The Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse is one of my favorite and most used accessories for my Windows powered notebook.
It is a very lightweight mouse, with an excellent battery life, that is perfectly suited for every modern nomad.
Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse – A design overview
I would like to provide an overview of the product design and highlight the features that I personally like. On the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse product page you can read the following description:
“Arc Touch Mouse’s innovative design allows for quick use and storage. Curve it comfortably to get started.”
The mouse is really thin, when not curved. This makes it very easy to store the Arc Touch mouse in a small front pocket of Tom Bihn Empire Builder or the back pocket of the Waterfield Sleevecase.
“Then smoothly glide your finger up or down the scroll pad. Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse responds precisely to the speed of your finger movement, using Haptic feedback (light vibration that signals scrolling speed) to scan through documents or web pages as quickly—or as cautiously—as needed, entirely by feel.”
When you curve the mouse, it is immediately switched on (you can see the blue BlueTrack light). The Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse offers enough support for my hand to comfortably rest on the curve of the mouse. Instead of a scroll wheel, there is a touch-sensitive strip between the two mouse buttons. If you would like to scroll up or down you simply swipe your finger up or down over the strip, while getting haptic feedback about the scrolling speed.
Both the mouse buttons have a pleasant size and travel. Below the touch-sensitive strip there is a led, which flashes red in the case of low batteries.
The Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center allows you to easily configure the mouse buttons and additional features in Windows 8. Download the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center for Windows 8 here.
“When you’re done, keep the tiny transceiver plugged into your computer’s USB port, or tuck it into the underside of the mouse. Then flatten Arc Touch Mouse to turn it off, and slip it into your pocket or bag as easily as a cell phone.”
The Microsoft Arc Touch mouse comes with a small but unique to the mouse USB transceiver. The backside of the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse has a magnetic area in the case that you would like to remove the transceiver and attach it to your mouse. The Nano Transceiver however is permanently plugged into a USB port of my Lenovo work laptop.
BlueTrack Technology
“With BlueTrack technology from Microsoft, your computer mouse will work on even more surfaces than ever before, including granite and carpet, wood tables or park benches.”
This is a great technology that makes everyday life a lot easier. No matter on which surface you would like to use your Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse, it always simply works. 🙂
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
The Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse is a very compact and lightweight mouse, with a more than excellent battery life.
I think I change the two AAA batteries once per half a year with intensive daily usage. Personally is this excellent battery life a major pro for buying the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse.
Like I mentioned in the introduction it is very easy to store in a bag. When I walk around the office (from one meeting room to another) I sometimes even put the Microsoft Arco Touch Mouse in the back pocket of my jeans. It is that flat … 🙂
You can argue about the price point of €69.99, but honestly it is the best mouse I’ve ever bought and you get a lot of design- and technology for your money.
This Microsoft Mouse furthermore has won several design prizes:
- Winner of a 2011 IDEA Gold Award for design excellence;
- Winner of a red dot 2011 Product Design Award and Best of the Best Award;
The Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse is the perfect notebook accessory for every road warrior.
