Cingular Go Phone: Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000 Review

Microsoft should rename itself Microhard.All of Microsoft's hardware (keyboards and mice, etc.) i've ever owned have been great, including the Presenter Mouse 8000.But the software that comes with it and the documentation are just horrific.

The mouse comes with a piece of paper that warns you to NOT use the install CD that comes with the mouse and instead go to Microsoft's web site for the latest software.So why didn't they just remove the CD from the package if they don't want you to use it???When you go the web page that it tells you to go to for the software download, you find yourself on a page for Windows Vista support, which is NOT where you want to download the mouse driver from.A quick search for Intellipoint 6.02 (which the piece of paper claims you need) on Microsoft's web site turns up nothing.It turns out that 6.02 no longer exists.The current valid version is 6.1. Anyway, here's the correct software you need to download:

The installation of Intellipoint 6.1 seems painless enough, until you reboot your computer and find out that it has completely wiped out your touchpad driver and your touchpad no longer works the way it used to.As with all versions of Intellipoint, it is too stupid to figure out how to co-exist with other pointing device drivers.But at least the previous versions used to warn you that it wipes out the existing drivers.This version simply wipes them out w/o giving you any warnings or options to cancel the installation.Fortunately the touchpad driver for my sony sz360 IS smart enough to figure out how to work with Intellipoint.So after downloading the touchpad driver from Sony and re-installing it AFTER installing Intellipoint, both the touchpad and the mouse drivers now work.

If your laptop doesn't have built-in bluetooth and you're relying on the bluetooth transceiver that came with the mouth for wireless connection, then you're all set.Plug the transceiver into a USB port and you're all set to go.BUT if you want to utilize your notebook's existing bluetooth feature, the mouse has NO DOCUMENTATION on how to do that.And there is NO DOCUMENTATION on microsoft's web site whatsoever on this mouse.So after an hour or so of playing around with it, i finally figured out what to do:

1. Turn the mouse on
2. Using the tip of a pen or any other sharp tipped object, press and hold the little button below the power light on the bottom of the mouse for 10 seconds.This should make the power light alternate between green and red, indicating that the mouse is in a "discoverable", or "connectable" state.
3. Open the bluetooth manager that comes with your laptop and click on "connect to new hardware".

your computer should now find the mouse and everything should work.

Once you get past installing the software and figuring out what's missing in the documentation, the mouse works great!Ergo is not nearly as comfortable as Microsoft's full sized mice, but given its compactness and all the features it managed to pack in, it's hard to complain.

hope this help.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000

Product Description:
Do more and carry less with the first ever notebook mouse with an integrated slide presenter, laser pointer, and media remote control. It's an all-in-one super tool for the office, road, and home--the only input device you need.

Presentation controls
Media remote
Battery life indicator
2.4 GHz Bluetooth with First Connect technology
High definition laser technology
Laser pointer
Designed for use by people on the go, the Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000 is compact and comfortable, with a focus on convenience and mobility. Plus, it has a sleek and stylish design that looks great on any desktop in your home or office. Customizable buttons help you get quick access to the media, programs, and files you use most often, while 4-way scrolling takes advantage of Microsoft's Tilt Wheel technology, letting you scroll four ways for greater efficiency and comfort. Meanwhile, the Instant Viewer function allows you to click the scroll wheel button to instantly display your open windows. Then you just point and click to select the window you want. Another feature, the Magnifier, lets you point and click to enlarge and edit details on your screen.
The Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000's presentation controls allow you to smoothly navigate through Microsoft Office PowerPoint and other presentations from up to 30 feet away from your PC. Using the integrated Digital Ink technology, you can give your presentations more impact by highlighting vital information on screen. You can also use the device as a media remote for multimedia presentations, or to control digital entertainment from the comfort of your living room sofa. And don't worry, thanks to a built-in battery life indicator, you won't get caught with a dead battery--the Battery Status LED Indicator glows red when the battery is running low. An on/off switch lets you turn your three-in-one device off to extend battery life even longer.
The Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000 features 2.4 GHz Bluetooth connectivity with First Connect technology that makes it easy to connect wirelessly right out of the box. This wireless mouse technology also lets you work without worrying about tangled wires. Meanwhile, high definition laser technology offers more precision, more response, and smoother tracking during use.

What's in the Box
Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000, carrying case, software CD-ROM, AAA battery, and Microsoft Mini Bluetooth Transceiver.

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