Xenta tries to create the perfect laptop mouse
Experience tells me that the phrase ‘ergonomic mouse’ has been horribly abused over the past three decades. Not least because hand size and shape can vary so wildly, that what’s perfect for one person is much less so for another. The Xenta Laser Wireless Mouse tries to address that issue in an interesting way: while providing the sort of ideal wireless device for laptop users.
The overall shape is reminiscent of the Microsoft Arc designs, but the Xenta shape doesn’t fold in the middle. Because of that it’s actually more comfortable to use, and offers more support to the hand.
To use it from the box you simply open a small battery cover, remove the tiny USB dongle and insert a single AA battery which Xenta provides. With the dongle in a USB port and the power button switched to ‘On’ you should be moving the pointer in a matter of seconds. This isn’t a complicated layout, with just four ordinary buttons and the usual single button roller that’s become so popular.
For the extra comfort of the user Xenta provides four rubber inserts that you can use down either side, labelled A, B, C & D. Curiously only D fits on the left side, with A, B and C all being alternative sculpted shapes for the right hand side. That made me wonder why they didn’t just attach ‘D’ for you, as there isn’t any other choice on the left?
Whatever the logic is, once you’ve used the mouse for a while and decided which shape you like you can peel off some adhesive tape and attach it more permanently.
More customisation options come with the DPI control, which enables the mouse use one of four DPI’s ranging in 400 DPI jumps from 800 to 2000.To change up the DPI you hold the left and right buttons down for three seconds, and it will cycle to the next setting before coming back to 800 DPI.
The only complaint I have about this is that the difference between 800 and 1200 DPI seems large in sensitivity terms, and also there is no LED feedback as to where you are in the scale. I guess most users will set it and forget it, unless they accidentally move it.
The strongest points in this design, at least for this reviewer, are the power management features. These enable you to turn off your machine without worrying about the mouse; it will enter standby automatically if it can’t see the 2.4GHz dongle. That means you’re much less likely to get the mouse out of you laptop bag and find the battery is flat, and you’ll be buying less batteries hopefully.
The obvious weakness is the switch mechanisms put under the main two buttons, which are just too noisy for anyone like me who prefers the subtle click. Despite that fault this is a decent design that could find favour with the many who don’t care for touch screens or touch pads. Mark Pickavance
A small and power efficient wireless mouse for laptop users.
Technical Specifications
• DPI: 800 -1200 -1600 -2000
• 1x AA Battery
• 2.4GHz Wireless
• Laser Sensor
• Side Keys for backwards/forwards
• Internal nano receiver
• Power saving technology – automatic standby mode
• Dimensions: 112 x 58 x 31 (mm)