Product: Microsoft Explorer Mini-Mouse - Wireless BlueTrack Technology
Price: $25.00
Rating: Strong Recommend
My mini Logitech mouse has served me well for many years as a laptop user. But even the best accessories undergo wear and tear, and the time finally came for me to say farewell to my well worn mouse and adopt a new one. After some research and asking a few friends, I decided on Microsoft's wireless Mini-Mouse. It turned out to be a great option for a totally affordable price.
The Microsoft Explorer Mini-Mouse could work great for both laptop and desktop users, and I'd definitely recommend it for users with smaller hands (like myself) or with limited desk space because it is more on the compact side. And the mouse has a pretty high ergonomic curve, making it comfortable for both lefties and righties.
Setup
Set up is extremely easy. If you want to customize the options on your mouse, for example like which actions you want the two left side buttons to do, then you need to install the included CD software. If you don't want to mess with customization, you can just put one AA battery into the mouse, put the USB transmitter into one of your computer's ports and you're ready to go.
Functionality
The Microsoft Explorer Mini-Mouse utilizes BlueTrack Technology, the tracking technology that allows the mouse to work without a mousepad. The scrolling is extremely smooth and the design is simple and comfortable. If you pack up your mouse at the end of the day like I do, you can place the USB transmitter back into the mouse and store it in the sleeve the mouse comes in.
The best thing about this mouse is that it simply works well without fuss. At the end of the day, that's the most important requirement for any input device. And it certainly doesn't hurt the design is sleek, ergonomic, and the blue tracking light gives the Microsoft Explorer Mini-Mouse a cool presence while in use.
Pros
Easy to use
Minimal setup
Works with Apple and PC
Ergonomic
Sleek design
Cons
On the smaller side
Doesn't fit in slim storage because of ergonomic curve design
Can't lie flat when USB is stored under
Our Ratings:
Strong Recommend*
Recommend
Weak Recommend
Don't Recommend
Apartment Therapy Media makes every effort to test and review products fairly and transparently. The views expressed in this review are the personal views of the reviewer and this particular product review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the manufacturer or an agent working on their behalf. This specific product was purchased by the reviewer.
(Images: Julienne Lin)
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Oops, there's a typo: "strong recommend" should be "don't recommend"
Here's why you don't ever want to buy Microsoft-branded hardware:
If you lose the dongle, you might as well throw the mouse away too. They use proprietary wireless signals that are not only incompatible with other brands, the mouse can only be paired with the dongle that came with it.
One alternative: The Logitech M305 has a dongle so slim you don't need to unplug it when travelling. And if you happen to misplace it anyway? Oh look, there's a replacement on eBay for $10.
is there a way we can block certain types of blog posts on AT?
or set them aside into a different space altogether?
i don't care how one person happened to like one specific technological item.