Best netbook mouse – top mini wireless mouse for netbooks

Although all netbooks come with their own touch-pads, in most cases these are too small and imprecise, not sensitive enough (or too sensitive) or with poor click buttons. Thus, if you plan to actually do some work on your netbook and get some productivity, I’d advice you to buy a proper netbook mouse. It will save you a lot of time and trouble.

During the last years i came in contact with some of the best netbook mouse devices on the market and i can give you a fair view on some of the ones i liked best in the lines below, where I’ve put together a short list with these kind of gadgets. The list is based on several criteria: my personal opinion,  specs, popularity and users reviews (from forums and Amazon).

I have to say that i only picked wireless mice (radio or Bluetooth) and since i had to choose the best, you will find there are only two brands in this top: Logitech and Microsoft. Because there’s simply no outside competition for the two in this segment.

But enough with the introduction, let’s take a look at the choices.

Microsoft Arc – $28.99 – the odd one

This is a pretty good mouse for netbook. In terms of specs, it uses 2.4 GHz wireless for transmission, has a laser sensor and two side-buttons, usable for navigation.

Microsoft Arc - the odd shaped one

The cool part is the form of this mouse: as you can see from the pictures, it’s fold-able: when you want to turn it off, you just fold the back part and the mouse becomes smaller, around 60% of its full opened size. However, when opened, the Arc is not at all compact, it’s almost as a big as a regular PC mouse.

In terms of performances and ergonomics, the Arc does OK, although some might find the side buttons not so well placed: they are just a little bit too close to the front of the gadget.

Microsoft offers 3 years warranty for their product, and that’s good to know, as some clients mentioned they had problems with the joint and the quality of the exterior finish (paint tends to fade after just a couple of months of use).

Still, the Arc is a good device, one you could go for if you want a more different, bigger mobile mouse than can be compacted when transported. The price is good also, as it comes for $28.99 on Amazon, with a nice price cut from the regular retail price of $49.99 .

Microsoft Optical Mouse 3000 – $17.95 – standard cheap mini wireless mouse

Microsoft Wireless Mouse 3000

If you want just a regular high quality mouse for your portable device, that comes with just all the basic functions you would need and won’t cost you a fortune, then this Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 3000 is the one for you.

First of all, it’s a Microsoft. Then, it’s one of the most popular mouses on Amazon, with a 4.2/5 mark from current buyers . And third, it’s cheap, actually the cheapest in this list, with a price tag that varies between 11 to 20 bucks for the different color versions (and there are 7 of them).

The Microsoft Mouse 3000 is pretty basic like i already said: two buttons, 1 scroll wheel, 2.4 GHz wireless transmission, high precision laser sensor and an ergonomic and compact shape. So you don’t get size buttons, and some might miss them, and the USB receiver is just standard sized, while other modern mice come with a small factor one. But these are just cons you’ll have to let go for such an good priced gadget. Still, you can attach the receiver on the back of the device when transporting it. And of course, this mouse comes with a 3 years warranty from Microsoft.

So, all in all, the Microsoft Optical Mouse 3000 is a nice affordable option for a mobile mouse. I used one for a couple of days and while i was satisfied with the shape and the performances, i had to give it up because it lacked the side buttons I tend to use a lot.

Logitech V470 mouse – $42.99 – the power of Bluetooth

Logitech V470 - glossy and with Bluetooth

The V470 mouse from Logitech is the only Bluetooth mouse in this list. It’s actually pretty basic, as it lacks even side buttons, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good enough for almost every basic user.

In terms of aspect, it’s specially built to be ambidextrous and comes with a nice glossy finish, in blue or white.The blue one is decent, but the white version is quite a looker. Unfortunately is much pricey also.

And, unlike the other mice here, that use wireless radio transmission, this one uses Bluetooth. Thus, the overall performance is enhanced and you don’t need to use an USB receiver if you already have a netbook with Bluetooth, like i do.

In terms of price, the blue version of the Logitech V470 can be found for $42.99 , while the white version costs a staggering 78 bucks (now only $47), making it the most expensive mouse here. And as good as it looks, it’s not worth that much. The blue versions however is definitely a good pick, and this is confirmed by those who already bought it and gave it a 4.2/5 mark on Amazon.

Microsoft Explorer Mini – $25.99 – the cool one

Microsoft's Explorer Mini glow, not just literally

Microsoft offers lots of very good portable mice but i chose the Explorer Mini for my list because of the funky cool look, combined with great performances and good price.

As you can see in the picture, this mouse has quite a futuristic aspect, but still ergonomic. And besides that, it comes with a cool looking blue glowing light on the back, so it’s a popular choice for the bling-bling modding addicts.

Still, i don’t recommend a mouse based just on looks. And the Explorer Mini doesn’t fail to impress in terms of features also: comes with 2.4 Ghz wireless transmission and the Microsoft Blue Track Technology for the sensor, that combines optical and laser sensors for improved precision on any kind of surface. Side buttons are present, but the wireless receiver is standard sized, like on the other mice above.

This mouse is also quite appreciated by customers, with a 4.4/5 mark on Amazon. You can’t get it in more colors, but you can get it with a decent price cut, cause while it retails for around $50 on Microsoft’s site, from here you can buy it for just $25.99 . Quite a deal, right?

Logitech VX Nano – $64.99 – the upper level

Logitech VX Nano- the popular netbook mouse

With the Logitech VX Nano we detach from all the versions presented before. This mouse packs a couple extra features and looks/feels way better, thanks to its ergonomic carefully studied design. However, it’s so small some of you might find it uncomfortable, especially if you have very big palms.

Still, the VX Nano is the most popular netbook mouse on Amazon in its class, with an amazing 4.7/5 mark from previous buyers. And that’s simply something you can let unnoticed.

In terms of features, the VX Nano comes with 2.4 Ghz wireless transmission, laser sensor, back/forward buttons and alternative ALT-TAB button just behind the scroll wheel. If you install the drivers from Logitech’s site you can then adjust all the sensitivity and control options to tune it as closely as possible to your preferences. And there’s on more important thing, the wireless receiver is also Nano, so small you can just stick it on your USB slot and forget about it.

All these things come with a flaw though, the price. While the previous mice cost around 30-40 bucks, this one can be found for $64.99 (with a 5% price cut). Still, this is the mouse i use along with my netbook for a couple of months and I’m absolutely convinced it’s worth the extra bucks and that you’ll love it once you give it a try.

Conclusion

These 5 are the devices I consider the best choices for a netbook mouse these days. I didn’t make a top and the mice are just sorted randomly. There are of course other alternatives available, but this are the ones I consider top choices, based on performances, aspect, features and overall marks received from owners. If you want to check out some of those alternatives, you can find more popular netbook mice here .

And that’s about it, hopefully this list was useful and you could find a suitable mouse for your netbook here or at least get an idea on what you can get.

And one more thing: comments and feedback on this list will be greatly appreciated, so don’t hesitate to leave your replies below.

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Tags: Bluetooth, mouse, netbook accessories, wireless

Last updated: September 27, 2011 | Published: March 22nd, 2010 | See the comments or add yours!