Mouse Reviews

I have been looking for this product ever since Microsoft took their EasyBall off the market. The new BIGtrack is awsome. I have my 4 year old and my 2 year old both using it and their accuracy is amazing. I just wish that someone would update the information on Amazon. This product has been updated to a USB connection and the name was changed to BIGtrack. I used it on a win and mac machine and it is just plug and play.

Order process with Infogrip went smoothly. Will check back to review functionality in November.

I know others have had difficulty with running on higher version OS, but I have my daughter's Crayola trackball running on Windows 2000 without any problem at all. The driver is irrelevant, just use the Microsoft driver for a regular 2 button mouse - it's that simple. Beyond that, I love the excellent precision you get with a trackball. My daughter started working on a computer when she was less than a year, and on a standard mouse it's hard to distinguish the buttons. Many of the smaller chid size mouses aren't very well made. Since all the younger child software is based almost solely on constant left mouse button clicking, we had one mouse before this and the left mouse button gave out in a very short amount of time, especially when the child is first learning and clicks too much. I have had this mouse for over a year now, and it's been nothing but great.

I think this is a great idea, I hate using the keyboard on my laptop for the numeric keypad, because the keys are not lined up vertically like they are on the keyboard keypads. This is great, it has a USB interface to it is easy to swap in and out when needed, it's not really small, but fits nicely into my laptop case.
The only annoying feature about this is that the num-lock key triggers the num-lock for the entire laptop, not just the keypad, which is unnessesary. Its easy enough to just hit the num-lock on it before and after you use it, however it would be preferable if you didn't need to.

I would recomend this to anyone who is looking for a keypad accessory. For people who do not have a spare USB port, IBM makes the same exact model as this, except with a PS/2 port, or you can just buy a converter.

I bought this keypad because I don't like using the "Num Lock" and then the number keys overlaid on the right side of my Thinkpad's keyboard. Unfortunately, when I hit the Num Lock on this keypad, those keys (U,I,O, etc.) become number keys also. So while this does make data entry really fast if you are used to using a keypad like this, you have to turn it back off before trying to type anything. Besides that, it is exactly what I was looking for.

I BOUGHT TWO OTHER KEYPADS THAT WOULD NOT WORK WITH WINDOWS XP. THIS IBM KEYPAD COMES WITH THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO INSTALL THE DRIVERS SO THAT EVEN WINDOWS XP WILL RECOGNIZE IT. IT WORKS GREAT, AND I EVEN BOUGHT THE IBM MOUSE AS WELL. IF YOU HAVE A NEW LAPTOP WITH WINDOWS XP, AND YOU HAVE A USB PORT, YOU CANT BEAT THIS IBM KEYPAD, AND THE PRICE IS CHEAPER THAN THOSE OFF BRAND KEYPADS. IF YOU WANT THE BEST, BUY THIS IBM NUMERIC KEYPAD. YOU WILL LOVE IT! IT'S THE BEST.

I feel the need to report that I have had a less than satisfying experience with this product. I purchased the Iogear GME221 Optical Mini in October of 2002 from Amazon for [$] plus shipping and handling. At the time I intended to use it on a Compaq Laptop running windows 98. This mouse was not ever recognized by that computer when plugged in as instructed to the USB port. I contacted Iogear which promises a 90 day Guarantee of their product. They told me to send it back to Amazon if it was less than 30 days after purchase. Otherwise I could return it to them for repair. I tried it on my Wife's Compaq Laptop running Windows ME. It recognized the mouse the first time I tried it, so I kept it as I was planning to buy a new Dell running Windows XP. I tried it on my son's Dell and his machine would not recognize the Mini Mouse. I didn't know what to do so I waited until I got my Dell. Well, to my disappointment, the mouse would work on my new computer about half of the time. Some times it would recognize it and some times it would give me a message that the USB was detecting a defect in the USB device. I sent the product back to Iogear as instructed which included specific packaging instructions which were a page long. This cost me [$] in UPS charges. I got a voice mail several days later that they had my mouse and that it seemed to be working just fine. I called back and the voice mail of my contact person was full. I tried the next day and she said she sent it back because I did not call. I had to pay for the call. She was able to find the mouse tested it again and called my voice mail to say it was fine and she had sent it back. So, I got it back and it still does not work. I have discovered that I can get it to work on my Dell if I plug it in before booting up in the morning. It is recognized about half the time on my wife's machine and never on my son's. Needless to say I am disappointed. I suppose there are other avenues I could pursue but enough is enough. I am not willing to spend any more money and it is time to cut my losses. My wife bought me a Logitech Optical Mouse for Christmas and it is always recognized by my computer. I do not have to plug it in before I boot. Another interesting thing is that it has given me an opportunity to compare the two devices. While the Iogear device looks like a good idea, it is really very small. It has a nice carrying case but it is so small that you have to pinch it between your thumb and third finger to keep it from sliding back in your hand when you click. The buttons curve forward and the click pressure makes it want to slide back. It also feels like it is made of thin plastic which gives it a fragile feel. In short, if you buy this product and don't like it be sure to send it back to Amazon right away. Iogear did not treat me fairly and want others to be aware. I will never buy anything from them again. For about the same money you can get a very nice Mouse from Logitech.

