Unlimited long distance $24.99/mo
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CNET editors' rating:
3.0 stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 13 reviews
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Product summary
The good: Contoured design for both left and right hands; five customizable buttons; clear optical laser.
The bad: Hard-to-access side buttons; short, three-foot range; plastic is slippery; warranty information is difficult to find.
The 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 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.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 13 reviews
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Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000:
