• On MP3.com: Free music videos
advertisement

Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000

bottom side above
overview
bottom side above

Product summary

The goodThe good: Contoured design for both left and right hands; five customizable buttons; clear optical laser.

The badThe bad: Hard-to-access side buttons; short, three-foot range; plastic is slippery; warranty information is difficult to find.

The bottom lineThe bottom line: The Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000 is a good precision mouse for left-handers, but righties would be better off with a mouse designed for that hand.

Specifications: Form factor: External; Compatibility: PC, Mac; Battery size: AA type; See full specs

Price range: $27.99 - $41.99

CNET editors' review

  • Reviewed on: 06/01/2006
  • Released on: 04/01/2006
The Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000 is an attractive, contoured mouse that combines the precision of laser optics with a shape that fits both right- and left-handers. However, the ambidextrous design is a mixed blessing: it's not overly comfortable for either hand, and button placement is awkward. For left-handed users with limited options, the $49.95 Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000 is a good, relatively inexpensive option. However, right-handed users will be better served by a contoured mouse designed for righties, such as the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer or the Logitech MX1000.

The Laser Mouse 5000 works with both Windows and Macintosh PCs and connects wirelessly via an included USB receiver. The mouse works as a plug-and-play device, but to customize the buttons and settings, you'll want to install Microsoft's IntelliPoint software, which is included on a disc. This software adds a tab to your regular mouse control panel. From there you can select buttons and customize them from a list of functions and tasks. You can customize the standard left and right buttons, the two buttons on the sides of the mouse, and the clickable four-way scrollwheel.

The mouse has a clear laser, so there's no red light as with most laser and optical mice, and it tracks at a healthy 1,000 dots per inch (dpi). That's great for any standard or professional task, although too low for many gamers, who may want up to 2,000dpi, as seen on the Logitech G5.

In our tests, the Laser Mouse 5000 wasn't ideally comfortable, and the plastic surface was noticeably slippery--the hand felt like it was struggling to stay on the mouse. Both of the side buttons are mounted for thumb use, which makes accessing the button opposite your thumb difficult; we found it easiest to press with the inner side of the third finger. We didn't notice any tracking errors or lag in our tests, though the Laser Mouse 5000 doesn't live up to Microsoft's claim of a six-foot wireless range; we got only three feet in our tests.

Support options for the Laser Mouse 5000 aren't as clear as they should be. The user manual doesn't say how long the warranty lasts, but if you dig around the software's help files, you'll find that it's an enormous five years--four years more than the industry standard. Someone should tell that to the tech support people, who, when reached by phone, said it had a 90-day warranty and received free support for only 90 days. If you're feeling lucky, you could try to navigate Microsoft's Byzantine support site, which offers FAQs and articles.

See more CNET content tagged:
laser,
mouse,
Logitech,
Microsoft Corp.,
button

User reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000

1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit

Where to buy

Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000: $27.99 - $41.99
storepricein stock?rating
Dell Small Business
$29.99 Yes 5.0 star rating
CDW Corporation
$27.99 See Site 5.0 star rating
CompUSA
$39.99 Yes 5.0 star rating
J&R Music and Computer World
$34.99 Yes 5.0 star rating
Circuit City
$39.99 Yes 5.0 star rating

see prices from 13 stores

Similar products

Where to buy Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000

Price range: $27.99 - $41.99

Special sponsor stores

advertisement Special Sponsor Offer
Click Here
advertisement
Click Here
advertisement
Before you buy
Editors' top monitors
Editors' top printers
Editors' top PC speakers
See all monitor reviews
See all printer reviews
See all scanner reviews
sponsored
advertisement
Click Here