La versión en negro del último accesorio Magic Mouse de Apple Cuesta solo $ 85 a través de Amazon.que es un descuento de $15. Un precio casi demasiado bajo, ya que este color rara vez se vende.
Este es un mouse inalámbrico Bluetooth diseñado específicamente para productos Apple, como computadoras de escritorio Mac y iPads. Si alguna vez has tenido un iMac o incluso un Mac Tower, sabes qué hacer. Es un buen ratón. Se empareja rápidamente y hace el trabajo perfectamente. .
Hay una superficie multitáctil que permite el control de gestos como deslizar y deslizar, lo cual es muy agradable. El mouse también presenta un diseño de pie mejorado para un mejor deslizamiento por las superficies. Este no es uno de esos modelos antiguos que funcionan con pilas AA. Hay una batería interna que dura aproximadamente un mes antes de requerir un viaje al puerto USB-C para cargarla. Para ello, se envía con un cable USB-C tejido de bastante alta calidad.
Lo que me lleva a la única advertencia importante sobre el Magic Mouse de Apple. Aunque no es necesario cargar el ratón con frecuencia, este proceso resulta algo molesto. El puerto de carga está ubicado en la parte inferior del accesorio, por lo que no puedes usarlo mientras se carga. Se convierte en un ladrillo inútil y al revés. Quizás la persona que decidió instalar el puerto fue una persona parcial.
En cuanto a los requisitos, necesita una Mac con sistema operativo habilitado para Bluetooth Para aquellos a quienes no les importa el color, el modelo blanco original no está a la venta. .
Amazonas Prime Day está a solo unas horas de finalizar, lo que significa que si ha estado mirando algunas ofertas y no está seguro, ¡será mejor que las aproveche rápidamente! Mientras usted puede estar mirando Las mejores ofertas de Amazon Prime Day Y si está buscando una buena compra, es posible que se haya olvidado de algunos de los dispositivos tecnológicos más utilizados en su hogar u oficina que necesitan una actualización: los periféricos.
Los periféricos incluyen cosas como ratones, teclados, cámaras web y monitores que usa todos los días en el trabajo o cuando juega o crea. Si es como yo y tiende a pensar poco en estos tipos secundarios de elementos informáticos, es posible que se esté perdiendo algunas mejoras importantes en la calidad de vida que vienen con piezas de tecnología nuevas y actualizadas. Piense en lo agradecida que estaría su muñeca si tuviera un mouse nuevo y más cómodo, una pantalla nítida o incluso un teclado que se ajuste a su espacio.
No hay mejor momento para invertir en estos pequeños dispositivos que ahora con las ofertas de Prime Day hasta la medianoche. Si está buscando una computadora portátil nueva, consulte nuestra lista Las mejores ofertas de portátiles Prime Day ¡cuídate!
Las mejores ofertas de periféricos Prime Day de hoy: EE. UU.
Las mejores ofertas anticipadas de Prime Day para periféricos de hoy: Reino Unido
Más ofertas anticipadas para Amazon Prime Day en EE. UU.
Más ofertas anticipadas para Amazon Prime Day en el Reino Unido
La serie Echelon es una línea de accesorios económicos que busca ofrecer un conjunto de funciones de rango medio a precios asequibles, y eso es lo que hacen el mouse y el teclado. El teclado tiene un precio de $ 59,99 y el mouse $ 24,99, y Alogic realiza con frecuencia ventas promocionales de alrededor del 20% para reducir aún más los precios.
Teclado inalámbrico recargable Echelon USB-C para macOS
teclado alógico Este teclado ofrece un diseño de tamaño completo de 109 teclas con una fila de funciones y teclado numérico. El teclado estilo membrana con teclas chiclet tiene algunas similitudes con el Magic Keyboard de Apple para Mac, aunque obviamente no tienes la opción de un teclado integrado. ID de contacto Encontré que las teclas estaban bien espaciadas para permitir una escritura fluida y no experimenté ningún problema con pulsaciones omitidas, letras dobles u otros problemas.
El teclado Echelon ofrece una distribución de teclado tradicional extendida, optimizada para Mac con disposición de teclas y etiquetas como Comando. Las teclas de función en la fila superior incluyen la mayoría de las funciones habituales específicas de Mac, como controles de brillo de la pantalla, Spotlight, Mission Control, Launchpad, controles de reproducción multimedia, silencio de sonido, controles de volumen e incluso una para ir directamente a la carpeta de inicio. cuando estás en el Finder. También hay un interruptor de suspensión del sistema dedicado en esta fila superior. En la fila inferior hay otra clave dedicada que abrirá la carpeta Descargas cuando Finder esté activo.
En el extremo derecho del teclado está el teclado numérico, que incluye el diseño habitual de teclas numéricas y de cuenta, además de una fila superior que realiza dos funciones: cambiar entre dispositivos emparejados y teclas dedicadas para seleccionar todo y cortar, copiar y pegar. .
A diferencia del Magic Keyboard de Apple, que inexplicablemente todavía usa Lightning para cargar, el teclado Echelon de Alogic se carga a través de USB-C, y en la caja se incluye un cable USB-C a USB-C trenzado blanco. Alogic dice que la batería dura “semanas” entre cargas, pero el nivel de batería de mi unidad apenas bajó después de varios días de uso intensivo, por lo que espero que los tiempos de carga estén en el rango de dos meses, similar a lo que veo con el Teclado mágico.
Vale la pena señalar que el teclado Alogic entra en modo de suspensión a los pocos minutos de inactividad, incluso si la computadora a la que está conectado permanece activa, y deberás presionar una tecla y esperar un poco hasta que el teclado se active antes de eso. . Puedes empezar a escribir. Me tomó un tiempo acostumbrarme dada mi larga experiencia con el Magic Keyboard, que siempre parecía estar listo para usar.
El teclado Alogic se conecta fácilmente a dispositivos Apple a través de Bluetooth mediante pasos de emparejamiento estándar, y admite Bluetooth 3.0 y Bluetooth 5.0. Una clara ventaja sobre el Magic Keyboard de Apple es que Echelon admite conexiones con hasta tres dispositivos, por lo que puedes emparejarlo con tu Mac, tableta u otro dispositivo. iPade incluso otro dispositivo y puede cambiar fácilmente entre estos dispositivos usando una combinación de teclas.
En general, encontré que el teclado inalámbrico recargable Alogic Echelon USB-C para macOS es un teclado económico sólido, con un perfil delgado, una experiencia de escritura sólida y un impresionante conjunto de funciones clave. El plástico blanco mate tiene un aspecto limpio que complementa la estética de Apple, aunque tendré que ver qué tan bien recoge la suciedad y las manchas con el tiempo. Extraño tener Touch ID directamente en el teclado externo, pero si eso no es un factor decisivo para usted, vale la pena echarle un vistazo a este teclado. que Precio regular $59.99Pero hay una oferta del Día de la Independencia que reduce el precio a $48,00 con el código de promoción ID20.
