MS Still Making Mice

from JoeUser Forums

Microsoft’s newest mouse “Explorer Touch” was debuted in London in early July.

  

 

According to the story the The Explorer Touch Mouse has five buttons and also has a scroll pad that uses haptic touch technology. That means that the mouse's users will feel a slight vibration when using the pad to scroll through documents on a desktop. The new mouse also reportedly uses Microsoft's BlueTrack sensor technology that will allow the mouse to work on nearly any surface. Pricing for the mouse in the UK will be 69.99 pounds. – Neowin.net

This mouse looks kind of small to me. I tend to like larger mice, and Logitech seems to produce them.

I believe this is the mouse I wrote about back around  Christmas….  https://forums.wincustomize.com/403581  although then they were calling it the “Windows 7 Touch Mouse”. Could be there’s another coming out? More likely a name change, since they’re looking at Windows 8 and don’t wish to tie a mouse to a software version.

Sources:  http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/40927/microsoft-explorer-touch-mouse-unveiled

              http://www.neowin.net/news/new-pc-mouse-from-microsoft-revealed

All images via Pocket-lint.com 

Thanks for the tip, Hankers.

 

 

64,155 views 30 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

This mouse looks kind of small to me. I tend to like larger mice,
End of quote

Why doesn't someone market the bigger/sensible ones as "Rats"?

 

....;)

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

I wish they'd make a wired trackball.  There isn't a good one on the market now.

 

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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 1

This mouse looks kind of small to me. I tend to like larger mice,


Why doesn't someone market the bigger/sensible ones as "Rats"?

 

....
End of Jafo's quote
We´ll all end up as the Rat-pack then ? :rofl:

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 1

This mouse looks kind of small to me. I tend to like larger mice,

Why doesn't someone market the bigger/sensible ones as "Rats"?

 

....
End of Jafo's quote

Unpleasant  association? Naaah.  :grin:

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

Actually, those big Kensington trackballs were great.  Given the option, though, I'd rather have a trackpad - I've gotten so used to them.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

I remember seeing in stores those track mouses with one big ball that moved around.  I thought they would be terrible in any kind of gaming use.  Anyone still makes those?

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

I've got the same opinion regarding small mouses.

 The one thing that's been bugging me lately is that I used to have a larger mouse, one made to sort of adapt to the shape of the human hand, that came with two large vertical side buttons. It was a cheap Genius Optical Netscroll something mouse. Thing is, it broke after a few years of abuse(at one point it was cracked open, it still works, but it missfires like mad), and when it came time to get another one, I couldn't find the model anymore. Not only that, but I can't find any cheap mouse that has two large vertical side buttons. It's driving me nuts!! I think there's a conspiracy out there to remove mice I like from the market. 

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm so used to the mouse pad on my lap top I doubt I'd want to go back to using a mouse.

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 1
Why doesn't someone market the bigger/sensible ones as "Rats"?
....
End of Jafo's quote

In the early windows days (early 90s) I had one that was big enough to be a rat!

But at $100, I think I will pass on MS latest.  For a mouse?  That is 20% the cost of a new computer!

Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

MS Still Making Mice
End of quote

...unfortunately :p

 

I've never seen or owned an MS peripheral which compared in comfort or durability to Logitech's offerings.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

I've read articles saying that microsoft makes more money on hardware peripherials like keyboards, mice and game controllers than on big console units nowadays.  That's most likely the reason they still make them.

Reply #13 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting kryo, reply 11

MS Still Making Mice

...unfortunately

 

I've never seen or owned an MS peripheral which compared in comfort or durability to Logitech's offerings.
End of kryo's quote

 

Actually, as much as I like to bash MS...I still have my MS mouse from ...geez, I don't even know. 10 years? It's optical, and a decent size (granted, with my long lanky fingers, I'd prefer a bigger one). Thing is, I don't think I've ever used a mouse that was more durable than this thing. I've slammed it on my desk in frustration several hundreds of times, and it still works fine. I guess the problem I have with most bigger mice is that they tend to look absolutely ridiculous, or has a billion buttons. I just want a damn scroll wheel, and two buttons. I use a keyboard with my mouse, I have no need for extra buttons (keyboard shortcuts rule).

