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More Stuff I Like: Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse Review & Giveaway

Friday, April 1, 2011 - 8:38am

No need to be funny, witty or even moderately entertaining on this product review – if you have a laptop and like to use a mouse, you need one of these.

Two weeks ago, I received a Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse as a demo unit to review. The mouse is very flat (only a half inch tall) with just enough height to hold two AAA batteries. So I took it out of the package, inserted the included batteries and then looked for the on/off switch and the “connect” button that are de rigueur with other wireless mice. I was baffled by finding neither switch so I actually looked at the quick-start guide. First I was told to “bend” the back half of the mouse in order to turn it on – what? Bend the mouse?

Flexed and Flat Sure enough, the “tail” of the Arc Touch mouse is flexible. You bend it to make an arc (hence the name Arc Touch) and it automatically powers on. In it’s flexed position it takes the shape of a traditional mouse, fits your hand nicely and glides easily as only the tip and tail touch the surface. Don't believe it? .... Then check out the video.

Now I needed to connect it to my MacBook Pro laptop. A bit more reading led me to some good/bad news. First, the good; the Arc Touch comes with a tiny USB plug-in transmitter receiver. It’s the size of a postage stamp and protrudes only a ¼-inch from the USB port of your laptop when plugged-in. Instead of BlueTooth, the Arc Touch uses a proprietary wirelesss protocol to communicate between mouse and system. I know – proprietary is bad – but how many times have you struggled with setting up a BlueTooth mouse or keyboard? With the Arc Touch, plugging in the transmitter/receiver is all that is required. Now the bad, the documentation indicated that the Arc Touch is a Windows-only device – huh? No Mac support?

So for fun, I plugged it in to my MacBook Pro just to see what would happen. Amazingly, it worked perfectly. I didn’t even have to download or install any device drivers or control software. I could use the Apple mouse control panel to change any settings I desired.

Lastly, the “scroll wheel” is a thing of genius. Instead of a traditional wheel, the Arc Touch has an inch long “scroll bar” sitting flush to the surface between the left- and right-click buttons. If you move your finger forward or backward along this bar, scrolling works as expected. However, the scroll bar gives you both the tactile and audio feedback similar to a traditional scroll wheel ... even an amazingly accurate reproduction of the clicking sensation.

So how does it perform? Since I received the demo unit, I take it everywhere with me. I never have to remember to turn if off when I travel – simply flattening the device does the trick. Even the mini-transmitter receiver attaches to the mouse magnetically for storage if I need to free up the USB port. Everyone in the office is coveting the Arc Touch including, unfortunately, our CEO. So put this one in the TechDadCentral hallowed category of “Stuff I Like” and hope that I can keep hiding it every time our CEO strolls by my desk.

This giveaway is now closed.

132 Comments

How on earth did you get the

Submitted by MNJetter on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 1:35pm.

How on earth did you get the thing to work with a MacBook? I tried it on my iMac and all it did was force my Arc keyboard to uninstall itself and restart. I love the design of this mouse so much....stupid software...

My laptop has a touch mouse

Submitted by SusieQTpies on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:12pm.

My laptop has a touch mouse but it doesn't work anymore (only 1 year old) so I had to buy a wireless mouse. It is big and bulky! I would love to try out this one! Thanks for the opportunity! I CAN"T live without a mouse.

I can't live without my

Submitted by Lisa Kassabaum on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 5:41pm.

I can't live without my wireless mouse!

This Arc Touch Mouse is so

Submitted by DJ on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 4:18pm.

This Arc Touch Mouse is so unique and awesome!! This will be hard to live without!! :)

A wireless mouse is required

Submitted by Julie on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 2:59pm.

A wireless mouse is required - even for a laptop.

Love the idea of wireless

Submitted by Tiffany S. on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 3:54am.

Love the idea of wireless mice, however few work well.

I can't stand my pad on my

Submitted by Robyn on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 10:54pm.

I can't stand my pad on my laptop. I have tried a wireless before and wonder if this one will be different. If I win it will be interesting to find out!!

I can't stand my pad on my

Submitted by Robyn on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 10:54pm.

I can't stand my pad on my laptop. I have tried a wireless before and wonder if this one will be different. If I win it will be interesting to find out!!

a mouse is really the only

Submitted by clarissa on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 10:09pm.

a mouse is really the only acessory i use

laptop, printer and mouse!

Submitted by Adrienne on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 8:40pm.

laptop, printer and mouse!

need speakers so i cna listen

Submitted by sarah b on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 8:36pm.

need speakers so i cna listen to Glee while I surfing

This looks AWESOME!!!

Submitted by Kris Smith on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 8:22pm.

This looks AWESOME!!!

i would love to have this I

Submitted by Paula Shayter on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 7:21pm.

i would love to have this I get tired of having a lost pointer because the touch pad is alwalys sticking or moving to fast

I can't live without my

Submitted by Kristy Richard on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 7:09pm.

I can't live without my mouse... would love to upgrade to this!! I hate having to use the touchpad..

I can't live without my

Submitted by Christine on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 6:51pm.

I can't live without my laptop!

To be honest, I can't live

Submitted by Cheyenne on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 6:21pm.

To be honest, I can't live without my laptop. I do everything on it!! I've never had a wireless mouse -- what a wonderful idea this one is!

I can't live without my

Submitted by DeeAnn S on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 5:43pm.

I can't live without my mouse. Don't like the touch pad. Thanks.

I can't live without my

Submitted by Kim McKoy on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 5:42pm.

I can't live without my external hard drive.

I can't live without my big

Submitted by Dianne P on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 5:35pm.

