Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer with Fingerprint Reader
Manufacturer: Microsoft Part number: DG3-00004
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The stylish and comfortable set is easy to use and operates smoothly, but the only browser it supports is Internet Explorer.
Read more
Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer with Fingerprint Reader price range: $189.99
- Reviewed by: Lara Luepke
- Reviewed on: 01/12/2005
- Released on: 01/01/2004
The good: Easy setup, comfortable, easy to use.
The bad: Works only with Internet Explorer.
The bottom line: The stylish and comfortable set is easy to use and operates smoothly, but the only browser it supports is Internet Explorer.
Once the software is installed, it's easy to get the fingerprint reader dialed in to you alone: you just log in to Windows, then touch the fingerprint sensor to register your prints. Microsoft recommends registering two fingerprints, and you can choose which fingers. After finger registration, pop-up menus instruct you to go to any Web site or program that is password-protected, then touch the fingerprint sensor with a registered finger to get the Create Fingerprint Logon prompt.
We first tried this using Internet Explorer on Hotmail.com. At the Hotmail login page, we touched the fingerprint sensor, and a window popped up. We entered a username and a password and, after clicking OK, we were prompted to touch the fingerprint sensor again and--wow--access to Hotmail. Easy as pie. However, when we tried the exact same thing with Mozilla Firefox, we weren't so lucky. We would get the fingerprint logon prompt, fill in the required password information, hit OK, and...nothing. After 10 or so attempts at logging in to different sites, we gave up. This won't be a problem for IE users, but converts to Firefox and users of Netscape will be out of luck. Microsoft has no plans at this time to support other browsers. Another minor annoyance is the ever-present light on the fingerprint reader. We found it slightly distracting whenever it was in our eyeshot. Buyers should also note Microsoft's security disclaimers, which explain that the device is for convenience, not security. The disclaimers recommend that the fingerprint reader not be used to protect sensitive information.
As for the mouse half of this duo, it is flawless. You can use the wireless mouse immediately after the fingerprint reader/receiver is installed, but to get the full benefits from this five-button mouse, you need to install the software. Doing this takes mere seconds and enables the tilt-wheel scrolling feature. The software is very intuitive and allows you to customize the buttons with a variety of commands, including back and forward on the Internet (these work with browsers other than IE).
For right-handers, the mouse is ergonomic and supremely comfortable. The plastic sides are soft and provide a smooth and comfortable resting place for the thumb and the last two fingers. Two thumb buttons are in an ideal spot; they're comfortable to click, but they're not so "convenient" that you'll hit them by accident. Adding even more comfort is the tilt/scrollwheel. It's coated in rubber, making it comfortable to grip and to move, and the wheel doesn't click or make other sounds when you roll it. The smooth-action roll does take some getting used to, and gamers or others who like to feel the wheel click may mourn the loss of the tactile scroll, but we liked the smooth action for everyday use.
User reviews
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Best mouse I have owned
Pros: Comfort, easy to use, does not burn up batteries (8 months and still going), good response.
Cons: Have not found any yet
3 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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This is incredibly cool !
Pros: Microsoft has done it again, just made our lives so much more comfortable... as innovative as it gets.....way to go !
Cons: None
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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So far works great
by dwanefair on March 14, 2008
Pros: easy set up and easy to use
Cons: could have been cheaper
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Made the leap to wireless and...........
by b0undlessone on May 1, 2006
Pros: Excellent responsiveness, very functional fingerprint reader
Cons: Can be confusing to set up sites to allow more than one person to log in
Summary: Just hooked this baby up today and I gotta say I'm impressed. The design team at Microsoft really did their homework. The mouse feels very solid and well built, ...
Summary: Just hooked this baby up today and I gotta say I'm impressed. The design team at Microsoft really did their homework. The mouse feels very solid and well built, not cheap at all. It's not too heavy to effortlessly glide along a desk.........only time will tell how well the batteries hold up, which as of right now is my only concern. The responsivess of the mouse is incredible (I actually had to reduce the pointer speed) and having a horizontal scroll wheel is much nicer than I thought it would be.........the only thing keeping this from a perfect "10" rating is that the software makes you jump through some hoops to add another person, so this may not be ideal for the person who shares accounts (email, banking, etc.) with a spouse/significant other.......
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Great mouse with fairly useful biometric reader
by burs757 on November 12, 2005
Pros: fast tracking, biometric reader is convienient,
Cons: biometric reader only works with IE, a patch for mozilla firefox would be nice.
