Mouse moves by an invisible hand!
Written: Sep 29 '06 (Updated Sep 29 '06)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Cheap; useful as a basic USB mouse
Cons: Cursor travels on its own by an invisible hand!
The Bottom Line: For people looking to get a basic USB mouse at a cheap price
|
|
|
| lavenderfruit's Full Review: Microsoft Basic Optical USB (P58-00006) Mouse |
The Specs
* USB, basic optical mouse
* Corded, comes with manual, mouse
My experience with the mouse
The price was great, at $9.99 CDN plus tax on sale. Usually, it’s $29.99 plus tax. But I guess the saying that goes you get what you pay for really is true. This mouse has a mind of its own! Even if I have it stationary on my mouse pad, the cursor on the screen moves all by itself, as if guided by an invisible hand!! Also, while using the mouse, the cursor quickly travels all over the screen to a position where you didn’t intend it to be. This happens at least once when I’m using the mouse. At first, I was really annoyed with this. But I’ve gotten used to it. And over time, the frequency of the mouse traveling by itself has lessened since I first began using it. I thought of taking it back to Best Buy, where I made my purchase. But, considering gas cost, time, energy, plus the fact that I was getting used to the cursor doing its own independent “traveling,” I’ve decided to stick with it. Besides, because of its cheap price, at the time of my purchase, there were only about 3 left, and there was another guy buying the same mouse.
There is no software involved in setting up the mouse for its use. The mouse only works with a USB port, so for those of you with a PS/2 port, this mouse is NOT for you. It’s plug and play, meaning that all you have to do is connect the mouse to a USB port on your computer, and you’re good to go. The cord is fairly long, probably just over 1m. It has two buttons, one on the left and another on the right, plus a scroll in the middle between the two buttons. The scroll feature works fine. It moves up and down in a smooth manner, no chugging along. The design of the mouse is easy to handle and use. It’s your typical standard mouse. Since I’m right handed, I don’t know how it would feel for a left hander.
When you turn the mouse on its back while the computer is in operation, you will see a red laser. I’ve been told that it’s best not to look at the laser (I guess that’s common sense).
The mouse also comes with a manual written in several different languages. It basically tells you how you can clean the mouse, offers healthy computing tips, and lists contact information around the world should you need to get in touch with Microsoft.
As for the operating system needed for using the mouse, I’ve already thrown away the box that came with the mouse. But according to the details posted on Epinions about this product, the mouse runs on PC & Mac, and the operating system that are compatible are: Windows 98, 2000, Me, NT, XP Home & Professional. Not sure about the operating system for Mac. Also, according to the manual, if you’re running on Windows 98, you may be required to insert the Windows 98 CD when you plug the mouse to your computer.
The mouse comes in either white or black color.
Final say
Despite its weird antics, I would still recommend the mouse to people on a budget looking for a basic mouse. Yes, the mouse does on occasion move by itself, and travels all over the screen. But it doesn’t happen all of the time to the point where you can’t use it properly on a day to day basis. Had the price been more, I would have definitely taken it back for a full refund. I think it might be interesting to note that before buying the mouse, I asked the sales staff if the mouse can be used with any computer. His reply was, that sometimes, some computer brands do not “like” peripherals made by companies other than its own. So it may not work “properly.” I guess that’s what’s been happening in my situation. Having read this review, you might be thinking that it would be a good idea to skip this mouse and go for something else. My advice then would be, give it a try. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably still choose this mouse, for the simple reason that it’s cheap, and meets my needs for a basic mouse. Although it has a mind of its own at times, it’s not completely dysfunctional. I would say that 90% of the time, it works fine without going all mental. When it does get all frantic, it’s only temporary. Once it has had its “fit,” then it goes back to working smoothly and quietly, as though nothing had happened. Maybe it has taken on my personality??? ;)
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $9.99 CDN
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
lavenderfruit
|
|
Location: Canada
Reviews written: 38
Trusted by: 9 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.