Home > Consumer Reviews > Microsoft B75-00001 IntelliMouse Explorer

Here are a few quick reasons to purchase this mouse: 1) No cleaning of the ball and rollers. 2) 4 Buttons provide little reason to move the mouse to move back and forth when web surfing. 3) Excellent ergonomics. 4) No need for a mouse pad. 5) Intellimouse software is easy to configure and adds important extras. 6) Included USB Support will allow you to use the mouse when the PS/2 port diappears from future computer platforms. 7) Dark grey cord and mouse body helps to keep things looking clean. 8) Scroll button allows for double clicking as well as scrolling long web pages and other long documents and spreadsheets. 9) The red glow eminating from the underside of the mouse will impress all who view it. 10) Macintosh support allows you to use the mouse in a "mixed PC/Mac environment". There is no comparison. This is the best mouse available.

I've been using this product for about 2 months now, with no problems. It works capably on every flat surface on my desk. No problem tracking when running off the mouse pad and on to the desk. I would have prefered more weight (one of the best attributes of the classic Microsoft mouse). I could have done without the glitzy, unneccesary red light too. The shape is also a bit of a departure. It's longer and flatter so the hand is more streched out over the mouse. The adjustments to this product have been minor when compaired with its flawless tracking ability. Will it be my last mouse? Probably not. But this product has real potential to far exceed the useful lifespan of my last 5 mouses, which were all retired because the trackball became un-cleanable. There is another incarnation in the more classic package, but without the side buttons, which have proved very useful, esp for browsing. Note.. a PS-2 to serial adapter will not work.

The new optical tracking mechanism in this mouse is nothing short of awsome. It will track on almost any surface short of a mirror. Dark, light, doesn't matter. Just needs a little texture or color variation.

But the shape is another matter. I find it akward to hold and don't like the flared-out base. It's tiring to lift and set down if you are accustomed to using your mouse in a confined area and need to reposition the mouse once you reach the bounds of your mousepad. It's also too large for small hands and the programmable buttons on the left side are too easy to accidentally trip. So don't buy this one for your kids.

I returned mine in exchange for the Microsoft 673-00248 IntelliMouse with IntelliEye (PS2/USB). Same outstanding optical tracking technology in the familiar and (to me) confortable IntelleMouse form factor. It has a heavier, more substantial feel to. And it's cheaper. If you can live without the programmable buttons, the 673-00248 is the 5-star choice.

This is mouse really neat. It's very accurate and you can actually feel the difference! No joke. I first thought, "hey, how could a moues be MORE accurate"? So this neat optical thing Microsoft created is wonderful because it looks cool and it tracks the mouse cursor like no other.

It works on any surface except reflective/glossy surfaces. When you go to Office Depot, Staples, or Office Max, you see the Intellimouse Explorer on a mirror.. it's just a marketing scheme. You can't really operate the mouse with a mirror or anything similiar.

The mouse has 5 buttons and a wheel. All buttons are programmable using the Intellipoint 2.1 software. It's awesome too. I use the buttons on the side to go back and fourth between web pages. The middle button (wheel) is programmed for double-click (you would not believe how convienent this is).

Bad things? Surley the mouse looks wonderful. There is a little red light on the front of the mouse that adds lots of flavor to the Intellimouse Explorer apperance. However, the picture online makes the mouse look "normal" size. But this mouse is HUGE! No joke. My hands, which are pretty big (I can palm a basketball), still felt small with this mouse. So I ended up returning the mouse and buying the Microsoft Intellimouse Optical.

So what's the difference between the Intellimouse Explorer and Optical. Well the Explorer runs $20 more, comes with a lifetime warranty (compared to 5 year with the optical), and is not made for ambidextrous people. The Explorer has more of a curve to it so it "fits" your hand supposedly.

So in conclusion, I suggest you first go the the store and see if the mouse fits you. Then buy the one the best suits your tastes.

Within a week of using this mouse my hand was hurting. The longer shape is nowhere near as comfortable as the previous Microsoft mouse. The extra two buttons are nice but aren't in the best positions. I would recommend going with the other version of this mouse with the standard shape. I wound up having to take the cover off of my mouse to be able to use it. The laser works great though.