Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000

Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000
by Microsoft

Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000
List Price: $49.99
Our Price: $32.79
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Category: CE
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Customers in the UK, buy this product at amazon.co.uk for British Pounds

Digital Photo Product Details

Manufacturer: Microsoft
Format: CD
Platform: Mac OS X
Model: 69R-00001
Color: Gray, Silver
Product features:
  • Enjoy reliable, transceiver-free wireless connection to your PC with Bluetooth Technology
  • Microsoft High Definition Laser Mouse products are more precise, more responsive, and deliver smoother tracking
  • You won't get caught with a dead battery?the Battery Status LED Indicator glows red when the battery is running low
  • Point and click in comfort?ergonomic design helps you work longer without discomfort
  • Use the Back button to easily navigate between folders and Web pages, or press the wheel for auto-scroll
Accessories:

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000

Customer Review: Works great when it works, intermittent issues
Summary: 5 Stars

UPDATE 5-9-09: I would give this mouse only 3 out of 5 stars.

Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000
OS Environments evaluated: XP Home, MCE, and Pro. Vista Home Premium.
Bluetooth Radios used: Dell Wireless 350, Dell Wireless 370, Broadcom (all 2.0 + EDR or 2.1 + EDR)

I never looked at Bluetooth devices or technology until I learned that a Bluetooth mouse does not need an external transceiver like other RF wireless mice. I read plenty of horror stories about Bluetooth being a failure, etc... I bought two of the Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mice and used them on a variety of Dell laptops. They go to sleep after 10-15 minutes and take 1-2 seconds to wake up. If it takes longer, you need to change your Bluetooth driver stack and application. I had trouble with my Toshiba Bluetooth (Dell Inspiron E1505/6400) stack sucking up CPU cycles in XP (30%-80% constant) and I experimented for awhile only to end up removing it and using the default Microsoft BT enumerator (which uses up no additional memory and works flawlessly). The BT mice stay on and the IR laser does not appear to use up a lot of power. I make it a habit to use NiMH rechargeable cells for my wireless devices to save on battery costs. The range with BT is astounding. At 30 feet or more, the mouse was working smoothly. I lost my line of sight with the laptop so I have not tested the extreme range of the mouse. I have yet to have the mice drop their connections so it appears to stay connected with the BT network.

The laser tracking is very precise and smooth. Although the IR laser is not visible to the naked eye, do not stare at it even though its power rating is neither declared nor powerful enough to hurt your eyes. The back button works right out of the box without additional software or drivers. I did not install the Intellipoint software nor did I have to download any drivers. I am a minimalist when it comes to PC peripherals, so I hook it up first and see what happens. If it works out of the box, what point is there to install potential bloatware? I turned the mouse on, held the connect button until the battery LED alternated between green and red, then told my laptop to look for a new BT device. Bingo presto, it works. I have heard some complaints about BT technology but I have used this mouse for over a week and have not run into any issues with BT or the mouse. I have my doubts about wireless mice and keyboards for gaming because any delay or random errors are unacceptable, but for an office computer or laptop, Bluetooth wireless is the only way to get in order to get rid of a funky external transceiver.

The left and right mouse buttons are 1 piece and have a soft tactile response. The back button is easy to reach but I always use the "claw grip" for my mice. The scroll wheel has a lot of play and is rather noisy. The wheel button has the same feedback as the primary buttons.

Pros: Sleek, lightweight, laser tracking, all buttons function out of the box, no software/drivers needed. Interfaced with three different Bluetooth radios/cards installed in Dell laptops. Plug and Play! 30 feet or longer range.

Cons: Might be more expensive in the end since you need a Bluetooth card to use this mouse. If you want the cheapest way to get a wireless mouse, the RF wireless style with external USB transceivers are your best bets. Alternatively, if you already have a Bluetooth card for your other Bluetooth devices, the cost is a non-issue since the Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook 5000 is a quality mouse and worth the premium.

Overall: Microsoft's reputation for hardware precedes them. I have used many of their mice, keyboards, and joysticks in the past and would not hesitate to buy more Microsoft hardware. This Bluetooth Notebook mouse is no exception and the only thing that has yet to be seen is battery lifespan. I never shut off the mice since I use rechargeable batteries. There is a LED indicator to provide data on battery life but I would recommend changing or charging the batteries at least once a month.

UPDATE: Using rechargeable high-capacity NiMh AAA batteries, the mouse will start showing the red "low battery" indicator within 2 weeks of usage. I never shut off the mice and I just leave it "on". It will go into sleep mode by itself. My old Microsoft optical wireless notebook mouse would use the same NiMh AA battery for over 2 months without a recharge.

UPDATE: I bought two of these mice for use with my laptops and I have observed that the rubberized coating on the sides comes apart after awhile. It only happens on the right side. I suspect it is because of either my nails digging in, or the oils on my hand. It does not interfere with the operation of the mouse, but it does look kind of cheap and tacky.

UPDATE 5-9-09: Both mice have intermittent connection issues. They drop out and sometimes never get paired again. I tried changing batteries to no avail. The rubberized textured grips are peeling apart like before, but one of the mice is totally dead. It makes a high-pitched sound when it is on, but the status LED is non-functional and I cannot pair it with any of my Bluetooth enabled computers.

Overall I would give this mouse 3 out of 5 stars. It works great when it is operational, but it's not very reliable and the build quality is mediocre.

Description of Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000

Laser - Mouse - 4 x Buttons

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