Add Some Color to Your Desk: Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000

by Lori Cunningham

How many of you have a drab almond color or black mouse for your computer?  I remember when I bought my HP computer several years back, it came with a black mouse.  I thought, “how cool!” a new color – something other than the boring almond mouse I’ve used for a decade.

I’m not sure why its taken so long for computer mice to catch up with fashion, but the time has finally come!  Thanks to Microsoft*, I am now sporting a fashionable pink mouse that dresses up my desk with style.  But this mobile mouse sports more features than just style.

Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 Features:

1. BlueTrack Technology – can work on any surface  except glass or mirrors.  You can use your mouse on granite, wood, metal — even carpet!
2. Nano Transceiver – a small USB thumb drive to connect to your desktop or laptop.  It travels well by plugging it into the bottom of your mouse.
3. 2.4 GHz Wireless – can connect to and control your computer or laptop up to 30 feet away.
4. 10 Month Battery Life – uses a AA battery.  This is impressive as my HP wireless mouse needed batteries much more frequently.
5. 4 Customizable Buttons – you have more than 25 choices to reassign the buttons on the mouse.  Customize the left button, right button, scroll wheel, and sliver side button on the left-hand side of the mouse.

Pros:

• there are many colors with different designs to choose from.
• these mice are very eye catching and unique – they are sure to receive attention on your desk.
• the left silver side button is very handy – clicking on it can take you back to the previous page – or you can customize it to copy, paste, magnify, etc..
• the built-in holder on the bottom of the mouse for the USB key is handy and innovative – without it you’d surely lose the USB key in transit
• the BlueTrack Technology truly works – I conducted scientific tests on my winter pajamas, a blanket, and our shag carpet!
• the mouse worked 10 feet away from my computer – seamlessly.

Cons:

• you have to pay for style.
• the mouse is the size of a normal mouse, so I’m not sure how often you’d travel with it and use the USB key dock.

Microsoft Studio designers spent a lot of time researching current trends of fabrics and designs to design their new Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 line.  To explain their process further watch this video from the Microsoft art designers themselves:

A Mom’s Perspective

I do enjoy looking at my mouse.  I love the color and the design.  It’s a vast improvement in style and in battery lifetime over my black HP wireless mouse.  It’s a lot bigger and heaver than the Swiftpoint Mouse I use with my netbook, but then again, it’s made  for the desktop.

I love the fact that mice are finally getting some color.  Perhaps next we’ll start seeing computers that look more lively than black, silver, and drab almond.

Microsoft obviously sees the potential in stylish mice.  They just came out with even newer mice in a variety of colors since I received this Studio line mouse.  However, they don’t have the cool graphic designs like these Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 mice.

Interestingly enough, Microsoft partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to create a special edition mouse.  Microsoft will donate 10% f the selling price of each mouse ($4 per mouse) to the Susan G. Komen foundation.

The Microsoft Mobile Mouse 4000 line retails for $34.99 and can be found at Best Buy stores, BestBuy.com, and other online retailers.  The Susan G. Komen mouse can be purchased at BestBuy.com and other locations for $39.99.

* Microsoft provided me with a Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 in exchange for my honest opinion.