Ratón inalámbrico recargable Echelon USB-C
Nuevo ratón Alogic Es un buen complemento para el teclado Echelon y viene con el mismo plástico blanco mate. Es un mouse ambidiestro, por lo que es una simple cuestión de cambiar entre la mano izquierda y la derecha en la configuración de macOS, aunque no es tan cómodo como un mouse manual.
El mouse Echelon incluye botones estándar izquierdo y derecho y una rueda de desplazamiento entre ellos. La rueda de desplazamiento también se puede presionar para que actúe como botón central del mouse, pero eso es todo en lo que respecta a las opciones de entrada de este mouse. No hay botones laterales ni botones adicionales para el pulgar, por lo que si son parte de su flujo de trabajo, este mouse no es para usted, al menos como mouse de uso diario.
Los botones izquierdo y derecho del mouse tienen clics relativamente silenciosos, lo que me suele gustar, pero el botón de la rueda de desplazamiento central emite un sonido muy fuerte. Afortunadamente, no necesitamos este botón con mucha frecuencia, por lo que no es gran cosa. La rueda de desplazamiento tiene clics bien definidos mientras se desplaza para ayudarlo a sentir la acción, pero no hay capacidad de giro libre inercial para desplazarse rápidamente por páginas o documentos largos, como me di cuenta en el mouse Logitech MX Master 3 que sirvió como mi máquina diaria durante muchos años.
Por solo $ 24,99 por un mouse inalámbrico, esta es definitivamente una opción económica y se nota en la experiencia general, especialmente cuando estás acostumbrado a una opción más poderosa. El mouse Echelon de Alogic es muy liviano y creo que se desliza mejor con algún tipo de tapete o tapete debajo para una mejor sensación, aunque ciertamente se puede usar en un escritorio vacío.
El mouse Echelon de Alogic admite Bluetooth 3.0 y Bluetooth 5.0 y se conecta fácilmente a una Mac o iPad usando la configuración del sistema, pero el mouse también admite conexiones de 2,4 GHz que pueden ofrecer un rendimiento mejorado, como una latencia más baja. La compatibilidad con 2,4 GHz se proporciona a través de un pequeño dongle USB-A que encaja perfectamente debajo del mouse cuando no está en uso para que no lo pierda. Por supuesto, la mayoría de las Mac modernas no incluyen ningún puerto USB-A, pero normalmente uso mi MacBook Pro en una configuración de escritorio con una base Thunderbolt que incluye algunos puertos USB-A, y el mouse se conecta perfectamente a través del dongle de esa manera. . De todos modos, la mayoría de los usuarios probablemente elegirán la conectividad Bluetooth debido a su simplicidad.
Al igual que con el teclado Echelon, el mouse entra en modo de suspensión después de solo unos minutos de inactividad, lo que puede resultar un poco desconcertante al regresar a mi Mac después de un breve descanso. Utilizo un total de tres monitores en la configuración de mi oficina, por lo que cuando me siento en mi escritorio, normalmente agito rápidamente el mouse para ubicar el cursor. Con este mouse Echelon, el cursor no se mueve si el mouse está en modo de suspensión, por lo que primero tengo que hacer clic una vez para reactivarlo antes de agitarlo, lo que corre el riesgo de hacer clic accidentalmente si el mouse no está inactivo el tiempo suficiente. para ir a dormir. Puede que con el tiempo me acostumbre a esto, pero hasta ahora todavía lo encuentro un poco molesto.
Al igual que la mayoría de los ratones inalámbricos sensibles (lo siento, Apple), el Echelon Mouse se carga a través del puerto USB-C en la parte frontal, lo que significa que aún se puede usar mientras se carga. En la caja se incluye un cable USB-C a USB-C trenzado blanco para fines de carga. Alogic dice que una carga debería durar de dos a tres semanas con un uso típico de oficina, aunque no la usé el tiempo suficiente para probar esos números por completo. Pero dada la ligera caída en la carga que vi durante unos días de uso, me parece razonable y quizás conservador. Alogic señala que se tarda aproximadamente una hora en recargar completamente el mouse.
El Echelon Mouse se puede emparejar con hasta tres dispositivos simultáneamente, dos mediante Bluetooth y uno mediante un adaptador USB de 2,4 GHz. Se utiliza un pequeño botón de conexión en la parte inferior del mouse para emparejar y alternar entre dispositivos conectados. También hay un interruptor de encendido/apagado en la parte inferior para conservar la vida útil de la batería y evitar entradas accidentales.
Como tengo un mouse Logitech más potente, puedo decir con seguridad que el mouse Echelon de Alogic no se convertirá en una parte permanente de mi configuración. Pero al precio correcto, es una opción sólida que puede guardarse en el bolso de su computadora para usarla mientras viaja. Aunque no incluye funciones más avanzadas, ofrece botones básicos de mouse y una rueda de desplazamiento y se puede emparejar con múltiples dispositivos, que es todo lo que muchos usuarios podrían estar buscando. El mouse inalámbrico recargable Echelon USB-C normalmente tiene un precio de $ 24,99pero la oferta del Día de la Independencia con el código de promoción ID20 reduce el precio a solo $20,00.
Nota: Alogic proporcionó a MacRumors el teclado y el mouse Echelon para los fines de esta revisión. No se recibió ninguna otra compensación. MacRumors es un socio afiliado de Alogic. Cuando hace clic en un enlace y realiza una compra, es posible que recibamos un pequeño pago que nos ayuda a mantener el sitio en funcionamiento.
Alogic presentó la semana pasada su nuevo teclado y mouse inalámbricos Echelon, brindando un par de dispositivos de entrada elegantes, sólidos, asequibles y altamente funcionales para los usuarios de Mac. Cambié un par de dispositivos Logitech para probar Alogic y todavía no me he perdido el equipo Logi. En resumen, puede llamar “minimalistas” a los dispositivos de entrada de Echelon. Pero tienen todas las funciones que necesitas y más.
Esta publicación contiene Enlaces de afiliados. Culto a Mac Puede ganar una comisión cuando utilice nuestros enlaces para comprar artículos.
Antes de probar el hardware Echelon, utilicé el mini teclado Bluetooth mecánico Logitech MX y el mouse inalámbrico MX Anywhere 3S para Mac por un tiempo. Seré el primero en admitir que tengo dudas sobre los teclados mecánicos porque el ruido a menudo me molesta (incluso mi voz, sin mencionar al tipo con el que trabajé cuyo pulgar pesado en la barra espaciadora sonaba como un disparo varias veces por minuto). ). Es una comparación de manzanas y naranjas entre el mecanismo Logi y la membrana Alogic. Pero diré que disfruto el cambio al teclado suave y silencioso y al mouse ultrasuave del Echelon.
No son para entusiastas de los teclados mecánicos ni para jugadores, pero son opciones sólidas y asequibles para escribir y usar el mouse todos los días.
