There are quite a few people out there without a decent mouse. Most new computers that are bought in stores will have a simple and generic two or three button mouse. The fact remains that a good mouse is truly essential to getting things done on your PC. For gamers, we all want a mouse that won't glitch or stall, or require a load of cleaning. In the next few pages we'll be taking a look at Microsoft's line of mice and trackballs. Microsoft can be considered the standard for mice these days, and more and more people are buying them. We'll start with their IntelliMouse which sported a good design and a wheel, then the IntelliMouse Pro which has a better feel and glide, then off to the IntelliMouse Trackball, a very unique wheel with Microsoft's patented technology. Each one of these three pointing devices have pros and cons. We'll also summarize the other mice that Microsoft makes, and touch base real quick on them.

Let's start off with the IntelliMouse. Microsoft was already known for their two button mice that really felt like it fit your hand, and fit your hand well. They then expanded this mouse and added a new feature we never really saw before - a wheel. The wheel is the gray object in the middle of the mouse, and is quite easy to use. It can be used as the third button by pressing down on the top, or used in applications to scroll up or down. This is most common in a web browser, by relaxing in your chair and letting the wheel do the work. When it came out, it was really cool. One of the best features of this mouse besides the wheel and the ergonomic design is the fact that the mouse does not require a lot of cleaning. Usually when a mouse gets rolled around a lot, it gets grimy inside. The IntelliMouse doesn't seem to get as dirty as most, which is real slick.