Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000

If you’re a frequent notebook or netbook user, a travel-friendly mouse is probably the most important accessory you’ll own. Touchpads and other built-in pointing devices are great for casual use, but not so quick and comfortable for serious computing.

Unless much of your notebook use takes place in flight, a wireless mouse is a good way to go. When you’re mousing in a cramped space, cables just make the juggling act harder.

Microsoft’s Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 is a compact little affair, featuring the same “Nano transceiver” as the Arc Keyboard reviewed above. When not in use, the transceiver pops into the bottom of the mouse, where it remains secure until you press a tiny “eject” button – an essential feature when the transceiver would be so easily lost.

Based on Microsoft’s BlueTrack technology, the mouse works well on a variety of surfaces – you certainly don’t need a proper mouse pad. Still, things like glass and mirrors aren’t supported at all. Crumpled brown paper and other such uneven surfaces produce jerky results. As long as you have something relatively smooth and not overly reflective, you’ll be fine.

Comfort-wise, the mouse is a treat. It doesn’t feel too small in the hand, with rubberised sides ensuring a good grip for precision pointing. The buttons have a soft but distinct “click”, and the scroll wheel – also rubberised for grip – has a smooth motion.

If you need a wireless mouse to pop into your notebook bag, the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 is a good contender. Just remember, stick to wired models when you’re traversing the airways.