Summary: for the money this mouse, reader combo is a good buy in my opinion, but since i avoid IE like the plague, its internet use for me is non-existant.
Summary: for the money this mouse, reader combo is a good buy in my opinion, but since i avoid IE like the plague, its internet use for me is non-existant.
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IE only makes it worthless
by dreed47 on August 8, 2005
Pros: well It works for Windowz login
Cons: only works with IE.
Summary: IE-only makes this almost a worth-less product. You could buy it for just the windows login but why spend the money? Microsoft's "dream" would be for ALL PC hardware ...
Summary: IE-only makes this almost a worth-less product. You could buy it for just the windows login but why spend the money? Microsoft's "dream" would be for ALL PC hardware to ONLY support Microsoft created software. For those of you posting who think that that is just fine, I guess there's no stopping those who are determined to drink the koolaide.
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Good idea with a sleek mouse
Pros: Not only does the mouse feel good in the palm of your hand, but the fingerprint reader makes life a little easier (not to mention it's cool)
Cons: Let me get this straight... People are complaining that this MICROSOFT product only work with MICROSOFT software? no... get over it people. Do you buy a chevy hoping the key will start a BMW? maybe one day, but not today.
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Awesome for IE users!
by bioture on July 24, 2005
Pros: Sleek mouse, ease of storing passwords
Cons: mouse doesnt fit that well in large hands, mouse wheel feels sticky when scrolling
Summary: I replaced my older 1st generation wireless intellimouse explorer with this set. The fingerprint feature is fairly nifty, and sees a moderate amount of use. The mouse feels small in ...
Summary: I replaced my older 1st generation wireless intellimouse explorer with this set. The fingerprint feature is fairly nifty, and sees a moderate amount of use. The mouse feels small in my hand, and the scroll wheel feels stiff and rubberized.
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Fundamental Flaw
Pros: Convenience
Cons: "...educate yourself and IE is the best browser you can possibly use." (Turismon) You're asking us to educate ourselves? How ironic, considering you think IE is the best browser, LOL. The fact that this product only works with IE makes it useless for the
1 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Microsoft only is not good.
Pros: Fingerprints instead of passwords
Cons: IE Only is a good enough reason NOT to buy this product. Enough said
0 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Microsoft
- Part number: DG3-00004
- Description: This stylish wireless optical mouse offers the Fingerprint Reader to eliminate password hassles - now you can log on to Web sites and your computer with the touch of a finger. Tilt Wheel Technology makes navigation easy, and more than six months of battery life lets you stay productive. Now you can log on to your computer and your favorite Web sites with the touch of your finger, without having to remember all those passwords - simply place your finger on the receiver whenever a password or username is required.
General
- Device Type Mouse
- Wireless Receiver USB wireless receiver
- Color Blue ice
Input Device
- Connectivity Technology Wireless
- Interface RF
- Movement Detection Technology Optical
- Buttons Qty 5
- Features Tilt Wheel technology ,
Programmable buttons ,
Scrolling wheel Expansion / Connectivity
- Interfaces 1 x USB - 4 pin USB Type A
Miscellaneous
- Microsoft Certifications Compatible with Windows 7
Power
- Type None
Software / System Requirements
- OS Required Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition,
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition,
Microsoft Windows XP Professional,
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition - Min Processor Type 233 MHz
- System Requirements Details Pentium - RAM 128 MB - HD 80 MB
Accessories
- ACI Handstands Beach Scene Deluxe mouse pad (35155387)3.99 - 8.99
- Allsop Widescreen Mouse Pad Metallic Raindrop mouse pad (34564309)12.99 - 19.99
- Centon Collegiate Arizona State University Edition mouse pad (34855584)9.99 - 10.99
- Centon Collegiate Auburn University Edition mouse pad (34846273)9.99 - 10.63
- Centon Collegiate Baylor University Edition mouse pad (35024134)9.99 - 13.95
- Centon Collegiate Boston College Edition mouse pad (34846139)9.99 - 10.99
- Centon Collegiate Butler University Edition mouse pad (35024203)9.99 - 13.95
- Centon Collegiate Drake University Edition mouse pad (35024206)9.99 - 10.49
- Centon Collegiate Florida State University Edition mouse pad (34846137)9.99 - 10.99
- Centon Collegiate George Washington University Edition mouse pad (35024208)9.99 - 10.99
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Microsoft products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Microsoft
- Address:
One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052 - Phone: 1-425-882-8080
- Fax: 1-425-706-7329