El teclado Echelon es suave y silencioso
Además de ser silenciosas, las 109 teclas del Echelon, que son de tamaño completo y tienen un teclado numérico, son de perfil bajo y están bien espaciadas, lo que reduce el desplazamiento accidental. Esto es cuando presionas más de una tecla al mismo tiempo. A los jugadores les encanta el desplazamiento como característica de los teclados mecánicos porque es probable que todas las teclas presionadas queden registradas, por lo que obtendrán el resultado que buscan frenéticamente.
Pero con un teclado de membrana, la combinación de varias teclas a menudo se anula entre sí. En general, esto es algo bueno, porque si estás escribiendo un documento largo, programando o trabajando en una hoja de cálculo, presionar dos o más teclas a la vez significa errores tipográficos y errores como activar la tecla de bloqueo de mayúsculas por accidente. Por lo tanto, los interruptores Echelon dan como resultado pulsaciones de teclas limpias y sin muchos errores.
Por la forma en que describo esto, probablemente parezca que ya no tengo más teclados mecánicos. Pero tal vez no. Todavía atraen al nerd que hay en mí y que ama su personalización y simplemente tener teclas mecánicas debajo de esas teclas. Agregaré que poco antes de usar un Logi mecánico, usé una placa de membrana MX Keys. Unos meses más tarde, apareció una tecla de flecha y se perdió. Espero que eso no suceda con el Echelon, y no parece improbable dada su sólida calidad de construcción.
Teclado compatible con Mac
He estado usando mini teclados por un tiempo, por lo que el teclado numérico es bienvenido, al igual que las teclas de función de macOS. Tenga en cuenta la clave de carpeta a la izquierda de la tecla de control. Abre mi carpeta de Descargas con un clic. Foto: David Snow/Cult Mac
Además del teclado numérico, la distribución completa del teclado de Echelon presenta una variedad de atajos de oficina con un solo clic, incluidos Seleccionar todo, Cortar, Copiar y Pegar. No necesita instalar software/controladores en su Mac para usarlo. Por un lado, esto es genial porque es muy fácil. Por otro lado, el teclado no viene con un software de programación dedicado para una mayor programación o asignación de teclas.
Aquí están todos los atajos de macOS de fácil acceso representados por iconos en las teclas:
cortes
Carpeta de inicio (historial de descargas)
Carpeta de escritorio
Dormir, bloquear y encender
Bluetooth 1 y seleccione Todo
Bluetooth 2 y copiar
Bluetooth 3 y pegar
El teclado Echelon para macOS almacena hasta tres dispositivos Bluetooth emparejados, por lo que es fácil cambiar de una MacBook a un iPad, por ejemplo. Descubrí que esto funciona perfectamente entre mi MacBook Pro M1 y mi iPad Air M1 (quinta generación).
Tanto el teclado como el mouse Echelon vienen con cables USB-C trenzados realmente excelentes para cargar, que duran semanas (lo suficiente como para no intentar probarlos; pero diré que el teclado tardó unos días en cargarse). ) Pasé del 100% al 99%. Los conectores están bien colocados, por lo que es fácil usar los dispositivos mientras se cargan para que puedas pasar semanas sin cables nuevamente. Consejo: apague el teclado y el mouse al final del día para maximizar la duración de la batería.
Ratón inalámbrico de perfil bajo
Compatible con macOS, iOS, Windows, Android y Chromebook, el mouse inalámbrico Echelon se aleja ligeramente del Logitech Anywhere Mouse. El Echelon es más simple y no tiene botones de función distintos a los de la parte inferior para cambiar de dispositivo Bluetooth. Es un perfil muy bajo, menos bulboso que el Logi. El Echelon es más bajo y elegante, pero con un poco más de espacio.
Su relativa planitud significa que cabe más fácilmente en el bolsillo de un bolso o incluso en el bolsillo de un pantalón. Los dos ratones comparten peso y función muy similares. Ninguno de los dos es estrictamente para diestros o zurdos, por lo que puedes cambiar de mano para reducir la presión repetitiva si lo deseas.
Hacer clic y desplazarse es conveniente
El elegante mouse inalámbrico Alogic Echelon es de perfil bajo y sensible al tacto. Foto: David Snow/Cult Mac
Con Echelon, las alas flexibles a cada lado de la rueda de desplazamiento proporcionan diferentes posiciones de los dedos para hacer clic. Extienda cómodamente su dedo índice o medio para hacer un clic muy ligero en el borde más alejado del mouse, o use un dedo curvado más cerca para lograr un clic más pronunciado. He notado algunos ejemplos de selección de algo sin tener que comprometerse con ello, donde tomó un tiempo deshacer clic en algo. Por ejemplo, seleccionó accidentalmente un correo electrónico en Gmail y luego lo arrastró ligeramente accidentalmente. Pero en general, el liviano Echelon es confiable y fácil de colocar o inclinar según sea necesario.
La rueda de desplazamiento de Echelon funciona bien, lo que facilita el movimiento de páginas hacia arriba y hacia abajo. No es tan suave como Logi, pero eso solo significa que puedes sentir algo en la rueda mientras te desplazas. No es algo malo.
La mayor diferencia entre los ratones Logi y Alogic es que este último requiere un dongle para funcionar en una red de 2,4 GHz. El dongle viene escondido en un hueco en la parte inferior del mouse. Como mi MacBook Pro no tiene un conector USB-A, conecté el dongle a la parte posterior de la pantalla 4K. El dongle funciona tan bien, tanto que casi me olvido de mencionarlo.
El mouse tiene una frecuencia de sondeo de 125 Hz, que es la misma que la del Logi MX Anywhere 3S. Como referencia, el estándar de alto rendimiento para juegos es 1000Hz. A este ritmo, el mouse informará su posición cada milisegundo y no se quedará atrás de lo que esté intentando hacer. A 125 Hz, no se sorprenda si hace clic con el mouse y a veces tarda medio segundo en responder.
El teclado y el mouse Alogic Echelon ofrecen una excelente relación calidad-precio
Estos dispositivos de entrada premium no parecen estar disponibles todavía en los principales sitios minoristas como Amazon, pero puedes comprarlos directamente en Alogic. Y conseguir ambos por alrededor de $85 es un gran valor.
Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse: Two-minute review
Along with the gaming keyboard comes the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse, which has been specially developed and tested with professional gamers in mind to make it one of the best gaming mice available – and possibly one of the best mice in general. It’s a massive upgrade from the Alienware AW720M with reduced weight, better feet, and improved specs.
The DPI is still at 26,000, mainly because there is little point in increasing such an absurdly high spec. However, it features both 4KHz wireless and 8KHz wired polling rates, 0.25ms and 0.125ms response time, respectively, which is a significant leap over the 1KHz polling rate (1ms response time) of the Alienware AW720M.
The PFTE feet are additive-free and attract far less debris while moving much smoother. It still retains the previous model’s ability to move over a wide variety of surfaces, which is something plenty of other gaming mice can’t achieve.
An odd change is the removal of the 3D-sculpted thumb grips from the AW720M. With both sides being completely smooth now, the Alienware Pro mouse is much more susceptible to sweat, which makes it slippery during intense gameplay or if your hands sweat easily. Another odd change is the removal of the magnetic charging adapter, which was a much simpler option for recharging your mouse.
