$30 MoGo Mouse stows away inside your notebook

The MoGo Mouse BT stows away in a PC Card slot for easy carrying and charging.

(Credit: Newton Peripherals)

Show of hands: who likes notebook touch pads? Thought so. That's why a mouse is essential gear. Of course, it's one more thing to remember to bring along, one more thing taking up space in your bag, and one more thing with batteries to die at the most inopportune times.

Enter the ingenious MoGo Mouse BT, which operates wirelessly via Bluetooth and docks inside your notebook's PC Card slot--where it also recharges. How smart is that?

Buy.com has the MoGo Mouse BT for $29.99 shipped, a pretty substantial savings over the $79.99 list price. It's new, too--not a refurb.

CNET hasn't reviewed the MoGo, but a dozen-plus Buy.com buyers rated it 4.5 stars on average. Just keep in mind that it lacks both a scroll wheel and a middle button, and it doesn't come with a Bluetooth adapter for those notebooks that lack integrated Bluetooth.

If you can live with those limitations and have a PC Card (aka PCMCIA) slot sitting around doing nothing, this looks like an ideal way to fill it.

Thanks to reader Mike for recommending the MoGo!

[mdhopeful]

How do you feel about this mouse for use with netbooks? Mine doesn't have a pc card slot but it would be a compact mouse more portable than the standard microsoft wireless one I use now. On amazon they have ones for a few dollars more that come with the adapter if your laptop doesn't have bluetooth. Keep up the good work Rick, checking the site is kind of like going downstairs on Christmas morning. :)

[rickbroida]

High praise indeed! :) I probably wouldn't choose this for netbook use, as most of the appeal is its ability to ride and recharge on the inside. Might as well get a mouse that has a scroll wheel. IMHO, of course.

[tipoo_]

That looks like it would be a pain to use for a long time.

[rufustel]

Even better, although there is no scroll wheel, separate software at the manf.'s website (freely available) adds scrollwheel capability.

[bkerrins]

The X54 model is listed at $39.99 so for $10 more you can get a virtual scroll. Just run your fingers up or down like it's a scroll wheel. I'm using the X54 Pro (not sure if it's different) but it also lets me advance slides and has a pointer in it. Very cool product! Yes, not recommended for 8 hours of work, but an hour or two is fine.

[LogicProphet]

looks like an interesting gizmo but seeing as I have a net book its not exaclty what I'm looking for

[rdelfin]

"Show of hands: who likes notebook touch pads? Thought so. "

NOT QUITE. Touch pads are the best thing that could ever happen to pointing devices. Who in their right mind would choose the hassle of dealing with an external device that requires you to move your arm over when you can achieve your needs with a single move of your thumb and tap? Seems that lots o people... it's beyond me.

[ywkhgqo]

because fingers are not very useful when trying to use them from side to side. Also you waste time by having to move over the touchpad several times just to get across a page. A full mouse is definitely much better. Slight of the wrist and you're already across the page. Not to mention how much easier scrolling and right clicking is.

[roguefirm]

I purchased the MoGo mouse when it was first introduced a couple of years ago. It did not work for me as the connectivity has to be redone everytime I use the mouse - and, if I don't use it for 15 minutes it again has to be reconnected. I haven't used it for many many months because of the hassle. It is a great concept but lacks usability.

Lynn
Grants Pass Oregon

[roguefirm]

I also emailed the company about the connectivity issue and got no response. I paid full bore for my unit and it sits on top of some books in my library.

Lynn

[robstak]

I ABSOLUTELY *LOVE* THIS MOUSE. I bought it for 30 bucks some time ago. I am a doc and use the pro version that has a laser pointer and power point controls built in. its fantastic.

as a mouse its fine. i dont cramp and i dont squash it (something i was concerned about before getting it) the spring mechanism is sturdy and the laser is very accurate. the BT connection happens in less than a second then stows and charges in that express card slot you werent using anyway.

i cant recommend this enough. also it was featured in NBC's chuck 2 weeks ago in the background on someones desk (geek cred!) lol.

i suppose my only issue is that 30 bucks is still alot for a mouse, but the cool factor alone makes it worth it for me!

-dr. karl