Microsoft Explorer BlueTrack

Mice have remained the same for the past few years. An increased pixel count here, a better sensor there, but the underlying tech has been the same; straight up laser technology. Then a few months back Microsoft unleashed their new BlueTrack technology which took the current and made it better. We look at the Explorer BlueTrack (EBT) edition to see what it brings to the table.



It looks like a regular mouse on the surface, with smooth edges and a slightly grippy finish to the buttons, as well as packing a smooth rolling wheel and two thumb-navigation buttons for moving backwards and forwards through menus and web pages with ease.

In look and feel it is very similar to some other Microsoft offerings and the more recent Logitech mice with their ergonomic styling, so it's off to a good start already, because those products are fantastic.



The aim of the new technology is to help the mouse when it is being used on surfaces that are usually inhospitable to mice. For example; carpet, jeans, the outside of your laptop bag, wherever. Does it work? Well, yes, it does seem to. There is drama like you get when using a traditional mouse on certain surfaces, like when using my personal Razer Copperhead on my duvet there is spontaneous jumping across the screen by the pointer. With the EBT, the mouse moves like you'd assume it would; in the same way it works on the desk.



My only gripe with it is the plasticky-rubber pads at the top and bottom of the base. They're a lot smoother now, but when we started testing the mouse a few months back, they began to rub and slow the mouse when being used on fabrics. It's not a major problem, but something to anticipate when you get one of these.



It's not a gaming mouse, so it'd be unfair to judge it by the usual RandomlyAccessed mouse-standards, but it does have a smooth movement across the screen, works well fast and slow and is aestheically good enough to hold its own at a gaming event. It can even be used plug-and-play, as we've just plugged it straight into this Advent 4213 netbook, and it works straight away (well, after about 20 seconds).



Cutting edge tech in a stylish, comfortable form factor. If this is the future, we like it.