|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous Page
Best viewed in 800x600 with Internet Explorer 4.x or 5.x
|
IntelliMouse Explorer
Page 2
Other features and functions?
The Intellimouse Explorer mouse also has a lot of other features and functions. Like I already mentioned in the beginning of this review, 'this is not an ordinary mouse'!.
Besides the 2 common buttons this mouse has also 2 new customizable function buttons. These are placed on the left side of the mouse.
The best part is that these buttons provide effortless Internet navigation with their forward and back default settings, something that I use a lot when surfing the Net. Of course you can configure those buttons through its software setup to other actions like print, save, cut or paste.
It is a pity that this peripheral only exists as a right-hand mouse. Being left-handed, using it the first time with my right hand is not that easy ... quite difficult especially when you have always worked and played with a left-hand mouse.
But after a few hours of working with it, I can say with confidence that left-handed people, after a bit of working-time, can also use this mouse efficient enough with their right hand.
 
One of the IntelliMouse Explorer other features is that it has the popular 'scolling and zooming wheel'.
This little wheel, which is placed between the 2 above buttons, can be used to scroll through documents very easily (just move the wheel up or down and there you go!) without having to use the scrollbars of the application. It can also be used to control menus or toolbars. You can control this directly from the mouse.
The wheel can also be used to zoom in or -out.
How does it feel and play?
Everybody wants to know now how this new mouse from Microsoft, their IntelliMouse Explorer feels and plays in 2D and 3D.
Like mentioned before, this mouse can be plugged in an USB connector or with the adapter into a PS/2 connector. It all depends what kind of connector you have free at that moment. I should go for PS/2 since you probably have other USB devices as well and most mainboards only has 2 USB ports available.
In theory, USB should be a lot faster and smoother in performance since it updates 120 times a second compared to the 40 times per second when you use the PS/2 port. However I do not have any free USB ports left so that's why I used for the PS/2 port. I tried the USB port and everything worked alright. It gave me a very smooth and accurate view.
But I still went for the PS/2 port because I don't have an USB hub right now and all of my USB ports are taken too. On the other hand, I you want to adjust the sampling rate (above 40s) of your PS/2 port speed, you can download a PS/2 mouse sampling rate utility. This utility actually writes a 'rate-change command' directly to the mouse firmware.
After connecting the mouse to my PS/2 port and installing the software I directly noticed (besides the cool looking red glow that is emitting from the mouse bottom and rear side) how smooth this mouse really is.
The jitteriness that occasionaly happened with my old mouse was totally gone and positioning the curser was a totally breeze with this new mouse. Even on other surfaces like wooden table, my desktop, even on my leg, the tracking of the mouse was STILL extremely precise!
I must say that this new technology is really something spectacular because no matter what surface you got (except glass or mirror), the mouse keeps tracking the right positions and at an extremely fast pace too.
Besides working with the mouse on my desktop I have also played for hours several games with it. Especially tactical games where precision is very important. Again, like with the 2D aspect, this mouse is precise! And a lot better then my old mouse which didn't track that good.
Final Words
Well I must tell you, Microsoft has totally convinced me that their new Optical Technology, called 'IntelliEye' is a really useful component in tracking the right position. No need for a mouse-ball anymore and definitely a mousepad because you can lay down your mouse on almost every surface!
The tested product, "the IntelliMouse Explorer" is truly an innovative product which is extremely suitable for gamers and persons that are working with tools that need precision. It also has 2 more customizable buttons and a 'scroll/zoom' wheel.
Bottom line, the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer is one of those devices you don't think you'll need until you have try it out, and once you have used it you won't want to go back to a regular normal mouse.
Plain simple!
-Bjorn
What's Good
- Uses new optical technology, 'IntelliEye'.
- No mouse-ball anymore, no mouse-pad needed.
- Works on every surface (except glass, mirror and glossy surfaces).
- Two new customizable buttons with zoom/scroll wheel.
- Cool design with red light on the bottom and rear side of mouse.
- It's not 'that' expensive.
What's Bad
- Not suitable for left-handed people. Need to use right-hand.
- Still need to clean it a bit but less than regular mouse.
Overall Rating: 9.1/10
Up
Previous Page
If you want to review your favorite game, or if you work with a computer game company and want your products reviewing, mail info@playdevil.com.
All contributions are welcome.
Any problems and/or suggestions are always appreciated on
webmaster@playdevil.com
Nothing of this entire Site, animation & logo's included, may be reproduced, stored, saved, transmitted, in any form or means, electronic, written or otherwise without the prior permission of PlayDevil.
Other Logos & Names are Copyrighted Material of its respectful owners.
All Rights Reserved. PlayDevil Productions © 199/8-199/9
"rip your own stuff"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
