Having recently looked at two cordless rodents here are two further offerings, the first for the notebook user, nice and small. The second for those with style, yes its a
designer mouse this one even has a cord.
Buy Now...
The Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse is certainly smaller than its name. It should easily be encompassed by all but the smallest hand. It is 5.5x11.5x3.5cm. It is USB only, and the little receiver fits in the base of the mouse.
It is stated to work on the MAC version 10.1-10.2x - as well as the PC but I have only tested it on PCs, not only have I used it with my notebook but also with my desktop PC as I quite like the smaller mouse.
It works with a single AA battery and even this is provided. It is one of a range of wireless offerings from Microsoft with increased battery life when not in use just slot the receiver in the base not only does it keep it safe but also cuts off any battery activity.
This optical mouse no ball will work on almost any non reflective surface so a mouse mat is not essential. Just fit the receiver in a USB port either version, and it will stick out no more than 5.5cm. The spec says Windows 98 or later, however I only used it with Windows XP.
I liked it and on the occasions I need to use a notebook for any extended time it will not be far away. It is available in two shades of Blue, Winter and Slate. www.Dabs.com have either colour for £28.98.
Now the designer offering it comes from Philippe S+arck who I am told made his fortune in the kitchen, not cooking but designing implements.
It is a wired oblong rodent that is 11x6.5x4.5cm, silver in colour with a strip up the centre that when connected to power lights in either orange or blue, I used the latter.
The scroll wheel is concealed within the central stripe but the buttons are side mounted so you certainly need to adjust to using this rodent. Just like the cordless wireless rodent above it is USB and works on the same PC and MAC systems.
I am still struggling with the button placements, the wheel position is almost the same as a normal mouse but the buttons being placed on the side at the widest point first needs you to re-educate yourself in how you hold a mouse. When I force myself to think about holding and using the S+arch rodent it works okay, as soon as I relax I forget and mouse clicks again have to be thought about.
As someone who first used computers before rodents with text screens and keyboard shortcuts under DOS I think that moving the mouse button position is daft. I suppose for someone who is new to computers it would be easy to use the buttons on the side, however what would they do if they had to use a normal mouse someday?
I suspect this designer mouse is more ornament than use the stated price of £39.99 would certainly put me off. www.dabs.com have either colour at £27.98, still not my cup of tea or whatever it was he made his money producing, but I have never been a lover of cutting edge design.
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