Notebook Mouse 5000

Microsoft is a big name in the computer industry best known for designing computer software and peripherals. There has been fierce competition in the notebook peripheral market and Microsoft has been one of the main leaders in this category, and the demand for feature rich mice is always on the rise. Today at Benchmark Reviews we have the new Blue-tooth Notebook Mouse from Microsoft which come with an ergonomic design, battery life indicator, and 1000 dpi high definition laser technology. Join us as we take a look at the new Microsoft 69R-00001 Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000.

Microsoft Corp. gives Bluetooth enabled notebook users a convenient solution for navigating their computer, with the new Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000. This mouse delivers the experience that consumers have long desired: a mouse that just works, with no transceiver or extensive setup process needed. The Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 will keep users on task with its sleek design and smart features, including a battery life indicator right on the mouse. The Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 operates on the Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP and Macintosh operating systems.

Notebook mice are probably one of the most preferred accessories in the notebook peripheral category, and over the last few years these little mice have gotten more technologically advanced and user friendly. I personally prefer a notebook mouse not only because of the ease of use it provides, also because it helps one get things done at a faster pace than using the built in touch-pad utility.

Notebook mice have emerged over time, compared to it's desktop counterparts they are still a little behind in technology, but they pack numerous features inside a small and sleek design. Microsoft has implemented High Definition laser technology and bluetooth connectivity in Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000, which is great to have specially in a notebook mouse. The Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 is designed specifically for Bluetooth notebooks and connects directly to the Bluetooth radio in the computer — no transceiver is needed. Along with an easy setup and comfortable ambidextrous design, it also includes a battery notification light that lets users know when the battery is low, four buttons to easily navigate the computer, and a carrying case to transport and protect the mouse while on the go.

About the company: Microsoft

Founded in 1975 by Paul Allen and Bill Gates, Microsoft Corporation is one of the largest and most influential companies in the personal computer industry. In addition to developing the de facto standardoperating systems -- DOS and Windows-- Microsoft has a strong presence in almost every area of computer software, from programming tools to end-user applications. Overtime Microsoft has also shined in the category of computer accessories and peripherals.

Notebook Mouse 5000 Features

1. New! Bluetooth wireless technology. Gives users a transceiver-free wireless connection to their Bluetooth-enabled computer with virtually no interference.
2. Battery life indicator. Shows when the battery is running low .
3. On/Off switch. Allows users to turn off the mouse to help conserve power.
4. Microsoft High Definition Laser Technology. Features the exclusive Microsoft Intelligent Tracking System for smoother tracking, 1,000 dots per inch for more responsiveness and 6,000 frames per second for better precision.
5. Comfortable, ambidextrous design. Provides comfort in tight on-the-road situations.
6. Four buttons. Includes a Back button to easily navigate between folders and Web pages.
7. Carrying case. Protects the mouse and allows for easy transport on the road.

System Requirements

To use the Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000, users need one of the following operating systems:

1. Windows Vista or Windows XP with Service Pack 2
2. Mac OS X v.10.2.6–10.4.x

Availability And Pricing

Microsoft’s Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 will be widely available in October 2007 for an estimated retail price of $49.95 (U.S.).* The Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 is now available for special pre-sale on Amazon.com and will ship in October when the product is widely released.

Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 is backed by a three-year limited hardware warranty from Microsoft in the United States and Canada.

Closer Look: Notebook Mouse 5000

Looks are a major factor for a notebook mouse. In this particular case a company such as Microsoft has to give major act of consideration to the design and looks, and also the one major concern for a consumer is how the mouse would match with their notebook, it might not sound like a huge deal but it is a major selling factor for a notebook mouse. Lets move on to take a closer look at the Notebook Mouse 5000.

When you open the packaging for a notebook mouse you don't expect many extras, other than the mouse itself and batteries. Upon opening the package I was indeed delighted by the fact that the packaging included a carrying bag for the mouse itself. From my personal experience I know how my previous mice have ended up with scratches all over.

As you can see the mouse is designed for comfort, that being said I can personally state that the ergonomic design really helps this mouse stand out. Though notebook mice are smaller than desktop mice and they are not a perfect fit for everyone, but this design is a big plus as it only helps with comfort.

The mouse wheel looks very similar for most mice on the market, and it also has very similar functions. Also right above the mouse wheel there is a battery life indicator, which is great feature that really helps when the battery is running out. I personally have had times where I would not be aware of the battery life and it gets frustrating when you don't have back up batteries. The battery life indicator basically keeps you aware so you know when to expect your mouse to run out of batteries.

Another picture from the front angel showing the ergonomic design. The silver triangle is just there for the looks, and it does honestly stand out in black. However it has no functionality.

