For Your Magic Laptop Bag: Microsoft Optical Wireless Mouse 3000

My Former Flame: The Logitech Trackman

I’m kind of embarrassed to be writing this. I’m a design and productivity fetishist. Design nerds buy Apple machines and peripherals and try to use the word “Microsoft” sparingly, so truly off their radar the general consumer computing experience exists. I even use the whole Open Source set of design nerd programs because I’m clued in and Inkscape, Gimp and Open Office rock. Or I don’t want to give Adobe the better part of a grand for markedly similar functionality. Anyway.

While purchasing my new laptop, I impulse bought one of these little dudes and immediately decided to return it. But it was red, which I liked- even with it being 15-minutes in a catcher-stance next to the display waffling over red or green. But I really had my heart set on a Trackball. I love those. I got one by accident and I’m a total computer geek so it saved my wrist a lot of static. Before I cease digressing, I do recommend these if you prefer a more manly mouse or if you like wires.

The product at hand. Late one night in a trackpad-induced schlump I decided to liberate it from its clamshell prison and give it shot before sending it back to Staples. Wow- this thing is so smooth and light. It kind of almost hugs your hand, cutely, with very little commitment for your thumb and ring fingers to cling back. The two button scroll wheel layout is highly intuitive. I feel like my fingers just have to tapple over it. And having the mouse in your hand is just more integrated to your movements.

Setup is easy- just plug in the little stick (and keep your knees away from it, it confuses the mouse to get tapped on the USB stick) and it starts working. My aunt waved it away at first but ended up liking it more than the YouTube clips we were using it to locate. I have a Magic Peripherals Satchel, and when I work off-site, the charger, little wee mousie, USB stick and headset coil neatly in together so my office can be everywhere.

And just in case you were thinking it runs on palm perspiration and Cheeto-crumbs, it does require a single AA battery that I’ve read lasts a month or two. Excellent functionality, worth a look.

Tweet This Post