Microsoft Explorer Mouse - Mouse - optical - 5 button(s) - wireless - 2.4 GHz - USB wireless receiver - silver, anthracite

693 reviews

Mar, 2015

Positive
Usability (192)
Price (119)
Size (93)
Design (90)
Reliability (74)

No negative mentions yet

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 693 reviews of Microsoft Explorer Mouse - Mouse - optical - 5 button(s) - wireless - 2.4 GHz - USB wireless receiver - silver, anthracite. The average rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average rating of 4.1/5 for other Mouse & Pointing Devices for all reviews. People are impressed by the reliability and design. The size and price are also appreciated.

usability, price, size, design, reliability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Mouse & Pointing Devices the Microsoft Explorer Mouse - Mouse - optical - 5 button(s) - wireless - 2.4 GHz - USB wireless receiver - silver, anthracite is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 88/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 693 reviews)

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Showing 537 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 435 of 537 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (156)

Consumer review by: (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Microsoft Explorer Mouse - Mouse - optical - 5 button(s) - wireless - 2.4 GHz - USB wireless receiver - silver, anthracite

alaTest has collected and analyzed 72 user reviews of Microsoft Explorer Mouse - Mouse - optical - 5 button(s) - wireless - 2.4 GHz - USB wireless receiver - silver, anthracite from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Mouse & Pointing Devices on Amazon.co.uk. Comments about the reliability and design are on the whole positive. The price and size are also appreciated.

usability, size, price, design, reliability

93% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

This summary is based on the products: Microsoft Explorer Mouse • Microsoft 5AA-00004 WinXP/Vista Explorer Mouse • Microsoft Explorer Mouse - Mouse - optical - 5 button(s) - wireless - 2.4 GHz - USB wireless receiver - silver, anthracite

Mar, 2015

Consumer review by: (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Microsoft Explorer Mouse - Mouse - optical - 5 button(s) - wireless - 2.4 GHz - USB wireless receiver - silver, anthracite

alaTest has collected and analyzed 353 user reviews of Microsoft Explorer Mouse - Mouse - optical - 5 button(s) - wireless - 2.4 GHz - USB wireless receiver - silver, anthracite from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.1/5 for other Mouse & Pointing Devices on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the design and size. The reliability and price are also appreciated.

usability, price, reliability, size, design

86% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

This summary is based on the products: Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse • Microsoft Explorer Mouse

Mar, 2015

Expert review by: Justin Yu (cnet.com)

Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse

The Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse made its debut last year alongside its big brother, the Explorer . At just $60 ($20 less than the Explorer), the Mini model retains the same BlueTrack sensor that lets you use it accurately across a variety of surfaces...

BlueTrack sensor allows mousing on almost any surface; small footprint.

No support for lefties; no "off" switch to save battery life.

The Explorer Mini mouse features Microsoft's new BlueTrack sensor technology, which makes for smooth scrolling across almost any surface. Travelers listen up: unless you're left-handed, we're sure you'll appreciate its portability, ease of use, and...

Apr, 2009

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Expert review by: (pcmag.com)

Microsoft Explorer Mouse

The Explorer Mini Mouse is a good notebook companion, given its portability and tracking system, but you'll have to fork over some bucks for it.

Small. Convenient snap-in transceiver. Tracks exceptionally well. Good battery life

Pricey. Not for lefties. Lack of clicky scroll-wheel detents makes line-by-line scrolling difficult

Nov, 2008

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Expert review by: Tolga BALCI (brighthub.com)

Microsoft Explorer Mouse

After cleaning the mouse balls, we have met with optic and laser mice. For a long time we worked with these mice until Microsoft introduced its own technology, named Bluetrack, combining the best of optics and laser. Let's see what it is up to.

Feb, 2010

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Expert review by: Tweak News (tweaknews)

Expert Review

Dec, 2009

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Expert review by: Blair Hanley Frank (macworld.com)

Review: Microsoft Explorer Mouse

The Explorer Mouse is a solid mouse. If you're constantly working on non-standard surfaces, then the Explorer Mouse is probably right for you.

