Bluetooth Microsoft Mouse

Message

gcchatel · #1 Post by **gcchatel** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 8:00 am

Hi everyone, looking for a nice mouse that will match my t42p. I came accross this microsoft bluetooth mouse. I was wondering if anyone has tested it on the thinkpad bluetooth adapter and how it works. Also, how good of a mouse is it and how long do the batteries last. Would be nice to just take the mouse out and not have to worry about plugging in the wireless receive. Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... s&n=507846

benz · #2 Post by **benz** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 8:03 am

I've been looking at this one too, and I can't decide between it and the Logitech MX900 BT. So far I like the MX900 the best because it comes with a recharging base, so I won't have to worry about buying batteries. The MS, on the other hand, doesn't have a recharger, I believe.

gcchatel · #3 Post by **gcchatel** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 8:13 am

yep, i just saw the mx900 BT. Seems nice too, smaller and with the base. I've always used microsoft mice because of the ergonomics (something microsoft got right). Based on amazon reviews, it looks like the microsoft sucks up battery time. On the other hand it's the pretty black that will match my TP...decision decisions.

for those of you who want a link to the logitech mouse:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 149&depa=0

Daniel · #4 Post by **Daniel** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 8:45 am

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=3886
Link on my search for a mouse.

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/ubb ... 8001065631
Zprime's endeavor for a nice mouse. He's used the Microsoft Bluetooth one along with the MX900. Looks like a no go for the Microsoft.

ZPrime · #5 Post by **ZPrime** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 9:03 am

gcchatel wrote:yep, i just saw the mx900 BT. Seems nice too, smaller and with the base. I've always used microsoft mice because of the ergonomics (something microsoft got right). Based on amazon reviews, it looks like the microsoft sucks up battery time. On the other hand it's the pretty black that will match my TP...decision decisions.

for those of you who want a link to the logitech mouse:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 149&depa=0

The MS mouse isn't black. It has a black/gray-ish base and then a very nice looking "blue-black" top. it does look good with a thinkpad, but imho it's inferior (hardware wise) to the MX900.

The MX900's drivers are stupid though. See the threads Daniel linked for more info.

Kenn · #6 Post by **Kenn** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 11:22 am

I've been thinking about getting a BT mouse too. Does anyone have recommendations on a smaller, travel-size one?

darrenf · #7 Post by **darrenf** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 12:53 pm

Whatever mouse you get, if you are going to travel make sure it has an on-off button.

Having tried Logitech and Microsoft BT mice, the Thermaltake BT500 is still my favorite by far. I'm using one on my desk now too! It's very small, has good button action and no lag. I game with it and have not problems.

The only problem I've had so far is that I've lost it twice and it's been very hard to find.

http://bluetake.com/products/BT500.htm

-darren

benz · #8 Post by **benz** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 12:54 pm

Kenn wrote:I've been thinking about getting a BT mouse too. Does anyone have recommendations on a smaller, travel-size one?

Some people had a thread about this a while back, and I remember reading some good reccomendations for the Thermaltake BT mouse. I don't know how small they are, but I think theres a travel version somewhere...

http://www.thermaltake.com/keyboardMous ... tmouse.htm

Personally, I don't like them. Theyre too wildly colored, and they look a bit uncomfortable. But thats me.

darrenf · #9 Post by **darrenf** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 1:22 pm

benz,

There is an all-white BT-500. I personally prefer the balck/red

but the white might be more professional.

I have no complaints about the feel of the mouse, but someone with large hands might find it too small.

What would be really cool is if the whole mouse was made of the same material that the base is. It's kind of like a rubbery scotch tape finish. Hard to describe but nice to hold.

-darren

Kenn · #10 Post by **Kenn** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 2:37 pm

darrenf wrote:benz,

There is an all-white BT-500. I personally prefer the balck/red but the white might be more professional.

I have no complaints about the feel of the mouse, but someone with large hands might find it too small.

What would be really cool is if the whole mouse was made of the same material that the base is. It's kind of like a rubbery scotch tape finish. Hard to describe but nice to hold.

-darren

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I'll check out the Bluetake.

Regarding the "rubbery finish," that wouldn't be similar to the texture of your thinkpad cover, would it?

I swear it's some super-fad. My laptop, cell phone (motoroal V300), and even one of my binders all have that matte rubbery texture.

dmcgibbo · #11 Post by **dmcgibbo** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 3:35 pm

logitech just came out with a laser (rather than led optical) mouse that reads 5.8megapixels and is far superior to regular optical mice. just something to keep in mind but since it just came out it's like $75

i have a wired optical IBM scrollpoint USB mouse that matches the TP perfectly and is VERY comfortable. it is really cool b/c the scroll button glows blue and the mouse is black rubbery to match the TP but then has a blue part that matches the blue buttons on the TP keyboard. I wish it was cordless though. Also, on my old computer install it couldn't be connected through the port replicator, it had to be connected directly to the USB which was strange. There is also a PS2 connection for it. What's better to use - PS2 or USB for a corded mouse? I mean do you lose some kind of functionality or response/precision with the PS2 or something?

edit: i had the optical navigator mouse, not scrollpoint. here's a picture...

http://www.compusa.com/products/product ... pfp=SEARCH

as far as an optical/cordless/bt mouse, i'd personally wait and get the laser one haha. it sucks b/c either way i need a mousepad b/c my desk has a lexan/plastic covering over the wood. compusa has the MX1000 for $69.99 but it says it's RF cordless USB/PS2 - so what the heck does that mean? It's not bluetooth but it's RF so you have to plug a USB to RF thing in a USB port and then the mouse is cordless? And if you don't have usb you can use the PS2 port to USB adapter to RF wireless? Hmm...