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(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
It features magnetic-force keyplates that prevent the keys from sticking, which is absolutely vital for pro gamers who rely on button accuracy and performance during intense competition. Thanks to its much-improved weight, now just under 0.13 pounds, combined with higher polling rates, the mouse responds much faster and with much less effort required to move it.
There is one glaring downgrade between the Alienware AW720M and the Pro Wireless, though. The latter lacks buttons on the right side, which means the Pro Wireless is no longer ambidextrous, excluding an entire market of people who would be able to use it.
Ambidextrous mice are already difficult enough to find, and the AW720M was an excellent option. But the Pro Wireless removes that option, adding plenty of quality-of-life improvements but essentially gatekeeping them from left-handed gamers. This also has the drawback of removing buttons that the Pro Wireless sorely needed.
As for battery life, according to Dell, it’s 32 hours at 4KHz polling or 120 hours at 1KHz polling. That is impressive, but it’s a downgrade from the AW720M’s 140 hours at 1KHz polling. And like the previous mouse, this one has an indicator that signals when the battery is low. The AW720M featured an Alienware logo on the front, but, the Pro Wireless moves it onto the side as a tiny light. Moving it was a good call, as your hand can no longer cover it, but the light is so small it’s difficult to notice.
Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future)
How much does it cost? $149.99 / £149.99 including VAT / AU$248.60
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
The Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse is very expensive, costing a whopping $149.99 / £149.99 including VAT / AU$248.60. This is a price increase of at least $20 from the Alienware AW720M – understandable considering the work developing it and all the new features it comes with. And the fact that this is a premium gaming mouse for professional gamers.
However, the pricing does make other mice more appealing, like the Razer Deathadder V3 Pro or MSI Clutch GM51. The former is $149 (around £149 / AU$279), and the latter is $99.99 (around £83 / AU$148), both much cheaper while offering solid gaming performance in their own right. The Deathadder V3 Pro in particular is easily one of the best gaming mice on the market.
The Alienware Pro Wireless, like most Dell products, has excellent availability. It’s available in the US, UK, and Australia, as well as several other regions.
Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse: Specs
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Alienware Pro Wireless mouse specs
Interface:
USB, 2.4GHz
Ergonomics:
Right-handed
Buttons:
6
DPI:
26,000
Switches:
Optical
Weight:
less than 2.12oz / less than 60g
Should you buy the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse: Also consider
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Alienware Pro Wireless
MSI Clutch GM51
Razer Deathadder V3 Pro
Price:
$149.99 / £149.99 including VAT / AU$248.60
$99.99 (around £83 / AU$148)
$149 (around £149 / AU$279)
Interface:
USB, 2.4GHz
USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 or above for MSI Snap Charging
USB Type-C
Ergonomics:
Right-handed
Right-handed
Right-handed
Buttons:
6
6
5
DPI:
26,000
26,000
30,000
Switches:
Optical
Omron
Optical
Weight:
less than 2.12oz / less than 60g
85 g
63 g
How I tested the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse
I spent about a week testing this mouse
I tested it for gaming and productivity work
I used it extensively in both a home and office environment
I tested the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming mouse both at home and in an office environment, seeing how well it functioned in gaming and productivity. Its gaming performance is especially important, so I used a wide variety of genres to see how reactive it is. I also carried it around in various bags to test its portability.
The Alienware Pro Wireless is a gaming mouse that’s meant for extensive use over the years. I made sure to quality-test it to see if it held up to those standards while maintaining maximum comfort levels.
I’ve tested a wide range of mice, mainly gaming, and understand how to properly rate and test them out to ensure that they reach a certain level of quality.
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained – regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it’s on our radar.
The Ody II is a budget wireless keyboard from Trust that promises a quiet typing experience. If, like us, you’re coming from the clacking and clattering of a cheap full-sized keyboard, the difference is immediately noticeable. Smooth, near-silent, spill-proof, this is an impressive unit for the price.
We’ve tested out plenty of office keyboards, keyboards for programmers, spent decades hammering on wired and wireless and cheap and expensive and full-sized and compact models. If you spend a lot of time writing reports, essays, code, your latest screenplay and you don’t want to disturb those around you, and you don’t want to break the bank, the trust Ody II is worth checking out.
That’s the TLDR. And it comes with some caveats. This isn’t ergonomically designed, it’s not low profile, and it’s not a mechanical keyboard – although it offers a closer typing experience compared to a lot of modern, flat keyboards, and even boasts a numpad. But is silence really golden? We put the Ody II to the test. And yes, in true review fashion, this one was written using the keyboard in question.
Trust Ody II Wireless Keyboard: Pricing & availability
(Image credit: Trust)
The Trust Ody II silent keyboard is available as a standalone unit or as part of a keyboard and mouse combo, like our review unit. This set comes in at £20 and is widely available in the UK, from the likes of Argos, and across the rest of Europe.
Despite being a budget model, we were impressed with the overall design and construction of the Ody II. With its professional heavy black and embossed pebbling along the upper strip, it’s as sharp as a tailored business suit. There’s a nice weight to it, bolstered by the required three AAA batteries, and unlike many cheap keyboards, the casing doesn’t feel too plasticky. The keys themselves have a smooth feel to them, which is good for longer typing sessions.
Along the top row of the keyboard, you’ll find the physical on-off switch, while Function keys can be switched to media playback and hotkeys by pressing Fn + Tab. This works well in practice, but we would’ve liked to see some visual cue to show which is active.
The mouse bundled alongside the keyboard is fine. This is a standard 800 dpi – 1.600 dpi pointer with a speed button beneath a scroll wheel that’s very satisfying to roll. Comfortable enough under-hand with its rubber coating making it feel slightly more premium than it is, and like the keyboard, clicks are relatively quiet. Also like the keyboard, it’s not an ergonomic design. It uses a single AA battery.
Tucked away beneath the keyboard, you’ll find the Bluetooth adapter which feels snug in slot, but comes out easily. This single adapter is used to connect your PC to both devices. So, if you’re limited on ports, this is a good space-saver. Our experience here was good. We removed our wired unit, plugged in the USB-A adapter, then the keyboard and mouse worked. It was all very simple, seamless instant, the way it should be. No-one wants to be diving into Bluetooth settings just to write an email.
Trust Ody II Wireless Keyboard: Performance
(Image credit: Trust)
Using the Ody II has been a joy. A softer, gentler, typing experience, that feels like it can still take a beating when you’re pounding out a report past the deadline. It’s not completely silent, but certainly whisper quiet and unlikely to disturb those around you even during a writing frenzy. We came from a similarly designed but very noisy keyboard, and the difference is remarkable. That overall pleasing experience is aided by its elevated or ‘floating’ keys. This further dampens sound, while allowing for greater depth and travel.
