Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 Review

[Bowie Maur]

Forsoftware, Microsoft includes its Intellipoint 7 software for both PC and Mac. Here you'll find settings for button assignments, and scroll and click speed, as well as help files in an easy-to-use program. If you don't have the CD with you while you're traveling, you can still use the mouse with your computer's internal settings; no external drivers are required.

One of our major complaints with the Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse was its right-handed-only design; the curves of the contours made it uncomfortable for lefties to use. Thankfully, Microsoft corrected this misstep in the 4000's symmetrical shape, making it universally easy to scroll and click the four buttons. In addition, the entire mouse is covered with a soft textured plastic for extra grip.

The scroll wheel sits between the two main buttons and moves from side to side as well as up and down, with one minor tactile difference between the two scroll modes: horizontal scrolling with the dial makes a tangible click as each page moves, but up and down scrolling is completely smooth, with no tactile feedback. We prefer the ratcheting feel of a click wheel for scrolling through individual pages (featured in other mice, including the Logitech MX Revolution). The smooth dial that Microsoft incorporates into its mice feels sludgy and awkward. The scroll button itself is preset to activate the new Windows Vista Flip 3D overlay where you can quickly view all of your open windows in a digitally organized stack. And as with most mice, you can reassign all the buttons with the Intellipoint software.

The technical highlight of the 4000 is a proprietary technology that Microsoft calls Bluetrack, which combines the precision of laser tracking with the wide coverage of a standard optical mouse to let you use it on virtually any surface. This versatility should come as a relief for jet-setters who don't want to lug a mouse pad around with their hardware; now they can mouse on a variety of tabletops, carpets, and other rough or reflective textures. While these surfaces present a problem for traditional mice, the 4000 scrolls beautifully across all of them. The one exception we found is glass. In that case, the cursor became erratic, moving very slowly at times and jumping across the page at others.

At just 4.04 inches long and 2.39 inches wide, the Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000's small footprint tucks easily into a laptop case or a bag compartment. The wireless transceiver can supposedly deliver an uninterrupted connection up to 30 feet away, and the promise of cable-free trips is definitely a plus for mobile professionals and traveling Web surfers.

This photo and the next illustrate the contrast between the two devices as they are plugged into my laptops right side usb port.. You can see where the larger receiver would be prone to snagging on the laptop bag.

I had no problem using the mouse on my laptop. I plugged it in and it was recognized immediately by Windows 7. For greater control, I downloaded the Intellipoint software which allowed me to adjust several parameters including scroll speed, tracking speed and button configuration.

I have been using this mouse for the last 3-4 months. So far I love it. With the nano receiver, I do not have to worry about plugging in and out from the USB port.

The make and feel of the mouse is good.

Battery life is ok. I am still using the first battery provided when I made the purchase.

From the shop that I patronized, the logitech mouse with similar features is slightly more expensive. I believe the price of this mouse has fallen to compete with other manufacturers.

Just plug it in to the notebook and it will be recognized. You can download Microsoft mouse software from the Microsoft website. This will allow you to fine tune your mouse, but is not necessary for operation.

Click Start. Go to Devices and Printers. Does it display a Microsoft Wireless Transceiver? If not, maybe you have a defective USB port or product. Switch USB ports. Just for the heck of it, download the mouse software from the MS website and see if that helps.

I had a usb port replaced due to the fact that it burnt 3 usb mouse sticks. It has been 1 year and now another usb mouse stick has burnt. Put in a older usb logitech stick and so far working fine in same slot. Have you heard of usb sticks (microsoft) burning up before?

I had my 3500 mouse for about 2 months without an issue but, it started acting weird last week.

It completely stopped working, i replaced the original battery and started to work again.

After just a week the mouse just stopped working again and it feels like the mouse is overheating.

I can feel the heat on my palm while using it, i replaced the battery for the second time and it works.

Now it works but, for the last few days, it pause from time to time.