The Explorer Mouse definitely feels great, at least in my hands. It’s significantly bulkier and more sculpted than the Mighty Mouse, but it feels solid, and my hand conforms rather easily to its contours. While it’s obviously designed for right-handed...

Jul, 2009

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Expert review by: garfi3ld (lanoc.org)

Microsoft Explorer Mini

Not long ago I had the chance to take a close look at Microsoft's Sidewinder X8. One of the X8's main features was the BlueTrack Technology used with its optical sensor that boasts the ability to work on virtually any surface. In my testing I found...

After having a very positive experience with the Sidewinder mice, I was excited to take a closer look at the Explorer Mini. If you couldn't tell up until now, I found the Explorer Mini to be a great mouse. My only complaints were limited to the shape...

Jun, 2009

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Expert review by: Matthew Murray (computershopper.com)

Microsoft Explorer Mouse

Microsoft's new BlueTrack-based Explorer Mouse allows for excellent control on every kind of desk—and almost everywhere else.

BlueTrack technology enables excellent mousing on many kinds of surfaces; nicely weighted

Four-way scroll wheel lacks supple control; charger is tiny, sometimes behaves erratically

The mouse's 2.4GHz wireless receiver plugs into a USB port, and it can be stowed in a small depression on the underside of the mouse. This feature is welcome, but hardly surprising in the Explorer Mouse, which is already fully committed to enabling...

Feb, 2009

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Expert review by: Clint (maximumcpu.net)

Read Microsoft Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack

The computer mouse has evolved greatly over the years. First there was the mechanical mouse, then the optical mouse, followed by the laser mouse. Well the mouse has once again evolved with the introduction of Microsoft's Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack...

Rechargeable ; Comfortable ; Works on a variety of surfaces ; Snap-in transceiver ; Visually appealing design

Low DPI ; Not long enough for people with large hands ; Right handed only

The Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack is an excellent mouse but nowhere as superior as Microsoft would like you to think. The Explorer Mouse only worked on 1 surface that its closest competitor, an optical mouse, did not work on. It is relatively...

Dec, 2008

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Expert review by: HardwareCentral (hardwarecentral.com)

Microsoft Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack Technology Review

Paper items including newspaper, glossy white photo paper, and both plain brown and glossy corrugated cardboard all produced trouble-free, precise responses. A glossy hardcover book jacket that stymied two other optical mice in our collection was also...

Dec, 2008

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Expert review by: Everything USB (everythingusb.com)

Microsoft Explorer Mini

The notebook mouse attempts to be everything to everybody, but ends up being a compromise that suits right-handed desktop users with small hands best. A few key omissions make this a decently executed, but flawed package.

Ergonomic, functional shape, Rubberized sections for good grip, Made for portability, Smooth and expensive feeling scroll wheel with no clicking detents, Great range (up to 30 ft.)

Tracks poorly on frosted glass desks and glossy surfaces, Right handed only, Relatively large wireless USB dongle, Dongle storage on bottom not very elegant, Mouse not rechargeable, Battery life not that great

Nov, 2008

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Product Specifications

Dimensions & Weight

Depth:3.8in/4.6in

Height:1.6in/1.8in

Weight:3.8oz/5.4oz

Width:2.8in/3.1in

Header

Compatibility:Mac / PC/PC / Mac

Localization:Brazilian Portuguese / English / French / Spanish

Manufacturer:Microsoft

Model:Mini Mouse/Mouse

Packaged Quantity:1/3

Product Line:Microsoft Explorer

Input Device

Buttons Qty:5

Connectivity Technology:Wireless

Form Factor:External

Interface (DB):2.4 GHz

Movement Detection Technology:Optical

Type:Mouse

Miscellaneous

Color:Anthracite / Silver/Silver / Anthracite

Microsoft Certification:Certified for Windows Vista/Compatible with Windows 7

Vista Certification:Certified for Windows Vista

Service & Support

Type:3 years warranty

System Requirements

OS Required:Apple MacOS X 10.2 or later / Microsoft Windows XP SP2 / Microsoft Windows Vista/Apple MacOS X 10.2 or later / Microsoft Windows Vista / Microsoft Windows XP SP2