Introduction
There are several members in Microsoft's mouse family, ranging from basic "no wheel" models, to the top-of-the-line IntelliMouse Explorer and wireless IntelliMouse models. In this review, we'll look at the pros and cons of the various models.
Microsoft's Mouse
Microsoft chairman Bill Gates may be the world's richest man, but he still finds time to act as pitchman for a new mouse. At the Windows World/Spring Comdex tradeshow in April, 1999, he unveiled an unusual new mouse -- dubbed the IntelliMouse Explorer -- that does away with the ball found in most mice by incorporating an optical sensor the company calls IntelliEye. The new mouse, he boasted, can be used on any surface -- a table, the wall, even your jeans. No mousepad is required (we found that this isn't necessarily true on some surfaces) and, since the mouse has no moving parts other than its scrolling wheel, Microsoft claims, cleaning is unnecessary.
Even after years of use, Microsoft claims the IntelliMouse Explorer will be as responsive and accurate as the day it was purchased. (It subsequently issued a recall notice, warning that some IntelliMouse Explorer, IntelliMouse Optical, or WheelMouse Optical could stop working or begin to work intermittently after normal use. The company says it will replace affected products free of charge.)
In an apparent nod to the iMac, the mouse comes in a stylish silver finish with a glowing bottom and tail light. The new mouse ups the ante over many competing models by including no less than four mouse buttons, plus a wheel that doubles as a fifth button. The new controls can be programmed to perform customizable tasks such as launching applications or sending files to a printer. The device, which connects to a Windows PC via a PS/2 or USB port, is scheduled to be available in September 1999 for an estimated retail price of $74.95 US, along with a lower-priced model based on the original IntelliMouse design for $54.95 US.
Back Story
What isn't so widely discussed is how Microsoft came to "invent" the IntelliMouse in the first place. As it turns out, Key Tronic, the once-great keyboard market, had fallen to such pathetic depths in recent years that it resorted to stealing trade secrets from F&G Scrolling Mouse L.L.C. and disclosed the secrets to Microsoft, which used the information for its IntelliMouse products. So now you know.
Windows Support
All applications running under Windows 2000 and newer releases support the wheel on the Microsoft IntelliPoint family of mice, to enable scrolling of windows and documents. The default Windows 2000 mouse driver is based on the IntelliPoint 2.2 driver for Windows 9x, which extends the scrolling wheel's functionality to virtually all programs. The software also allows you to reassign each of the mouse buttons, including the wheel button, to perform a command or keyboard shortcut, or modify the mouse settings, such as the pointer speed or wheel scrolling rate.
The optical IntelliMouse Explorer and ergonomically shaped Natural Keyboard are also directly supported. These USB devices come with a PS/2 adapter as well.
Mac Compatibility
We also tested the IntelliMouse on a Mac. Under Mac OS X, no additional software is required, and the right mouse button invoked the Mac's context menus, providing a significant improvement in usability over Apple's "no button" or one-button mouse models. The programmable features of the five buttons on the Explorer mouse are not supported, however.
Microsoft Optical Mouse Blue, etc.
Since the product line's 1999 introduction, there have been many variations on the theme, including special "limited edition" optical mice in special colours (for example, a black edition will be sold at select U.S. retailers starting in Nov. 2002, and an Optical Mouse Blue edition is available worldwide), a smaller model designed for notebook users, and wireless models.
Interestingly, not all of the changes are cosmetic. PC Buyer's Guide has noticed a substantial amount of variance in the tension of the scroll wheels on these mice. Indeed, the latest three Microsoft mice we've tested have each had dramatically different "feel" to their scroll wheels. We asked Microsoft: are the Blue mice supposed to have looser wheels than the white models, as our tests suggested? Shouldn't the Notebook Optical mouse's scroll wheel be easier to turn than the wheel on a desktop mouse model, in keeping with its smaller size and lighter weight?
According to Hugh McLoone, Ergonomist with Microsoft Corp in the U.S., the reason why you may be find a range of tensions could be due to the fact that your unit is at the low or high end of the acceptable tension level - as with any mass produced product, there is an allowable manufacturing tolerance.
Microsoft says it does strive for one high-quality feel - much like the keys on a keyboard or mouse. However, the company admits that, over the years, its designers have started to lighten the tension as users get more experienced with the wheel and begin to rely more on visual feedback on screen and more subtle tactile feel - and less on audible feedback as the noisy detents have been diminished compared to earlier versions.
Microsoft strives to balance ease of rolling wheel with inadvertently rolling the wheel unintentionally or accidentally depressing the button under the wheel and accidentally rolling wheel while depressing button underneath it.
As for adjusting the wheel, Microsoft says there is nothing it could direct users to do to change the tension.
Conclusion
We like the Microsoft Intellimouse, however we know many people who prefer Logitech mice, or those from lesser-known manufacturers. The "click-and-roll" wheel on the Intellimouse is very useful, for example, to zoom and pan in 3D Studio MAX (R2 or newer) or to smooth-scroll through web pages in Internet Explorer 4.0 or newer. Users of older computers may want to purchase a model that comes with a PS/2 connector and an adapter that allows it to be converted to a serial mouse, to maximize connectivity options. Users of newer computers (some of which do not include serial or PS/2 ports at all) should get a USB model. We prefer the mid-range IntelliMouse Optical model (about C$35 at local dealers) to the fancier Explorer and Wireless Explorer optical mice, but some users may prefer the right-handed (only) ergonomics of these models, and the extra programmability available.
For Further Reading
Post new comment