Microsoft Wireless Mouse 2000 review

We'd better start by clearing up a potential confusion: this is not the same as the Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2000 that's been knocking around since 2006. Microsoft has updated the mouse with its BlueTrack laser technology, and also simplified the ergonomics. You'd think that while the company was at it a proper new name might have been a good idea, but no.

BlueTrack is an impressively reliable laser technology, and we found the Microsoft Wireless Mouse 2000 responsive on a range of surfaces, with desk, paper and trousers proving suitable environments; only glass was unusable, in case you're planning on using the mouse in a 1980s living room. None of this is news, of course - we're well aware of BlueTrack's quality. The interesting point is that you can now find it for as little as £21.

In other respects, however, it must be acknowledged that the Microsoft Wireless Mouse 2000 is rather basic. You get only two standard buttons, plus a tilt- or clickable scrollwheel, and the design is simple. But the clean, straightforward lines belie a thoughtful and economical design: the 2000 fits neatly in the hand and, because it's only slightly assymetric, left-handed users are catered for too.

One possible niggle is that the Microsoft Wireless Mouse 2000's speeds seem a little idiosyncratic. Out of the box, its cursor movement struck us as unusually quick - easily remedied via your system preferences. And the scrollwheel seemed slow - but again, adjustable.

Microsoft claims a wireless range of 30ft for the Microsoft Wireless Mouse 2000, and this held up in testing, suggesting a strong wireless connection with the non-Bluetooth USB dongle supplied.