Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86837 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Microsoft
• Model: M03-00040
• Released on: 2003-09-09
• Platform: Mac OS X
• Dimensions: 26.68 pounds

Manufacturer's Description
The first major advance in mouse technology since the 1960s.
IntelliMouse Explorer throws out all the old, mechanical technology used in current mice. High-performance optical technology - no mouse ball. IntelliMouse Explorer uses a new optical sensor called IntelliEye. This sensor scans the surface beneath the mouse 1,500 times per second to accurately and crisply track the smallest motion. It works on hundreds of surfaces (i.e., no mouse pad required) and stays precise because there are no moving parts to wear out or stick. No moving parts - replacing the mouse ball with an optical sensor means there are no moving parts to collect dirt, dust and grime, and no ball to be cleaned.

What's New
Smooth, accurate mouse movement - Works on virtually any surface including wood and plastic, without the need for a mouse mat.

IntelliMouse Wheel - Includes IntelliMouse Wheel to enable zooming and smooth scrolling for increased work efficiency. Full Features
Design - The sculpted shape supports your hand, and the rubberised sides are flared for a comfortable grip. With glowing red underbelly for the latest in modern mouse design and comfort. 5 programmable buttons - Five programmable buttons make it easier to navigate the Internet or access and use your favorite programs. IntelliMouse wheel - Scroll directly from your mouse without having to use scroll bars. Zoom without needing to use menus or tool bars. Tilt Wheel Technology - Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer with Tilt Wheel Technology makes scrolling easier, smoother, and faster than ever:

Customer Reviews

If your interested in this mouse take a read
1. Looks
Well it gets top marks for appearance, I hoped it would be completely black as in the picture (being naive) but it is dark metallic grey on the top, but it still looks the part.

2. Build
I thought it would be big in the hand as I dont have large hands but its size is fine. The additional buttons are well placed so you dont press them accidently, but you can reach them easily if you need them. Its solidly built. Dont get that confused with thinking the mouse is heavy. The weight of the batteries causes it to be heavier than a non wireless mouse. It weighs approximatley the weight of my A4 tech mouse (non wireless)+ 3 walkman size batteries. The Intellimouse explorer with tilt is just bigger than my A4 tech optical mouse and shaped better for right-hand use (beware if your left handed).

The buttons dont stick when you press them and it doesn't feel like the mouse is breaking when you press them either. The scroll wheel doesn't click when your scrolling with it. Microsoft have chosen to make the scrolling smooth instead, which some may not like but it feels fine to me.

The reciever comes with a cord that is about the length of the cord you get with a normal mouse, so that combined with the microsoft ideal 1.8m transmitting locus for the mouse means you dont have to sit right in front of your PC to use it.

3. Installation
This was fine (machine spec:700mhz Pentium 3 XP proffessional). Being an old machine I though i might get problems. I got no problems at all. I had to install the software to use the tilt feature and additional buttons. At first the pointer seemed to move slowly across the screen when i moved the mouse, so I increased its speed through the software provided, and i was away.

4. Responsiveness
Once the speed was sorted, it felt like I was using a non- wireless optical mouse. The pointer moves smoothly. It does not jerk, even using the mouse after its gone to sleep, It's so responsive you'd never know it had been sleeping.

*Note however the above is true providing your in the 1.8m quoted range. If your using the mouse first inside this range and continue using it outside of the range, the responsiveness is still 100%. I can use the mouse anywhere in my room upto about 3 meters away from the reciever. However if the mouse falls asleep outside the 1.8 meter range when you wake it up (by using it), the pointer occasionally jerks and the software will let you know the signal is weak. You have to bring the mouse back into the 1.8m radius of the transmitter, and all that SMOOTHNESS comes back. To be honest at 3 meters away from my PC i cant see anything on the monitor anyway.

5. Battery Life
Cant say much about the battery life, I've only had the mouse for a day. But if it lasts even half of six months that will do me just fine.

6. CONCLUSION
5 stars. The mouse "seems" to do what its supposed to do, and looks the part. You can also use it outside of the stated range and still get that smooth responsiveness.

Feels great
I was in 2 minds whether to purchase the MS Intellimouse, or the Logitech MX 700 - after a quick visit to PC World to try them out I went for the MS mouse. It feels far better built, more solid and fits naturally in my hand compared to the logitech, which was a bit plasticy for my liking and I had to twist my hand to hold it.

The new scroll wheel is great, and a nice size (logitech is fine if you've got tiny fingers, and was too stiff). The smooth action is great, much better than the old click. I don't know what other reviewers are moaning about it being a surprise though - it's quite clearly stated in the features:

Smooth scrolling – feel the unique wheel glide smoothly as you scroll through documents and web pages.

All in all a great purchase, not rechargeable, but the batteries last for ages anyway!

Finally free of the ball and wire!
It took me a long time to abandon my old mouse, which was definitely old school, sporting both ball and wire. Now that I've installed the Intellimouse, I can't believe I didn't make the change sooner. The mouse itself is very ergonomically styled and fits the hand snugly (although with its shape and thumb buttons it is unashamedly a right-handed mouse only, unfortunately). The receiver unit plugs into a spare USB socket on the PC, or into the PS/2 socket if need be using a supplied adaptor. Set the receiver down on your desk, and the mouse is free to roam unhindered. The absense of wire is a real boon, and so far the optical tracking seems very precise and responsive. The software allows customisation of all five buttons, scroll speed, etc and is very quick and easy to install. All in all a very good product maintaining the high standards you expect from Microsoft hardware. Recommended for right-handed users, but left-handed users will probably want to look elsewhere.