During our time with the Ody II, we experienced no issues whatsoever. No lag between key presses, or having to press buttons multiple times to get them to work. Any typos are purely the writer’s own. Under day-to-day office usage, it performed very well. As a wireless unit, it works up to 10m away from the Bluetooth adapter – you’ll know when you’ve strayed too far, as the board’s green light disappears, showing connection loss. This also happens when you don’t use the keyboard for some time, but we found ‘awakening’ it was instantaneous.
Using the bundled mouse, too, was a lag-free experience with none of the frustrations you sometimes get with cheap or budget brands. It’s not the best mouse we’ve ever used, lacking ergonomics for all-day use, but if you just need a classic office mouse for everyday use, it’s a welcome addition.
The real question for us is how long will the batteries last. Both devices had low-end batteries included, which are still holding up post-review. In an ideal world, we’d add a recharge option here – a cable for wired and wireless connections, making it useful for those who prefer the reliability of wired keyboards, and those who like the flexibility that comes from wireless models.
Trust Ody II Wireless Keyboard: Final verdict
(Image credit: Trust)
Really, we can only re-iterate what we said right at the start. If you do a lot of typing and want a silent experience on a budget, the Trust Ody II wireless keyboard is a fine bit of kit. While not totally silent, it’s as quiet as a whisper, the keys softly muted when pressed, and the overall experience of writing is incredibly comfortable, if not ergonomic.
For us, the mouse is very much a secondary character – a classic office mouse that’s comfortable enough if you don’t mind the lack of ergonomics. It’s nice to have, if you pick the combo set, but either way the keyboard is the real star of the show. Well-priced, well-designed, and mostly silent.
Two research teams have demonstrated that adding rat neurons to mouse brains that were missing crucial cells could help the organs to recover function1,2. The experiments could help scientists to better understand how different species’ brains develop, and even aid efforts to grow ‘chimeric’ pigs with human organs that could be used for transplantation in people.
Researchers have successfully generated hybrid, or chimeric, animals in the past. Among these have been mice with rat organs, including pancreases3, and mice with human neurons in their brains4. But no one had shown clearly whether rat neurons could be incorporated fully into a mouse’s brain circuits in such a way that they would become an essential part of controlling the host animal’s behaviour.
How neurons connect with one another, and fire, makes integrating cells from two species complicated, says Kristin Baldwin, a neuroscientist at Columbia University in New York City. “Neurons are not just Legos,” she says.
Early integration
In a paper published by one of the teams on 25 April in Cell1, Baldwin, molecular biologist Jun Wu at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and their colleagues attempted to test this by mixing rat and mouse neuronal cells very early in the mice’s development.
Human brain cells implanted in rats prompt excitement — and concern
First, they engineered the genes in a group of mice in a way that destroyed some neurons in the animals’ olfactory systems. This disrupted the circuits linking olfactory neurons in the nose with higher brain regions, leaving the mice unable to use their sense of smell to find mini-cookies that the researchers had buried in various places throughout the animals’ cages.
But when the researchers injected rat stem cells into blastocysts — early-stage embryos — of mice engineered in this way, the cells filled the gaps in the brain circuits. And once the mice had grown into adults, they were able to find their cookies by smell. Killing the mouse neurons created “niches” for the rat cells to take up residence in various places inside the animals’ olfactory circuits, as well as elsewhere in their bodies, Baldwin says. Her group is now working on methods for replacing specific mouse neurons with rat cells in a more targeted way.
In a Cell paper published by the second team, also on 25 April2, Wu and his colleagues developed a more aggressive strategy for getting rat cells into a mouse’s brain. Using C-CRISPR, a genetic-editing tool that cuts genes in multiple places to ensure that they are fully inactivated, the researchers wiped out every trace of a gene called Hesx1 in a group of mouse blastocysts. This gene controls the development of the forebrain: a large region in the brain that coordinates much of an animal’s behaviour.
This hybrid baby monkey is made of cells from two embryos
When the researchers allowed these blastocysts to develop into mice without forebrains, the animals died shortly after birth. But when Wu and his team injected rat stem cells into the blastocysts, the forebrains that developed were made entirely of rat cells. Once the mice had grown, they were healthy and seemed to act normally, although Wu says it would be difficult to determine whether there were any subtle behavioural differences between them and normal mice.
Hiro Nakauchi, a stem cell biologist at Stanford University in California, agrees that it would be hard to establish this. Researchers in his laboratory once tried making mice ‘smarter’ by giving them rat brain cells, but they abandoned the effort when they realized that the differences between rodents with and without the cells were too minor to detect statistically without testing the behaviours of a large number of hybrid animals. Still, Nakauchi says that the new papers are meticulous analyses of chimeric animals’ brains — something he is excited about. “This is what I have been awaiting,” he says.
‘Fascinating biology’
Wu and Baldwin say that their research addresses some long-standing concerns about developing chimaeras, particularly for the purpose of transplanting tissue or organs from animals such as pigs into people. Aside from ethical considerations, there is the concern that the human body will reject a transplanted chimeric organ. But because the teams added the rat cells so early in the mice’s development — long before the embryos had formed an immune system — the animals’ bodies never learnt to recognize the cells as foreign and never attacked them.
Hybrid brains: the ethics of transplanting human neurons into animals
Another concern is a mismatch in the developmental rates of species. However, the teams found that the mouse brains developed at the same rate as they would normally, rather than at the slower pace at which a rat usually develops.
“There’s lots of fascinating biology to be learnt from this [rat–mouse] chimaera,” says Jian Feng, a physiologist at the University of Buffalo in New York. He’s not surprised that the rat cells followed the pace of the mouse’s developmental ‘clock’. In 2020, his group published a paper about a mouse embryo that it had engineered to contain up to 4% human cells5. The embryo began developing human red blood cells 17 days into gestation — much earlier than these cells develop in human embryos — suggesting that human cells, too, could follow the molecular directions of their host.
Wu says that his laboratory now plans to use the technology developed for these studies to make chimaeras by transplanting cells from wild rodent species into lab mice. It’s difficult to study wild rodents, because they are hard to maintain and breed in captivity, he says. But making stem cells from their tissue samples and inserting them into mouse blastocysts might allow researchers to study how these other species’ brains develop and function.
Razer has rolled out the Viper V3 Pro, its latest high-end wireless gaming mouse. What makes a gaming mouse “high-end,” you might ask? Mainly, it’s super lightweight and packed with impressive wireless and sensor tech, all of which makes it extremely responsive in competitive games. I’ve had one on hand for about two weeks now and have felt next to zero delay flicking through rounds of Halo Infinite and Apex Legends.
The other thing is the price: The Viper V3 Pro is available today for $160 in the US or €180 in Europe. That isn’t unheard of — Razer’s own DeathAdder V3 Pro, the top wireless pick in our gaming mouse buying guide, costs the same — but it’s certainly not cheap.
If you keep up with the gaming mouse market, here’s the short version: The Viper V3 Pro has virtually the same shape and soft-touch coating as last year’s midrange Viper V3 HyperSpeed, but it’s far lighter at 54 grams, plus it has optical switches, a technically superior sensor and a few small design tweaks. It’s the follow-up to the popular Viper V2 Pro from 2022 and the ambidextrous complement to the aforementioned DeathAdder V3 Pro, which has a more dramatically contoured ergonomic shape.
