A4 Tech NB30 Battery Free Wireless Optical Mouse

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

January 17, 2005

Product Requirements:
Windows Me/2000/XP/2003, USB Port, IBM or Compatible Systems, Mac, a non-metal desk

Not too long ago, I got my first rechargeable wireless mouse. I absolutely love the thing, but I have to admit that there have been several times where I have forgotten to put in in its holster at night to charge. Inevitably, I'll be working on something important later, and the mouse will just die. Oops, my fault!

As far as I can see, that is the only real drawback to using a rechargeable wireless mouse. However, there is a product available that eliminates user errors such as mine - the NB30 battery free wireless optical mouse, by A4 Tech.

Instead of a package that includes a rechargeable battery driven mouse with its charging holster, the NB30 includes a battery free mouse and its special inductive mouse pad.

In the package is: the NB30 mouse, the inductive mouse pad and an instruction manual. I thought it was amazing how simple and straightforward the manual was - it would appear that there really isn't much room for error, user or otherwise.

The mouse pad has a 5' long cord that needs to be plugged into an available USB port on the user's computer. The unit is completely plug and play, but just in case - there are Mac and PC drivers available on the A4 Tech site.

Through the use of "electromagnetic induction technology", the mouse is always able to operate so long as it is on the special pad. If your desk is metal, or if it has a metal core, the mouse and pad will not function properly (if at all) - unless you put something the approximate thickness of a book (1" to 2") between the pad and the desktop.

The pad itself is approximately 9.75" tall x 6" wide and no more than 0.02" thick for most of its body. The pad area is composed of a very lightly textured silver plastic surface. At the black plastic top, where I presume all of its electronic guts are situated, it measure 0.5" thick.

The top of the pad has two LED lights labeled RUN and PWR. Under those is a button labeled TUNE. As soon as the pad is plugged into an available USB port the power light will shine red. When the mouse is laid on the pad and jiggled, the run light will shine green. The tune button is used only if the mouse cursor does not move, is not moving smoothly, or when the red power light blinks. Pressing the tune button adjusts the radio frequency of the mouse to the pad.

The mouse is made of a combination of clear, black and silver plastic. It measures 4.5" long x 2.25" wide x 1.25" thick and weighs just 2.7 ounces. The right and left arms of the stylish black "V" on the top of the mouse are actually the right and left click buttons. A red light glows from within when the mouse is used, which lights up the wider than usual jog-wheel.

The mouse is a bit smaller and lighter than the rechargeable version I am used to, most likely because of the absence of a battery. The NB30 glides across the pad smoothly, and it is a real pleasure to use. Since it is the intuitive thing to leave a mouse lying on its pad, the user will never have to worry about whether the mouse is "charged" or not. It is ready to work when needed. If you have been considering a wireless rechargeable mouse, then you owe it to yourself to take a look at the NB30, too. Not only is it less expensive than most wireless mice, you will never have to worry about whether it is ready to work or not.

The A4 Tech NB30 battery free wireless optical mouse is available here.

Price: $39.95

Pros:
Plug & Play
Runs from USB, does not require a power outlet
Simple to use
No batteries
Can't forget to charge, as there is no need
Excellent price

Cons:
None