My new roadmouse

They wanted me to post about Windows phones.

Well, I’m going to fight the power. Buck the trend. Talk about my new favourite travelling companion.

It is the surprisingly-catchily-titled Microsoft Mobile Memory Mouse 8000.

First cool feature: Magnets everywhere!

The wireless transceiver doubles as a 1GB USB stick, and has a magnetic doohickie on the end that the charge cable happily snuggles up to.

The same cable has another magnetic dock on the underside of the mouse.

Next cool feature: Use it like a wired one!

With the mouse power switch in the “off” position, I’m still happily mousing away with the cable connected.

Next cool almost-hidden feature: It does Bluetooth too!

You can select between the 2.4Ghz Wireless thingy supplied by the dongle, or regular Bluetooth connectivity with a switch under the battery cover. And since I got bluetooth fixed on my laptop, that actually makes some sense, and means that – as long as it’s charged already – I can use the mouse for a fair while without having to find the memory stick slash dongle slash cord thing.

I have no idea how I came into possession of this one, but it’s quickly replaced the (fleet of) Notebook Optical Mouse (s) that I’ve loved – yes, loved - over the years for its size, lightness and plucky go-anywhere courage.

It is, however, heavier: there’s a nice metal finish, and obviously a rechargeable battery in there, but I don’t find myself minding that much.

From the wish-it-didn’t department: 4-way scroll wheel that I’d have happily substituted for a fatter non-side-scrolling regular wheel (middle clicks are a bit sharp and rolly), and thumb buttons discreetly out of thumb’s reach on the left. I hate thumb buttons (unlike Jeff), but these are unobtrusive enough that you’re unlikely to hit them accidentally.

So perhaps I’m just getting old – and I certainly don’t play as many first person shooters as I used to, especially not on this 1.2Ghz-and-PATA-toting Dell XT – but this mouse seems to do just fine for the moment. Recommended!

Brought to you by the number 8000, and the word “shill”. :)