Today, the Swiss-American king of the computer mouse has teamed with Agilent Technologies to bring us the first laser mouse.

"With a laser, (the mouse) is able to get more surface structure detail," company spokesman Nathan Papadopulos said. The mouse also tracks better over rough surfaces than regular optical mice, he added.

“We´ve turned off the red light on these optical mice and replaced it with an invisible laser that will change the industry,” said David Henry, Logitech senior vice president of the Control Devices Business Unit. “Laser will eventually make the optical mice of today obsolete. With laser technology, mice will see more microscopic detail. The nature of laser light gives mice the ability to track with amazing accuracy on more surfaces with more responsiveness than ever before.”

Features include:

* Application Switch
* Cordless
* Cruise Control™ buttons
* Internet Forward/Back
* Laser Technology
* Mac
* PC
* PS/2
* Rechargeable
* Right-Handed Comfort Grip
* Tilt Wheel Plus Zoom
* USB

A "rapid" charging base station comes with the mouse which has built-in lithium batteries. The MX1000 charges in about three to four hours, a charge which lasts about 21 days. The mouse works on Radio Frequency (RF) with an option either to go for a PS2 or USB, though a PS2 to USB adapter is included in the package.

Benefits include:

* Tracks on more surfaces (including tricky polished or wood-grain)
* Greater productivity
* Quicker response and precision
* Greater comfort

Logitech, the world's leading manufacturer of computer mice, says the $79.95 MX1000 is not only the first commercial mouse to come with a laser, in tests conducted at Agilent, it gives mice 20 times more sensitivity to surface detail than LED-based optical mice. This is why the laser can track reliably even on tricky polished, mirrors, glass, glossy photo paper, translucent plastic, or wood-grain surfaces.

Because of their ability to illuminate the surface in greater detail, laser mice will track on surfaces on which LED-based optical mice tend to falter.

"This is physics in action, and will become one of the top volume applications for lasers," said Martin Reynolds, vice president of research firm Gartner, Inc.

On November 17, 1970, mouse inventor Doug Engelbart, while at SRI International (formerly Stanford Research Institute), received patent US3541541 for a "X-Y Position Indicator For A Display System" after creating the first prototype computer mouse in 1964. It was nicknamed the mouse because the tail came out the end. Engelbart never received any royalties for his mouse invention, but the National Inventors Hall of Fame inductee who has 20 other patents to his name, still maintains an office at Logitech. In a 1996 talk delivered at MIT, Bill Gates compared Engelbart to Thomas Edison.

In 1984, Logitech introduced the first cordless mouse, which uses infrared technology. In 1989, the first thumb-operated trackball was introduced by the company. They also launched the first "hand-fitting" mouse. In 1991, Logitech debuted the first cordless radio mouse and the first mouse designed especially for children.

By 2003, Logitech reached a major milestone when they shipped their 500 millionth mouse.

Later this month, the company will also introduce a new line of keyboards, Papapdopulos said.

Currently, the laser mouse is available only through Logitech.

An Amazon Affiliate, Rugged Elegance has created a contextual commerce link directly to the sale of this product. (Suggested Retail Price: $79.99 / Amazon.com Price as of 9/1/04: $72.99)

The New MX1000 Laser Mouse

Laying flat, it looks a bit like a bicycle helmet, but instead of covering your head it's your hand that covers it. This product will definitely be on my Holiday Gift Wish List along with a new Mac computer, a mountain bike and a helmet.

If $72 is above your budget for a mouse or if you're looking for a less expensive solution for one of your children, we have had great success and satisfaction with Logitech's MX700 Cordless Optical Mouse ($43-$65), one of Amazon's best sellers. We can also recommend the Logitech Keyboard Elite (click "Related Products" below for details).

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful and productive living!

~ Jennifer King