Asus' MS71 couldn't choose between mouse and flash drive

We hear it's pretty tough being a gadget with an identity crisis, and unfortunately for Asus' MS71, it definitely feels that pain. Thankfully for consumers who aren't turned off by rectangular (or atypically slender) mice, at least it provides a bit of extra utility. Quite simply, the base of the critter snaps off to plug into any open USB port; from there, it enables what's left to function as a wireless mouse and allows users to store an undisclosed amount of files on the appendage. No word on pricing or availability, but unless you place absolutely no value on ergonomics, we'd probably look elsewhere.

[Down @ Mar 8th 2008 7:00AM]

LOL, funny title...very appropriately phrased.

[shaliron @ Mar 8th 2008 7:40AM]

Hmm, did Asus do their market research before making this?

[Raymond @ Mar 8th 2008 9:36AM]

Brings out the James Bond in me.

[kyle allen @ Mar 8th 2008 6:20PM]

i think their market reserch people did this as payback for the recent pension cut

[ijyt @ Mar 8th 2008 8:10AM]

Useful for laptops.

[Aguiluz @ Mar 8th 2008 8:14AM]

Useless for peeps with big hands, graphics editors, laptop gaming, etc.

[Patriks7 @ Mar 8th 2008 8:17AM]

well logically its not aimed at that area ;)
its more for the business type who just needs to click around with something small and saves spaces by having it as a memory stick aswell

[ijyt @ Mar 8th 2008 8:22AM]

Of course, I'd much prefer an ergonomic mouse, but it's still quite useful, aslong as it's +1GB.

[Aguiluz @ Mar 8th 2008 8:22AM]

Yup... Good for one, bad on the other.

I assume you can use the mouse and access the storage at the same time?

[ijyt @ Mar 8th 2008 8:23AM]

If you can't, I take back my comment.

[Kamokazi @ Mar 8th 2008 4:13PM]

Initially it seems like it may suck ergonomically, but I got one of my larger flash drives out, and held it like it was that mouse...and it actually seems like it wouldn't be uncomfortable and would actually work rather well. You would just hold it between your thumb and middle finger, and do all the clicking with your index finger. Extended use may be a different story, though.

[ijyt @ Mar 9th 2008 8:28AM]

Just tried it with a USB of mine that looks about the same size, and it's surprisingly easy to use.

[Ayle @ Mar 8th 2008 8:22AM]

This look like an ergonomical nightmare: everything we hold is rounded for a reason...

[Aguiluz @ Mar 8th 2008 8:24AM]

Unless you're a 'bot.

Try gripping your laptop's power brick and move it around. My hands won't grip it.

[Aguiluz @ Mar 8th 2008 8:31AM]

Correction: My hands grip the brick but the edges make it hard and I can't grip it properly so it keeps slipping.

[B.C. @ Mar 9th 2008 8:10PM]

If 'rounded' equates good ergonomics- then the Mac 'Puck mouse' must be damn near perfection. heh

[Ricardo @ Mar 8th 2008 8:23AM]

Wow, we can store an undisclosed amount of files? When did they invent endless storage?

[ijyt @ Mar 8th 2008 8:24AM]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/undisclosed


Undisclosed =/= unlimited.

[Aguiluz @ Mar 8th 2008 8:27AM]

Undisclosed means it's untold and secret. May be 1TB or even 1KB. Who knows? Maybe they managed to cram a TB drive in there.



Undisclosed Storage = Infinite Storage?
Output: NO

[Ricardo @ Mar 8th 2008 9:24AM]

Here's another word definition for you:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sarcasm

[Jagannath A @ Mar 8th 2008 9:45AM]

here is the actual definition for ya

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stupidity

[ijyt @ Mar 8th 2008 9:56AM]

If you're going to use sarcasm, atleast learn all the words in the sentence before you try to ridicule it.

[Peter J. Lupo Esq. @ Mar 8th 2008 9:17AM]

I think it is aesthetically quite pleasing and would like to know availability.

Quite the clunking looking office gadget of the 1970s.

Peter J. Lupo Esq.
antiaging4geeks.com

[Joe @ Mar 8th 2008 12:23PM]

Dear Peter,

Your website sucks.

Sincerely,
Joe

[Ricardo @ Mar 8th 2008 9:27AM]

Yep, I also own an Eee and I totally agree.

[sinjinn @ Mar 8th 2008 9:30AM]

the sensible thing would be to take a tiny mouse design and add usb.

[w00t @ Mar 8th 2008 10:14AM]

Avoid the clumsy touchpad with an even more clumsy flat rectangular mouse!

Genius!

[Ram @ Mar 8th 2008 10:48AM]

That's one of the stupidest things I've ever seen. Is a USB key too cumbersome to carry around, in addition to a mouse? They should stick a fork, shoehorn, and nail clippers on there, too.. I also use those objects.

[drstrangegun @ Mar 8th 2008 12:23PM]

It looks very much like something out of an 80's TV sci-fi show.

[Nathan @ Mar 8th 2008 1:15PM]

I thought it was lipstick.

Bueller?

[Keff @ Mar 8th 2008 4:50PM]

I risk actually adding something valuable into the debate, but I'll say it - What about presenting on the go? You put .ppt on the flash drive, plug it into a computer in a lecture hall, run presentation, and click through slides with something that actually hides in your hands and still enables you to gesture...

Or you ca use it as an emergency mouse.

[Keff @ Mar 8th 2008 4:54PM]

I risk actually adding something valuable into the debate, but I'll say it - What about presenting on the go? You put .ppt on the flash drive, plug it into a computer in a lecture hall, run presentation, and click through slides with something that actually hides in your hands and still enables you to gesture...

Or you ca use it as an emergency mouse.

[Rowan @ Mar 8th 2008 5:04PM]

My gun can both be used as a weapon and USB drive. Actually, most of the stuff in my house, including my socks, have USB functionality.

[BatteryAcid @ Mar 8th 2008 9:05PM]

Nice idea, but god make it more ergonomic.

[Michael LaFramboise @ Mar 8th 2008 9:16PM]

OR... people can just stop whining and learn how to use the trackpad instead of inventing these tiny-ass mice...

Now w/ that said... the trackpads on most laptops... horribly suck at best so I can kinda understand where the whining is coming from, but most of these small mice suck just as bad...

[techyguru @ Mar 9th 2008 1:10AM]

I doubt you can use it as a drive and mouse at the same time, if you can then I would guess the flash is in the tiny usb port end, which to cram flash and a receiver in there is going to be tough.

I anticipate horrible reception and poor battery life.

[Alan Strangis @ Mar 9th 2008 1:33PM]

I just picked up the 4G EEE this week, and think this would be perfect for it (though I have to admit that I actually don't mind the track pad after tweaking the settings).

As for using the memory for dual booting Win XP, sounds about perfect to me. I imagine most EEE users would agree

PS: The EEE rocks, even though I still wish it were a convertible tablet to make it an ebook reader as well. :D