Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse

CNET Editors' Rating 8.9/10 Excellent Editorial policies >>
Average user rating from 32 users 7.8/10 Very good Read user opinions >>

Product Summary CNET Editors' Choice

The good: Long battery life; easy to install; stylish design; innovative scrollwheel; ambidextrous.

The bad: Wordy instructions; no user manual.

The bottom line: Microsoft's new Wireless Optical Mouse is the ultimate choice for everyday mousing.

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

Price range: $29.99 - $39.05

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: Jasmine France
Reviewed on: 11/13/2003
Released on: 09/03/2003

Priced at a reasonable $45 and available in a variety of shimmering colors, Microsoft's updated Wireless Optical Mouse may be the ideal everyday mouse. Plus, it's cord-free, so there's no need to worry about dreaded desktop entanglements.

Though Microsoft's instructions are overly wordy, our test setup for this mouse was simple and quick, taking less than 10 minutes. The base, which is housed in a cool-looking opaque case, comes PS/2 and USB ready. It is not, however, a recharging station for the mouse, which instead boasts more than six months of estimated battery life, as compared to the average of three months for most other wireless mice, before you'll need to replace the two AAs.

The overall look of the Wireless Optical Mouse is slick and stylish. It sports a comfortable ergonomic design, with added points for being ambidextrous. Perhaps because of the latter, Microsoft sticks to a simple three-button layout, which you can configure however you desire.

The most notable feature of this mouse--and of all new Microsoft mice--is the Tilt Wheel Technology. This nifty attribute allows you to scroll through windows horizontally by simply tilting the scrollwheel to one side or the other. Another unique trait is the smooth movement of the scrollwheel, which doesn't continually click like those of other mice we've used.

See more CNET content tagged:: optical mouse,; mouse,; Microsoft Corp.

User opinions

7.8/10 Average user rating from 32 users Very good

WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW How would you rate this product?

6/10 Good May 12, 2004

"Not good for use with laptop" Read more >>
9/10 Spectacular July 25, 2005

by bugmenotcnet (see profile)

"Supreme Comfort" Read more >>
9/10 Spectacular August 6, 2005

by Jk24138 (see profile)

"takes a bit of getting used to" Read more >>
WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW See all 32 user opinions >>

Where to buy

Store	CNET Certified	In stock	Shipping	Price
	Write a store review	See Site	$7.39	$33.91
	Write a store review	Yes	$6.99	$29.99
	Write a store review	Yes	$6.99	$29.99
	Write a store review	Yes	$3.95	$37.66
RadioShack.com	Write a store review	Yes	$6.05	$34.99