Is a mouse really worth 10 percent the price of the computer it's used with? That's the question raised by Microsoft Hardware's announcement this morning that it will offer a new portable mouse designed for netbooks -- those small, Web-oriented notebooks that have been taking the computer market by storm.
It's not that unusual for netbooks to retail for less than $400, so Microsoft's $39.95 suggested retail price puts the new Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 in an interesting position, pricewise. Of course, it would work with pretty much any machine, but it will be worth watching to see how it's received in the price-conscious target market of netbook users.
The new mouse, slated to be available in August, will be $10 less than the company's comparable Wireless Mobile Mouse 6000. Both mice have similar dimensions -- about 2.4 inches wide by 4 inches long -- but the slightly fancier Mobile Mouse 6000 is more full-featured, with an on/off switch and and five programmable buttons compared to the Mobile Mouse 4000's four.
Both mice use what Microsoft's calls a "Nano" transceiver -- a tiny USB insert that sticks out from the computer by less than a centimeter to connect the mouse wirelessly to the machine. Both also use Microsoft's "BlueTrack" technology, which is meant to help mice track better on a wider variety of surfaces. In the case of the Mobile Mouse 4000, Microsoft is hoping that will appeal to go-anywhere netbook users.
The Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 will come in five colors -- teal blue, "berry pink" and "lime green" in addition to standard white and graphite. Microsoft says it took cues from the latest color trends in fashion shows and interior design.
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