Wired Vs. Wireless Mouse Review - Wired Vs. Wireless Mouse Review
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Company: Microsoft
Products: Wireless Intellimouse Explorer vs. Intellimouse Optical
Availability: In retail stores and online everywhere
Price: Wireless = $60-$70 Intellimouse = $25-$35
Written By: Mack (SPeeD) Littleton
Reviewed: January, 2002
Surface Compatibility: Another convenience factor borne out of the Optical Mouse technology, is the fact that you can use these mice on nearly any type of surface. With the exception of glass or "mirrored" type surfaces. No big deal, considering I have yet to see a mirrored or glass mousing surface worth buying. Still, back in the day when I changed from the MS Wheelmouse to the new Intellimouse Optical, I was using a an EverGlide Pad. Since it was white, the optical mouse did not recognize it very well, and this was a short-lived hindrance, since I was more than anxious to purchase the fine RatPadz that now resides on my PC desktop. Infact, I believe the MS Intellimouse Optical combined with the RatPad is probably one of the best "mousing" combo's available today. We have used just about every mousing surface there is here at OCA but without a doubt, the RatPad hangs tough and provides a very good surface to mouse on.
Although......The Wireless Intellimouse Explorer is a different story. Using the wireless mouse on the RatPad was a headache at best. Using it on the slick surface of the RatPad was just too much to handle. The mouse actually moved TOO easily which made it much too sensitive at times, so much so that it was nearly impossible to move your cursor in the exact spot that you wanted. That combined with the weight factor of the wireless mouse was simply no fun. When moving the wireless mouse to either the desktop, or an older cloth mouse pad, it was much better. I don't however, attribute fault to either product, just that they simply do not work well together. Have you ever finished waxing your car, and throw your waxing rag across the hood, and watch it slide off the other side? Seeing this will always tell you you've done a good job waxing. I associate this type of action with the wireless mouse on the RatPad. The combination is simply too slick for normal use. You'll find the mouse annoyingly slip from one end to the other, and after a short period, your wrist and hand will be tired. Initially I suspected I simply was fearing change. After 5 days of solid use however, I concluded that this was not the case.
Miscellaneous: Another option with the Wireless Intellimouse Explorer you'll see is the "Power Saving Feature" it provides. According to Microsoft, this is a breakthrough power saving technology that conserves battery life by using "Intelligent Touch" which engages the optical technology when you touch the mouse, and also puts the mouse into "sleep" mode when you remove your hand. This is also a feature that I'm unsure of which MS has yet to fully optimize for current use. Many times I found the wireless mouse unresponsive for a fraction of time before it would move. Almost to be expected given the use of batteries, yet unacceptable in many situations. It was a minor annoyance that turned into an outright hassle after a short period of time. Something that may improve in newer releases of both hardware and software, but currently remains quite aggravating.
Conclusion: I believe each of these mice will have something to offer everyone, yet I have a clear choice of which one I believe is a more user friendly product. Lets take a look at the Highs and Lows of each mouse.
Wireless Intellimouse Explorer:
Highs:
Lows:
Intellimouse Optical:
Highs:
Compatible with Windows 95 and newer
Very light
No batteries required
Left or Right handed user friendly
Optional to use USB or PS/2 connection
Lows:
And the Winner Is?
Intellimouse Optical
I'm sure some of you are going to flame me hard for this, especially if you have shelled out $60+ for the Wireless Intellimouse Explorer. Still, the fact remains, for everyday mousing, to include; emailing, working in word, or even gaming, the Intellimouse Optical is the clear winner. It's so light and easy to maneuver, that it simply out matches it's bigger (and more expensive) brother, the Wireless Intellimouse Explorer. And considering you can pickup the Intellimouse Optical for around $25 OEM, the choice is very simple.
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