Instead using a ball that needed constant cleaning, it had an optical sensor that guaranteed accurate tracking at all times. They operate like new, and I can say that with confidence because I have an unused unit to compare with. Customization of buttons only available on Windows 11 Pro / Windows 11 Home / Windows 10 Pro / Windows 10 Home / Windows 8.

In 2005, PC World named the IntelliMouse Explorer to its list of "The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years" as the first mainstream optical mouse. While the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse scores alright for ultra-light gaming, it's significantly heavier than a dedicated ultra-light gaming mouse.The one we tested is the Shadow Black color variant, and there's also a Shadow White variant available. In remembering the classic mouse, we sat down with Simon Dearsley, Devices Design Director at Microsoft, to discuss the legacy of the Microsoft IntelliMouse and what you can expect from the newest version of the iconic IntelliMouse range.

Switching off between the Classic Intellimouse and a SteelSeries Rival 600, I didn't notice any difference in accuracy for tracking and flicks alike. Originally launched in 1996, it became instantly famous with gamers and highly regarded as a great gaming mouse. We were one of the original companies to introduce the scroll wheel, which changed how people navigate webpages and documents, and helped with aspects of gaming we now take for granted such as zooming and inventory management. Remaking hardware is arguably harder than remastering a classic game at a higher resolution, so it's generally reserved for only the most iconic products, like the Roland TR-808 drum machine or the IBM Model M keyboard. A mixed bag overall, but I'm so happy with the sensor and form of the mouse that I can't see myself changing any time soon.

You will also find products that can enhance your gaming experience such as joysticks, knobs and even fightsticks. This feels like luxury after putting up with the Razer DeathAdder switch failure schedule for so many years. Explore Comet and discover a constellation of products from washing machines and fridge freezers to air fryers, 4K TVs, laptops, consoles and more - it’s easy to find everything you need for your home in the Comet universe.

This sensor is great and what you would expect from a high-end optical sensor: raw, snappy, and pinpoint accurate.And with more precise tracking, buttons that feel more reliable and a distinctive, modern white tail light, this new take on a classic mouse keeps up with your hectic workload. It had five buttons (two on top, a scroll wheel that could be depressed, and two on the left side of the mouse).

The IntelliMouse Optical received an Industrial Design Excellence Award in 2001, and was included in the "Workspheres" exhibit held at the New York MoMA in 2001. The Razer DeathAdder V2 Pro and the Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse have similar ergonomic shapes, but the Razer is a better gaming mouse overall. Known for always innovating, the IntelliMouse range continued to push the boundaries and offer advances in mouse technology and features until the last model launched in 2003. The shape was originally sculptured by hand by some of the most experienced mouse designers in the world, which has proven to last the test of time. You can also program a mouse button to perform a "quick turn" in games to quickly spin your character to face the opposite direction, but you need to calibrate this for each game.

While the Intellimouse Explorer is a very old mouse indeed, its design and features are much closer to modern mice than its contemporaries. Continuing to innovate is really key for us as we want to build products that make a meaningful difference.