Home > Consumer Reviews > Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer ( M03-00001 )

I've had this mouse for close to a year (10 months) and I have to admit that it's comfortable for the right hand. I'm a leftie but I've conformed into using the right hand when using the mouse. This mouse is obviously not for lefties as those two thumb buttons on the side are for going forward/back very useful when browsing the net ^_~.

If you plan to purchase this mouse, I highly recommend INVESTING in RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES with a recharger! I find Panasonic rechargeable batteries last far better than Energizer's rechargeable batteries. Buy a 4 AA pack, 2 for the mouse and the other 2 as a backup when the pair in the mouse runs out!

Aside from the battery consumption, I am disappointed in the fact that the scroll wheel button is a bit DEFECTIVE! I use the mouse everyday for work so I guess the scroll wheel is worned-out. The pressure for the scroll wheel is not functioning properly. When scrolling fast up/down it now clicks on it, which does not allow me to access my other windows being minimize. I have to go 'crazy' with the scroll wheel so it'll click again so I can access the minimized windows. Very FRUSTRATING!!! =/

*** Updated October 14, 2004 ***

As Amazon has drastically slashed the price on this mouse I would recommend you computer users to try it out! *o* I accidentally broke it when I was moving the case and the usb got bent! *cries* I highly recommend purchasing a usb port as it can be a pain to unhook all the usb plugs!

I loved the mouse while it lasted but as of now I am now using the Microsoft Optical Mouse - Blue (K81-00004) as a replacement. I love this blue mouse a bit more than this wireless mouse as it's more reliable. I do not have to worry about batteries and it does not make the "humming" noise as written by other reviewers. I forgot to add that as I have sensitive ears. When I was not using the computer/mouse I would take the batteries out so I wouldn't waste it and hear the humming.

After a while the slip that holds the batteries broke so this item has goods and bads. =( I hope Microsoft staffs read these reviews so they can improve on their products. They're good but we all know they could be great! ^_^

Many of the comments about this mouse regarding pointing difficulty and locational control are true. HOWEVER, I found by putting this otherwise superior mouse on a VERY DETAILED SURFACE (such as wood grained computer station or similar surface), OR on an "Optical Mousing Pad" that this somewhat temperamental mouse becomes ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!

I have 10 years operating experience with computers and this mouse is one of the top 2 or 3 "buys" I have ever made on a peripheral item.

ERGONOMICALLY, I find this mouse to fit my hand better than any other. My hand is averaged sized ( male - size 10 glove ). CONSTRUCTION WISE, I feel it is equal to or better than any other cordless unit I've tried. The "SCROLL WHEEL" in my opinion is SUPERIOR to the that on other competitive units. And I have owned all of the major brands. It is absoultely silky smooth.

THE SOFTWARE that comes with this mouse is much more creative and user friendly than any others I have tried. MY POINTER works just as well as my corded mouse after careful adjiustment. Very, very little lag at all. Only an exterme gaimer would notice this.

*** All of the pointing problems mentioned by other reviewers "Go Away" immediately when this mouse is put on a "DETAILED" & BUSY" surface. The newer mouse pads offered here locally or elsewhere are worth the investment ...The product literature should have mentioned these requirements more clearly. I only found out by "mistake" after removing my mouse pad from my computer station tray, which is finely detailed wood grained laminate & very smooth.

I am totally staisfied with this mouse after one weeks use. The hand comfort is unmatched by any other "right handed" mouse I have tried. HERE ARE MY SUMMARY GRADES FOR THIS MOUSE:

** HAND COMFORT - Excellent ++++
** CONSTRUCTION - Excellent
** CLICK RESPONSE - Very Good / "No Misclicks Yet"
** MOVEMENT / SLIDING ABILITY - Excellent (Large Pads Underneath)
** POINTING ACCURACY - (On Detailed "Busy" Surfaces) Very Good +
** OPERATING SPEED - Very Good +++
** SCROLL WHEEL - UNBELIEVABLY GOOD ++++
** SOFTWARE - Very Good (Very Adjustable Controls)
** UNIT WEIGHT - Acceptable (Pads Make Up For This)

I do not know about the battery life yet, but decided to go with this unit over the rechargeable units available because in my opinion, a rechargeable item "Loses Operational Capacity" as it nears the next recharge stage. I personally do not like this drawback.

