Microsoft IntelliMouse Classic review – Versatile, Hard-Wearing, Iconic

Those of us of a certain vintage will remember Microsoft‘s IntelliMouse 3.0, better known as ‘that Microsoft mouse’ that was usually the only one in the shop. Many are still in operation today due to the build quality of the device. The fact that the mouse was comfortable and precise was almost an afterthought to its reliability and ubiquity.

What might surprise a few people is how is moonlights as the superb gaming mouse for its price range and it doesn’t even try to tell you that

Microsoft have resurrected the IntelliMouse with its new ‘Classic’. Inspired by the original, MS have done a superb job capturing the spirit of the brand’s solid specs and solid frame.

Muted and fuss-free but some will miss the LEDs and extra buttons

Built for Everyone (or 90% of People or Whatever*)

IntelliMouse Classic is comfortable and more than a little familiar. The logo has changed and the overall shape has changed to match modern tastes. But you could walk past the new IntelliMouse on Connacht Street and immediately tell who its dad is. Fifteen years is a long time in PC peripherals but it stands as a testament to the OG Intellimouse that such scant refinement was necessary.

A 1,000Hz read-rate is, to use an industry term, ‘sick, fam’.

The IntelliMouse operates a 5-button+wheel config. in a *right-handed set-up only. This is a little unfair on Southpaws as the mouse boasts some incredible numbers for an unassuming clicker.

The OG IntelliMouse was more ambi-friendly and smaller

Over-Engineered in the Best Possible Way

The smooth, reliable operation for general use is what will sell the Classic. The comfort, lack of an outrageous LED-filled aesthetic and the assured click of every button will be appreciated by everyone, bar lefties as discussed.

What might surprise a few people is how IntelliMouse Classic moonlights as a superb gaming mouse for its price.

For those of you are both old and nerdy enough to know what a PS/2 mouse is, the fundamental difference in how they interact with the PC’s I/O and how other mice still cannot match the ‘zero’ response… we are at ‘negligible’ with the €40 IntelliMouse Classic. The war is over, you may return to your families.

A DPI of up to 3200 is supported. That is as good as any gamer will ever need. To boot, it worked on any surface we tried it on thanks to BlueTrack; Microsoft’s fancy blue diode tech. This sort of reliability and performance will eventually be taken for granted but its most remarkable specification will probably woo you every time you load up Rainbow Six:Siege or StarCraft.

Peace at Last; The One Millisecond Accord

A 1,000Hz report-rate is, to use an industry term, ‘sick, fam’. Whenever the action becomes intense and you are flinging that cursor around like the reaction-beast you are, the IntelliMouse keeps up. For every millisecond, the mouse is telling your PC what is happening.

I found it a little jarring to remap a single mouse button to the keyboard but that’s just me; a man who filled a paragraph about PS/2’s superior-but-almost-matched I/O performance. And Yes, I foreshadow Sometimes.

For those of you both old and nerdy enough to know what a PS/2 connection is, the fundamental difference in how they interact with the PC’s I/O vs. other interfaces and how other mice & keys still cannot match PS/2’s ‘practically zero’ response time; we are at ‘negligible’ with the €40 IntelliMouse Classic, not some €90 gaming mouse. The war is over, you may return to your families.

Light in One Area

A couple of extra features wouldn’t go to waste on the Classic. The 5-button configuration won’t be enough for some gamers and elite-level MS Excel users. Baby-finger buttons aren’t to everyone’s liking but once you have had the extra activation options, it can be tough to step back.

I found it a little jarring to remap a single mouse button to the keyboard but that’s just me; a man who filled a paragraph about PS/2’s superior-but-almost-matched I/O performance.

Priced into Essentialdom

At €/$39.99(£29.99), any right-hander should consider the IntelliMouse Classic next time they need a mouse. Consider its 5-button+wheel layout and how only three keys can be customised: if these aren’t a big deal – just buy it.

IntelliMouse Classic will likely sell to those who need reliability but it offers incredible performance for a very modest price.