Microsoft's Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 gets reviewed

It looks like ExtremeTech is still wading through the bevy of Microsoft peripherals released of late, and while the firm's Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 isn't going for the gaming-centric set as was the Habu, it is aimed squarely at folks who spend more time mousing around than actually getting outside. Obviously, we took interest in such a device, and while it didn't pan out to be the perfect ergonomic answer, it was regarded fairly highly overall. Sporting a 1,000 DPI laser eye, seamless scroll wheel, Instant Viewer / Magnifier tools, and a "nearly baseball-like" shape, the 6000 provides quite a "round" approach to compete with mouse of today's gently sloping / flat alternatives. Aside from feeling like a major league pitcher when going for the left-click, reviewers tending to find the unique shape "oddly appealing," but did question the actual ergonomics of the design. Additionally, they found the notchless scroll wheel to be an issue of love / hate, were a tad let down by the AA battery requirement, and were slightly baffled by the excessive button layout, but through all the scorn, the crew still managed to score the mouse a 7 out of 10. Helping the score was the accurate mousing abilities, comfortable design, and its decent ability to handle the not-so-hardcore gamers needs all the while. Still, it was stated that $80 for a non-gaming mouse is a tad on the high end for the average buyer, and while it sounds like you wouldn't be too disappointed, we highly doubt making this your next mouse would incite any fits of celebration.

[Mike @ Mar 11th 2007 11:54PM]

Because that doesn't look like a complete rip-off of the MX-1000 and a few other Logitech mice...

[akijikan @ Mar 12th 2007 12:38AM]

I thought mx1000 rip-off right away too.

[dhodowd @ Mar 14th 2007 6:18PM]

If you see it in real life, and from a different angle, it doesn't look like any other mouse out there, it seriously looks like a grapefruit carving

[Matt @ Mar 12th 2007 12:11AM]

Does it even work with vista?

[Finite @ Mar 12th 2007 12:17AM]

Oh come on mike, you may hate microsoft, but give them credit where they deserve it, hating without reason is not a great thing.

It obviously isn't going to look completely different from the MX-1000, as they're both fitted right handed mice, but look at any other angles of the mice and you'll see they have huge differences, one of which being the somewhat unique approach (though maybe not better) by microsoft as to the fit of the mouse in the hand.

Really, just take a look at it. By the way, they're both good mice.

[Mike @ Mar 12th 2007 8:29AM]

I know it's easy to label people, but please, don't automatically assume that I'm a Microsoft hater.

It still looks like a ripoff, and I'm sure it's a great mouse. It's the same with all of those other products that unname companies that rip off the iPod.

DM: Actually, I suggest you try it. It is a VERY comfortable design. I LOVE my MX1000, and that's 90% of the reason why.

[Eh @ Mar 12th 2007 12:47AM]

I used to love microsoft mice, but ever since they made that retarded smooth scroll wheel I havent touched them since. Why cant they give it up already? For every person that likes it there are 10 people that hate it. Their keyboards have taken a nose dive too.

And yes it looks like the MX1000. Although the MX1000 looks an awful lot like the old bluetooth/wireless Intellimouse Explorer that came out years before it. Microsoft just cant stop ripping off their old ideas!

[John Pastor @ Mar 12th 2007 1:27AM]

I hate Microsoft mice because of their "smooth" scroll wheels, but I love my Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. Stay away from their latest Wireless Entertainment Desktops though, they ditched the freakin' Windows key and replaced the F-keys with touch-sensitive ones.

[DM @ Mar 12th 2007 1:38AM]

Microsoft invented the mouse scroll wheel didn't they? Anyhow, i don't think i can play pc games with this.

[AA @ Mar 12th 2007 4:57AM]

Even my Logitech G7 has a smooth scroll wheel (without detents) but it's better than my last MS mouse.

[AA @ Mar 12th 2007 4:57AM]

Even my Logitech G7 has a smooth scroll wheel (without detents) but it's better than my last MS mouse.

[strider_mt2k @ Mar 12th 2007 7:27AM]

I also see many "parallels" with the Logitech MX-1000, which I have and will keep.

I do happen to like the smooth scroll wheel, however.

I just picked up the liltingly-named Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 4000 and was pleasantly surprised at the silky-smooth scroll wheel. I don't mind it a bit.

Overall MS makes great hardware, but I still like Logitech better.

[Eh @ Mar 12th 2007 4:24PM]

Before calling something a rip off you should make sure the MX1000 wasnt a ripoff of another MS mouse, because it was. MS was the first to release that thumb "wing" which makes it look the way it does. The MX500 was the first logitech mouse to have a place for your thumb, which came after MS did it for their wireless high end mice. Then they took it a step further and made it even more like MS mice by making the MX1000 with the full wing (this was years after MS did it first). Not to mention the horizontal scroll wheel which MS did before Logitech. Logitech may make better mice but they still got a majority of their "innovative" features after MS made them popular, even the idea of smooth scrolling with the revolutions.

[Jason @ Mar 12th 2007 9:34AM]

Ha.. $80 for a mouse.. Try $100 for a the MS Notebook Presenter. Yah.. ouch. It's nice tho :)

[Pete @ Mar 12th 2007 11:22AM]

Here's 110.00 mouse

http://www.contourdesign.com/pmo/

[Jarrett Kaufman @ Mar 12th 2007 12:33PM]

I too can't stand their scroll wheels. Love their ergonomic keyboards, but my MS mouse at work pisses me off to no end. If Logitech made an ergonomic keyboard I'd leave MS's hardware behind altogether. Build quality's good, but that wheel is terrible.

[Murc @ Mar 12th 2007 11:15PM]

I have that mouse... I bought a key/mouse combo last month...that "Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000", and I luv it.

the keyboard is a a quiet key one...I like that better then I thought I would, and the mouse is nice to...and you get used to the smooth scroll wheel, at first I thought it was crap...but got used to it pretty quick...now its no longer a consious thing.

I dont know why they paid 80 damn bucks...my COMBO was 100...I think they got raped.

[m1k3y @ Mar 12th 2007 11:45PM]

hmm mx1000 wannabe :)

[Shibathedog @ Mar 18th 2007 9:31PM]

A4Tech X-750F Gaming mouse FTW!

But really if your going to spend 80 dollars on a mouse i think you can do better than that. Plus the passive/average computer user i doubt would notice/care about the accuracy of a mouse or how it feels. (which was my impression of who they where trying to sell it to)

[Data @ Mar 23rd 2007 5:14PM]

MX1000 on the cradle, MX5000 under my fingertips. I enjoy my Logitech products not because they have 'Logitech' printed on them. I enjoy them because L's wireless input combo's have performed admirably for me in the past and still. I have a MS Trackball Optical for when my MX1k is charging.

'So What' if this mouse looks like the MX1k. I dont hear people complaining that their Samsung LCD looks like "Bob's" ViewSonic LCD. These mice serve the same function, and while there is variation, if you take a step back, they are all remarkably similar in appearance.