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| Mouse Properties Screens |
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larger image.
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| Product Details |
| In the beginning there was a small block of wood
with a short length of string attached, mouse number one. Shortly after
that the first mice started to appear on desktops around the world, and
together with Windows the computer industry was re-born. These early mice
have changed little over the years since then. A small ball inside the
body converts movements of the mouse to small mechanical sensors, these movements
are then converted into electrical signals and sent to the computer via a
short wire (hence the name mouse). This system works fairly well, but
suffers from two drawbacks. The first one is the mouse ball and the
mechanical sensors get dirty, often in a relatively short time. Eventually
the mouse becomes unusable, Cleaning the mouse for millions of computer
users has become a way of life, unfortunately even with regular
cleaning the mechanical sensors wear out eventually. The other draw back is
the wire that connects the mouse to the computer, it always seems to
get in the way, and is never long enough and adds clutter to the
desk.
The ball problem was fixed when mouse manufacturers developed the
optical sensor, this replaces the ball and its associated mechanical
sensors in one go. Anyone that has used an optical mouse will I believe
never wish to go back to the ball type.
Now along comes Logitech with a mouse that has no ball or wire.
Problem two solved.
The development engineers at Logitech have apparently been working
around the clock over the last year, to develop a technologically
advanced mouse solution that offers no ball or wire. They have designed a
mouse that maximizes and optimizes battery life in this cordless
mouse with no effect on performance. In fact the optical sensor is far
more accurate than any mechanical sensor could ever be, giving a mouse
that works even better than a corded ball mouse in accuracy, precision and
responsiveness. This offers the home and office user a precision mouse
that is very durable (no components to get dirty or wear out) and flexibility,
the mouse is no longer tied to the computer. The design of this mouse
offers comfortable all day use, with no wire to clutter your desk or mouse ball to clean. Included is a convenient thumb button, scroll wheel
for quick scrolling and WebWheel™ software for fast, easy Internet
access. Plus, Smart Power Management that optimizes battery life and a 5
year limited warranty.
This review has been written with the Cordless MouseMan Optical
fitted to this computer.
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| What's inside the box: |
| When you open the box inside you should find
the Cordless MouseMan Optical, together with its receiver and USB to
PS/2 adaptor. Also
included is a CD containing all the software needed to run the
Cordless MouseMan Optical, operating systems listed are Windows 3.1,
95, 98, Me, NT 4.0, 2000 and Mac OS 8.6 or later. A software license agreement, Getting started guide in 16 languages, Comfort guidelines and finally
a Guide covering Logitech products. Batteries for the Cordless MouseMan
Optical are also included (2 x AA).
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| Installation: |
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| The installation of the Cordless MouseMan
Optical was very easy and required little time. Batteries are inserted
into the Cordless MouseMan Optical. The base station is plugged into the
USB or PS/2 socket. The software CD loaded and after a few mouse clicks
and a short period of intense CPU churning and just one re-start, the
Cordless MouseMan Optical was successfully installed.
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| What makes this mouse so special:
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| Basically inside the mouse is a sensor that
detects any movement of the mouse. This sensor operates on very low power,
which gives a battery life of around two months. As soon as you touch the
mouse this sensor tells the mouse to wake up, and it fires up the main
optical sensor and starts talking to the computer. A short time
after you let go of the
mouse it goes back to sleep.
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| Use in a crowded office: |
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| As this is a wireless mouse we wondered just
how several of these Cordless MouseMan Optical mice would react to
working in close proximity to each other. This could be the case in a home
study/office that has several computers or indeed a any small office environment
that has more than one personal computer. We tested the working range of this
mouse and it is quite happy at distances of 8 meters to work the
computer.
Interference test to be carried out when a second Cordless MouseMan Optical arrives.
Result will be posted Here.
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| Guidelines for safe use of this product: |
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| Logitech include a very useful guide to using
their mice, an expanded version of this guide is also included on the
software CD. Two sections from the CD version are shown here. |
| If you have a
wrist rest or a palm rest, use it between keying tasks, not while typing.
Using
it while typing may increase pressure against the hand and increase the
chance of injury. |
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| When you use your keyboard, mouse, or trackball,
avoid placing or supporting your wrists on sharp edges or on your desktop. |
| As you use your keyboard, mouse, or trackball,
make sure that your elbow is next to your side. Keep your wrist relaxed
and straight-don't bend it up, down, or to either side. Keep your
shoulders relaxed. Do not hunch or shrug. |
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DO
adjust the height of your chair and table as to have the keyboard, mouse,
or trackball at or below elbow height. |
| DO
adjust the height of your chair and table as to have the keyboard, mouse,
or trackball at or below elbow height. |
| DO
remember, if you use a mouse pad, take its thickness into consideration
when making the height adjustments. |
| DO
have your feet well supported and your shoulders relaxed |
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System requirements: |
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The Logitech Cordless MouseMan Optical needs a PC with the following: An
available USB or PS/2 port, CD-Rom drive, IBM or compatible PC running
Windows 95, 98, Me. Windows 98, Me, 2000 required for USB port. Macintosh
system with Mac OS 8.6 or later. Internet access for full WebWheel
functionality.
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Product Availability and Price: |
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The Logitech Cordless MouseMan Optical should be available
now in all good computer stores and by mail and internet order. The current on-line mail order price here in the UK as
of 28th April 2001 is £46.80p plus £3.50p post and packing plus £8.80p
vat making a grand total of £59.10p
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Conclusion: |
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Logitech deserve a big well done pat on the back, for
bringing this Cordless MouseMan Optical to the computer world. At a stroke
it does away with all of the problems associated with mouse balls and leads. However
it has to be pointed out that optically equipped mice are presently on
sale from around £25. Therefore the price premium for having the added benefits
of a cordless
mouse are around £34, now whether this amount can be justified will ultimately
be a decision that you will have to make. But keep in mind that this a
high quality product that is well made and engineered, add to this the 5
year limited warranty and I believe that once you have taken this mouse
for a test drive you will never wish to go back to one with a ball or a
cord.
This is the new King of the mouse world, long live the King.
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| Tip: |
| Keep a spare set of AA batteries
handy because one day you will need them for your new Cordless MouseMan Optical
the worlds most advanced mouse. |
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Contact
Details |
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| Country |
Address |
Product
Information (Info line) |
Technical
Help (Hotline) |
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UK + Eire LOGI (U.K.) Ltd. |
| LOGI (UK) Ltd |
| The Old Court House |
| 267-273 High Street |
| GB – Dorking, RH4 1RL, Surrey |
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+44 (0) 171 309 01 27 |
+44 (0) 171 309 |
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| King |
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Mouse |
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Review Dated 8th May 2001 |
