I think it’s fair to say that Microsoft has a much better reputation for its hardware than its software products. And I admit I’ve been a fan of Microsoft mice and keyboards for years now.
Being wireless, the Laser Mouse 7000 comes with a single AAA-sized NiMH battery and a cradle where you attach the supplied AC adaptor so you can charge the mouse.
Unlike some mice with non-removable batteries, Microsoft’s solution using a standard-sized AAA battery means that in case you’re on the move and away from the cradle, you can still pop in a regular AAA-sized alkaline battery when the juice runs out.
The mouse is pretty standard and easy to set up - just insert the USB transceiver into an available port, pop in the batteries into the mouse and you’re actually good to go.
I’ve tried it on various operating systems including Linux and it works flawlessly without any drivers.
However, if you install the supplied drivers, you can get more options - such as being able to map other features to the buttons.
Nevertheless, by default, the thumb buttons are not mapped to the usual functions of back and forward.
If you’re using Vista, the thumb button closest to your palm is mapped to the Flip3D function whereas the Forward button is mapped to the magnifier.
Although it is on the large side, I actually found the Laser Mouse 7000 actually fit my hand - the mouse is a right-hand only affair, so left-handers can forget about this one.
However, I did have a problem with the shape of the mouse - for some reason, the right side of the mouse only allows your little finger to rest there, instead of being able to ‘hook’ under a little overhang like most mice.
While it’s comfortable enough in use, the problem is that it makes it difficult to lift up the mouse since there’s no place to hook your last two fingers under the mouse to be able to easily lift it up.
I found this little shortcoming quite disconcerting since I often lift up my mouse when I run out of mousepad space and only being able to grip the mouse with a thumb and forefinger in order to lift it is pretty difficult.
One other complaint I have is a more personal one - I know there’s a trend towards having mice without indents in the scrollwheel for smoother scrolling of webpages, but I’m a middle mouse-click person.
That is, I tend to use the scroll wheel as a middle mouse button a lot and the problem with a wheel with no indents is that it makes it very difficult to use as a middle mouse button.
The other thing, of course, is that playing first person perspective (FPS) games is also a lot harder without indents to indicate a single weapon switch.
Overall, the Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 is actually not a bad mouse to use - the mouse functions well and the shape is suitable for variety of right-handed people (if you don?t mind not being able to hook your little finger under the mouse).
However, at RM229 list, the price is a little hefty and at this level, you could find a better wireless mouse with more features than this.
Pros: Easy to set up; relatively comfortable; uses AAA-sized batteries.
Cons: Expensive; mouse wheel lacks indents.
Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 7000
2.4GHz wireless mouse
Tracking: High definition 850nm laser sensor, 1,000dpi.
Number of buttons: Five
Other features: Runs on one AAA-size rechargeable NiMH battery, charging dock supplied.
Popularity: 10% [?]
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