise and it never, ever hesitates or sticks. What I didn't count on was how much I'd grow to depend on the scrolling wheel. This feature is so handy for scrolling up/down long web pages and documents that now I can't imagine being without it.
The optical mouse was such an improvement for me at work that I ordered two more of these a few weeks later to replace my mechanical mice at home. I now use this very same mouse everywhere I use a computer, and could not be more pleased.
75 Too big, not responsive
The size of the mouse is too big and exacerbates carpal tunnel when used over a long period of time. Also, the refresh rate is slow, making it unsuitable for FPS games. I eventually had to go out and buy a Logitech optical mouse to replace this one.
76 Nothing Compared to the Logitech Dual Optical
This mosue is nothing compared to my Logitech Dual Optical, but before you decide to click away...make sure you look at the price, its almost 35 dollars cheaper than the Logitech. This is THE BEST mouse you can buy in its price range, I don't understand how they can give this away at such an extremely cheap price. Amazing.
77 No more of those old MS wheel mouses for me!
Been using this for about half a year now and haven't had to replace it yet unlike the generic wheel mouses that used to frequent my desk space. Great deal, get it if you haven't gotten one already since the prices are similar anyways.
78 The new way to mouse!
I own this mouse and I have been using it for about 3 months now. I am thrilled with how the mouse performs, glides and scrolls. No more sticky-stuck wheel! No more broken ridges from the screw-in circle. This mouse is so sensitive you barely have to push to move it. It is also pretty neat the way that it shines a glowing red light when lifted up! Looks cool at night =0)
I would say a double thumbs up for even an all thumbs person! Oh and bonus..no batteries required! Yay!
79 Precision and excellence
My old mouse was getting annoying. I always had to scrape dirt and stuff from inside on the rollers. It wasn't accurate enough for strategy games or internet exploring.
I decided that this mouse would be a good investment. It was actually the best computer peripheral I have ever purchased.
I love this mouse so much. The precision is unmatched by any mouse with a ball in the bottom. None of that cleaning. It's always precise! And it's a great value too!
On a more aesthetic note I think it looks great! Your friends will be impressed with it. The red light at the bottom is really nice.
80 Nearly bulletproof!
If you haven't yet switched from a roller ball mouse to an optical mouse, you're in a for a very pleasant surprise. You'll be amazed by both the improvement in accuracy and the ease with which these optical mice can be adjusted. Of course, optical mice do not require a mousepad, a very nice bonus when you're tight for space. (However, it should be noted that they do not work well on glass or on a highly polished surface.) This particular model is just fine, though I've never been a big fan of the constant red glow. It is in the long run however that the optical technology really shines. With no moving parts to wear out or get gummed up, they age particularly well.
81 Cheap way into an optical mouse
The Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical is the cheapest way into an optical mouse. The mouse is shaped well for your hand and is designed to be used left or right handed. The scroll wheel is large and easy to use. The buttons are large and click well no matter if you are pressing in the middle or the edge of the button. The optical sensors work great. This mouse works perfect on any surface I've tried. Microsoft includes a install CD that has software to customize the mouse to your hearts content. Can be installed via USB port or PS/2 port (USB to PS2 adapter included). If your tired of the goo that collects on the roller ball of your current mouse or are just looking for a second mouse look no further than here.
82 Go optical for next to nothing
This mouse is [inexpensive] but works great. Optical sensor works well without jumping around. Overall a great deal
