First look at the Philippe Starck-designed Microsoft optical mouse

If you're going to hold something in your hand for over 8 hours a day and have it part of your desk landscape, it should at least be nice too look at—and if you're lucky, functional, too. We're talking about the humble computer mouse; specifically, the new Microsoft optical mouse designed by Philippe Starck, which we had a chance to take for a test drive.

As we mentioned back in June, Philippe Starck has worked up a USB optical mouse for Microsoft that cunningly hides a scroll wheel in the coloured line that bisects it and includes the requisite two buttons. Comes in two colors, Blue and Orange, and when plugged in it lights up.

After 2 days of use, we�re pretty impressed�accurate, fast and looks great. Best part, it matches the silvery finishes on our PowerBook and Sony VAIO.

Nice packaging, a rare treat with Microsoft goods.

Glowing blue with silvery plastic case.

Orange model.

<>Starck vs. Apple Mouse.

Lastly, the price isn�t bad at all�on it�s on Amazon for $29.95.</>

[kpc @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Are the buttons those things on the side, or do you click down on each half, like an Apple mouse split down the middle?

It would have been nice if this were a four button model. I don't think I can go back to two buttons.

[bootykika @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Anybody knows whether the starck mouse clicks like the apple mouse pictured? (pivoting of the mouse body up & down) Or more like the Logitech mice? (flexing of the upper strip of plastic)

[dan wu @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

For the packaging sucker like me, that is one nice looking box. Though the Microsoft logo could be a tad smaller. :P

[alternative energy news @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

One for the office and one for home to replace 2 aging (5yrs+) wired non-optical mice.

I tried one out recently in a shop. To clarify a few things:

1.
The whole luminated line down the middle does NOT act as a scroll wheel. The scroll wheel is in the standard position within the line (you can see the bulge in the photo above).

2.The sections left and right of the line move, so you basically perform mouse clicks with the upper half of each side. The click motion felt good.

3.The blue version looks very cool in the dark. However in my opinion the orange version looks better in daylight. I've order one of each colour (I'm surprised they aren't offering more colours. A matching keyboard would be nice too).

4. Wouldn't you know it just after I put in an order, Engadget breaks the news of the new Logitech laser mouse. However it's about 3 times more expensive and I suspect an optical mouse will be a major improvement on what I have at the moment.

When I receive them I'll post another comment after I've tested them for a few days.

[raZmus @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Get a bluetooth version of this mouse and it will sell like, well I don't even have a comparsion. I'll buy ten! ;)

[jhb @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

... that thinks that this thing resembles female genitalia? I'm sorry, but that just has to be said. I like them as much as any other guy, but I'm not sure I want a plastic glowing representation of it on my desk.

[possum @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Sorry, but the thing looks like a hunk of chrome poopie -- about what I would expect when the SQUARES of design MS get involved.

http://www.wasteofbrain.com

[Booker @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

If they had made this thing wireless, I'd have bought five by now...

[George @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I think it's cool. If I see it locally, I'll probably pick one up in the Orange. Blue can be drab at times. I think mice are for the most part, boring, except for the one I just ordered from Guinness.com. It's shaped like, and looks like a full pint of Guinness.

[Luc @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Seriously, why just a mouse? Nice as it'll look next to my cruddy 10 year old cherry keyboard (crisps, dust and skin flakes included), MS really missed a trick not having a matching keyboard.

[David Stewart @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I've been using one of these for the last few weeks and it's not bad. On the whole, however, I think I prefer the Intellimouse Explorer 2.0 with its multiple buttons. The Starck mouse has only two, and the scroll wheel doesn't switch between apps on the Mac.

