Review by I’m a firm believer that one should not skimp on the parts of a compter that you actually see and feel. I’d take a quality mouse, keyboard, and monitor over gigahertz and gigabytes any day. So, I didn’t have any problem spending a bit extra on a good mouse. Next time, I’ll go with a cheaper model.
At the time I bought my IntelliMouse Explorer (ack, that name), it was one of the more expensive mice (mouses?) available. I had owned lower-end Microsoft mice before and had generally been pleased with them. I wanted the Cadillac of input devices, so I paid almost $100 Canadian (about $60US at the time).
However, after getting home and getting the box open, I immediately knew this was no Cadillac. The mouse has a light, flimsy feel, and the buttons feel like they could easily break.
To be fair, I have owned and used the mouse for several years now, and it has not broken. It has been coffee-stained, dropped, dragged behind a laptop (repeatedly - wifi can give you a false sense of freedom), and stuffed in suitcases. Why do I complain that it feels flimsy then? I wanted something that would have the feel of quality and substance - this is something I rest my hand of for hours ever day. Each time I use the mouse, despite how well it has lasted, it just feels cheap.
The extra buttons have never really proved useful (there are five including the scrolling wheel). The trouble of configuring them and getting into the habit of using them isn’t worth having to re-set the configuration when you change computers. Also, getting used to extra mouse buttons makes using someone else’s computer (with a typical two-button mouse) annoying.
There are newer models of this mouse out since I purchased mine. However, having checked out the variations at the local tech store, they seem to suffer from the same flaws as this version: overpriced and a cheap, flimsy feel.
My next mouse will be a plain old Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical - no extra buttons to configure (or click accidentally), and it has a much more solid and substantial feel (at about 1/4 of the price).
Copyright © 2004-2008 silverorange. All rights reserved.
The more stuff you own, the less happy you will be - so be sure and own good stuff!
Comments
Gerrit - April 25, 2004 11:53 am
I have had Explorer mice for several years now. I got the first one for free (so price was not an issue) and I was absolutely delighted. I had used standard MS mice before, but the day I first got my hand on the IntelliMouse I decided I won't do that in the future. Plus, it was the very first optical mouse (a fact you ignored in your review) and the extra precision and flexibility (no more mousepads) were exciting.
The only thing that was bothering me was the frontmost thumb-button on the left side. My thumb was simply too short to reach it, and I wasn't alone there. That wasn't so much a problem, though, as the mouse died after 6 months or so and Microsoft sent me a new one. Same model as the first one, and it suffered from the same problem. Fortunately (for me) it had the same quality-problem as the first one (and the Cadillac-metaphor fits perfectly here...). So MS sent me a new mouse again, this time the 3.0 version, which has a much nicer shell, greater precision and, above all, finally both thumb-buttons are usable.
I can't live without them, I've assigned them as Exposé-Hotkeys is Mac OS X (which took about 30 secs) and I'm using them constantly.
Aaron - April 25, 2004 12:55 pm
I've had an Explorer for...four? five years? Long enough that the "Microsoft" logo on the front has been worn off by constant use.
I don't often use the scroll wheel as a button, but the others are now invaluable (I've reassigned them to be Back and Double-Click). Being on a computer without them, it's a noticable lack...like not having Mouse Gestures in Internet Explorer.
For how long its lasted, and how well it works, I don't think it's so overpriced.
Slobo - May 31, 2005 3:47 pm
I came across this site when I was looking for the replacement for my trusty old IntelliMouse Explorer 2.0A. Of course, there was only one possible replacement for it. Of course, that replacement would have to be the exact same mouse because nothing else is able to fill its shoes.
I've also had this mouse for about 4 years, and despite Steven's negative review, there's nothing wrong with the way this mouse feels. The extra buttons are a delight to use, and there's absolutely no need to configure/re-configure them. Ever. Unless you want them to do something silly like starting up the bread maker, or the spin cycle on the washing machine.
This is a great mouse, really a Cadillac among mice. If, however, you get one and find that you don't like it, well, then you just don't know mice.
That's it for me, I'm out.
daab - June 5, 2005 8:19 pm
i need its drivers - i cannot find them anywhere on the internet... please help... im not refering to the wireless intellimouse explorer 2.0a, i am talking about the old and wired one. it would be greatly appreciated.
azapcap - August 13, 2007 8:18 am
My Microsoft Intelli-mouse 2.0 died after 6 months. I am a kid in china so it really hurts at that price and the fact that i can't utilize the warranty. An excellent mouse while it lasted though.