Having a new laptop that supports Bluetooth internally, I figured a Bluetooth mouse would be handy. So I bought the Microsoft Bluetooth one. It was detected by OS X just fine, and seems to work well. Untill I started using it more and more. From time to time, the mouse skips, making me miss my mark and nailing a wrong icon. Bearable, but a pain. Next problem though. I packed up my laptop into my bag, and tossed the mouse in. See any problem to this? Well, there is no way to turn the mouse off, so it sat in my bag, wasting battery power. And aparently from others experiences, it sucks down batteries pretty quickly even with normal desktop use.

Second annoynance. The Bluetooth adaptor MS ships in the kit is worthless. I figured I could use it on my PC, but no such luck. It supports the mice and keyboard, bluetooth printers, and dial up features on cell phones. Thats it. No headsets, no sync ability for PDAs or phones, and no file transfers from other Bluetooth devices. And definitly no proximity sensor functionality like on my Mac. Oh, and for some, I'm sure the fact that Windows XP SP1 is required for any of it to work could be seen as a problem.

I'll be returning this to the store soon. Microsoft hardware quality has definitly gone downhill. First with the crazy keyboard layout, the loss of the Sidewinder line, and now this.

Yeah, I've read other opinions that agreed with you compleetly. Being a bluetooth convert, I was hopeing to find a bluetooth mouse for my laptop, but seeing as there don't seem to be any alternatives to the MS Bluetooth Intelimouse it looks like I'll be waiting for the ulitimate pointing device for a while here.

If only logitech would come out with a bluetooth trackman marble... But I don't want to hijack your thread with a rollerball/mouse debate.

Matthew

I would love to see a Bluetooth thumb trackball.

But I don't see one in the immediate future, so I will probably get the MX900 for now. If it dosen't have an off switch, it at least has a rechargable battery.

I had a hell of a time setting up the keyboard/mouse combo on my girlfriend's PC. Not only was it a pain that XPSP1 was required, they didn't make it particularly easy to get to particular BT component you needed.

Other than that, I somewhat like the BT keyboard, though (once it works). The feel is incredible, and yeah, the layout is different, but I certainly wouldn't say it's worse. For example, there's the double-sized delete key. I like that. They also got rid of the annoying insert key, which most people never use and always hit accidentally. Lastly, the home and end insert keys are in more logical positions.

Anyway, I'd agree overall. The products are highly annoying. They make me appreciate Logitech even more. Their cordless mouseman optical suites me perfectly, and I picked up a basic Logitech wireless keyboard at Best Buy for $40. Excellent.

They also got rid of the annoying insert key, which most people never use and always hit accidentally.

I use it daily, on my MS Internet Pro keyboard. Guess I should buy a spare while I still can for the day that this one breaks down.

Reorganizing some keys I can deal with. But actually removing one that has been standard forever? Thats a bad thing.

I think I'd better start stocking up on keyboards with a "normal" layout. I don't use the insert key often, but it does get used. Also, I HATE those extra "internet/multimedia keys." I also prefer the rectangular enter key to the L-shaped one which seems to be getting rarer and rarer.

Mmmm.... thread hijacking...

I think keyboard innovation is a good thing. I used to maintain the Typing Injuries FAQ, which includes a large section on alternative keybaords. I've been using a Kinesis Ergonomic Keyboard exclusively since about 1993 and it's been a fantastic thing for me. They have a new USB version, but I don't know if Bluetooth is in their plans or not.

Wow. Looks cool, but at that price, I'd need an integrated touchpad.

Rob Schofield has this keyboard and I had the displeasure of using it while at his house. That thing is simply too strange for me.

I think keyboard innovation is a good thing

I agree to a certain extent. The example you posted is a good example of how to do this. Randomly getting rid of a key for no aparent reason and changing the layout a small bit is annoyning though. The new MS keyboards are close enough to the normal 104 key layout that I will probably make many mistakes switching back and forth between it and other keyboards. Where as the one pictured above is different enough that changing back and forth wouldn't cause me problems.

but at that price

If you think that's expensive, check out this one.

Wow. Looks cool, but at that price, I'd need an integrated touchpad.

When I first bought the keyboard, I was recovering from serious tendinitis in both arms. Imagine it being painful to simply pick up a toothbrush. At that point, you're willing to spend some extra money in the name of comfort. The Kinesis, when it first came out, was $700. I split the cost 50/50 with my undergrad advisor, for whom I was doing research. I kept the keyboard at the end.

Incidentally, I've tried all sorts of pointing devices, and I've settled on a Logitech Optical USB Mouse with the scrolling wheel. It's right next to my right hand (no keypad to get in the way), and it's easy and fast to use. I've tried trackpads, trackballs, and heaven knows what else. I prefer the mouse with scroll wheel.

Incidentally, I've tried all sorts of pointing devices, and I've settled on a Logitech Optical USB Mouse with the scrolling wheel.

Me too.

If you can cope with a single mouse button, Apple's bluetooth mouse has an off switch. There are rumors that a multi-button and scroll capable version is in the pipeline, but there are always such rumors about Apple mice.

If you can cope with a single mouse button

Nope. I've used a two button/scroll mouse on my Mac since I have had it, and can't go to a one button mouse again. The fact that I had no choice in the matter with the touchpad bothers me, but the rest of the system makes up for it.

In reply to:

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That thing is simply too strange for me.

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if you think *that* was strange, try what I'm using:
The Twiddler

RE One button touchpad:

SideTrack is turning out to be really useful, so the need for a bluetooth mouse is diminishing a bit. This should hold me over until a Logitech Bluetooth Trackball is released.

Still getting used to other quirks of having an Apple laptop. Like being able to keep it running over the course of a few days by putting it into standby instead of shutting it down. Reliable and quick standby recovery is very nice. The ability to change my location on the fly between work, home, and other places is also nice, since the location change not only changes the network settings, but also the proxy settings.

I'll save the rest for a more formal review once I have had this machine for a few more days.

More formal review. Hm. I've had mine almost 2 weeks now, and 2 others before it, so maybe I should do that.

SideTrack is turning out to be really useful, so the need for a bluetooth mouse is diminishing a bit.

Oooh, thanks for that link. I was looking for something like that the other day.

-Mike

Nobody seems to carry the MX900 in this country. Did you import it, or did the supply dry up in 2 weeks?

i have had a 12 powerbook for a few months now and it is freaking great

It is my first apple too

I am using the microsoft mouse and found it okay not brillant but okay. Now what i really like is the dual head ability never seen that on a laptop before plug in an extra screen and i have 19 inch moniter with safari etc and i tunes running on the laptop screen.

OS x is great after using all the microsoft stuff and safari what a improvement So basically i am sold

Nobody seems to carry the MX900 in this country. Did you import it, or did the supply dry up in 2 weeks?

No, I never got one, been waiting on Logitech to actually release it. Best Buy computers don't even show it in the system yet, so it is still at least a few weeks off.

Ok. Amazon shows it as "discontinued", so I was confused.