[popstand]

Hey,
I took a plunge, risked poor compatibility, and bought a MS Bluetooth Intellimouse to use with my powerbook. I realize this is a peripheral question, but a lot of folks in this forum have had questions about the Powerbook and it's compatibility with third party mice. I just couldn't buy Apple's one button bluetooth. I can actually live without multiple buttons but a scroll wheel is a must. First off, the mouse does work without the included dongle. It interfaces directly with the powerbooks built in bluetooth. This mouse isn't perfect, but I think people have exaggerated how badly it works. The scroll wheel works, the left button works, and the right button works as control-click. I suppose movement isn't perfectly smooth, but for your average user it's more than adequate. The two buttons on the side are not currently supported. I'm assuming that software support will improve dramatically in the very near future. Finally, it's the most comfortable mouse I've ever used, it fits the hand beautifully. I guess if you were a designer or a very meticulous gamer, you may want to avoid it, but I think most powerbook users would be happy with the performance and convenience. Hope this answers any questions you might have had.

[doshin]

Interesting.

Can you wake the Powerbook from sleep while it is in clamshell mode with the mouse? I've read that the Apple mouse can.

[nagromme]

Thanks for the review! I think I'll wait for more selection/competition, since I already have mice to tide me over.

And MS's driver is based on USB Overdrive, so I wouldn't assume they will ever have a Bluetooth version that's comparable, and will support the other buttons. For the price, I'd want all the buttons.

Belkin's mouse looks best to me now, but none is quite ideal yet.

[popstand]

Hey,
I just checked, and nope, the mouse can't be used to wake the computer from sleep. Also, I'm actually hoping for better software support from Panther, there's been some talk of this possibility on these forums. Either way, I'm still happy with the price considering I get two buttons that work a scroll wheel, and a USB Bluetooth hub, for the same price as apple's...ahem...one button. If I hear good things about the Belkin I'll almost surely just sell this one on eBay and switch, but for now I'm quite happy.

[ae86_16v]

Originally posted by nagromme:

And MS's driver is based on USB Overdrive, so I wouldn't assume they will ever have a Bluetooth version that's comparable, and will support the other buttons. For the price, I'd want all the buttons.

You could get the regular Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer and install the driver and use all 5 buttons.

People have been saying that Panther will support the extra buttons.

[Just Some Guy]

Have you tried using the new Microsoft Mouse Drivers? I hear they went to version 5.0 and wonder if they added support for the Bluetooth mice. Thanks for any info

[popstand]

Way ahead of you guys. I tried installing the wireless intellimouse drivers already and was dismayed to find that they do not work with this mouse. I believe that the earlier poster is correct when they say the MS drivers are only capable of recognizing the mice via the USB port whether that be with a corded mouse, regular wireless usb receiver, or usb bluetooth receiver. Fortunately, it looks like panther will be released sooner than we all expected, so my fingers are crossed that the buttons will be supported...

[nagromme]

MS's driver for wireless mice is still the USB driver: the mouse is still USB, just connected through a USB RF dongle instead of a USB cord. Plus, RF is not the same as Bleuetooth.

[iomatic]

where'd you order it from?

[popstand]

Bought it at compusa.

[alpha rays max]

Although anything could certainly change before the retail version ships, my MS Bluetooth mouse's 2 extra buttons are not supported (at least by default) in Panther 7B80.