Apple will be the first company to bundle an optical mouse with all its desktop systems.

CNN: Review: Apple Pro Mouse

An optical mouse uses a beam of light and an optical sensor to detect movement over a surface -- there are no moving parts.

CNN: Review: Apple Pro Mouse

While the low-voltage Core i5 chip (there's a Core i3 option), 1080p IPS-based screen, 5-megapixel rear camera and front 1.3-megapixel shooter don't scream for attention by themselves among higher-end Windows 8 slates, there's an optical trackpoint and mouse buttons that make themselves genuinely handy in the non-Metro desktop.

ENGADGET: Hands-on with Gigabyte's S1082 and S1185 Windows 8 tablets (video)

In addition to negating the need for a mouse pad except for personal expression, the new mouse's optical technology will make it a good alternative for PowerBook and iBook owners who don't like those computers' built-in trackpads.

CNN: Review: Apple Pro Mouse