This is a great mouse for travel, but I wouldn't want to use it everyday. This is a two button optical mouse with a scroll wheel. The wheel does not work as a third button by pushing down on it as some other mice do. I use it on my tiny Sony Vaio PCGA-SRX99. It is perfect for my needs, but it is VERY small. I have small hands and the entire thing is only as long as my index finger. The buttons are quite noisy as well, so I tend to tap the finger pad on my computer to select something when I am using it in meetings. The case is a nice touch, so the cord doesn't get tangled when traveling. I only wish the cord were much shorter or retractable. It must be about three or four feet long and all I need is about 8 inches.

It is a nice little mouse I purchased for my notebook. It is small and light which is good for taking to anywhere. It looks very nice that many friends of mine want to have it too.

This is a nice keyboard for those with small hands, such as myself, but there are serious problems as well:

First, the color coding on the multimedia keys is missing, making it very difficult to figure out which one is which.

Second, the USB connectiors are too small to fit any of my USB devices and are, therefore, completely useless.

Third, the push button sound adjustment is a very useful feature, but its increments are rather large, making it hard to fine adjust sound like you could with a more sophisticated round button system.

Beyond these, this is a nice, compact keyboard.

This keyboard is one of the best I have used. You get more for the money than you will with any other Microsoft and Logitech keyboard. This comes with a load of features, including two USB ports(a large plus for those who have only two USB ports), 8 shortcut keys including two that can be customized, DVD and CD playback can be controlled right from the keyboard, there is a back and forward button for Internet Explorer, and the volume can be adjusted also. Try finding a keyboard with features like these, it will be [expensive]. The keyboard itself is extremely comfortable to type with and the buttons take alsmost no force to push down and it has such good response. The black and the look of the keyboard is sleek and nice that will go with any computer. It looks wonderful with a black computer. The only negative is the different keyboard layout that IBM has used. The Insert, Delete, Page Up/Down keys and the Arrow keys are a little bunched up. This saves space but it does get awhile to get used to, especially if you are one of those people who use those buttons a lot.

I was originally looking for a simple cheap keyboard. But then noticed that this USB keyboard cost just a little more then a generic one. And it works great. If you have WinXP, no need to load the driver off the CD. Just plug it in (when power is on) let it load the general driver, then go to Windows Update where it will detect the new keyboard driver needed.

Out of the box and mated to the Logitech i-touch keyboard, this mouse set up in 3 minutes. The taskbar icon makes adjusting sensitivity, etc. very easy. The mouse then works as well as any corded, mechanical mouse. However, I found it a little too big for my hand and, having been an optical mouse user for some time, a bit less precise than I like. I've ordered the optical unit and will report on that when I've gotten it installed.

I got this mouse from the Cordless Desktop Pro package and am very satisfied with it. I use my tv for PC gaming and sit on my futon about 5 feet away so being able to recline on my futon while still having easy access to my mouse is very convenient. The radio technology it uses is pretty effective but not perfect. At times I was able to use my mouse over 15 feet away from my computer and TV, so anyone using a desktop should have no problems. Occasionally certain factors will cause it to stutter for a second(like objects). Another problem is that when moving the mouse at a fast rate, the motion will get distorted because this mouse can't seem to track really fast motions. Also, if you're a gamer who tweaks his gear, you'll notice that the rate of the mouse averages around 50 Hz and can't be raised I believe because of the cordless factor(higher rate=smoother movement). The shape and design are sleek and comfortable. It also has 4 buttons, 2 of which can be assigned to pratically any command. The thumb button is placed perfectly, the wheel also has a nice feel with clicks as you roll it. All in all, if convenience is what you're looking for then this is probably the best mouse you'll find w/o a cord, otherwise an optical mouse would provide much better performance except with a cord.

I bought this mouse bundled with a natural keyboard (also wireless) and I have been happy ever since. No wires to worry about, the responsiveness is like that of a conventional device. Right after the purchase, out of curiousity I took both the keyboard and the mouse to another room, about 20 feet away, and they both worked just fine (as I use it, the mouse sits 3-4 feet away from the receiver). The battery life has been also amazingly long, I forget when I changed battery. I'd say battery lasts about 6 months.