The Razer Viper V3 Pro (left) and Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 (right), another high-end wireless gaming mouse with a symmetrical shape. (Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget)
For everyone else, the main thing to know about mice like this is that they’re built for competitive gaming above all else. As such, the Viper V3 Pro deliberately excludes features that’d make it more convenient for day-to-day use: There’s no Bluetooth and only two side buttons, while the DPI switch is located on the bottom of the mouse. The scroll wheel can’t tilt left or right, and there’s no lighting, either. But these omissions make sense if you view the mouse as a tool for esports: They keep the weight down and make it harder to hit buttons by accident.
The most important thing with any gaming mouse is its shape, and the Viper V3 Pro’s should fit most hand sizes well. It’s highly similar to Logitech’s G Pro X Superlight 2, its chief competitor, but slightly longer and flatter. A modest but noticeable hump in the center rests naturally in your palm, while the sides are gently contoured in then out to welcome the tops of your thumb and ring finger (or pinkie). The main click buttons are grooved, slightly flared and amply sized. None of the angles are aggressive. Razer says it works best with a fingertip or claw grip; I have few issues as someone who uses the latter. But the design isn’t so short or flat that it’s horrible for palm grips. In total, it measures 5.0 x 2.51 x 1.57 inches.
The mouse’s coating is pleasingly soft and smooth. It’ll pick up fingerprint smudges over time, but it should be grippy enough for most people out of the gate. (Razer includes some pre-cut grip tape in the box if it still feels too slippery.) The device as a whole is sturdily built, with no sign of flex or creaking in my two weeks of daily use.
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
The Viper V3 Pro isn’t the absolute lightest gaming mouse, but calling a 54g device too heavy to move around would be splitting hairs. Notably, it achieves this weight without any cutouts in its top or bottom shell. Rival gaming mice like the Pwnage Stormbreaker or Pulsar X2V2 are similarly light but leave their interiors more open to dust and detritus.
The mouse’s main click buttons are fast, not sticky and on the softer side for a device that uses optical switches. They aren’t as loud as the clicks on the G Pro X Superlight 2, though the right-click panel on my test unit sounds a little less full than the left-click one. (That’s more of a nitpick than a dealbreaker.) As with most optical mice, the main buttons may not be as satisfying to press as good mechanical switches, but they’re more likely to avoid durability issues over time. I’d also give the Viper V3 Pro the edge over Logitech’s mouse when it comes to the side buttons and scroll wheel. The Viper’s wheel is tighter, quieter and has grippier ridges on its exterior, while its side buttons are a bit less mushy by comparison.
In terms of performance, the Viper V3 Pro uses Razer’s new “Focus Pro 35K Optical Sensor Gen-2.” It can reach a maximum of 35,000 DPI, and you can adjust that sensitivity in 1 DPI increments. A max speed of 750 IPS and max acceleration of 70 G accompany that. Per usual with gaming mice, these higher figures are partly marketing fluff: Many older gaming mice have few issues when it comes to sensor accuracy and consistency.
The mouse is available in black or white, though Razer says the white model weighs a gram more. (Razer)
Along those lines, the mouse comes with Razer’s HyperPolling Wireless Dongle, which costs $30 on its own. It advertises a maximum polling rate of 8,000Hz, which technically allows for more precise movements but has a negligible effect on real-world performance. Mostly, it saps battery life: Razer says the Viper V3 Pro can last up to 95 hours at a 1,000Hz polling rate, which is fine, but that dips to just 17 hours at 8,000Hz.
Still, while I am far from an pro-level player, I can’t foresee many complaints about the Viper V3 Pro’s responsiveness or connection quality. The shape, weight and sensor all play a role in that — as do the large PTFE feet, which let the mouse glide smoothly across surfaces. Somewhat less agreeable is the included cable, which is cleverly angled to reduce drag but isn’t the thinnest or most flexible cord I’ve seen. The dongle still requires running the cable from a PC to a desk, too.
Nevertheless, the Viper V3 Pro is well worth a look if you take competitive gaming seriously, prefer an ambidextrous shape and have money to burn. To be clear, there are still several gaming mice that’ll feel comfortable and perform well for less cash, especially if you’re OK with a wired model. And if you own an older Viper you’re still happy with today, there’s no pressing need to upgrade. A mouse like this is closer to a Ferrari, when most people can live just fine with a Subaru. That said, Ferraris are pretty nice, right?
This six-legged animal isn’t an insect: it’s a mouse with two extra limbs where its genitals should be. Research on this genetically engineered rodent, which was published on 20 March in Nature Communications1, has revealed a way in which changes in DNA’s 3D structure can affect how embryos develop.
Developmental biologist Moisés Mallo, at the Gulbenkian Science Institute in Oeiras, Portugal, and his colleagues were studying one of the receptor proteins, Tgfbr1, in a signalling pathway that is involved in many aspects of embryonic development. The scientists inactivated the Tgfbr1 gene in mouse embryos about halfway through development to see how the change affected spinal-cord development.
Then, Mallo’s graduate student, Anastasiia Lozovska, came to his office to tell him she’d found that one of the bioengineered embryos had genitals that looked similar to two extra hind limbs. Her finding sent the research down an unexpected path. “I didn’t choose the project, the project chose me,” Mallo says.
A 3D reconstruction of the skeleton of the genetically altered embryo shows its extra and normal limbs (magenta and turquoise, respectively).Credit: Anastasiia Lozovska et al/Nat. Comms
Researchers have long known that, in most four-limbed animals, both the external genitalia (penis or clitoris) and hind limbs develop from the same primordial structures.
When Mallo’s team looked further into the six-legged mouse phenomenon, they found that Tgfbr1 directs these structures to become either genitalia or limbs by altering the way that DNA folds in the structure’s cells. Deactivating the protein changed the activity of other genes, resulting in extra limbs and no true external genitalia.
The researchers hope to determine whether Tgfbr1 and its relatives affect DNA structure in other systems such as metastatic cancer, and in immune function. They are also examining whether the same mechanism underlies the development of the reptilian hemipenis, a double penis that, in snakes, forms from primordial organs in lieu of legs.
When you buy a new laptop or PC, it’s easy to only focus on the big three: Processor, graphics and RAM (sorry storage fans, that’s a close fourth). It’s the little things that are simple to overlook. The rig I recently upgraded to is solid, and I had a nice keyboard already — but oh boy did I really need to find the best productivity mouse. Mice may not be sexy peripherals, but if you spend hours a day in front of a computer screen, they could help make things more comfortable for you in the long run. My old Magic Mouse could have made the move from MacOS to Windows, but I was already negotiating some pretty bad RSI and the internal battery was starting to waiver. Not least of all, I wanted something that I could charge and use at the same time — the temerity, I know.
