When it comes to input peripherals and more specifically pointing devices, the options available to the end user are most limitless. Our most recent mouse reviews and roundups have had a heavy focus on gamers and enthusiasts, but it's important to remember that not everyone falls into these detail demographics.

Today nosotros'll be looking at 3 mice that aren't necessarily as high-end or feature-packed every bit some we accept previously tested. These wireless mice are smaller and simpler in what they entail, yet they all feature one distinct characteristic – touch sensitivity.

Encounter the contenders: Microsoft'southward Arc Impact, Mad Catz'south Eclipse touchmouse, and SpeedLink'due south Cue Wireless Multitouch.

Although all iii could hands be used as total-fourth dimension desktop mice, I suspect most would categorize them every bit on-the-get laptop companions based on their small footprint and wireless connectivity.


Mad Catz Eclipse touchmouse

The Eclipse touchmouse is a pocket-sized Bluetooth 2.0- enabled mouse that features a brushed aluminum finish across the top with a soft black rubber-type textile around the sides and bottom. Input is provided by traditional left and correct mouse click buttons merely the whorl bike has been replaced with a 4-manner touch scroll pad.

The bear on ringlet pad operates much like a regular scroll wheel would. Slide your finger up and downwardly the length of the pad to scroll upward and down on-screen. Additionally, you can coil side to side to produce the same effect horizontally.

The touch pad is also clickable and offers gesture commands in each of the 4 directions when depressed. Holding the impact pad down and moving upwards opens a new browser window. Swiping left navigates you dorsum a page, right moves yous forward and a downward gesture refreshes the current active page. I'm not one to really have reward of touchpad gestures on a notebook, but the gesture system on the Eclipse was very useful and I institute myself using information technology more often than not.

On the lesser of the Eclipse are 2 modest feet and one large one that spans the width of the mouse. The 1600 DPI light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation is positioned near the height of the mouse and there is a tiny LED activeness light and a connection push on the right side midway downwardly.

The single AA battery tucks away in the bottom of the mouse and can exist installed by unscrewing the left-side silver cap. The single battery configuration differs from the other two mice we have on hand which use two AAA batteries for power.

Too arranged with the mouse is a quick user guide in multiple languages and a driver disc. Noticeably missing is a Bluetooth receiver, meaning you tin can only use this mouse if your organization has built-in Bluetooth or you supply your ain receiver.

To pair the Eclipse with your Bluetooth-enabled computer, press the small button on the bottom of the mouse once to turn it on. And then hold it for three seconds to enable pairing mode. Go into your Bluetooth manager on the PC and search for the device to pair the ii together. The mouse is true plug-and-play, so you don't take to apply the included software if you want. This is nice just limits how much control you take over the device. The supplied software is very basic and but allows you to conform lines per scroll notch and scroll speed.

As a notebook companion, the Eclipse does the task and the gestures are a nice impact, but bated from that I wasn't terribly impressed. The mouse is very calorie-free – almost to the point of feeling cheaply built. This combined with the modest footprint and unique design didn't make information technology very comfortable to utilize.

The affect scroll pad was hit or miss in the scroll section. Sometimes information technology would scroll relatively smoothly, other times it was jumpy.

When testing the range of Bluetooth for HTPC applications, the Eclipse touchmouse didn't perform well. At a range of 6' or more, the mouse cursor was very jumpy on-screen. Moving back further to around 15', it became borderline unusable. Bluetooth has a range of xxx', and so this shouldn't have been an issue.

This effect could be credited to the mouse or the receiver built into the notebook I was using (Lenovo IdeaPad U260). If it's the notebook, you still have to point the finger at Eclipse for non including a receiver to use with the mouse.

The Eclipse touchmouse is available for about $48. Although the mouse looks very modern and would be like shooting fish in a barrel to travel with, we believe there are ameliorate options available if yous desire some touch features on your mouse.

Pros:
  • Small and lightweight (could be a pro or con)
  • Good gesture system
  • Unique aesthetics
  • Ambidextrous
  • 1600 DPI sensor
 Cons:
  • Terrible Bluetooth range, no dongle included
  • Not very comfortable
  • Feels cheap
  • Bear upon sensitive commands are hitting or miss