Digital Trends

Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000 December 31st, 2007 | by Brandon King

Features and Design

Leave it to Microsoft to-one up Logitech at the input device game. While this is a rare occurrence, the house Bill Gates built should be praised for releasing what may be the single best notebook mouse on the market. Even though some of the integrated bonuses won’t be useful to the average person on a daily basis, this feature-rich and overall superb-performing gadget is guaranteed to be a very difficult product to improve on. Surprisingly, even supporting packaging is unusually creative, well thought-out and strangely functional (more on this later).

Microsoft clearly considered laptop owners’ most requested features and jammed them all, kit and caboodle, into one must-see package. We’re talking small size/form factor, Bluetooth connectivity, an optional Bluetooth dongle, a carrying case, an on/off switch, laser tracking technology, presentation controls, customizable extra buttons, a laser pointer and an all-around functional design framework. Unfortunately, the gizmo won’t type up your next business proposal or drive the kids to school, but otherwise, honestly, we’re at a loss for ideas on what could be added to this otherwise star performer.

The first thing you’ll notice is the interesting packaging – the Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000 is suspended in a plastic shell so that it can be spun around and viewed from all angles. This shell is also a feature of the mouse: the included wrist strap can be woven through a few holes to make a convenient carrying case that is neither bulky nor delicate. There‘s even space for the included, but optional, Bluetooth adapter. The reason for the tricked-out packaging is clearly to show off the bottom surface, upon which are located the presentation controls.

In the box, you’ll find the unit, contained in its case, as well as a Bluetooth adapter, driver disc and wrist strap. The Notebook Presenter Mouse itself isn’t the most stylish or beautiful device of its kind we’ve seen, but it does look quite clean and streamlined. The top surface has three extra buttons, with the two on either side of the regular mouse buttons assignable via Intellipoint software to any one of nearly limitless functions, including zoom, magnify region, and Flip 3D. The button located by the four-way scroll wheel switches the device between Presentation and Mouse modes. However, it’s the bottom surface of the gadget where the magic really happens. Next Slide, Previous Slide, Blank Screen, Laser Pointer, and Volume Up/Down functions are all clearly accessible, as are the tiny connect button and power switch. The intended use is clear: supply standard-issue mouse buttons for regular use, and specialized buttons for use during meetings and other important presentations.

Image Courtesy of Microsoft