I purchased this product because it claimed to offer wireless freedom for your keyboard and mouse, at least that is what I imagined. Logitech utilizes radio signals (unlike other wireless devices which use IR technology) to communicate between the keyboard/mouse and the receiver. With this in mind, Logitech clearly indicates that for optimum performance, you must keep the reciever unit at least 8 inches (20 cm) from ANY electrical device. Understood. However, no matter where I located the receiver unit, flawless operation could not be achieved. I would type a sentence only to find out that 2/3 of it made it to the screen. Very frustrating. Even though the unit was new, I changed the batteries hoping that it might help. It didn't. Finally, I pulled the receiver and its cord across the desktop and placed it directly in front of the keyboard and mouse. Now, I have flawless operation. If you look at this product as a quick break-away device, pulling the receiver unit close to the keyboard as you need it, then sliding it back out of the way when you don't need it, I suppose you will be happy with the Freedom Navigator. I just wish the radio transmitters in the keyboard had a bit more muscle. Ending on a positive note, the split keyboard is very comfortable to use for extended periods of time.

The Logitech Freedom Navigator is a very tight keyboard and mouse combo. And for the price, it's pretty good. Instalation is fairly easy. It takes around 10 mins and isn't to hard to do. The mouse "grip" is wonderful. It fits in your hand perfectly. The keyboard is very nice too. The "play/pause" button [stinks] though. It's more like a stop button. And you'll really never use the buttons much either. But all the same, it's a good keyboard. A lil problem. Sometimes the mouse and keyboard get a little sketchy... And it is a bit annoying. But all you have to do is reconnect. So it's not a life-threatening problem :) And I really wish the mouse were optical. That is a major downer. But overall it's pretty good.

It's alright. I love the freedom of sitting across the room from my computer and typing. The only problem is that I wish I had a bigger monitor because, my eyesight only goes so far. It's also very conveniant when multiple people need to use the computer and desk.

This mouse is aesthetically gorgeous, and the no-button design is pleasing. However, I've tried it on a number of different surfaces, and it has a lot of tracking problems, especially with fine motion. The more I need to do fine motion, the more I experience the same wrist pain reported by others because I try to use my hand to compensate for the mouse's lack of sensitivity.

With most other mice, moving the cursor around feels like an extension of my hand. I look at what I want on the screen, flick my wrist, and the cursor invariably ends up in the right spot (this has been true for Windows as well as the Mac). However, this mouse doesn't give me that feeling -- the cursor often ends up not going where I want it. That's annoying if I'm just switching between apps or something like that, but if I'm playing Halo, it can be fatal. I find myself turning more and more to keyboard shortcuts instead of using the mouse.

Finally, the cord is only twenty-eight inches long, which is absurdly short. Granted, most people who use this mouse will probably be plugging it into a keyboard, and under those circumstances, the length of the cord is less likely to be an issue. However, if you're thinking of plugging the mouse into the back of a tower that's on the floor behind your desk, you need to keep this limitation in mind.

The mouse requires no configuration or drivers, and it is hot swappable, all of which is nice but not particularly remarkable these days. The most important feature of a mouse is how natural it feels in response to the motion of your hand, and in this department, the Apple Optical Pro Mouse is one of the worst mice I've ever used.

This mouse came with my new G4 Computer. I don't like it. I draw a lot with my mouse in general and this does not work for me. I hate the fact that you have to push down the whole mouse to get a click. I found that my wrist gets sore and the mouse is cumbersome and is just not sensitive enough.

It looks really cool, but that's about it.

I recommend the Microsoft Wheel Optical Mouse instead. It's cheap and the shape is very complimentary to your hand. Two buttons and the wheel all work on Mac. Plus the cord is really long... for some reason Mac cords for mice and keyboards are so darn short.

I don't recommend this mouse.

I agree with most of what is written here: the mouse is stylish, and the single button is not a huge problem. I used this mouse for about a year but it has just stopped working. I think the problem is that the connection between the mouse and the mouse cable is somewhat weak. If you want to get this mouse, be gentle to it, and don't wind the cable around the mouse (for travel/storage purposes) like I did.

I received my tablet a day after I ordered from Amazon at no extra delivery charge, so great service from these folks, BUT, the tablet has a problem with my OS, WinXP. The tablet's driver doesn't work with a file in the Xp's stand by mode, so whenever my laptop goes into it, the system crashes. It happens daily. Another problem with Wacoms driver is that it fails to load too often. The tablet is great when it works, but right now, with the current Wacom driver I would have to discourage anyone from buying it. The people at Wacom are cordial, but they have NOT fixed the problem, even after I theatened them with posting a negative review here, at Amazon. So, now go and think before you buy.

