Mad-Sci's Full Review: Microsoft Intelli Optical (D58-00026) Mouse
This is the second Microsoft optical mouse that I have purchased for home use; and this is what I have to say about it:
I purchased this mouse about a week ago to replace the Logitech one that I had purchased not long before. I returned the Logitech optical mouse disappointed by it's poor performance (read more here: http://www.epinions.com/content_14206668420). I have been using the original 'plain' Microsoft mouse with IntelliEye on one of my computers for about two years now and I have never had one complaint about it (read more here: http://www.epinions.com/cmd-review-6F7E-268ECE01-3A3BDEDC-prod2).
Anyway, enough of my advertising. This mouse is a lot better overall than that of the Logitech optical family, but it still has its flaws, which I hope to illustrate in this review.
The Installation
Installing this mouse is very simple and it will be immediately detected with most versions of windows. It comes with a USB to PS/2 adaptor in case you do not have a USB slot available to use. It also comes with some software for customizing the controls of your mouse (this is very similar to that of Logitech's). The software will let you put that extra button on either side of the mouse to good use. And putting those buttons to use is a good idea considering how much extra they cost you, but I'll address the price issue a bit later.
The Design
This mouse is very nice to look at from the sleek silver plastic near the front to the extra led providing a futuristic glow at the bad. The design and layout of this mouse is what makes it so comfortable in your hand. This mouse is more comfortable than Logitech's optical, and a hell of a lot more comfortable than the cheaper Microsoft optical. it has a nice texture to it, not the cheap 'glossy' finish like the cheap Microsoft one. Overall, the design is one of the nicest I've seen, but nothing is perfect.
Functionality
The whole reason why I returned the Logitech optical mouse is that it just didn't seem to work properly for me. I tried several different surfaces, but it occasionally jumped or skipped parts of the screen while moving it. It also lagged a lot, hardly moving the cursor at all. Microsoft's optical mice are a lot better in this area, I have noticed. This mouse moves smoothly on most surfaces, but it is still a bit picky. I have a black canvas mouse pad that it simply wont work on, while the cheaper Microsoft optical will. Strange. Anyway, this mouse passed my tests for functionality working on 95% of the surfaces I put it on (pants, wood, different mouse pads, etc).
Value
Alright, here is my chance to complain about the price of this thing. The design is great, the extra buttons may be helpful, but I really don't think that this mouse is worth the $50 price range. You can usually find Microsoft’s original IntelliEye mouse for a bit cheaper, and I feel it works a bit better. however, it does not feel nearly as comfortable as this newer one. Anyway, either way, I think these mice are a tad overpriced even though they are probably still worth it.
Overall
This is a very good mouse. It is comfortable, sleek, and it works pretty darn well. Make sure you weigh your options before purchasing this mouse though, since a lot of the money that you are spending on it is purely for style.
The more efficient way to work. The IntelliMouse lets you browse the Web without using toolbars or the keyboard. Simply use either side button to goMore at TigerDirect.com
Work on any surface while you easily navigate documents, Web pages, and spreadsheets with the convenient scroll wheel and Internet navigation buttons;...More at Microsoft Store
Microsoft IntelliMouse Optical is one of Microsoft s best-selling optical mice, featuring a versatile ambidextrous design and supercharged with Micros...More at Buy.com
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