Gizmodo
Once in a full moon a very recognized peripheral company tries to revolutionize the world by releasing a different style of mice. The Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser 6000 fits that bill. Opening the box I was shocked by the odd shape. It is small, tall, bulky and heavy. But apparently there is a purpose for the mouse's shape. After a week of use, I was less than impressed. Our peripheral-loving blogbuddies over at EverythingUSB seem to think otherwise.
After the jump, find out why they love the mouse, and why I despise it.
Before we get to the good and bad, check out the way you are supposed to grip this thing. It's hard to explain, and even harder to pull off.
The Good
After getting used to the grip, the guys at EverythingUSB enjoyed the mouse.
The comfort provided is extraordinary so long as posture is maintained, and the Instant Viewer and Magnifier provided within IntelliPoint help improve productivity. The laser engine and smooth (but close-range) wireless performance make for a smooth mousing experience. Your wrists will love you for it. But be warned, slouchers and gamers will feel the pain from using this mouse, both ergonomically and through the non-ratcheting scroll wheel.
The Bad
Even after trying to get adapted to the "proper grip" on this odd potato-shaped mouse, it is still sucks and here is why. You have to maintain proper posture at all times while using this mouse correctly or it gets uncomfortable, fast. I even had to raise the height on my chair so my arm could be straight and not bracing on the table. How many of you out there actually sit properly 100 percent of the time while at a computer? That's what I thought. And when you slouch, lean back or anything, the mouse gets really awkward, really fast.
Secondly, the mouse wheel doesn't click, at all. Any of the gamers out there share my pain. If anything, give us one of those semi-clicks that is mostly fluid but still has clicks. And don't even get me started on trying to snipe without my hand bracing the desk.
Thirdly, it is old-school battery powered. If the 6000 is supposed to tout itself as a high end laser mouse, what's the deal with no rechargeable battery pack. I supposed you could put in generic rechargeable AAs, but it's not the same as having a nice little dock.
Conclusion
Give it a test-run. Go to Staples, Best Buy or many of the other computer peripheral stores to get your hands on this mouse before purchasing. It could be your worst nightmare (like mine) or it could become your new best friend (like EverythingUSB). This mouse will be available later this month and is expected to cost well over $50.
Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 [Everything USB]
Comments
So this ergonomic mouse is hard to use if you don't use it ergonomically.
Well, there's a shock.
Lame
Clean that nail. Disgusting.
why, my got WHY?!?!? microsoft is always trying to change things that we know and love...those basterds...
and i was just falling in love with my MX revolution!
I'm waiting for the bluetooth laser travel mouse. I don't care for the powerpoint integration or laser pointer, but it's got:
1. bluetooth
2. wireless (duh)
3. small size
4. light weight (1 AAA)
5. laser
6. Hopefully a decent life
clean that nail
with that shape and those side buttons, this looks to be a knockoff of my beloved MX600.
what I like and dislike about the logitech, and would provbably like and dislike the same way about the MS if I actually had it, and it had 4-way scrolling:
pros:
side buttons make really good minimize/maximize buttons, if you have a computer that runs the software(stuck with microsoft OSes)
even as a lefty, getting used to a right-hand only mouse was a breeze
laser's uber-sensitive. i can move the cursor by waving the mouse in the air, all my friends' optical mice don't even work on paper. clear side panel on my comp case works fine too, but holding the mouse sideways is a bitch to my arm.
the new shape's actually pretty comfortable
4-way scrolling is the way of the future
cons:
wireless OMFG THESE THINGS EAT BATTERIES!
side buttons don't come with software suitable to use them in BSD, linux, etc. maybe not even mac, idk i only have windows, BSD and linux to try it out on
expensive
software needed for extra buttons(and in the logitech's case, software's also needed to sideways-scroll or 'click' the scroll wheel)seems to fux0rz my RAM
OMFG MY BATTERIES DIED AGAIN!!!
AND THE DAMN MOUSE COST ME SO MUCH $$$ I CANT AFFORD NEW BATTERIES! ohwell, looks like im stuck with the old targus laptop mouse I keep laying around.
Why doesn't anybody sell wired mice anymore?!? I'd much rather deal with a wire than with either docking the mouse or replacing the batteries all the time.
who the hell still wants to use a mouse anyway, get a trackball, I've got a Logitech marblemouse optical and i love it, it's a lot easier to move around the screen with just a fingertip, and i don't have to worry about running out of mouse pad when doing precise stuff. I've even gotten to the point where i can use it fairly effectively in games, Absolutely great for sniping, it doesn't move at all when you click.
Looks like an Evoluent (http://www.evoluent.com/) knockoff.
Microsoft's naming schemes for their peripherals are too confusing. How many different devices have a model number of 6000; three?
Somebody get that hand in the picture a finger-nail brush!
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