Singapore Hardware Zone

msmouse-box.jpg (6243 bytes)

Microsoft IntelliMouse
Reviewed by Jereme Wong (1st Dec 1998)

<Introduction><The Good><The Bad><Conclusion><Rating>

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Introduction

  The company behind majority of the world’s most popular operating system, the name Microsoft is known to many as a successful software developer. On the hardware front, the mention of the company brand, "Microsoft" does not instantly ring a bell in people’s head as a hardware developer. In fact, the majority of us have ignored the fact that MS has been a hardware developer for many years. One such product they have had for the past few years is the Microsoft Mouse.

Five years back (1993), Microsoft created a stir with its MS Mouse 2.0. Back then, the MS Mouse 2.0 is already designed with an ergonomic feel in mind. With a curved body that let your palm rest comfortably on it, the MS Mouse 2.0 stood out from the rest of its competitors.

 

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The Goodintellimouse.gif (4866 bytes)

  Today, Microsoft scores another innovation with its new IntelliMouse (a.k.a. MS Mouse 3.0). Retaining its curved body, Microsoft improved upon the design of its version 2.0 mouse by raising the height of the left mouse button and tilting the curved surface such that your right palm will be resting on the mouse comfortably without having to bend your wrist. In addition, the mouse also comes with rubber grip, situated below the left mouse button where your thumb would be positioned. Somehow or rather, the rubber grip really give the mouse an overall excellent feel.

msmouse-shot.jpg (5514 bytes) The mouse is designed with a little gray rubberised wheel positioned between the two primary mouse buttons. The wheel serves the function to scroll through a document (e.g. webpage, windows explorer directory, etc.) without having the need to place your mouse cursor on the scroll bar and click on that irritating arrow button to view your documents.

The rubberised wheel is also clickable. By clicking on it, (provided that application is supported e.g. Microsoft Office 97) an "autoscroll" icon will appear which allows the document to be smoothly scrolled in any direction in which you move the mouse. There is also a relationship between the scrolling speed and the distance in which you move your mouse. The further the mouse is moved, the faster the scrolling speed.

The Microsoft IntelliMouse is packaged with the IntelliPoint software and driver. The software allows users to control the mouse’s sensitivity, orientation, button assignment, and almost every property that affects the way the mouse behave. It also comes with a cool, but useless function named the "odometer" which tracks the total distance traveled by your mouse.

The Bad

  The IntelliMouse is designed for right handers in mind. The tilted curved surface only allows an ergonomic feel for right handers. 

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Conclusion

  All in all, the IntelliMouse is definitely another winner by Microsoft. It is ergonomic, has an excellent feel and performs great. I can foresee that it will make my browsing of webpages in the near future much easier without having to hunt for that tiny scrolling arrow button. However, be aware that if you are left-handed, this mouse is definitely not designed for your use. You can however consider the OEM version of the IntelliMouse, which does not feature the high curvy design compared to its big brother.


RATING

Overall Rating (Out of a maximum of 5 Star)

Installation ****
Performance ****
Price **
Material Quality *****
Ergonomic Feel *****
Overall Rating ****1/2

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