Pros:

• No transceiver necessary, freeing up a USB port
• Ergonomic design for either hand
• Back button
• Comfortable, responsive scroll wheel
• On/Off button
• Low battery indicator
• Reliable connection
• Nice solid feel
• Looks nice
• No driver or software install required (or offered)
• Compatible with Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7/Mac OS X
• Supported by Microsoft’s great hardware warranty for 3 years

Cons:

• Somewhat short battery life
• Doesn’t automatically turn off to save battery
• AAA batteries difficult to remove when replacing
• Connection doesn’t always reconnect when resuming from sleep mode

Next to the scroll wheel, a back button is a mouse feature I cannot live without. Many mobile mice do not include a back button so it was easy to narrow down my choices. Guess how many mobile bluetooth mice have a back button? Try 1. The Microsoft Notebook Mouse 5000 was the only one I could find. That made my choice even easier. I love not having to fuss with a transceiver. Even though the VX Nano uses a micro-USB receiver, it still took up 1 of only 3 USB ports on my laptop.

I like the way the mouse feels and looks. It also comes with a nice padded case with a velcro enclosure. The scroll wheel is nice and comfortable to use and doesn’t feel flimsy like some tend to do. Battery life is just okay. It’s rated at 3+ months but I have seen real-world results of closer to 2 months. I use it for probably 2-3 hours/day 7 days a week and I never turn it off. When I’m connected, I stay connected without any drops.

I view the lack of driver or software for required on the 5000 as a welcome feature. I never install Microsoft’s driver software or Logitech’s SetPoint software for my mice and keyboards. Sometimes I lose some functionality, mostly in programmable buttons and keys, but I’ve had enough driver-related issues on my system to cause me to avoid installing them.

See larger image Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 Mac/Windows (Electronics) List Price: $49.99 USD New From: $21.45 In Stock Used from: $16.99 In Stock

I have only a few very minor complaints. Instead of only offering an on/off button, adding an automatic sleep/off feature would greatly improve battery life. When you do have to replace the batteries, you’ll struggle with removing the batteries a bit because the little pulls that help you remove the batteries are undersized. I don’t have long enough fingernails to easily grab the pulls. Lastly, whenever my laptop goes to sleep, I have to cross my fingers that the bluetooth connection gets reestablished. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t. I have used the 5000 on my laptop with both Windows XP and Windows 7.

I thought that after a year, surely a new Microsoft, Logitech, or even Kensington bluetooth mouse would’ve been released that would take praise away from the 5000. Nope. This is still the best notebook bluetooth mouse on the market. The 3 year warranty isn’t as long as I would like, but Microsoft’s hardware warranty is easier to deal with than any other company’s I’ve experienced. Logitech’s support is great, but Microsoft’s is excellent. Confidently purchase this wonderful mouse and you will be satisfied with the outcome.