Not to mention, since the advent of devices such as the Stream Deck and the Loupedeck Live I have developed a taste for physical, assignable controls. Also, as a recent convert to the world of mechanical keyboards, I was hoping there was a similar world of boutique, bespoke options. It turns out that productivity mice are still a largely off-the-shelf affair, but I was determined to get through some of the more promising options and find something I could live with, possibly for another decade. So I set out to find the best productivity mouse for me by testing a number of the most popular wireless mice available today; these are my favorites.
The obvious candidates
James Trew / Engadget
Google around for “the best PC mouse” or “the best productivity mouse” and you’ll find one answer: Logitech’s MX Master 3. You might see a few mentions of others — like the Razer Pro Click and Microsoft’s Surface Precision mouse — but the reviews are clear that the MX 3 Master is the one. Since we first published this guide, Logitech has released the MX Master 3S which improves on the already popular device with a sharper sensor and quieter buttons. We’ve updated this guide accordingly.
I looked at all three of these, and honestly, there’s not a lot in it. All of them cost $100 and all of them meet my basic requirements of decent ergonomics, configurable buttons and solid battery life. The latter is the hardest to quantify thanks to how each manufacturer likes to define “time.” For Logi’s MX Master 3S it’s “70 days.” Razer on the other hand touts the Pro Click as lasting between 200 and 400 hours depending on whether you use their USB dongle or Bluetooth respectively (that’s 8-16 “days” but it’s not clear if this is “in use”).
Microsoft’s Surface Precision is listed as “up to 3 months” which I somehow read with an implied shrug on their part. It’s hard to know whether those are active use or “the mouse is on and it’s on your desk.” The better news is that all of them can be charged while you use them. In practice, I found the MX Master 3S to last the longest, but also needing a charge way sooner than its 70 days claim, in my experience it’s more like every 5-6 weeks.
Of this trio, the Pro Click offers the most configurable buttons (8). The MX Master 3S is a close second (7) but has the advantage of a second scroll wheel near the thumb. In reality, two of Razer’s “buttons” are side-clicks on the scroll wheel — typically these default to sideways scroll, the same as Logi’s thumb dial does. The net result is that I found the MX Master 3S slightly more configurable for my use cases. The thumbwheel is perfect for switching between desktops — something I do a lot, which would occupy two slots on the Razer meaning, effectively, the MX Master 3S has one more spare button in this setup.
James Trew / Engadget
While we’re on the topic of buttons, the new MX Master 3S wireless mouse has almost no click sound at all. It makes almost every other mouse seem quite conspicuous by comparison. It also means the click motion feels a little smoother which all adds up to a much nicer experience.
Lastly, there’s a programmable button on the MX master 3S located just under where your thumb rests. This can be used for almost anything, but by default, it activates something called “gesture control,” which lets you assign certain tasks to, you guessed it, different gestures. I gave the gesture controls a spin and they seemed pretty helpful, but the usefulness soon dissolved when I found I wasn’t always able to ace the gesture on the first attempt.
For its part, Microsoft’s Surface Precision mouse offers six buttons and includes left/right clicks on the scroll wheel, putting it about on par with Razer and a shade under the MX Master 3S for configuration dorks like me.
All three companies offer companion software — Microsoft’s is built right-in to Windows. It’s worth noting that Logitech makes a distinction between its office mice and its gaming mice which I’ll get to later (basically, different software with different configuration options). The short version is each gets its own software and what you can do there differs which will be a key factor if considering a variety of their models..
I found Logitech’s Options software the most straightforward with a deep selection of Windows commands, media controls, shortcuts and navigation tools on offer. You can also assign keystroke combinations if something you need isn’t listed. On top of that there are options for app-specific buttons which means you can, for example, have right-click do one thing in Photoshop but something totally different in Chrome. Logitech doesn’t offer full macros in Options though, so more complex commands are off the table via the native software.
James Trew / Engadget
Razer’s Synapse also offers app-specific controls alongside a wealth of predefined media and OS shortcuts, but perhaps less comprehensive than those found in Options. That said, you do also have full macro support: Simply hit record and whatever you do next can be converted into a single click of the mouse. There’s even “HyperShift” which means you can add a second layer of commands while holding down an allocated button.
Microsoft’s Mouse and Keyboard Center is no slouch either with some decent shortcuts on offer and support for both macros and app-specific controls. Though, overall, it’s perhaps less in-depth than both Logitech and Razer’s companion apps.
On a more minor note. During my time with MacOS I joined the dark side of “natural scroll.” It’s not a deal-breaker for me, as I don’t mind regular scroll, but Logitech and Microsoft both offer reverse scrolling as a setting, Razer doesn’t appear to — though you can work around this in other ways of course.
All the above mice offer the flexibility of both Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity, can be used while cabled and support multi-device (at the same time) modes, if that’s your thing.
Winner: MX Master 3S.
Gaming mice for everyday use
Just because a mouse has a gaming focus, it doesn’t mean it’s no good for productivity. That was my reasoning when I looked at things like the Logitech G502 Lightspeed and the G Pro X Superlight. From Razer, the Viper Ultimate looked like another strong option.
There are a few things that change once you go gamer it seems. First: Things get much much lighter. The heaviest I tried was the G502 which, at 114g is a hair heavier than the Razer Pro Click (106g). But 26g lighter than the MX Master 3S. The G Pro X Superlight and the Viper Ultra are much more svelte however, weighing in at 63g and 74g respectively. This puts the G Pro X at under half the weight of its Logitech productivity sibling.
James Trew / Engadget
The next thing to consider is the form factor. Gaming mice are much more likely to have either a neutral or ambidextrous design. This isn’t a no-no for my RSI concerns (especially when offset against the lighter weight) but it was something I was cautious about. Of the ones I am testing here, the G502 Lightspeed is the most “ergonomic.”
Lastly, gamers want speed and even 2.4GHz is a bit too laggy for some, so Bluetooth connectivity is rare to find in this category. That’s not a deal-breaker for me, but worth knowing in case it is for you.
I actually had high hopes for the G502 Lightspeed. Not only is it lighter and a similar form factor to the MX Master 3S, it offers a whopping 11 configurable buttons. What’s more you’re able to assign full macros along with a slew of deep keyboard commands to those buttons. From a customization standpoint, it’s pretty comprehensive. The G502’s office-bound rival has most of what you need, but macros aren’t there and the keyboard commands on offer aren’t as extensive as in Logitech’s gamer-focused G Hub software.
I should mention the G Pro X Superlight here, too, given it uses the same software as the G502. The G Pro X is semi ambidextrous (you can palm it with either hand, but the extra buttons are only on one side). There are only five buttons total, too.
The issue for me was really all in the handling. I liked that both of these were lighter, that’s a solid plus. But the wealth of buttons on the G502 meant things were a little more cramped. For example, there are two right alongside the left-click button and then another two just above where your thumb rests. They aren’t hard to locate without looking, but overall not as naturally placed as those on the MX Master 3S, at least in my opinion. Also, the scroll wheel on both the G502 and the G Pro X protrudes more than any of the other mice on this list which, again, takes some getting used to. Neither was as fluid or comfortable to me as those in the MX Master 3S or Razer Pro click.
