New pointers from Logitech and Microsoft make the best mouses for you money.

Microsoft gives the scroll wheel on your mouse a new trick. Officially dubbed "Tilt Wheel Technology," pressing the new wheel side-to-side allows you to easy scroll horizontally through documents, rather than simply up-and-down. Additionally, the scrolling action of the new wheel is completely smooth. Gone is the ratcheting action of yesteryear.

A welcome infestation

Microsoft introduced several new mice and keyboards that sport an updated scroll wheel.

  • Wireless Desktop Elite Keyboard
  • Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer 2.0
  • Wireless Optical Mouse 2.0


Wireless Optical Mouse 2.0Mouse-wise, Microsoft's latest optical engine keeps pace with the fastest hands. So no matter how vigorously you mouse around the screen, tracking errors are practically nonexistent.

Microsoft claims that battery life extends to an impressive six months. We found the new mouses' ability to run on a single battery (they normally hold 2 AA cells) extremely handy.

The new mouses will retail for $44.95.

Killer new keyboard

Wireless Desktop Elite KeyboardMicrosoft's Wireless Desktop Elite Keyboard comes as part of a $105 desktop set that includes the Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer 2.0. The Elite sports a very comfortable faux-leather wrist-rest and an attractive black/metallic-gray color scheme.

Besides an unobtrusive amount of multimedia and common application hotkeys, a series of five buttons labeled My Favorites work much the same as the presets for a car stereo. Enabled through Microsoft's IntelliType Pro 5.0 software, Favorites buttons allow for quick access to websites and applications. Nothing too revolutionary here, but the buttons work well.

More rodents from Logitech

Logitech Cordless Click!Besides celebrating the production of its 500-millionth mouse, Logitech introduces the new Click! series of optical mouses.

  • Click!: ambidextrous shape; corded; 3-button mouse
  • Cordless Click!: ambidextrous shape; 3-button mouse
  • Cordless Click! Plus: right-hand design; adds two thumb buttons


All the Logitech mouses offer the following features.

  • Same great optical engine used in Logitech's high-end MX mouses.
  • QuickSwitch button for quickly switching between applications (requires included software).
  • Cordless models using 27-MHz ("Fast RF") technology similar to Microsoft.
  • New colors and comfortable shapes.
  • Priced from $24.95 to $49.95.


Godsend for gamers

Microsoft and Logitech wireless mouses both operate on the 27-MHz frequency. Along with good performance, hard-core gamers will notice almost no delay. Most mouse users won't notice any delay at all.

These new mouses can track movement faster than you can even move your hand, making for amazing accuracy.

If you're looking for more control over your PC, now might be the time to invest in a new mouse or keyboard.