Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000

Reviews: Peripherals

Accessories | Gaming Devices | Keyboards / Mice | Printers

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Bradford Day
Kurtis
Microsoft
Jan. 25, 2006

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Introduction

They just couldn't sit back and let the others scoop up all the glory. Microsoft has jumped straight into the laser mouse fray with the likes of Logitech and Razer. However, Microsoft is hardly new to the game and usually puts together decent input devices.

To be quite honest, I have used Microsoft mice for most of my computing life. But usually my Gatesian mice are of the cheap variety, typically purchased for under $10. Their new Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 hardly falls into that category.

Previous laser mice I have reviewed have been primarily gaming specific, and while Microsoft doesn't blatantly tout this particular mouse as being a gamer's best friend, I certainly won't shy away from giving it a good first person shooter thrashing. I'm not quite sure what to expect from this mouse's gaming potential. From my first few glances, it certainly looks like it could be a handy desktop-mate!but man shall not live by word processing alone.

First Looks

As you've probably noticed in the past, Microsoft isn't known for their outlandish or overly clever product packaging. But this mouse is different. I was very pleased to see that they had put a little thought into designing the cubic product packaging for the Wireless Laser Mouse 6000. A handsome black and red color scheme is paired with minimal, yet informative product shots and specs all centered around a plastic bubble containing the mouse. And the box is a breeze to open.

Gray. The whole mouse is gray with gray accents. I did say that the 6000 isn't primarily aimed at the gaming crowd, so loud colors and extreme designs weren't expected. But still, gray? Perhaps I could go as far as calling it a silver-gray. A bit of black might have been nice though. Despite its hoary external hue, the mouse isn't shy on curves. Obvious thumb and finger grooves lend to the sculpted appearance while the primary buttons are cleverly molded to appear as one piece. An opaque, and gray, scroll wheel bisects the center and two thumb buttons protrude nonchalantly from the upper thumb ridge. I quite like the design, personally, but it is hardly a departure from the norm. Still, the design does have an aura of refinement and the shape is quite comfortable. If I had to compare it to an automotive design, I would say it is the Toyota Solara of mice!sleek and curvaceous, yet suitably bland and attractive to most Grandparents.

Flipping the mouse on its back reveals 4 small non-stick feet, the battery compartment and laser eye. Strangely enough, this laser mouse makes no light while in use. I suppose the laser light is invisible to the human eye but with lasers you half expect perfectly straight beams of red or green to shoot out in every direction, not so. Despite the lack of laser eye candy, the mouse glides smoothly across most surfaces. The 6000 works as well on a table top as it does on a mouse pad, I just prefer the latter.

I have bad news for you lefties out there; the Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 is right-hand only. But, for you nearly blind computer users, Microsoft has included a handy magnifier program with this mouse, more on that later. The Mac users amongst you who haven't totally shunned Microsoft will also be able to use this mouse on OSX ver. 10.2-10.4. Back to that sexy product packaging. Stuck inside the cube you will find the mouse, a USB wireless receiver, a pair of AA batteries, instruction manual and installation CD.

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Page 1: Introduction / First Looks
Page 2: Testing
Page 3: Conclusion

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3 User Comments

1 - Posted by allen888 on August 28, 2006 - 3:03 pm

I bought the Microsoft wireless laser keyboard and mouse 6000 and after five months I can no longer get the mouse to move the pointer yet all other functins of the keyboard and the mouse work. And, no one has an answer for this problem. Yes, I plan to reurn the stuff ofr a refund.

H.

2 - Posted by Kurtis on August 28, 2006 - 5:13 pm

I'm assuming you have tried putting new batteries in and refreshing the device's connection, right?

3 - Posted by sandtrooper on October 5, 2007 - 8:59 am

could i ask author .. Bradford Day .. what mouse you use ? i am looking for good wired laser mouse, if possible .. the one which can work on glass surface, thanks

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