Cons: Only suitable for optical corded mouse applications
The Bottom Line: If you need a new mouse and are considering optical for regular applications, go out and get this thing. I promise you won't regret the purchase.
zorrothepiking's Full Review: Microsoft Optical Mouse Blue (K81-00004)
As my second trackball mouse began to die back several years ago, I decided it was time to take the optical leap. Being... frugal... I decided to see what the budget optical mice options were. I had heard good things about Logitech, but after visiting a local retailer and checking out the selection, I was drawn to the Microsoft Optical. I now own two of these little guys!
The Hardware
The mouse is a simple optical mouse. It has left and right buttons as well as a center scroll wheel. The cord length is pretty generous, and there is an adapter to turn your USB mouse into a PS/2, which will let you use that mouse port on the back of your computer. The mouse is symmetrical (as far as I can tell), so it should be appropriate for both left- and right-handed use.
The Software
The mouse comes with IntelliPoint Software to allow the user more control over the mouse. However, I've never found any of that to be necessary. The software is well laid-out and it doesn't take up a lot of system resources, but I find all the tweaking I need in the Control Panel. After a format-reinstall last year, I didn't even bother to install the software. The mouse is Plug-and-Play on all the systems I've tried, so the software is optional for most users.
The Performance and Comfort
I've used this mouse in a wide range of applications, and have found it to be pretty reliable. It tracks well on most surfaces, and it seems to be accurate. I've never gotten deep into the scanning rate information on mice, but I have never noticed any lag or precision issues. The buttons are still quick and responsive after all this time, but occasionally the mouse wheel will act strangely. If I try to scroll, it sometimes gets stuck between "clicks" and then randomly finishes it's rotation. This isn't so much a problem in a word processor as when it accidentally switches out your automatic rifle for a bowie knife. >:(
The comfort is pretty good, though I have found nicer mice to be much better. Part of this can be blamed on the symmetry, but it makes my wrist hurt after a while. How long is a while? Well, about 8 hours or so of constant use. This might not be your typical application, but I've taken this mouse to many LAN parties and had a little pain towards the end. If you're wanting a mouse that you can use all day every day without any discomfort, you'll probably want to find one that fits the natural curve of your hand better. This one fits into my palm well, but the lack of curve to the left keeps my wrist at a bit of an angle.
Ball, Optical, and Laser
In case you're wondering what the whole optical thing is all about, here it is. Ball mice (the old style) have a ball that rotates as you slide the mouse across a sufficient surface. These mice often got a tacky build-up on the ball's bearings/sensors and you started to lose accuracy. This could be fixed if you wanted to take the time to clean it out, though. Also, you usually had to have a mousepad, as most surfaces wouldn't provide enough traction to make the ball rotate smoothly.
Optical mice use a sensor that scans the surface under it and uses this to determine net movement of the mouse. Not only does this eliminate the need to clean the mouse, but you can also use it on most non-reflective surfaces. This is great for at home, when I just use a couch cushion, pillow, or tabletop. Also, the optical sensor reduces the number of moving parts. The elimination of that big ball makes moving the mouse much more fluid and really increases accuracy.
The latest mass-market option is Laser Mice, which as the name suggest use a laser to determine movement. These usually boast the best scan rates and carry the highest price tags. The most important thing to me, though, is that they can be used on almost all surfaces, including reflective.
Considerations
There are several things to consider when you're making a decision on a mouse. If you need to work on reflective surfaces or you want a cordless (not recommended for gaming, usually), then this mouse isn't for you. Also, if you prefer a ball mouse (WHY?), then you'll also need to look elsewhere. However, for most computer users, this mouse will meet your needs and then some. The price is fantastic, the feel is good (though you should check that out for yourself), and it is very reliable. If you want a stellar gaming mouse capable of providing unending hours of performance, consider the Logitech MX 510. If you're a typical user, though, or you've never made the move to optical, I highly recommend this mouse.
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