Today, I’ve been testing out an Arc mouse, which Microsoft created for laptops. People forget that Microsoft makes hardware — at least mice and keyboards — and has done for years, way before the Xbox or the Zune.
The Arc mouse looks like something Apple designed, except it’s black. However, Microsoft’s website does the Arc no justice, unlike Apple’s representation of its gear.
The Arc is both innovative and yet still does many things right:
(Many flawed products have far too much innovation.)
- The mouse folds for transport. The action of opening it up automatically switches it on.
- The tiny USB wireless transmitter attaches to the mouse underside using magnets when not in use. Plus Microsoft supplies a pouch to keep the mouse clean.
- The fold design makes the mouse large to hold, but small to put into a bag. It’s close to a best of both worlds between desktop and laptop.
- Works without any extra software on both Windows and Mac OS. Although, to have the extra button trigger Expose on Mac OS requires a driver install.
So far, so good, but like all mobile products the jury is out until I’ve been using it for a few days.
Tagged: Gadgets, Mac, PC