 

Reply #14 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting coreimpulse, reply 12
I've read articles saying that microsoft makes more money on hardware peripherials like keyboards, mice and game controllers than on big console units nowadays.  That's most likely the reason they still make them.
End of coreimpulse's quote

Thats pretty much the same for ANY business. The profit is almost always made from the addons.

 

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting unacomn, reply 8
I've got the same opinion regarding small mouses.

The one thing that's been bugging me lately is that I used to have a larger mouse, one made to sort of adapt to the shape of the human hand, that came with two large vertical side buttons. It was a cheap Genius Optical Netscroll something mouse. Thing is, it broke after a few years of abuse(at one point it was cracked open, it still works, but it missfires like mad), and when it came time to get another one, I couldn't find the model anymore. Not only that, but I can't find any cheap mouse that has two large vertical side buttons. It's driving me nuts!! I think there's a conspiracy out there to remove mice I like from the market. 
End of unacomn's quote

I use the Microsoft SideWinder Mouse. I think it has the buttons you are looking for. Very high quality build, large than typical, adjustable sensitivity and weight and I find it generally comfortable. My wife liked it so much that she wanted one when her last (Logitech) mouse died on us. Worth a look anyway :)

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting coreimpulse, reply 7
I remember seeing in stores those track mouses with one big ball that moved around.  I thought they would be terrible in any kind of gaming use.  Anyone still makes those?
End of coreimpulse's quote

Are you talking about the ones where you move the ball with your finger? I saw one in a store very recently.

Reply #17 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting impinc, reply 13
Actually, as much as I like to bash MS...I still have my MS mouse from ...geez, I don't even know. 10 years?
End of impinc's quote

At the other end of the spectrum, after my last Logitech keyboard started to go after years of abuse, I picked up a "comparable" MS replacement since the model had been discontinued in the time since I'd bought it.

The MS board lasted about six months before keys started to fail.

I promptly ordered a new Logitech online, and it's now got two years so far on it.

Reply #18 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting kryo, reply 17

Quoting impinc, reply 13Actually, as much as I like to bash MS...I still have my MS mouse from ...geez, I don't even know. 10 years?

At the other end of the spectrum, after my last Logitech keyboard started to go after years of abuse, I picked up a "comparable" MS replacement since the model had been discontinued in the time since I'd bought it.

The MS board lasted about six months before keys started to fail.

I promptly ordered a new Logitech online, and it's now got two years so far on it.
End of kryo's quote

 

 Yeah, I never liked their keyboards. For some reason, every MS mouse I've had has been nearly bulletproof. 

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Both Logiteck and MS make differing levels/qualities of product....and in all cases you get what you pay for.

Cheap is typically junk.

My Logitech keyboard is a fair few years old now...runs as good as it ever did....but it cost the 'wrong' side of $300 [if I remember right]...

One of these....

The mouse is quite a bit older....still perfectly fine....from MS

You get what you pay for....;)

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Always wondered why, when folks find a mouse or keyboard they really love, they don't go and buy a second one?

We backup our systems... so why not the peripherals?

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 20
We backup our systems... so why not the peripherals?
End of DrJBHL's quote

I have a spare mouse.....;)

Reply #22 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 19
Both Logiteck and MS make differing levels/qualities of product....and in all cases you get what you pay for.

Cheap is typically junk.

My Logitech keyboard is a fair few years old now...runs as good as it ever did....but it cost the 'wrong' side of $300 [if I remember right]...

One of these....



The mouse is quite a bit older....still perfectly fine....from MS



You get what you pay for....
End of Jafo's quote

 

 Heh, your mouse is a slightly newer version than what I have now. Also, my keyboard I don't even know how old it is. It's an IBM, heh. I paid very little for it a very, very long time ago. I've had dozens and dozens of keyboards. I don't even know where they come from to be honest. They seem to multiply somehow. I think I've bought MAYBE two keyboards in my life (been using computers for almost 30 years). I never seem to break them, but I also have about 5 or 6 keyboards laying around in case of failure.

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Alstein, reply 2
wish they'd make a wired trackball. There isn't a good one on the market now.
End of Alstein's quote

 

I am really thinking about this one :

 

Had the wired trackball for years in my old company:

 

This series of Trackballs is the best one can get. Feels really natural to use.

Reply #24 from Sins Forums Top

I have that and absolutely love it. Highly recommend.

Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Carl, I have the Logitech m570, and I really love it.