• Recommend:
• 0 Comments

The IntelliMouse That Roars

New wheel mouse works with all Windows applications.

By Michael S. Lasky, PCWorld   

When it was introduced last year as part of the Microsoft Office 97 rollout, the IntelliMouse added a small wheel to the standard mouse buttons. This wheel let you scroll up and down and zoom in and out in applications without repeated clicking. However, there was one catch: It worked with Office 97 and a couple of other select Microsoft products only. Competitors--most notably Logitech's MouseMan+--quickly stepped in with scroll wheels that worked with any Windows software and offered enhanced ergonomic design. With the IntelliMouse Pro, Microsoft has finally caught up with the pack.

The IntelliMouse Pro's wheel controls accommodate fast zooming and scrolling in all Windows software. The accompanying IntelliPoint 2.2 driver software adds such useful features as custom button assignments, snap-to highlighted button cursors, and on-screen cursor visibility aids. In Office 97-compatible applications, you can zoom to any magnification quickly by rolling the wheel while holding the Ctrl key. (Owners of the older IntelliMouse can download the IntelliPoint 2.2 software free from Microsoft's Web site.)

The Pro's shape is similar to that of the Logitech mouse, but with a higher arch that is designed to provide greater support (though it might feel oversize to some users accustomed to working with a slightly smaller mouse). Microsoft has also added a hard rubber base that makes gripping the device easier. Among its drawbacks, the IntelliMouse Pro has only three customizable buttons on the left base, compared to four on the MouseMan+. And lefties need not apply: It's a right-hand mouse only. In addition, it's a bit expensive: The IntelliMouse Pro costs $70, compared to $60 for a regular IntelliMouse or $30 for the new, no-frills Microsoft Wheel Mouse. Nevertheless, if price is not a major issue, the benefits of arch support and platformwide functionality make the IntelliMouse Pro a noteworthy improvement over its predecessor.

For the complete story, see in the upcoming August issue of PC World magazine.