A year and a half after it first teased the return of the classic wired IntelliMouse, Microsoft today announced a new Pro version of the mouse.

“The new, Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse builds on our history of innovation in mouse design and offers increased performance, modern gaming features and more customization for work and play,” Microsoft’s Eric Lovelin notes.

Basically, the IntelliMouse Pro is the IntelliMouse … but more pro. It features an upgraded tracking sensor, subtle design updates aimed at the gamer audience, improved key actuation, a textured finish, a braided cable, more responsive buttons, and customizable tail light color: No more red if that’s not what you want.

“The fundamentals of the IntelliMouse all remain,” Lovelin adds. “You’ll appreciate the ergonomic design that has been a vital part of every IntelliMouse. With its wired design, you’ll never wait for it to pair or need to search for a dongle before getting down to work or play. The Pro IntelliMouse is easy to maneuver, with carefully calculated weight, stability, and control. The longevity and influence of this iconic mouse have outlived most of the products launched when the first version appeared, and we’re excited to bring these latest innovations to a proven design.”

The new Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse will be available in the U.S. and Canada in late May and it will come to additional markets in Europe and Asia in July. It will be available in Dark Shadow and Light Shadow. But left unsaid is the price: The Microsoft Classic IntelliMouse currently sells for about $40, so I’m betting the Pro version will be about twice that.

If only they made a leftie version.

Tagged with Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse