When Microsoft released the first optical mouse in 1998 the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer was a clear best seller with more than 5.5 million units sold worldwide. Now, Microsoft has released a new version of this long time favorite focusing on simplicity and style. This product follows a long line of stylish devices Microsoft has released this season and last (and actually includes variations of some of these devices). Using patented Optical Technology and sporting a silver/dark grey, hip design; Microsoft is trying to set a groove with people who want something sleek and stylish, yet functional, on their desktop. Does the mouse live up to its promises? Read on to find out.

• New! Mouse scroll wheel with proprietary Tilt Wheel Technology delivers revolutionary capabilities. For the first time, users can scroll vertically and horizontally, which is perfect for navigating long Web pages or spreadsheets. They can depress the wheel to toggle among open windows; this is especially useful because research shows the average user has three applications running simultaneously.* The unique wheel also scrolls smoothly, enabling users to see the results on the screen as the wheel rolls under their fingers.

•  New! Exclusive, enhanced Microsoft Optical Technology delivers more accuracy and precision than ever before.  Also, the glowing optical sensor replaces the mouse ball, so there are no moving parts to keep clean and no need for a mouse pad.

• Accelerated Scrolling, Move through documents quickly without having to click on the scroll bar. Accelerated scrolling reacts to how quickly users roll the wheel, allowing for faster movement through Web pages and comptuer applications. This increases scrolling speed on average 28 percent (on three or more pages).

• Ergonomic Design, Allows the user’s hand to rest naturally on the mouse for maximum comfort. The shape of the Intellimouse Explorer supports the entire hand and fingers, while the slope helps keep the hand and forearm naturally aligned.

• Customizable Buttons, The wheel button can easily be reprogrammed to perform popular commands with a single touch. For example, the same button can be programmed to "Cut" in Microsoft Word and "Insert Comment" in Microsoft Excel. The side buttons are set by default for easy forward and backward navigation.

Setup & Installation 

The setup of this mouse is decisively simple; just plug it into a USB port, do a quick software setup and you are ready to go. Like its predecessors, this mouse works with USB and PS/2 ports. Installation of the IntelliPoint software is a breeze and has not changed from previous versions. This mouse also supports some Macintosh platforms (see below). Note: software setup is not necessary.

Mouse Design

The Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer is not available in the variety of colors/texture that the Wireless version offers. The mouse is also about the same size as previous models, sizing up at 3 inches long, 1.5 inches wide and an inch high. The mouse has a silver finish around the top, with a sleek black design on the bottom. The black has a very "tech" feel, it is very subtle and appeasing to look at. As you can see in the image below, there is a nice silver Microsoft "Optical Technology" logo on the front of the mouse. It seems Microsoft has cut away from the red translucent plastic bottoms which used to be on older models.

The Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer has five buttons and a scroll wheel (which also services as a button), so if you depend on a ton of programmable buttons this one has the most of available from Microsoft (the optical mouse included in the standard wireless desktop does not have five). The scroll wheel is a transparent white, but unlike the Notebook Optical Mouse the wheel doesn’t light up (a light would be cool!). The wheel, unlike previous models, has a nice tight grip to it. New for this version is the proprietary “tilt wheel technology.” The first of its kind, users can now scroll vertically and horizontally. I found this feature most useful for toggling between open windows. Nice touch! Unlike the Optical Mouse, the IntelliMouse is not ambidextrous, so only right hand users will prefer to use this model. The size makes this mouse easy to use for long periods of times, without irritating the wrist (something I particularly find important). The cord is a nice standard length which will suffice for most users. And, of course, no batteries are necessary!

Let’s not forget the Optical Technology. The technology is 6,000 frames per second and works smoothly on most surfaces. It has been broken-in well with previous mice, so you know you won’t have any problem. The optical technology has been enhanced over previous models to last much longer than before.

Final Comments

It’s unfortunate with all the new options available in the mouse line that only metallic grey/silver finish was available, but this color probably appeases a larger crowd then the rest. The IntelliMouse Explorer is good looking; and for those of you who have older versions or who did not want to go wireless, I definitely recommend you try this product. The mouse has five buttons, not to mention the tilting scroll will, so I feel those who seek the most functionality will enjoy this product. Additionally, this product is competitively priced compared to competition.