Kensington Mouse-in-a-Box USB/ADB (64475)
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Similar in Keyboards and Mice
- Ergonomic Fit: Right and Left Handed (Mouse)
- Input Interface Type: Mouse
- Motion Device Type: Mechanical
- Connectivity: Cable
- Interface: USB (Mouse)
- Platform: Mac
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A Faithful Rodent!
Pros
Package; docs; functionality; hardiness; USB and ADB.
Cons
USB fit can be too snug (minor).
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Excellent. A great product then and now.
Introduction
I bought this a while back when the prices were a touch higher than they are today, for my trusty graphite iBook. The color doesn't exactly match the iBook, so you are hereby warned, but as for the rest, it's a good rodent with several nice touches.
Kensington has been creating computer peripherals for years, and one of their long-standing specialties has been mice for both the Microsoft world and the Mac world. The Mouse-in-a-box is one of their flagship products. They know what they're doing and it shows.
Packaging and Documentation
The packaging is clear, allowing you to see the product without opening up the package and hiding from the sales reps (Not trivial considerations for the style-conscious or the shy!) It also clearly labels which operating systems and platforms for which it is intended. Honestly, not much differentiates mice from another, but this is a nice touch, and that's what sets apart Kensington from the crowd.
The manuals are also a delight to read -- clear, concise, and easily understood. They cover basic installation and feature ergonomic information. Again, while neither of these things are necessary, they are nice to have, and they are well-done.
Appearance
Like I've already mentioned, the graphite mouse doesn't exactly match a graphite iBook -- it's a few shades darker. However, the two-tone design echoes the design of the iBook. and so this mouse doesn't look out of place beside one. The connecting cable, veritably shimmering with a starry silver material, ends in an ADB connector. A separate included cable converts this to USB. The transparent USB boot and USB/ADB connectors continue the design ethos of both the box and the iBook generally.
Functionality
USB. ADB. Both in the same product. In a single masterful stroke, Kensington satisfies the needs of both older Macs, newer Macs, and the PC world. When I bought this product, the fact that anyone paid attention to my needs as someone who used both a Powerwave (old Mac clone) and an iBook said a lot.
Installation
Installation is simple. Either just attach the USB converter and plug it in to your USB port, or plug it into an ADB port (before you turn on the machine, of course). The included CD features the Mouseworks program, but that's not necessary to use the beast. The OS X version of Mouseworks has had its troubles, and you may want to steer clear if you're on that OS.
Longevity
The mouse stands up to many months of use. I've used it for over a year and a half and haven't had any problems yet. It requires occasional cleaning as do all non-optical mice, but strangely, a lot less than my mouse at work. That Dell mouse needs cleaning every few weeks and leaves uhm...mouse droppings everywhere (i.e. that strange black buildup that occurs on the bottom of the mouse and inside on the the rollers).
The attached cable connects the mouse to either a USB or ADB port with length to spare.
The USB connector fits snugly into a USB port, perhaps too snugly. Sometimes I wanted to go get a pair of pliers to pull the thing out from my Kensington Keyboard-in-a-box. I've had no problems with the ADB connector, though.
Conclusion
Visually striking, hardy, and sporting multiple connections -- the Mouse-in-a-box towers over its competition. For Mac users and anyone with a sense of style about their computer peripherals, you can't go wrong with this rodent!
I bought this a while back when the prices were a touch higher than they are today, for my trusty graphite iBook. The color doesn't exactly match the iBook, so you are hereby warned, but as for the rest, it's a good rodent with several nice touches.
Kensington has been creating computer peripherals for years, and one of their long-standing specialties has been mice for both the Microsoft world and the Mac world. The Mouse-in-a-box is one of their flagship products. They know what they're doing and it shows.
Packaging and Documentation
The packaging is clear, allowing you to see the product without opening up the package and hiding from the sales reps (Not trivial considerations for the style-conscious or the shy!) It also clearly labels which operating systems and platforms for which it is intended. Honestly, not much differentiates mice from another, but this is a nice touch, and that's what sets apart Kensington from the crowd.
The manuals are also a delight to read -- clear, concise, and easily understood. They cover basic installation and feature ergonomic information. Again, while neither of these things are necessary, they are nice to have, and they are well-done.
Appearance
Like I've already mentioned, the graphite mouse doesn't exactly match a graphite iBook -- it's a few shades darker. However, the two-tone design echoes the design of the iBook. and so this mouse doesn't look out of place beside one. The connecting cable, veritably shimmering with a starry silver material, ends in an ADB connector. A separate included cable converts this to USB. The transparent USB boot and USB/ADB connectors continue the design ethos of both the box and the iBook generally.
Functionality
USB. ADB. Both in the same product. In a single masterful stroke, Kensington satisfies the needs of both older Macs, newer Macs, and the PC world. When I bought this product, the fact that anyone paid attention to my needs as someone who used both a Powerwave (old Mac clone) and an iBook said a lot.
Installation
Installation is simple. Either just attach the USB converter and plug it in to your USB port, or plug it into an ADB port (before you turn on the machine, of course). The included CD features the Mouseworks program, but that's not necessary to use the beast. The OS X version of Mouseworks has had its troubles, and you may want to steer clear if you're on that OS.
Longevity
The mouse stands up to many months of use. I've used it for over a year and a half and haven't had any problems yet. It requires occasional cleaning as do all non-optical mice, but strangely, a lot less than my mouse at work. That Dell mouse needs cleaning every few weeks and leaves uhm...mouse droppings everywhere (i.e. that strange black buildup that occurs on the bottom of the mouse and inside on the the rollers).
The attached cable connects the mouse to either a USB or ADB port with length to spare.
The USB connector fits snugly into a USB port, perhaps too snugly. Sometimes I wanted to go get a pair of pliers to pull the thing out from my Kensington Keyboard-in-a-box. I've had no problems with the ADB connector, though.
Conclusion
Visually striking, hardy, and sporting multiple connections -- the Mouse-in-a-box towers over its competition. For Mac users and anyone with a sense of style about their computer peripherals, you can't go wrong with this rodent!
