Last month, Microsoft announced a new, no-frills, mouse that would be available in April and then fully released in June. The Microsoft Express Mouse has a new design and a low price obviously targeting a new demographic. Will this mouse succeed? Read on to find out.

Features

• Designed just right
  Effortless comfort when posting and tweeting.

• BlueTrack Technology™
  Microsoft BlueTrack Technology combines the power of optical with the precision of laser for remarkable tracking on more surfaces*.

• Get clicking with either hand
  Right or left—it’s all your way.

• Wired reliability
  Designed for trouble-free performance, eliminating the worry of battery life.

• Three customizable buttons
  Seamless socializing and working.

• 3 Year Warranty

Setup & Installation 

As usual, the setup is a breeze. On Windows 7 after connecting the USB cable (this mouse has the Windows 7 compatible seal on the box) the IntelliPoint software automatically installs and within thirty seconds the mouse is in use. After the mouse is installed, you can open up IntelliPoint (see below) and configure the three buttons (left, right and center wheel).

Mouse Design & Use

It is always exciting to see a new mouse design out of Microsoft, even if it is one that does not fit you. This mouse is about 2.5 inches wide and 3.75 inches long. The mouse has a gloss white top half, a middle rubber grip, and then a matte white base with four dark grey circular sliders. It also has a color matching grey cord attached in the upper left-hand corner. The mouse is offered in a variety of colors: Flint Grey and Hibiscus Red in April, and Turf Green, Dahlia Pink, Ultramarine Blue and Coast Blue in June. The cord, wheel, Microsoft logo, etc. are all color matched, which is a nice touch. Also, the design is ambidextrous so it will work fine for both right and left handed users. The mouse is no fuss - since it is wired, you never have to worry about batteries. The mouse also offers the BlueTrack technology, so you can be assured that the mouse is precise!

Final Comments

 For my larger hands the Express Mouse seems a little small for significant daily use. I however could see this mouse used by people with smaller hands or for children. The mouse seems perfect for casual users who would like to add some flair to their desktop, or even Mac users that are looking for a nice, white, matching mouse. Additionally, you cannot beat the price of $19.95. I believe this is the most inexpensive mouse Microsoft has released in many years and you still get the reliability of a Microsoft mouse with the precision of the BlueTrack technology.

Visit ActiveWin.com on Facebook for a chance to win this mouse!