Mouse Wars? Are You on the Front Lines?

Visiting the PC Magazine website, I came upon two things I had no idea were there. The first was the continued existence of the Extreme Tech portion, after a story from them, not so long ago, that ExtremeTech would simply be a repository of articles, and otherwise cease to exist. Not the case, as it turns out. The other was the possibility of an upcoming fracas over new mouse technology.

I was very interested in the story, as I am always interested in improving my  experience with a mouse, as small interface changes (physical interface, that is) are really important to me. The changes in a keyboard and mouse can lead to immense differences in satisfaction, and fatigue, over a long time with them.

As the owner of more than a few computers, I also have more than a few mice. I have some mice that, though still in fine working order, are no longer supported by the operating systems of today. Think original Logitech C-9 serial mouse, original Microsoft ‘dove bar’ serial port, and also Microsoft ‘dove bar’ bus port mice. (If you are not at least thirty, or a technology buff, you might not have a clue as to what a bus port mouse was all about – it was yet another way of connecting a mouse, and a plus if you had serial ports already full of devices. Be very thankful you live in the age of USB, you really don’t know how lucky you are!)  I also have a few of the original Intellipoint optical mice, which still work well, though I have become sort of a ‘wireless snob’, eschewing any sort of tethering between mouse and computer these days.

I also have just purchased a few Kensington mice over time, still having a couple of original ‘Thinking Mouse’  4-button mice in shrink wrapped boxes. Why? Well, you just never know when you might need a different mouse, or replace a beloved mouse for a customer.

My current tastes in mice run from my almost new Logitech MX Revolution and my (Microsoft) Wireless Intellimouse 5000 to the (Microsoft) Wireless Intellimouse 6000. All of these feel great in my hand, they track well, and have good battery life (though nowhere near what is quoted by their respective manufacturers).

But the article in Extreme Tech seems a bit confused, as the author states that the Microsoft Blue Track mouse is two years old, yet I cannot find any reference to its existence before April of last year, and no reviews of it until last November. Even then, the units appeared to be pre-production.  Logitech, on the other hand, has two Darkfield mice that are, according to Newegg, going to become available in early September.

The article explains the differences in tracking, and though it is interesting, I truly wonder how many people really find the need to use no mouse pad, and try to track with a mouse on carpet, or on thin sheets of clear glass. Try as I might, I cannot think of one time when I needed to do this. Using a good mouse mat is a part of the mousing experience, as I’m sure makers of those high dollar mats will attest.

Another thing is the differences in shape. Neither Logitech, nor Microsoft, is able to stay with a design without modification. Mice are almost like automobiles in this way, subtle changes need be made it seems, as no one wants to be found using last year’s mouse.

It would be really nice if a manufacturer could come out with an upgradeable  mouse, where the shell allows the user to stay with a shape they like, and replace the guts as necessary. To me, this would be a really great thing, as I would not have to get used to the feel of another shape each time the underlying technology changes. (Microsoft is especially bad about this, making changes in shape of mice of the same generation, for reasons known only to them – case in point: I have a few red Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 2.0 models, and at the same time, purchased a Wireless Intellimouse Explorer with Fingerprint Reader. The mice guts are identical, and the only thing about the receiver is that it also functions as a fingerprint reader, yet the mice have subtly different shapes. I prefer the shape of the ice blue Explorer with the Fingerprint Reader, but could only get hold of one, as I had not noticed the subtle differences until buying one online as a closeout. The ice blue Explorer shared a shape with the dark blue Intellimouse Explorer for Bluetooth. This was perhaps a gentle way for Microsoft to get people to pay much more, for the shape of the mouse, rather than the connective technology.)

A vibrant, third choice would be nice, but that is not Razer, as they are for a very select few. I remember when Mouse Systems was a third choice worth a look. Kensington still exists, but offers nothing with any more than 3 buttons (wheel is third button). Also, Kensington has not offered an exciting, or really comfortable mouse since the Thinking mouse.

It is time to head out for Staples and Office Depot, to once again try out the shapes of the mice, as they have changed again, and from what I can see, the Microsoft Bluetrack offering will not please my hand, leaving me to wait for the Logitech model, which, predictably, changes subtly from the shape of my MX Revolution (and not so subtly drops the second wheel), that is being replaced in the lineup.

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Quote of the day:

I look to the future because that’s where I’m going to spend the rest of my life.          - George Burns

it’s here, but it’s in great demand! I had to wait awhile, but it was worth it!