This is something I really appreciate Microsoft for, the bag really protects the mouse from cosmetic damages. I have purchased numerous mice for notebooks and I have not come across a single one that was accompanied by a bad such as this or of any type.

Microsoft 69R-00001 Details

In this section we will take a look at the detailed features the mouse has to offer. It is very hard for mice manufacturers to differ in features and functionality, now we have the opportunity to see what Microsoft brings to the plate in terms of features and functionality and how it differs.

I have included the bottom shot of the mouse, here you can see that on the Microsoft 69R-00001 Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 it is not very hard to miss that this is a laser mouse, Microsoft has included a label just stating it's laser technology.

This is one feature I have come to love and really admire, the Power On/Off button is a great feature to preserve batter life, just simply switch the button to the off position whenever you stop using the mouse. Also on the right side is the bluetooth connection button.

The battery cover is just push and pull design. It is very easy to take off by just pushing it in and basically pulling it up towards yourself to place the batteries.

I have included a screenshot here with batteries in place. The batteries have to pushed all the way in order to place the cover back on. When I first put the batteries in I couldn't close the cover, it looked as if the batteries were all the way in but they weren't, so they have to be pushed in all the way and it is really easy to overlook that.

The bag is not as big as it seems in the picture, It is very neat and small and the mouse fits in the bag perfectly. The screenshot was taken with the mouse inside the bag.

Final Thoughts

I have been frequently using the mouse for a while now and it is very hard to find a notebook mouse that is comfortable for use over a long period of time because of the small size it represents, of-course if the mouse wasn't small it would not called a notebook mouse. The Notebook Mouse 5000 is very light and comfortable and I have purchased numerous notebook mice over the course of last few years and I can honestly state that it is not easy picking a notebook mouse. The choices are numerous and I have to mention the fact that after using this mouse I realized even though this is not the most feature packed notebook mouse from Microsoft, it does represent the quality and excellence that was put in to this mouse.

I do realize that I don't have the biggest hands but my palm rested most comfortably on this mouse than any other I have tried before. I was really impressed that this mouse was a laser mouse and comes with an impressive 1000dpi, which is great considering the fact that this is only a notebook mouse.

Conclusion: Notebook Mouse 5000

As mentioned before Microsoft has been a major contributor to the computer industry over the years. The Notebook Mouse 5000 is just another quality product as expected from a reputable company such as Microsoft. The mouse arrived in great shape and the included bag was a welcomed extra that only helps the user keep the mouse clean so it is not eating dust while not in use.

The Microsoft 69R-00001 Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 is very well constructed out of plastic. It is built very solid and has comfortable feel to it thanks to it's ergonomic design. It has a very nice black and white finish to it, which is something I can not comment on for every user as it is dependent on everyone's personal preference. As far as my personal choice goes I am very much comfortable with this coloring scheme because it matches with most notebooks as most notebooks are white, black, or a mix of both.

Functionality wise the mouse has a lot to it. It carries with it bluetooth technology, battery indicator, laser technology and 1000dpi. I would like to point out that there was no software utility included in the package, however I downloaded the Microsoft Intellimouse utility from their website but sadly it did not support the Notebook Mouse 5000 in the list as of this date. Since this mouse is fairly new It should be included soon because I saw a lot of other notebook mice in the current list.

The Notebook Mouse 5000 is available from NewEgg.com for $49.99, which is not a bargain price but at the end its a fair price for the features it represents and you get what you pay for; not to forget the fact that this is a laser mouse. If you do a little more shopping, you can find the 69R-00001 on sale for almost ten dollars less. However I can not justify the price for everyone as it comes to everyone's personal choice and how much one considers is a good price for a notebook mouse.

I have always used optical wireless mouse that are USB 2.0 compatible for my notebook and paid close to $40-50 for a name brand mouse. The Microsoft 69R-00001 Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 is a great buy for those buyers who demand a feature packed mouse for their notebook with bluetooth compatibility and laser technology with 1000dpi. I can highly recommended The Notebook Mouse 5000 to users looking for a feature packed mouse for a fairly decent price and backed by a 3 year limited hardware warranty.

Pros:

+ Bluetooth Wireless Technology
+ Laser Mouse with 1000dpi
+ 3 year limited hardware warranty
+ Ergonomic Design
+ Power ON/OFF button to save battery life
+ Battery life Indicator

Cons:

- Software Utility doesn't support the mouse yet.
- Might be pricey for some users.

Ratings:

• Presentation: 9.0
• Appearance: 9.0
• Construction: 9.5
• Functionality: 9.5
• Value: 8.0

Final Score: 9.0 out of 10.

Excellence Achievement: Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer Award.

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