Moreover, the G502 has a button to switch between smooth and ratchet scroll (fast, free gliding versus clicky slow, basically). The MX Master 3S offers both types of scrolling but with a setting where ratchet mode will seamlessly become smooth mode which is much more apt for browsing and navigating lists. I found scrolling on the G502 a bit annoying. Much bigger “clicks” and finding the button to switch to smooth seemed to kill my flow. I am guessing it’s better for gamers though.
The G Pro X, for its part, is a really nice option if you want something light with a couple of extra buttons. But with just two additional ones over the standard two-plus-clickwheel it wasn’t quite up to my requirements.
James Trew / Engadget
Razer’s Viper Ultimate, literally on the other hand, is a surprisingly competent all-purpose mouse. For one, as alluded to, it’s truly ambidextrous. At 74g it glides across the desk making it a pleasure to use for extended periods. With a 70 hour battery life it was joint first with the G Pro X for longevity in this category (the G502 offers around 50 hours).
The main nitpick for me with the Viper is that the two buttons near your ring finger and pinkie take a little getting used to if you palm a mouse like I do. I had to train myself to click with the side of my finger rather than the tip. The net result is that I was surprised to find myself gravitating toward the Viper Ultimate most out of this category, despite the G502 being closer to what I had in mind when setting out on this test.
Thanks to gamery specs that I’m not going to make use of, such as 20,000+ DPI sensors and 1000Hz polling rates, all of the gaming mice do cost more than the “productivity” options. In fact all three cost the same: $150.
Winner: Razer Viper Ultimate
Razer Viper Ultimate Hyperspeed
Best wireless mouse for gaming
Mobile mice
Let’s be clear, there’s almost no chance any of the mobile mice on offer would make a great full-time desktop replacement. That said, it’s also one of the more interesting categories thanks to being free from the burden of having to do everything. A mobile mouse can get a little wackier and do one or two things really well.
There’s also the fact that many of us are working at home on the company laptop, so pairing that with a mouse can make the transition back to the office a little smoother (and not everyone is a fan of trackpads anyway). As such, a straight head-to-head feels less appropriate, but here’s a rundown of five contenders.
Logitech Pebble
Logitech’s Pebble is a mobile mouse in the purest form. At 100g it’s not the lightest on this list, but that does give it a reassuring feel in use. There are only three buttons: The standard left click, right click and click wheel. You also have the choice between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz dongle connectivity. A nice touch is that you can stow the USB dongle under the top plate as that’s also where you’ll change the (AA) battery.
The Pebble has a slight angle to it which felt like my hand was arching forward when in use. The ambidextrous design is welcome but I do have my concerns about how comfortable it is for extended use. The two aces up the Pebble’s sleeve, however, are its epic battery life: A claimed 18 months (though this will obviously depend on what batteries you use) and the $25 price tag, making it the cheapest on this list.
Logitech MX Anywhere 3
As the name suggests, the MX Anywhere 3 is the mobile version of the MX Master 3S Bluetooth mouse. Unlike its bigger brother, the Anywhere has a semi-ambidextrous design. It’s perhaps a shade too small to cut it as desktop replacement, but in the mobile realm it feels premium, complete with the auto-switching between ratchet and free-flowing scroll wheel — which at $80, it should.
With six buttons, it’s pretty configurable for something so small and at 99g it won’t overstay its welcome under your palm. Though for the life of me I cannot understand why there is no option to stow the USB dongle inside the mouse somewhere. Given its mobile nature this seems like a no-brainer. You can, of course, just use Bluetooth if, like me, USB dongles seem to vanish into thin air unless they have a home.
Razer Orochi V2
The winner of the most forgettable-looking option in this nest of mice goes to the Orochi V2. Or maybe it’s just understated? Especially for a Razer product. Looks aside, the Orochi V2 is a very capable mobile mouse with six buttons, Bluetooth or dongle connectivity and it works with Razer’s Synapse software, so any macros you might already have can be assigned here (or make your own!).
At 425 (2.4Ghz) or 950 hours (BLE) you get a decent amount of time out of each battery and you can use either a single AA or AAA. It weighs just 60g, so it’s also pretty nimble. At $70, it’s edging into full-desktop mouse territory, but given that it’s big enough to actually use this full time, that seems less surprising. Especially given that you can stow the dongle under the top cover, which is more than can be said for the MX Anywhere 3 (or even the MX Master 3S).
Microsoft Surface Arc
Who was betting on Microsoft having the most stylish mouse on this list? The Surface Arc is a delight with a “transforming” design that pops into shape (an “arc” no less). Once you’re done simply snap it flat again for easy storage in a pocket of your laptop bag. You don’t even need to turn it on as “snapping” it also acts as a power switch. Oh, and did I mention that the touchpad area does double duty as left/right click and vertical or sideways scroll (Magic Mouse style)? There’s even the option for a “triple” click to give the Surface Arc an extra, assignable button. All that, and it’s only around $55.
As satisfying as it is to click into shape, the hollow area under the arc does mean that your thumb and little finger don’t have anywhere to naturally rest. I also found the curve of the arc led me more into a claw position over my usual palm, which might be okay for you but gave me pause about using this for longer periods. As a purely mobile mouse, though, it’s one of the more pleasing, especially if you like its semi-trackpad nature.
Microsoft Modern Mobile mouse
The Modern Mobile mouse is Microsoft’s answer to the Pebble. Streamlined, lightweight and with a focus on the basics. There’s no 2.4GHz option here though; it’s Bluetooth only. At $35, compared to the Pebble’s $25 it might seem a foregone conclusion but there’s a lot to like about Microsoft’s take on a portable mouse.
For one, its build quality feels far superior. It also looks more stylish (if that matters). More importantly, it has a more neutral position that feels really comfortable for a smaller mouse and doesn’t feel like it’s craning my hand forward. Throw in the fact that you can still assign app-specific controls via Microsoft’s Mouse and Keyboard center and you end up with something that’s smarter than it first seems.
Conclusion
James Trew / Engadget
If nothing else, I was surprised by the diversity of options despite my initial concern to the contrary. Who knew that Microsoft had such style, at least in the mobile category? Likewise, Razer, it turns out, makes surprisingly adept productivity mice despite its true-green gamer aesthetic. Logitech, on the other hand, is a steady hand across all categories.
Predictably, the MX Master 3S does seem to do most of the things I want. BUT, only really thanks to that thumbwheel. It is particularly suited for what I need. That said, I find myself quite taken by the Pro Click, and despite lacking a second scroll wheel, it pretty much matches the MX Master 3S in every other manner. It’s also lighter which is a small positive in its favor.
For those that prefer lightweight options (something that became more appealing to me the more I tested), then the Viper Ultimate from Razer impressed me with its balance of function and form. If you don’t need as many buttons then Logitech’s Pro X Superlight lives up to its name. I could happily live with either of these mice full time.
