Microsoft Explorer Mouse review

Once upon a time, mice had balls. Then they got LEDs instead, producing the familiar red optical mouse glow. More recently, some mice have replaced the LEDs with lasers, getting better results in some circumstances and worse in others.

Well, nothing can stand still, and just as Gillette gives us a closer and closer shave by packing in more technologies - all right, bits of sharp metal - Microsoft has combined LED and laser to create a more versatile rodent. Dubbed BlueTrack, it uses LEDs and lasers set at different angles to get a clearer picture of the surface beneath, allowing it to track more precisely. It's said to be compatible with a huge variety of surfaces, including carpet, kitchen worktops and fabric.

We don't know why anyone would use a mouse on a carpet, but we can't resist a challenge. Amaz-ingly, using the Explorer on a carpet really was as easy as on a mouse pad. Fabric and even human skin worked serviceably, too. Even bark. Testing would have continued, but we couldn't obtain a rhinoceros hide before we went to press.

It's also worth noting that the Explorer worked exceptionally well on a desk, performing with the kind of precision and comfort you'd expect from premium brands such as Razer.

The mouse itself looks and feels similar to previous incarnations of the popular Explorer, and it's pleasantly ergonomic. The four buttons - two on the top and a smaller pair below the thumb - are light and responsive. Our only minor gripe concerns the scroll wheel: it's effortlessly smooth when scrolling, but its click action is too tough.

The driver software offers plenty of customisations. Each button can be assigned one of dozens of commands, from basics like clicking and scrolling to complex tasks such as activating a zoom window or launching a specified application.

This is a highly usable bit of kit. Even with heavy discounts on the jaw-dropping £70 SRP, it's not cheap, but it could make your everyday PC life just that little bit more pleasant.