- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 30 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
3.0 stars
"Great... Unless You Want to Reassign Buttons"
Pros: Basically works as advertised; smooth operation and high-quality "look and feel"; compact for superior portability.
Cons: Lack of driver support limits customizability.
Summary: This mouse works as advertised on a ThinkPad notebook running Windows XP. Bluetooth pairing was painless, and I'm pleased with the smooth functioning of the mouse, not to mention the elimination of the transceiver unit--one more black box I'd have to schlep around.
Size and shape are matters of personal preference, and I would agree with those who suggest trading off some comfort (which would mean a larger size for my hand) is an acceptable compromise for portability. Overall, this mouse has a quality feel and seems to be well made; it has a nice heft to it, and the buttons and wheel provide solid, reassuring tactile feedback.
My biggest beef with this mouse is the lack of a dedicated or inclusive driver. It does not come with a driver disk, and it is not listed among the supported models in the latest Microsoft IntelliPoint software. (I have no idea to what CNET editor Dan Ackerman is referring when he writes "Microsoft wants you to install its custom driver software.")
Please don't misunderstand: this mouse works fine out of the box under Win XP (and, presumably, Vista). You'll only want a new driver if you're not happy with the default button assignments.
I called Microsoft technical support about this omission, and they confirmed that anyone who wants to reassign button functions is SOL... for now. The tech rep would not confirm whether a future version of IntelliPoint would support this mouse, but I remain hopeful.
As of this writing (8 November 2007), therefore, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend this mouse. As soon as the software side of things catch up, I'll be singing a different tune.
Where to buy
Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000:
$25.50 - $49.99
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$39.99 | Yes |
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$39.99 | Yes |
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$29.99 | Yes |
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$39.99 | Yes |
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$39.99 | Yes |
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