And I do not like to be surprised by power losses. Even though the "rechargeable units" warn the user of impending power loss, the operational degradation creeps up imperceptably before it is recognizable in my opinion. I would rather buy new batteries which replace in 2 minutes as opposed to 1 hour for a minimum recharge.

I hope this review is helpful to all of you out there in the buying market. I took the time to write this review because I feel this unit has taken some unfair criticism in light of my surprised discovery of how well it really works when put on a proper surface. I almost didn't give it a try because of these comments I read. I would have been sorry. This is a great mouse! Thank you - RK

I love the look/precision feel of the Wireless Intellimouse Explorer, but am returning mine today, even though I'm not totally happy with this decision.

As with many others, I've experienced a very annoying quirk, caused by the power saving features that Microsoft built into the product: when resting your hand on the mouse, with no activity for 10 seconds or so, the next time you attempt to move the pointer there will be a brief lag before the mouse begins to respond. I'm finding this somewhat frustrating when working with a wave file editing program.

Worse still, a problem has surfaced for which I cannot find the answer--and this is the main reason it's being returned. Sporadically, when using Windows XP, the mouse buttons will stop responding completely for 15-20 seconds. Movement of the cursor is still possible, but attempting to left-click upon objects produces no action.

Microsoft's knowledge base acknowledges the issue, but blames it on leftover installation files/registry entries from a prior mouse installation--they do provide a lengthy procedure for correcting the condition. Unfortunately, that can't be the root of the problem in this case. Several days ago, when nothing else would work, I reloaded Windows XP from scratch. It readily recognized/installed basic software drivers for the Wireless Intellimouse, so it was up and running immediately. Sadly, the condition still remains, and is so sporadic that I haven't a clue as to the cause.

This a sad return for me--I like the product overall. Freedom from a cord is welcome, and the mouse has a hefty, precision feel that I find pleasing.

Microsoft, I'm not writing this technology off completely, and will be waiting anxiously for a second generation product. If and when it arrives, I'll quickly line up to purchase one. For now, I'll go back to my corded Intellimouse Explorer.

My experience with this Christmas present mouse has been much as detailed by others. Its ergonomics are wonderful (although I prefer Logitech's lower thumb-button to Microsoft's upper), but there are three serious problems with this mouse:

1. Battery life is abysmal. Two fresh alkalines will get you roughly 40 hours of mousing. For me, this is about a week. You can use rechargables, but the Logitech MX700 provides a charging cradle that greatly simplifies this process.

2. The "power saving technology" directly correlates to serious lag. Perhaps they figure that shaving .5 seconds off each movement is a good way to save power. I feel otherwise. The erratic movements make paint or photo-editing software difficult to control.

3. The resolution is iffy, to put it nicely. Again, working in paint programs, I have found myself more than once UNABLE to mouse to a specific pixel. That's just craziness.

For the VERY infrequent computer user, it's probably a great mouse. Personally, I quickly realized that the power-vs-accuracy problem was too much for me to deal with and purchased the *wired* Logitech Dual Optical, which thusfar ranks up with the most accurate devices I've ever used.

This mouse is not good in the precision department. It has ergonomic physical design, but it is unergonomic when you are trying hard to position the cursor for text editing.

The only thing this mouse is good for is surfing the web.

For text editing, programming, gaming, etc. I don't think this is a productive tool. You will stress yourself out trying to get the cursor positioned right.

Get the corded version, there is an unbelievable difference in performance.