MS Intellimouse explorer and 3.0 question

[eliteone18]

Are the 3.0's (littler ones) any different than the regular explorers other than the size of the actually mouse? I bought a regular one awhile ago and it worked fine but it needed a mousepad because it skipped alot on my desk. Well, that mouse has unfortunately died. I've picked up the 3.0 mouse and I've noticed it actually works on my desk's surface with no problem. Problem is, the design of the mouse hurts my write pretty bad and leaves me no choice but to get rid of this one too. My question is...if I buy a regular MS explorer mouse, will that one work on my desks surface? I guess the real question would be did MS change the optical laser on the mouse in the past year to make it work better on other surfaces?

 

[CZroe]

It works better, but only because it scans much faster (6,000 images per second), not see's better.
The regular Explorer has the extra buttons in an difficult to avoid place so it get's pushed while simply motioning with the mouse (Extremely anoying while browsing), but it is more comfortable.