Kenn · #12 Post by **Kenn** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 3:57 pm

dmcgibbo wrote:logitech just came out with a laser (rather than led optical) mouse that reads 5.8megapixels and is far superior to regular optical mice. just something to keep in mind but since it just came out it's like $75

Yeah that one definitely sounds cool, but I rarely have trouble tracking on regular surfaces, so I would have preferred that they increase the readout rate rather than the resolving capability,

What's better to use - PS2 or USB for a corded mouse? I mean do you lose some kind of functionality or response/precision with the PS2 or something?

USB is generally better. Since Win2k you could change the update speed of PS/2 from default of 40 or 60 per second to 100 or 200 (I think USB is set in Windows to 100/s). But of course USB allows you to hotplug and you don't need to carry another adapter that increases the length something sticks out of your computer. Also, thinkpads don't have PS/2 ports

compusa has the MX1000 for $69.99 but it says it's RF cordless USB/PS2 - so what the heck does that mean? It's not bluetooth but it's RF so you have to plug a USB to RF thing in a USB port and then the mouse is cordless? And if you don't have usb you can use the PS2 port to USB adapter to RF wireless? Hmm...

I think that's exactly correct. Mouse is cordless, and the receiving base (might double as a dock/charger if it's like the MX700/900) plugs into the USB or RF port. Too bad it's not BT.

teknerd122 · #13 Post by **teknerd122** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 4:42 pm

http://www.macmice.com/themousebt.html

Works with PCs and it's pretty nice looking, although its chic and flashy Apple-ish design will stand in stark contrast to the T42's black simplicity.

darrenf · #14 Post by **darrenf** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 7:23 pm

teknerd122, I saw that mouse on The Gadgeteer yesterday and was interested, but it has the same crazy button action that the stock Mac mouse has where the whole lid floats on the base and you don't click the button so much as the whole lid. I found that hard to use in the stock mouse (probably because I used it in some crazy places like in my lap and on the wall). I think the split-lid design which relies on a flexing of the plastic (are they serious?!) would be even more awkward for a die-hard PC mouse user like me.

If anyone gets one of these, I want the hear about it though!

-darren

teknerd122 · #15 Post by **teknerd122** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 7:33 pm

actually the entire "lid" doesn't float on a "base." the buttons click just the way they would on any of the newer logitech mice where the "buttons" are really part of the metal covering.

Kenn · #16 Post by **Kenn** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 7:43 pm

darrenf wrote:teknerd122, I saw that mouse on The Gadgeteer yesterday and was interested, but it has the same crazy button action that the stock Mac mouse has where the whole lid floats on the base and you don't click the button so much as the whole lid. I found that hard to use in the stock mouse (probably because I used it in some crazy places like in my lap and on the wall). I think the split-lid design which relies on a flexing of the plastic (are they serious?!) would be even more awkward for a die-hard PC mouse user like me.

If anyone gets one of these, I want the hear about it though!

-darren

The action and return of the button presses should depend more on the switches/membranes on the mechanism more than the fact that the cover is a part of the body - the plastic is flexy enough where it shouldn't affect the feel significantly.

darrenf · #17 Post by **darrenf** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 9:18 pm

teknerd122,

I have to admit that I haven't tried the new Logitech mice, but I will now to see what they're like. The quote I saw on The Gadgeteer was this one:

The design of the clear outer shell is pretty clever. The shell sort of floats on top of the actual body of the mouse. The two buttons are made from splitting the shell in such a way that the button area flexes to press an actual button under it. Both buttons have excellent tactile feedback and provide an audible click when you press them. Although pressing the buttons is no different than with any other mouse, I did find that the acrylic shell of the mouse would move or pivot when I would click a button or move around on the screen. Users of Apple's wireless mouse are probably used to this phenomenon, but it took awhile for me to become acclimated with it.

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/macmice-th ... eview.html

I will confess that in the absence of handling one myself, I didn't know what exactly this means, but I have handled an Apple mouse at CompUSA and the whole lid was the button. Basically one pushes down on the whole mouse to click. I didn't like that at all because I hold the mouse with my thumb and middle finger and click with my index finger. With the Mac mouse I had to click with my whole hand. I'm sure some people like that, but I found it very uncomfortable and I couldn't see gaming with it.

If the MacMice mouse is just a normal mouse with normal buttons then I might give it a shot. It looks pretty hot and I'm less likely to loose it than my diminutive Thermaltake BT mice.

-darren

UCI2CI · #18 Post by **UCI2CI** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 5:42 am

i have the wireless mouse from IBM/targus and logitechs wireless notebook mouse. The IBM /targus mouse looks great, and it matches your thinkpad perfectly. But. its somewhat inaccurate when compared to the logitech, and the RF reciever have this very annoying blue LED that always flashing in your eye. I have used the mx700 from logitech, and it works great, but its not for laptops. I havent used the 900, but i think i uses the same optical sensor as the mx700, thus should be great. I i were you however, i would just buy a good corded mouse for now, and wait to see when logitech and microsoft come out with new PORTABLE bluetooth mice. the new mx1000 should also be awesome, but then again, its not really for laptops (unless you wanna carry the bulky reciever/charger unit with you everywhere)

Bluetooth Microsoft Mouse

Bluetooth Microsoft Mouse

my 2 cents

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