I can't live without my big monitor, no more squinting for me.

I have to have great speakers

Submitted by Renee Turner on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 5:30pm.

I have to have great speakers for the computer!

A mouse,lol,never could get

Submitted by Susan West on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 5:09pm.

A mouse,lol,never could get used to that little touchpad! Of course I could not imagine living without a printer either!

I use my scanner so much I

Submitted by Judy on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 5:00pm.

I use my scanner so much I would miss it a lot if it were gone :)

I cannot live without my

Submitted by Angela on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 4:56pm.

I cannot live without my *real* mouse attached to my notebook. Would love a cordless version. Thanks!!

I cannot live without a

Submitted by Jerrilynn on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 4:51pm.

I cannot live without a mouse!! I even pack one when I travel to use with my netbook!

cant live without my wireless

Submitted by ragu on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 4:47pm.

cant live without my wireless mouse....

My printer!

Submitted by sindy yanez on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 4:43pm.

My printer!

WHOA - Love this concept! A

Submitted by Lise @ BasketWorks on Mon, 03/21/2011 - 2:41pm.

WHOA - Love this concept! A wireless that will travel well, not burn batteries by being on when I want it off and works easily? That sounds like the perfect item.

Can't live without it computer accessory? Well, having started using computers in the age of the 8" floppy, I am in love with thumb drives, but I don't know if those are considered accessories. I love my hub port - I have one with a 12" extender, so I can plug everything in and move it out of my way - it is a wonderful thing!

my daughter has a laptop i

Submitted by gayla on Mon, 03/21/2011 - 6:31am.

my daughter has a laptop i cant afford one but she loves hers. at night time i wish i had one while im watching my shows, but i think that she would love this mouse instead of the pad on the computer. i know that i would when i am able to use hers. thanks

my daughter has a laptop i

Submitted by gayla on Mon, 03/21/2011 - 6:31am.

I am very disturbed when I

Submitted by Robin on Sun, 03/20/2011 - 5:44pm.

I am very disturbed when I don't have a working color printer. Also, I really depend upon my external hard drive--it is only bested by my flash drive.

I'm a piece of cheese. I cant

Submitted by Alec Mendez on Sun, 03/20/2011 - 12:39pm.

I'm a piece of cheese. I cant live without a mouse.

I can't live without my

Submitted by Gail T on Sat, 03/19/2011 - 9:56pm.

I can't live without my laptop & mouse.

I have to have my wireless

Submitted by Amanda Kelsey on Sat, 03/19/2011 - 8:04pm.

I have to have my wireless mouse

I can't live without my mouse

Submitted by Melissa on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 8:16pm.

I can't live without my mouse and my Flash Drive.

USB Flash drives are really

Submitted by kkenty on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 7:07pm.

USB Flash drives are really helpful for using files on different pc's. Or carrying a presentation to a meeting in your pocket!! THANKS.

Any Toys You can get for the

Submitted by Beva on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 6:49pm.

Any Toys You can get for the puter is fun!! I just got a pad to sit my lappy on that has a pullout for a mouse! That mouse would work on there! Would love it!~

For sure a mouse- I have

Submitted by ellen on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 6:30pm.

For sure a mouse- I have movement problems & cant use a laptop without some sort of mouse. I held onto a desktop for 8 years fearing I couldnt operate without a mouse! This arc one looks darn nice!

I would go nuts without my

Submitted by Shannon L Barlow on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 4:20pm.

I would go nuts without my mouse. The pad thingy is a pain in the _____. It's really touchy so it messes with my screen a lot if I'm not using my mouse.

I can not live without my

Submitted by Vicenzino Armenti on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 8:52am.

I can not live without my Computer. But My Mouse is still the one with the "Ball" and I hate it, but I tolerate it.
I think this Microsoft Mouse is Sleek in Design and would be Proud to own one. I love Microsoft Products.

that would b the best i have

Submitted by tarah on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 7:34am.

that would b the best i have a laptop n lose my mouse on my screen all the time w that i would never lose it

I can't live without my

Submitted by Theresa J on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 9:34pm.

I can't live without my wireless mouse and my portable hard drive (both connected to my laptop).

I can't live without my

Submitted by Jenna @ For The Love of Baby on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 9:01pm.

I can't live without my portable hard drive!

Definitely can't live without

Submitted by LaTanya on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 7:58pm.

Definitely can't live without a wireless mouse!

my mouse died and I have had

Submitted by Cathy B on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:50am.

my mouse died and I have had to succumb to using the touchpad! it is not easy!!! Would love to review this arc mouse!!! I have tried all kinds of "mice" or "mouses?!" .. and still looking for the right one!

I also am so happy since I started using cooling fans under my laptop... HUGE difference in performance and gives me security. the secret is finding the right one... one that is quiet and does the job still.
cathy b
http://palmbreezeliving.blogspot.com
http://www.bamboopink.net/palmbreezeliving
pbprojecthope at yahoo dot com

I can't live without my

Submitted by Claudia on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 9:26am.

I can't live without my mouse....

I wouldn't be able to live

Submitted by Wendy on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 8:24am.

I wouldn't be able to live without my all in one printer!

I can't live without my zip

Submitted by Crystal Jo Bruns on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 6:50am.

I can't live without my zip drives and my all-in-one printer. I love being able to simply carry my zip drive into stores and print pictures off of it. My all-in-one makes my life super easy. No more running into town to get a copy made. Thanks for a chance to win this great mouse. I have been looking for something to take on vacation with me for my laptop. This would be great.

More Stuff I Like: Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse Review & Giveaway

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