Umm Hi, I just bought this mouse today and i tried using it and for some reason this mouse just doesnt want to work on my laptop i have Windows7 and it doesnt want to work i checked the Devices and Printers section in my Start menu and it had a Yellow Triangle and an Exclimation sign in it. I trouble shooted but it found no problems i also downloaded the thing from the microsoft site for this and it still refuses to work anyone get this sort of problem and any idea on how to fix it? Do i need to get a new Mouse?

i bought this wireless mouse and set it up. Everything worked fine. But 2 days later I had to return my laptop and get it replaces and now, of course, I cannot find the usb thingy that I need to set it up. Does this mean I have to go and buy another one?? its my first laptop. can someone please provide some direction?? Thanks

This mouse is driving me crazy! When I move the wheel one click, it advances down about 15 or so lines, which usually makes me have to go to the scroll bar and manually scroll back up so I can read what I missed. I tried everything suggested here, with no luck. I am used to seeing mouse software that allows you to choose how many lines you want to scroll when you turn the mouse wheel, but I can find nothing like that in the setup for this mouse.

Barbara, read the post above my last one. If you will search the manuals.com website you will find the intellipoint software, which you should install. If your mouse is new, it should have come with the CD that has the software on it. The things you can do with the proper drivers installed are amazing.

I love my mouse but Since I purchased it 9 months ago I have had to change the batteries 8 times and it is getting worse. I only use duracell and I am not turning it off when not in use. What also is pissing me off is Microsoft is giving me the run around.

Hi, i am having issues with my MS 3500. When i use alkalines bateries it works 100% perfectly, but with a rechargable Ni-MH 2100 MAh it stop working or start to make funny things. Any with de same problem or a solution?

Beware that current version of the 3500 does not work with XP.

I just purchased a replacement 3500 for my xp laptop only to discover that it is not recognized by Intellipoint driver. Looking for an update online, and drivers now only available for Windows 7 & 8! Package says it works with Windows 8, RT, 7, & Vista? Model numbers on the mouse are the same (1427) for old and new devices. Basic predefined functions work, but I want to redefine the wheel button as double click, and it cannot be done.

Bought this mouse on 24 Sep 2014. So far after 5 weeks, I have had to replace the battery 4 times. Microsoft says the battery is suppose to last 8 months. I turn the mouse off when not in use but at this rate will spend more in batteries than the cost of the mouse. Guess I will just throw this piece of junk in the trash and go back to a regular mouse. Noticed on the web that other people are having the same problem with regard to the battery not lasting.

I've never been a fan of wireless peripherals - I didn't want more things to charge. Last year I finally broke down and bought a wireless mouse: Microsoft's Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000. I didn't buy it for mobility, I just liked the form factor.

The iMac comes with all wireless peripherals. In fact, if you stick with WiFi for network access, there's only a single cable you need going to the iMac: power. By default you get Apple's Wireless Keyboard and a Magic Mouse.

The Wireless Keyboard is a Bluetooth keyboard that runs off of two AA batteries. It pairs effortlessly with the iMac and I didn't encounter any issues with interference in using it. The keyboard seems to burn through batteries quicker than the mouse, perhaps that's because I type far too much or there's an issue with power management under OS X. After a week of use I'm down to 81% on a fresh pair of batteries (this is my second set).

The keyboard itself is a lot like Apple's standard aluminum keyboard, just wireless and more compact. Apple chopped off the dedicated home/end key island as well as the numeric keypad. Under OS X Cmd + Left/Right Arrow take the place of Home/End for me so part of the sacrifice isn't a problem, but the missing numeric keypad is. I do entirely too much data entry (ahem, benchmarks) to not have a dedicated numeric keypad, and for some reason Apple doesn't offer the Wireless Keyboard with one.

If you don't type tons of numbers every day however, the Wireless Keyboard is really nice. Apple had to stick a function key to the left of the control key, which is a bit bothersome (leave my control/option/cmd row alone) but it's nothing you can't get used to. The footprint is great. I have a giant desk, but I always seem to run out of desk space. The Wireless Keyboard makes it so that I can reclaim a small amount of high value desk area.

Pointing devices designed in Cupertino are another story entirely. I've never liked Apple's mice. It was a big enough problem that when I first tried my Month with a Mac experience I ditched Apple's mouse. There was no way I was going to give the platform a fair shake if I had to use that thing. Since then Apple has at least enabled double clicking - the surface of the Magic Mouse is touch sensitive, click with your right finger and you get a right click. The Magic Mouse has no scroll wheel but drag your finger around on its surface and you get the best scrolling experience on a physical mouse.

3a8082e126