Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0

Manufacturer: Microsoft Corp. Part number: B75-00113

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$29.99 - $39.95 at 9 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
3.0 stars Good
Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

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Bottom Line:: Microsoft's updated IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 brings a few gamer-friendly tweaks to the design of the venerable mouse. We don't expect that it will win over the hard-core gamer, but for everyone else, the IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 is a fine mouse with only a few minor issues.

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CNET editors' review

Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0

price range: $29.99 - $39.95

Microsoft's updated IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 brings a few gamer-friendly tweaks to the design of the venerable mouse. We don't expect that it will win over the hard-core gamer, but for everyone else, the IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 is a fine mouse with only a few minor issues.

The good: Precision Booster feature lets you customize sensitivity settings; affordable; customization software is easy to use; wider base gives more wrist support.

The bad: Thumb side buttons need more tactile response; you'll sacrifice a button for the Precision Booster.

The bottom line: Microsoft's updated IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 brings a few gamer-friendly tweaks to the design of the venerable mouse. We don't expect that it will win over the hard-core gamer, but for everyone else, the IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 is a fine mouse with only a few minor issues.

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Microsoft's IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 is technically a remake of an older product. The original debuted in 2003, but this version comes with a more gaming-oriented push. We've never been that impressed by Microsoft's mice, especially in contrast to Logitech's, which have dominated the field for the past few years. It feels like Microsoft is reintroducing this mouse not because it is a hot new product, but more to bolster the company's own Games for Windows campaign, which will ramp up as the holiday shopping season and the arrival of Windows Vista get closer. Regardless of the motivation, the IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 is a decent $40 mouse. Its design has some of the shortcomings of the original model, but on the whole, if you're not looking to spend $50 or more on one of Logitech's tricked-out, laser gaming mice, the IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 gives you the basics for less.

The IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 is a wired, USB mouse with an optical sensor. It has left and right buttons, a scrollwheel, and two thumb side buttons, all of which are customizable through Microsoft's Intellipoint software. The physical design of the mouse is roughly the same as the earlier version, with a few changes. Microsoft widened the base slightly, giving more support to your wrist, and it added silicon feet to the bottom of the mouse, which helps smooth out movement. Installation is straightforward, and the software is simple enough to use that you should be able to customize your buttons, your cursor speed, and your gaming profiles in no time.

Instead of the laser sensor that seems to be a universal component of Logitech and Razer's higher-end gaming mice, such as Logitech's G5 and Razer's Copperhead, the IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 uses a souped-up optical sensor, set to 9,000 frames per second (fps). In mice, FPS essentially means the number of pictures the sensor takes when you move it. The more pictures, the more accurate reading of your movements. The IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 tracked well in Quake 4 and F.E.A.R.; unless you're very particular about mouse settings, most gamers will be more than happy.

Do not confuse FPS with dots per inch (DPI), which is the rating laser mice use to determine how sensitive the cursor is to your movement. Laser mice usually range between 400 and 2,000 DPI, and many let you set three or more different settings to swap among on the fly. A higher DPI setting will move the cursor a greater distance when you move the mouse. Variable sensitivity could be useful in a shooter when you switch between a sniper rifle and an assault weapon, for instance. The IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 has a standard sensitivity setting of 450 DPI, but a new feature called Precision Booster lets you set a button to switch between 10 and 90 percent of the speed. You can also set this button to press-and-hold or to toggle the Precision Booster on and off when you want to switch your sensitivity. It's a cool feature, but we don't like that you have to lose one of the five buttons in order to enable it. We'd rather a dedicated button for speed-switching like on Logitech's mice, but that would likely add to the cost.

Another gripe we have is with the two thumb buttons. They don't have a great tactile response when you press them, and the rear one feels especially mushy. The feeling doesn't really affect the functionality, but we like to feel a bit of resistance when we push a button to let us know that we have indeed pushed it. This was a problem with the original IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0, and it's too bad that it has persisted to the new "for gaming" design. That said, this is still a solid basic mouse, and all but the more hard-core gamers out there will find that it works well for their needs, in-game or otherwise.

