Microsoft Teases IntelliMouse Comeback
- Paul Thurrott
- Oct 18, 2017
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51
In a curious move, Microsoft revealed this week that it will resurrect a classic mouse from its past, the IntelliMouse.
“We’re bringing back a legend,” Microsoft’s Panos Panay tweeted yesterday, triggering an explosion of cereal and milk on screen. “Meet the new Microsoft Classic IntelliMouse, an upgraded version of an old favorite.”
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The tweet was accompanied by the photo at the top of this post. My reaction was … confused.
Mr. Panay didn’t include a link in his tweet, but a bit of digging unveiled an actual listing for this mouse, called the Microsoft Classic Intellimouse, on the Microsoft Store website.
Here, we learn that this mouse will cost $39.99, and that it is inspired by—seems nearly identical to—the Microsoft Intellimouse 3.0, which is indeed a “classic,” I guess. But then so is Microsoft Bob. And Plus! 95.
“The features that fans loved about the original are still here — customizable buttons, the classic ergonomic look and feel, and the wired USB connection,” the store listing notes. “Upgrades made possible by today’s technology can help you find your breakthrough: tracking is more precise, buttons feel more reliable, and the tail light is a distinctive, modern white.”
I would argue that the red tail light is part of what made the original “classic,” but whatever. The weirder bit here is that it’s wired at all. This will appeal to some old people, and to some gamers, but it’s anachronistic in today’s wireless world.
It is perhaps not coincidental that Microsoft’s also-new Surface Precision Mouse can be used via a USB cable, but that mouse is at least Bluetooth-based, so it can be wireless as well. I’m curious if these two mice don’t share some internals. Also, what the freaking point is of the Microsoft Classic Intellimouse?
Anyway, if you’re looking for an old-fashioned, wired, and right-handed-only mouse at a fairly reasonable price, here you go. Weird.
Conversation 51 comments
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Stooks
<p>I still have one on our kitchen PC. You can see the light green plastic on the button's where the silver wore off. Hopefully this new one will be as sturdy because they fit in the hand well.</p>
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Delmont
<blockquote><a href="#208374"><em>In reply to William_Kempf:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Not sure why all the hate for a wired mouse. Some of us do actually at a desk or cube all day and off a desktop PC at the office. So, a wired mouse is the way to go. </p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#208409"><em>In reply to akcanuck:</em></a></blockquote><p>No need to charge batteries or replace them. </p>
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Delmont
<blockquote><a href="#208409"><em>In reply to akcanuck:</em></a></blockquote><p>??? How is wired a benefit? No batteries while at work for people or I.T. to replace.. think when you're supporting 300 users. The mouse doesn't and up "missing" or knocked on the floor and then broke for a variety of reasons… More of a benefit? Wired just works, period – especially in a business environment.</p>
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Delmont
<blockquote><a href="#213832"><em>In reply to William_Kempf:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Well bully for you.</p>
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Delmont
<blockquote><a href="#214474"><em>In reply to William_Kempf:</em></a></blockquote><p>No, you don't reply with a reasonable answer. Period? Go lecture somewhere else. Period!</p>
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Delmont
<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">The weirder bit here is that it’s wired at all. This will appeal to some old people, and to some gamers, but it’s anachronistic in today’s wireless world.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> I really think that's a bs thing to say. Some of us do sit at a desk all day and work. And work off a desktop PC. So a wired mouse is the way to go. Not everyone is super trendy with their Surface or some $2500 Yoga laptop sitting at a coffee shop.</span></p>
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skane2600
<p>"This will appeal to some old people, and to some gamers, but it’s anachronistic in today’s wireless world."</p><p><br></p><p>Sure because everybody knows that old people and gamers are less likely to use wireless devices, right?</p>