[Richard @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I've been using the orange one for the last few days and i'm very pleased with it, a more comfortable shape to hold than the Logitech Cordless Click I was using. To get the scroll wheel to switch between apps you have to download the MS driver - It is not listed for S+ARK mice however download the Basic Wheel Mouse driver for OSX and you'll find that it recognises the S+ARK mouse correctly (even shows a picture of it). Then you have the option of setting up the buttons including the scroll button - a little tip here if you set it to switch apps you can hold down the wheel while turning it to select the app you want. I might see if I can set it to perform a key-press so it can be used for an Expos?unction.

[Ethan Cane @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I bought this mouse several weeks ago and regretted it ever since. It simply does not function as a mouse should do. The buttons either side are difficult to use since they extend all the way to the back of the mouse making natural hand movements trigger events at the wrong times and generally the ergonomics of this mouse make it somewhat uncomfortable to hold for extended periods of time. Phillip... stick to designing kitchenware.

[Daryl @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Okay, I admit I love Starck products, but this was really good... the clicking motion felt very natural for this lefty mouse user. No real problems with the accidental mis-clicking. Only complaint is now I need a better looking mouse pad to go with the mouse!

[diaabo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

what looks best with the powerbook? the blue or the orange version? i think i like the blue version most... what do you think?

[Lars @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

those things on the side are for...well nothing you do the mouse click with your regular mouse fingers (index and the other one)but its really! uncomfortable for the wrist.

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I have been using this strange designed looking yet impressive mouse for 3days.. and its pretty good.. If you do a comparasion with other mouses.. the feel of the Stark mouse is better than others..

The clicking sound is soft, compared to other brand's mouses which had a loud
and irritating sound.

Also, the side support are good for the hand, without having the usual cramp
of using other mouses..

The precision is adequate with a good mousepad and mouse support. But if you are a gamer, this mouse arent for you..

Lastly, the design of the mouse takes in consideration of your hand's ergonomic's feel, and also about how it lights up at night.. Its pretty impressive when it lits up at night, either with the orange or blue glow.

If you are going for good design and usage, i will recommend this mouse for you.

[INDmall @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

it would be better if there is a Bluetooth one

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I just got the orange one recently, I love it. Looks phenomenal against a black mousepad as background--no more is required. It is easy to click and the speed is great. Glides along the pad really easily as well.

Matches the finish on my Toshiba laptop as well.

I highly recommend this mouse. I paid 20 bucks Canadian for it, plus tax.

M.

[Bryan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I've used this mouse for 2 days now. Best mouse I have ever layed hands on. Great feel to it, and the accuracy is phenominal. A must-have for serious computer users.

[Harry MacDonald @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

well i brought my new ibook and i wanted a mouse i dnt like track pads i asked for a apple mouse the shop didnt hav one so a clerk got me this one as it was mac compatible wwell it said on the box fuckin all usb mice work on macs. well i sorley regret not having a apple mouse they are the best!!!!! but this is good for 20pounds

[Rob @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Just picked one up in Gamestop for $15, and I'm really liking it so far. I'm always switching mouse hands, so it's really good to have one that fits the same way in either hand, and the light matches the bright blue light in my PC case.

Those small bits on the sides are actually the solid mouse body, since the entire upper half is clickable you use your thumb and third finger to move the mouse around.

Precision is really good, I've had no trouble using it for graphics and audio editing, and it's not bad for gaming once you get used to the feel.

I would recommend using a wrist rest with this, as you'll tend to rest on the heel of your palm more often than normal.

[Rushdy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Mixed Emotions:

Being a bit of a design junkie, I simply had to have one the moment I set my eyes on it (a year ago?); Even though importing it into South Africa was unneccessarily expensive then. It holds its own next to my new Alienware 51m laptop - the blue light matches the Alienware's glowing eyes on the lcd cover. Quite an impressive sight!

BUT:

Has no-one else encountered it's slightly frenetic handling?
Every 20 minutes or so it goes beserk and hurles the pointer somewhere across the desktop. Then you have to reel it in again. Whilst this may sound petty, it is HIGHLY irritating when it comes to graphic applications like CAD and gaming too.
Any suggestions?