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Notebook Computers
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A4Tech Easy Go Optical Notebook Mouse |
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Written by Mikhail Ivanenkov
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Sunday, 01 July 2007 |
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Thanks to A4Tech for the product sample.
With Logitech arguably the preferred mouse choice for gamers and normal users alike, companies wishing to get a piece of the pie have to innovate. A4Tech isn't a company that first comes to mind when thinking of input devices. They made their first major appearance in the market with the release of the "slanted" keyboard. Here's an example. Basically all of the keys are slanted inward with the middle keys being triangular in shape. Since then their product line has expanded and many more keyboards and mice appeared as a result.
One particular critter up for review today is the AK-5 Easy Go USB optical mouse. It comes in a retail package (which can surprisingly be opened by hand) as shown above. There's no manual and no software; the mouse is completely Plug & Play. The naming convention is derived from its small size and the ability to wrap and secure both the cord and USB connector on the mouse, making it extremely portable and ideal for laptop use. If you happen to require a driver (for instance if you use Windows 98 which doesn't have native USB support), you can download one here.
The top of the mouse is black and has a bubbly A4Tech logo. There are no individual buttons (much like Logitech's MX510); instead there are cutouts in the case to allow for bending of the top cover which in turn has a clicking effect. The center wheel is ribbed and extra thick so you can't miss it. It actually curves inward so your finger rests between its two "walls", unlike conventional wheels which act as "peaks" rather than "valleys" for your finger.
The bottom is also black (there's a silver rim separating the two) and has 4 slick feet, possibly coated with Teflon. Then there's a single screw for opening it up, the offset optical sensor, and model a sticker. You'll notice the pair of holes and tracks in the mouse; these are used for storing the wire and USB connector. Being this small the mouse is incredibly light. Couple that with the coated feet and the result is a very easy-gliding model.
The Easy Go measures a mere 3.9" (L) x 2.45" (W) x 1.8" (H). Here you can see it alongside a Logitech MX310 for size comparison. In the past I've had a hard time getting used to miniature mice as every one would at some point cause palm discomfort. Surprisingly A4Tech's model has enough height and curves to accommodate my hand nicely.
The cable is approximately 2 feet long. This is optimal length for a notebook (since the mouse is never far from it), but a bit short for desktop use, especially if it has to be wired up, under, over, or around a desk. One of the best features of the Easy Go is its ability to wrap up completely. The cable can be fed through the back and locked into place via the rectangular block. It then wraps around 3.5 times before the USB connector snaps into the hole in the back. It not only makes the mouse compact, but also reduces the annoyance caused by trying to take a mouse out of a laptop bag only to find it tangled with your power cord/headphones/LAN cable/etc.
A4Tech claims the mouse to have an 800 CPI (count per inch, probably the same as DPI) sensor. After playing some CS:S and a bit of general use, I didn't notice any tracking difference between it and my MX310, tested on a variety of surfaces. The final feature is the green lit scroll wheel. It glows dimly when the mouse has power and lights up brighter whenever it's in motion. This isn't functional but it does look neat and will get you noticed.
There are a couple slight downsides though. First off, because of the split top cover the buttons are slightly harder to press than those on most mice and take a bit of getting used to (as well as some breaking-in). The wheel is likewise a bit difficult to press. Other than that, there's little to complain about. It's definitely not a desktop-replacement, but for traveling users or anyone wanting the smallest yet effective components, the Easy Go is a great choice.
Pros
- Good looking
- Small size
- Oversized, easy to use wheel
- Cable and connector can be stored in/on the mouse
- Green light on the wheel
- Great tracking
- Doesn't cause discomfort like other miniature mice (this is somewhat subjective)
Cons
- Lack of individual buttons makes clicking harder
- Wheel button is also hard to press
If you're looking for a miniature notebook mouse, the Easy Go is the best we've tested as far as mice of this size go. It's not flawless, but it's far better than a lot of similar models. At the time of writing this mouse isn't sold on A4Tech's store (though you can get more info and try your luck here), but you can score one from a number of retailers listed on Froogle.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 July 2007 )
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