I bought my Wacom 9x12 Intuos2 tablet last year, and it is a great product. What can I say that has not been said before? So, yes, it is great. But even greatness has flaws.

A reviewer below said that you have a 50/50 chance of the driver booting at start-up. That is true. The driver does boot a lot of the time, but that doesn't bother me much. You just close it and that's that.

Second, one time in every twenty, the tablet won't recognize the pressure nor the eraser. Even if you just brush lightly your stylus in the tablet, it will render the thickest line you're working with. That can be fixed by closing the program and opening it again.

Aside from that, it works like a wonder. Those are the two bad points I can find for it, but the good far outweights the bad.

I've been using the Intuos 6 x 8 for 4 years now and it has been good. It draws cartoons in Flash well (if I zoom it to at least 200%), and lately I'd been thinking of upgrading to a larger wacom and I've found it really difficult to find a good review anywhere so here is my take on wacoms.

I'd always been under the impression that I couldn't draw as well on a 6 x 8 compared to a 9 x 12, but that was purely psychological. The truth is if you zoom in 200% and draw at 200% then the accuracy is just as good as a 9 x 12 wacom at 100% zoom. Only thing is I like to see the whole canvas at one time. I've upgraded now to an Intuos 2 9 x 12 and it works like a dream! Logically it should be no different from a '6 x 8 working at 200% zoom', but somehow the feel of the pen is wonderful, and it draws beautifully and more easily! (or it may just be psychological). For those with 6 x 8 wacoms I found a neat tip that makes them just as good as 9 x 12s (except that the feel is different, or that may just be psychological) and that is, if you change it to the mouse setting, and make the speed to the slowest one possible (turtle), then you should get the same accuracy as a 9 x 12 working at 100% zoom. However because the space is small you'd need to lift the pen when you run out of space. But that doesn't really matter. Actually maybe because my 9 x 12 is an Intuos2 instead of an Intuos (and I don't know the difference between the two), maybe that's why I feel that I like it better. It's hard judging these things. I'd say it's best to find out what works for you.

(...)to see an example of a picture I did using the Intuos2 9 x 12.

I am using it now to replace my old iMac mouse. It only took about two minutes to install on my iMac. The scroll wheel works great, except in Quicken 2001. But it is most useful with Internet Explorer anyway. The bottom line is that there are probably better mice out there, but for the price and for use on my three year old iMac this is a good choice.

When it came time to replace my little circular iMac mouse a few months ago, all I could find was the Logitech Wheel Mouse...thank god it's the best mouse I've ever owned. =) Its ergonomic design is a wonder for both left and right-handed people. its simple design also makes it amazingly easy to use. (unlike say, the kensington Optical Pro, which has lots of easy-to-hit-accidenally buttons. Less is more!)

I experienced some problems with the software; right clicking on the desktop usually led to a system crash - I learned to do without.

What I like most about this mouse was the scroller; I loved the way it felt =) Cleaning the mouse is a pain, but that's what happens with all non-optical mice.

Get out and get the mouse! Well, actually, get the optical version - no cleaning!

Notwithstanding the comments of one frustrated user, I think this mouse a great replacement for the non-wheel mice provided by Apple. I found installation a snap, and its use even easier. Though I don't have AppleWorks, which another user has found somewhat incompatible, I've been able to use the wheel with every program I have. It's even recognized by Virtual PC, making it useful with all Windows based programs running on the Mac. As for the cord being somewhat short, I suppose it would be, if it didn't plug directly into the keyboard. Still, it's not all that difficult to get an extension cord, even for those who have to plug it directly into the back of their Macs. My biggest niggle is just that it only comes in G3 blueberry. It would be nice if they came in a whole range of colors, as befits the current range of Mac options available. Other than that, I've found it to be a huge improvement over Apple-supplied mice, however chic those may look.

I thought it would be mini for my laptop - but its more Medium compared to other small laptop mice.

If you need a small mouse,this is a top quality mouse. My only complaint is that the metal edges are a little sharp. I haven't cut myself yet, but I often feel like it is imminent.

My computer is basically grey and black (HP, you know). It is absolutely essential that the colors match. Therefore I got the Silver and Black Logitech Mini Optical Mouse because the full size one is kinda neutral beige. Fortunately, the size of the mini feels the same as a full size mouse.

The reason for a new mouse was sticky ball syndrome. I have found it impossible to adequately clean the ball on a mechanical mouse. If nothing else, there seems to be a lot of body oil mixed in with the dirt, dust and cat hair. Then there is rolling surface cleanness to consider. One little crumb and the cursor will jump, or hang. I can see how the optical mouse could finally pick up enough dust to some day obscure the diode, but so far it is very precise in its cursor positioning.