Bluetooth Blues
Yesterday's Help File looked into the difficulties involved in replacing the little USB receivers that most cordless mice use require to connect to computers. It concluded with this suggestion:
One way to avoid this entire issue is to buy a computer with Bluetooth wireless built-in. With one of those machines, you don't need a proprietary, easily misplaced USB add-on to add a wireless mouse; you can use any Bluetooth mouse.
That is true--plus, using a Bluetooth mouse means you don't have to tie up a USB port with a wireless receiver. But I would be remiss if I did not note the inconveniences imposed by awkward Bluetooth software.
On a Toshiba Satellite U305 laptop, for example, one attempt to set up a Bluetooth mouse ran around with an "Unable to detect remote device" error. The problem wasn't that the mouse was too far away--it was sitting on the laptop's palm rest--but that it had already been set up with another computer.
After guessing that I needed to reset this rodent, I had to step through Toshiba's annoying "wizard" interface, which featured this outbreak of both jargon and redundancy: "Registering a HID device to this system." ("HID" stands for "human interface device"--so the software really said it was registering a "human interface device device." As a writer, I let these things bother me way too much.)
A Samsung Q1 Ultra "Ultra Mobile PC" had a simpler setup, thanks to Samsung refraining from sticking its own front end on top of Windows Vista's Bluetooth software. Pairing a Bluetooth mouse with this machine proceeded smoothly (aside from some confusing instructions about how I should enter the mouse's numerical passkey to confirm the pairing), right up to the end of the process--when Windows directed me to restart the computer. Huh? I ignored that advice (you should never need to restart after such a simple change) and had no problem using the mouse.
The easiest, fastest setup experience came with an Apple iMac desktop. But this, too, stumbled when presented with a mouse that had already been paired with another computer; like the Toshiba, it failed to suggest resetting the device.
The biggest problem with Bluetooth on personal computers, however, is that it remains an extra-cost option on most laptops; on many desktops, it's not available at any price.
Does your current machine come with Bluetooth? If not, did you think about paying extra for that option?
By Rob Pegoraro |
October 15, 2007; 8:58 AM ET
| Category:
Gripes
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Posted by: preston | October 15, 2007 11:41 AM
"I too '.... let these things bother me way too much.'"
Same here.
PIN number
ATM machine
Posted by: Me too | October 15, 2007 11:46 AM
macbook 2GHz. So yeah, bluetooth is built-in. Which is a good thing because the track-pad is definitely not one of the highlights of this laptop.
Posted by: Gman | October 15, 2007 11:55 AM
Bluetooth is the way to go. I can connect with my cellphone to transfer contacts and pictures to/from my laptop and to use my cellphone as a modem when I need too. (T-mobile lets you all easily)
When I bought my laptop, I specifically only looked at laptop with Bluetooth either standard or as an option. If I remember, on my current HP laptop it was standard (it's a business laptop, NX6125). Bluetooth on WinXP is usually ok, but takes too long to pair devices and crashes on occasion.
On my wife's iMac, it just works. I hate to always say that about Macs, but most things on a Mac really do just work.
Posted by: Alex | October 15, 2007 12:52 PM
iBook, iBluetooth since 2005! It's the only way to go. Who needs the extra cables and the "filled" USB port? I've gone from wireless to Mighty with no problems. I turn it on, it works. The battery finally gets ready to die, the Bluetooth icon gives a warning. The system works well. Mobility is supposed to be the best feature on a laptop; the Bluetooth feature gives me the edge. Yeah, I also paid more for a Nikon digital camera because it came with Bluetooth.
Posted by: umm.huh | October 15, 2007 1:34 PM
Is it possible that the problem with a bluetooth mouse not being recognized, since it was previously installed on another PC, possibly due to the bluetooth receiver/transmitter still being set to the default passcode? I've personally never reset the passcode on any of my devices and will bet that not many do. Food for thought.
Posted by: gowersoundman | October 15, 2007 3:32 PM
Bought a Dell Inspiron 531 desktop with Bluetooth option (as part of the media reader, so cost extra), plus companion dell keyboard and mouse. Everything works great, and I like using the Bluetooth function to sync with my Treo.
Posted by: ggadget | October 15, 2007 4:55 PM
We have a bluetooth mouse/wireless keyboard that came with our iMac purchased September 2006. It is not foolproof. Often enough it doesn't work or has a very slow or a jerky response. This lasts for a couple of hours then all is back to normal. The symptoms occur every week or so for no obvious reason even when the batteries are fresh.
The Logitech "wireless" keyboard and mouse, that I bought for my PC is now three+ years old and has worked without a hitch,more than I can say for the computer. Though I did notice the other day that the keyboard does not like to be near (within 8") my MP-3 player while the player is recharging.
As for batteries, I think I've changed them out once, compared to four times for the Mac mouse.
Posted by: mmrudy | October 15, 2007 5:48 PM
Have it, use it for syncing my Treo. Slower than USB, but I just start the hotsync when I plug the charger into the Treo when I go to bed. Sometimes it needs to be started twice
Posted by: tOM | October 16, 2007 3:47 PM
I've had Bluetooth for years on my Macs, but never gotten any use out of it since I use the trackpad. I'm hoping that eventually the iPhone can be paired with a Mac. Ironically, I did use the Infrared that came with PowerBooks with my PDAs. It is amazing how long ago that seems now.
Posted by: Podesta | October 17, 2007 1:21 AM
I added the Bluetooth option to my Dell 1520 laptop...for 10 bucks why not.I have my eye on a Logitech Bluetooth mouse but the price is too high right now. Selection of high featured mice w/BT is pretty slim. The D-link BT adapter for my cell phone camera is not compatible w/Vista....come on folks, get with it, Vista is out here. I think BT is pretty cool and I don't know why it's not more popular
Posted by: Tina | October 17, 2007 7:55 AM
I have used the Apple wireless Mighty Mouse now for about a year and I love it. I used to use bluetooth to synch my Razr to my Power Book, but I bought an iPhone and a MacBook so no more bluetooth synch. I still use the mouse though. I paired it to my daughter's MacBook and I love turning it on and moving the curser around her maching from the next room!!! Wireless fun is a good time!
Posted by: Larry M | October 17, 2007 4:54 PM
What? You can get a computer without Bluetooth?
Oh yeah... they still make Windows PCs, don't they?
Posted by: godospoons | October 17, 2007 9:01 PM
You can get a tiny USB Bluetooth dongle and use it on any computer. Obviously nicer to have it built in on a laptop, but this is the solution for desktops without Bluetooth. The dongles are very cheap. I use a no-brand one on my old laptop and it works under Linux.
Posted by: Ben | October 18, 2007 5:40 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
"human interface device device."
and how often have you heard 'VIN number?'
Vehichle Identification Number number?
I too '.... let these things bother me way too much.'