Review: Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 7000

A wireless mouse that is rechargeable

The Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 follows the elegant lines of its non-rechargeable counterpart, the 6000 (reviewed last week). That means that it is really only suitable for right-handed users. However, the curves mean that it sits comfortably in the hand, and should help to reduce strain ¬ particularly important for heavy-duty mouse users.

It comes with a small charging plate that plugs into the mains and refills the mouse’s batteries. There is also a tiny receiver that goes into the PC’s USB port. The optional software can be used to customise the mouse’s function buttons and make other changes to its settings.

There is a scroll wheel, which is standard on modern mice (and allows motion in four directions), as well as a special button to access an assignment feature in IntelliPoint called Instant Viewer. This is a mix of Vista Aero and the alt-tab key combination. When one of the mouse buttons is clicked it shows all the open windows as large thumbnails on screen, and the chosen window can be clicked on. If Instant Viewer is used under Vista and Aero it accesses the 3D Flip function.
This mouse costs more than most but the design and the custom buttons make it worth the price if used for long periods each day.

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