A Revolutionary New Mouse for Your Laptop

by Lori Cunningham

OK, I know what you’re thinking.  Could a mouse really be revolutionary?  Perhaps you think I have been using my Waterpik SinuSense nose washing too much and the saltine solution is going to my head.  There could be some truth to that!  Nonetheless, the new Swiftpoint mouse for laptops and netbooks is very innovative.

Before receiving a sample* of the Swiftpoint mouse, I had an opportunity to talk to the CEO of and inventor of the Swiftpoint, Grant Odgers, and Marketing Manager, Georgina Hunter on a phone conference call to get their first-hand thoughts of the new mouse.  They had told me about so many neat features and raved about the mouse.  I have never heard so much excitement about a mouse before.

Grant, like many of us, became frustrated with laptop touchpads.  They were awkward and inconsistent.  Grant wanted a mouse for the laptop that provided accuracy, portability, and above all be comfortable in your hand.

So in 2005, Grant started out to create the ultimate laptop/netbook mouse.  He conducted intensive research and began developing a prototype that will change they way we direct our laptops.  The mouse he came up with is 30-40% faster than a touchpad.  After a couple years of evaluating people’s use the new mouse and five cycles of mouse iteration, Grant is ready to introduce the Swiftpoint mouse.

Once I received the new Swiftpoint mouse*, it took me no time at all to install the Swiftpoint mouse on my netbook.  Swiftpoint created the design of the mouse to resemble how you handle a pen.  It’s a very comfortable hold and although the buttons are centered vertically on the mouse rather than horizontal, like most mice, it’s pretty easy to get used to them.  I love how the mouse is very light-weight and very respondable.

To give it a real test, I took it with me on an hour nighttime road trip we took.  My husband was driving and I was using the Swiftpoint on my netbook.  It was dark, so I really couldn’t see much.  Nonetheless, I was able to work on documents and even play Spider Solitaire with ease.  The only surface space I had to use was the touchpad/handrest area of my netbook – which was only 2 inches long below the keyboard.  My previous laptop mouse could never work on a such a small surface like the Swiftpoint mouse.

Features:

• comfortable, easy to hold
• SlideScroll – allows you to rapidly scroll, zoom and page
• plug-and-play – no software to install
• gives full control when up to 30 feet away if using it for presentations
• rechargeable – charge for 90 minutes – lasts up to 2-4 weeks
• just charge the mouse for 30 seconds to obtain an additional 90 minutes use
• docks onto your laptop when not in use
• uses wireless technology to automatically connect to your computer – better than Bluetooth where you need to “sync” together the devices

Pros:

• lightweight
• no software to install
• speed scroll is convenient and works great
• the 30 second RapidCharge is a tremendous time saver
• only controls computer screen when it senses your fingers on it
• full charge lasts  a long time – several weeks
• since it’s wireless, it works great for giving presentations
• it is so much easier to scroll a page – even easier than desktop mice
• looks stylish and unique – you’ll raise some eyebrows with this mouse!
• requires only a very little space to scroll – you can even use it on top of your touchpad
• the USB docking station is small and takes up little space

Cons:

• the charging dock seems like it wouldn’t take much for the mouse to get knocked off  it’s charging base and possibly lost
• a little pricey

I have really enjoyed using the Swiftpoint mouse.  I even have been using it with my desktop and it works great, although, the Swiftpoint mouse feels a little lonely on my big ’ol mouse pad!  Watch this video to get a better feel how the Swiftpoint mouse works:

When I asked Swiftpoint about their future plans, I was impressed with their vision.  They foresee the a Swiftpoint mouse for desktops, a media keyboard with magnetic Swiftpoint mouse for the family room, and they plan on venturing into the gaming controls arena as they believe mice can be much more precise than current controllers for strategy games.

A Mom’s Perspective

The Swiftpoint mouse is a winner.  I like it better than my normal boring, black desktop mouse.  It’s lightweight, com

pact, precise, and the buttons and wheel are convenient.  I can dock it onto my netbook and I’m ready to go.  I gave up using my last small laptop mouse because I’d have to remember to pack it when I went on trips and would often forget it at home.

I cannot wait to take the Swiftpoint mouse to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January with me.  No long cord, no need for a table to use it, and it’s alwa

ys conveniently docked on my netbook when I need it.  The desktop computers are typically being used in the press room, but I’ll be comfortable sitting on the couch typing up my latest blog posts and using my Swiftpoint to assist and surf.  The Swiftpoint even comes with a Swiftpoint Parking Accessory which is a cling film that you apply below your laptop keyboard – especially if you have a highly reflective palm rest.  When the mouse is placed on film it magnetically attaches to the film.  You can move the mouse around as you need but it will not slide off – even if you have your laptop highly tilted.  A great feature when lying down and using your laptop.

As you could tell from my “Cons” above, I really don’t have many negative comments to add.  A lot of thought, research, and development went into the Swiftpoint mouse and it shows.  I love communicating with companies like Swiftpoint where the product was developed by someone who saw a need, has a vision, and is so enthusiastic about the product and company they created.

Swiftpoint can be purchased online for $69.99 and for a limited time, they are offering a 30 Day Guarantee – try it for 30 days and if you don’t like it they will refund your money (including sales tax and shipping costs).  Although, I don’t suspect they will be getting any returns.

*I was sent a Swiftpoint mouse in exchange for my honest review.