Microsoft Mouse
The Microsoft Mouse is a computer mouse released by Microsoft in 1983. It is the first mouse released by the company, and it was bundled with Microsoft Word, Notepad, and an on-screen teaching tutorial for an initial price of $195.[1][2]
Manufacturer | Microsoft Alps Electric (contract manufacturer) |
---|---|
Type | Mouse |
Release date | 2 May 1983 |
Nicknamed the "green-eyed mouse", the Microsoft Mouse featured a pair of green buttons. It also featured a more curved body than the blockier designs more common of mice at the time. As with other mice at the time, the Microsoft Mouse used a steel ball for tracking.[3]
The initial version featured an InPort ISA interface, requiring a Microsoft bus card to be installed in the computer. Later versions were available with DE-9 or DB-25 serial connectors. All versions of the Microsoft Mouse could be used with IBM-compatible and other DOS systems.[4][5][3]
Later Microsoft mouses
In 1985 Microsoft introduced the "gray-eyed" Microsoft Mouse, featuring a higher resolution than competing mice. In 1987 the "dove bar" Microsoft Mouse was introduced, compatible with both serial port and PS/2. In 1991 a ballpoint Microsoft Mouse was made. The "kidney" Microsoft Mouse 2.0 was introduced in 1993, and its design served as the basis for the IntelliMouse, which debuted in 1996.
- A PS/2-compatible Microsoft Mouse 2.0
- A serial-compatible Microsoft Mouse 2.0
References
- "The good, bad and ugly history of Microsoft hardware". PCWorld. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
- Weber, Harrison (2012-05-28). "30 Years of Microsoft Hardware: From Mice to Men". The Next Web. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
- "Microsoft Green Eyed Mouse ~ o l d m o u s e .c o m ~". www.oldmouse.com. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
- Lineback, Nathan. "Microsoft Mouse - 1983". toastytech.com. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
- "The History of Microsoft - 1983". Channel 9. Retrieved 2017-05-05.
Further reading
- Paul, Matthias R. (2002-04-06). "Re: [fd-dev] ANNOUNCE: CuteMouse 2.0 alpha 1". freedos-dev. Archived from the original on 2020-02-07. Retrieved 2020-02-07. (NB. Has various information how to detect different mouse types.)