Monday, March 31, 2008

Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000

A few days ago, I received my Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000 and its by far my favorite toy! I feel like Harry Potter and his ~~Nimbus 2000~~ Firebolt right now.

Its a bluetooth wireless mouse on one side and if you flip it over, it becomes your presentation remote control. For a long time, I would use my dad’s Logitech cordless presenter which I had enjoyed endlessly. All it had was a trackball and 3 buttons. Years have passed and technology always amazes us with newer features that make our lives much easier and enjoyable.

Now, this is definitely not like any ordinary mouse. But when used on a flat surface, you are able to use the configured four buttons and a wheel- just like you do on any mouse. The fifth button right in the center, with a data show screen icon on it, allows you to trigger back and forth between using the presenter mouse as a mouse or remote. A little message appears on the screen every time you click it to announce what “mode” you are in.

Once you are in “remote” mode, you can flip the mouse upside down and tickle the buttons to browse between slides, play and pause media, control volume and use the laser pointer.

I was relieved to find out that once you switch to a mode, if you accidentally press any button from the other mode, it will not trigger anything. The only button the works regardless of mode, is the laser button and the mode switcher.

Yesterday, I had to do a presentation so I decided to show off my new toy and see how it works out. It was great! Everything went smoothly. From the software that I had installed, I was able to reconfigure the buttons with the tools I most often use. For example, I added the shortcut key to navigate between documents, since I had several windows open simultaneously. It was referred to as “Instant Viewer”, also known as alt+TAB shortcut key.
Using the wheel, you can move around the windows and select whichever one you want for full screen viewing.

Another cool feature is the ability to use the Magnifier. Windows already comes with a built-in magnifier that enlarges text and icons for easier viewing, but now you can use an even larger magnifying glass to zoom in to a specific area of the screen. The size of magnifying window can be easily modified by pressing the button, holding it and moving the mouse around for bigger or smaller size. You can also change the magnification level from 1.5x to 5x. Your last settings will be remembered.

All in all, this baby was really cool to use and own. It costs around 100 US Dollars and well worth it! I would love to see a next version have a trackball somewhere on top, so the mouse wouldn’t always have to be scrolled on a flat surface. I also wish it were rechargeable and have the batteries just as spare.

The presenter mouse comes with a slick plastic case to store and carry the mouse and bluetooth USB.

Filed under: Reviews |

Comments

F. | Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 03.48 pm

Nimbus 2000? Dudette, I think you mean Firebolt.

Or wait… since it’s a Windows related thing… let’s keep it Nimbus, heh heh.

Anyway - many congrats. Fire up those presentations now.

Shaymaa | Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 04.04 pm

@F. I am sorry, besides not being a member in the Mac Fan Club, I have not yet attended Harry Potter discussion groups, to recall and know his brooms. LOL, so yes, i meant the Firebolt! ~my apologies, updating the post now.

Marzouq | Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 07.15 pm

I always love those good gadgets that you really enjoy! I know I do, I do like the Logitech Projector Remote!

N. | Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 05.29 am

Looks like a very impressive mouse. I’m sure it is handy. My targus wireless mouse is acting strange so I don’t trust wireless that much, but bluetooth I think would be better. I actually use my phone’s remote control for presenting, it gets the job done too!