One of the latest hardware devices coming out of Redmond is all about improving the latest technology, providing superior value while still providing essential functionality to your desktop. This device is just one of the new high-precision mice Microsoft has released this year. Does this mouse live up to its promises? Read on to find out.

Setup & Installation 

Setup: The installation is quite simple. Just plug in the mouse which requires USB or PS/2 ports. To use the magnifier or to use the advanced functionality, you must install the Microsoft IntelliPoint software (see below).

Microsoft IntelliPoint Software

If you want to customize your mouse, you will have to install IntelliPoint 5.3 (about 60 MB), which requires a restart. To customize your mouse keys, select either "Mouse" for the Control Panel or "Microsoft Mouse" from the program menu. On the buttons tab you can click on the different buttons and reassign the keys to a variety of functions. In this software you can also change your pointers, other pointer options, view which hardware is connected, change scrolling options, and view wireless features. The software is easy to use and is required for advanced functionality of the mouse.

Mouse Design

The mouse has the exact same shape as the other Microsoft Wireless Laser 6000 released this season. The Comfort Optical Mouse 3000 is about 5 inches long, 2.5 inches wide, 2 inches high and weighs just a few ounces. The mouse includes four buttons (two on top, the wheel and one side). One of the new features of the mouse is the magnifier button. This new magnifier allows you to bring an zoom box on the screen in all types of programs. One really cool thing about this feature is if, for example, you use it in Excel, Word, etc. you can edit within the zoom box. This feature is a much improved version of the accessibility magnifier feature within Windows.  The side button (which is red) is meant to be the magnifier, but you can reassign that functionality if you wish. Of course, the mouse has the Tilt Wheel technology included, which allows you to scroll left and right as well as having the additional button. The mouse has a two-tone silver and black color design and is very aesthetically appealing. The top panel is all one piece but still easily retains the two button functionality. The scroll wheel is the standard transparent white. Finally, the cord is black and of ample length. Because the mouse is ambidextrous, both left and right handed users will be able to use it.

Microsoft High Definition Optical Technology

Microsoft has provided a well deserved update to an already great optical technology. This product includes the new Microsoft High Definition Optical Technology which aims to improve performance at much higher levels than the previous optical technology. The technology is 6000 frames per second (FPS) - an improvement over the 2500 FPS of most of the previous optical mice. Other technology improvements that have been made include 1000 dots per inch (DPI) resolution (responsiveness), 85 million operations per second (MOPS), .18 CMOS technology (preciseness) and the Microsoft Intelligent Tracking System (smoother tracking). Microsoft optical technologies have been well tested for many years now and work smoothly on most surfaces. It has been broken-in well with previous mice, so you know you won’t have any problem. 
 

Final Comments

I give kudos to Microsoft for providing such great value for the improved technology and features the Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 3000 includes. The already great optical technology has been vastly improved to be more responsive, more precise, and much smoother. In addition, not only is the magnifier feature great for accessibility reasons, but also allows easy editing of small text, data, etc. Moreover, the mouse has a stylish, and attractive design and provides all the standard features (such as the Tilt Wheel) you have come to expect from Microsoft mice. If you are in the market for a entry-level wired mouse, I definitely recommend you purchase the Comfort Optical Mouse 3000.