Hardware

Take a closer look at the Microsoft Touch Mouse

By · September 1, 2011, 3:43 AM PST

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    I recently received the Microsoft Touch Mouse and wrote a review of it for the Windows Desktop Report. In this gallery, I’ll show you what I encountered while unboxing the Touch Mouse.

    The mouse comes in a solid cardboard box that measures 6-inches long, 4-inches wide, and 3-inches tall. This is the top of the box.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    This is the front of the box. You flip up the tab, which is magnetically held in place, to open the box.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    The back of the box provides some enticing advertising.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    The left side of the box promotes the mouse’s use of Microsoft’s proprietary BlueTrack Technology that is designed to provide fast and extremely smooth movement on just about any surface that you can imagine.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    The right side of the box sports the hanger for the retail display and shows off the Compatible with Windows 7 logo.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    The system requirements are found on the bottom of the box.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    When you open the box, you see that the mouse is enclosed in what looks like a display case.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    Here is a top view of the display case.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    The inside of the lid provides you with a brief introduction of how the mouse’s gestures features work.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    Once you remove the box top and the plastic cover, you see that the mouse is on a pedestal. It is actually fastened very securely to this pedestal.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    With a slight pry, the top of the pedestal lifts up to reveal the USB transceiver, batteries, and the battery cover.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    When you remove the top, you can see the mechanism securing the mouse.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    The instructions for releasing the mouse make it look like a very simple operation. However, it took several tries to get the mechanism to actually release the mouse. It’s fastened very securely.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    Once out of its box, you can see the four main components. You can also see how small the USB transceiver actually is.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    After it is assembled and the switch is flipped on, you’ll immediately see the flickering light of BlueTrack. You can save battery power by turning off the mouse when you are not going to be using it.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    In the bottom of the box, you’ll find a USB cable and a small box containing the Setup guide, which provides instruction in English and 7 other languages.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    The Touch Mouse is smaller than a standard mouse, but it actually fits in the palm of your hand very comfortably.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    The surface of the Touch Mouse is populated with a multitude of sensors that are designed to track movement of your fingers and allow you to take advantage of Windows 7’s touch-based user interface features.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    There are no discernable buttons on the mouse, but clicking on the left or right side of the mouse works just like the buttons on a regular mouse.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    The straight line at the top center of the mouse essentially replaces the wheel for scrolling—you just move one finger up or down to scroll.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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    Of course, the back of the mouse has the Microsoft logo on it.

    Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

  • Used in the review

    The surface of the Touch Mouse is populated with a multitude of touch sensors and there are no discernable buttons.

  • Used in the review

    The USB transceiver is extremely small.

  • Used in the review

    You can configure the touch based features from the Touch tab of the Mouse Properties dialog box.

  • Used in the review

    The interactive tutorial will have you up and running with the gestures in no time at all.

  • Used in the review

    The Instant Viewer displays all open windows as thumbnails.

Microsoft Touch Mouse 2

 

This is the front of the box. You flip up the tab, which is magnetically held in place, to open the box.

Image created by Greg Shultz for TechRepublic, all rights reserved.

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By Greg Shultz

Greg Shultz is a freelance Technical Writer. Previously, he has worked as Documentation Specialist in the software industry, a Technical Support Specialist in educational industry, and a Technical Journalist in the computer publishing industry.

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