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Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

Showing opinion 1 to 3 out of 3

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10 stars

Too bad you can't get a new 3.0A anymore...

by woopshotty on February 11, 2007

Pros: Outstanding quality - Extremely durable, intelligent, ergonomic design.

Cons: Not a single con.

Summary: I'll recommend this mouse to anyone. I bought the 3.0a version of the Intellimouse Explorer some time ago, after seeing its quality first-hand at my favorite LAN center. ...

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Summary: I'll recommend this mouse to anyone. I bought the 3.0a version of the Intellimouse Explorer some time ago, after seeing its quality first-hand at my favorite LAN center. This mouse REALLY holds up! The mouse held up around 3 years at that LAN center. I've seen those mice survive peoples' nasty Cheetos fingers (well, they obviously need to be cleaned afterwards). I've also seen and heard them being pounded in angry rage by losing gamers. They took the thousands and thousands of hard clicks without wearing out. At 3 years of use, you'd expect the mice to wear and become annoying, but at that LAN center, none of them needed to be replaced.

Mine also lasted a pretty long time too, and I wish they (the 3.0A) weren't so hard to come by. My scroll wheel has become, at times, a bit more difficult to scroll, and I'll be looking for a different mouse to replace it.

Before I move along, I want to recommend similar Microsoft mice to those who are mouse shopping. Believe me, you'll be happy with this mouse!

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1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 stars

Great general and gaming mouse

by jevans45069 on July 24, 2008

Pros: Sleek design, excellent for non-professional gamers

Cons: Floppy thumb button
8 stars

Solid Mouse, Gaming and Otherwise

by PowerSlouch on December 29, 2006

Pros: Terrific feel, sleek look

Cons: A bit big for some hands

Summary: I received this mouse as a Christmas present as an upgrade from a basic Logitech optical mouse. I absolutely love this mouse for all my gaming and everyday needs. The ...

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Summary: I received this mouse as a Christmas present as an upgrade from a basic Logitech optical mouse. I absolutely love this mouse for all my gaming and everyday needs. The look is great, although it doesn't light up like the Razer mice the silver and black look is very sleek and sexy.

The feel of the mouse is also great. Tracking is smooth and the side thumb buttons are well placed.

One thing that surprised me was the size of this mouse. I had an older optical Intellimouse and I thought that that one was pretty large, but this one is even bigger. Nonetheless, this one fit my palm perfectly, although some of you with smaller hands may prefer a smaller mouse.

This re-release of the mouse has advertised it has a gaming mouse, and although it has performed well for me, I can't say there is any real difference between this mouse and any other generic optical mouse. Then again I haven't used many gaming mice :P

Overall a solid product.

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Microsoft Corp.
Part number: B75-00113

General
Device Type Mouse
Form Factor External
Color Dark gray
Localization English:North America
Input Device
Connectivity Technology Wired
Interface USB, PS/2
Movement Detection Technology Optical
Buttons Qty 5
Features Scrolling wheel
Expansion / Connectivity
Expansion Slots Total (Free) None
Interfaces 1 x USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x Mouse - Generic - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style)
Miscellaneous
Cables Included 1 x USB cable, 1 x Mouse adapter

Power
Type None
Software / System Requirements
Software Included Microsoft Intellipoint, Drivers & Utilities
OS Required Apple MacOS X 10.1 - 10.2.x, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Min Processor Type 133 MHz, 233 MHz
Peripheral / Interface Devices CD-ROM
System Requirements Details MacOS X 10.1/10.2.x - HD 15 MB, Windows XP Home/Pro - Pentium - RAM 128 MB - HD 35 MB, Windows 2000 Pro/Server - Pentium - RAM 128 MB - HD 35 MB
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support 5 years warranty
Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 5 years

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Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0

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