Microsoft pitches $40 mouse for Netbooks
Microsoft on Thursday announced a new wireless mouse aimed at the burgeoning Netbook market.
The Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000, which goes on sale in August, comes in a bunch of colors and has a small USB transmitter that sticks out less than a centimeter from the computer. Microsoft argues that means the mouse transmitter can remain plugged in all the time, of course that assumes that the Netbook has enough USB ports that one can be dedicated to a mouse.
Microsoft's Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 is aimed at the growing Netbook market. It will be available in August for $40.
(Credit: Microsoft)The thing that really struck me is that, at $40, the mouse costs more than the revenue Microsoft gets from selling Windows XP on the same Netbook. (Of course, once you throw in the retailer's cut, the manufacturing cost and other things, Microsoft makes way more profit from that copy of Windows XP.)
Still, it's a good way for Microsoft to try to make up for the fact that it generally makes less from Netbooks and that this is the only part of the PC market that is growing. Microsoft's press release touts market research predicting 35 million of the diminutive portables will be sold this year.
I would also note that in its excitement over the Netbook business, the hardware unit appears not to have gotten the message that the Windows folks would prefer these things be referred to as small notebook PCs.
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
I've had a Logitech notebook mouse with a similar tiny USB transmitter that cost like $20-25 for ages. If you have bluetooth on a Netbook, you can even get by without the USB transmitter (and I've seen mini BT mice for less than $40).
While people may cry and whine about all things Microsoft, it rarely if ever includes the keyboard and mouse lineup which has been solid for years.
But even I would probably balk at $40 for a small laptop mouse. $20, tops. I have too many promotional USB wireless mice now that were free that can do this. None as nice as the Microsoft product, but then I'm cheap.
Microsoft's keyboard / mice have been wonderful since I picked up the first ergonomic natural keyboard around 95. Although I tend to shy away from Microsoft for gaming mice and keyboards, for other things, I have no complaint what-so-ever.
and 40$ isnt bad for a Mouse with a 1cm dongle
but they should have gone with direct Bluetooth paring instead !
I don't care about the tiny size, but i would care about losing a port.
An adaptor that splits the USB would be much better. The circuitry for the mouse can be placed across the long side of the newer design instead of being squashed into the 1cm it is now. Perfect.
Bluetooth mouse would be a much nicer thing, considering most netbooks have it. (and if they don't, they aren't worth anything)
Needs to be more Bluetooth things, it is a fantastic little piece of technology, perfect for exactly this kind of scenario.
man MS and logitech have tons of mouse for notebook or laptop or desktop whatever you want call for different price range what is big deal about it that they have to write article about it....so pathetic..
oh $40 you will get it for less after rebate if you ship wisely (article never mention that)
yeah yeah netbooks arent use for gaming, but still
Get over it, Microsoft. These things are called netbooks. Using the term "small notebook PCs" all over the linked article only makes the article look silly.
- by jtjt145 June 18, 2009 3:25 PM PDT
- Producing mice seems to one of the few area's where Micro$oft is really good at ... :-)
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(21 Comments)