Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse review: The perfect Surface device companion

Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse

The Microsoft Surface Precision mouse went on sale before this fall for $99 at the Microsoft Store. Co-announced with the new Surface Volume 2 serial the Surface Precision mouse brings desktop and professional-level features to the growing Surface mouse line.

I've been using the Surface Precision for the final few weeks and don't have anything negative to say well-nigh it. The features are useful, the ergonomics are fantastic, and if you are looking for a loftier-end, not-gaming mouse for work the Surface Precision mouse should be on your shortlist.

Surface Precision features

The Surface Precision mouse brings many semi-unique features to the tabular array including support for running on three PCs at the same time. Its focus, however, is on the build quality, ergonomics, and overall usage.

Features	Surface Precision Mouse
Pattern	Ergonomic desktop
Materials	Machined aluminum Molded TPE side grip and thumb rest
Buttons	Three customizable
Connectivity	Bluetooth 4.0/4.1/4.2 Low Energy USB 2.1
Range	At least 16 feet (5 meters) in part environment
Power supply	Rechargeable (USB)
Battery	Three months
Dimensions	122.six mm ten 77.6 mm x 43.3 mm (L ten W x D)
Weight	135 g
Compatibility	Windows x, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 (USB only) mac Os 10 x.12+ (USB mode only)

Eschewing ii.4GHz connection and requiring a dongle, the Surface Precision mouse uses Bluetooth Depression Energy and is compatible with all modern Windows PC and fifty-fifty Apple Mac OS Ten (just wired).

For those who disapprove of wireless connectivity also used to recharge the non-replaceable battery, the micro USB port also serves as a wired-connection overriding wireless. Surprisingly, not many mice offering a true USB mode, so information technology's corking to come across here as an pick.

Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse

In that location are three buttons on the side – all of which are programmable – and a metal scroll wheel that offers detent or smooth scrolling options past clicking a button behind the wheel.

There is too a toggle switch on the bottom for 3 PCs. Users tin switch between 1,2, or 3 on the lesser for each paired PC on the fly.

Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse

The mouse supports 400 to iii,200 dot-per-inch (DPI), which is user configurable in the accompanying Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Heart software.

Surface Precision design

Made from plastic and machined aluminum and weighing 135 grams, the Surface Precision mouse has an ergonomic rounded back and thumb remainder. That rest prevents your thumb from dragging on a mouse mat and makes a big difference for overall condolement.

The scroll wheel is grippy with little wiggle or rattle. The detent scrolling (a.k.a. "clicky") feels nearly as perfect equally using a Precision touchpad tuned by Microsoft. For those who prefer free scroll that choice is hither and tin be manually enabled on the fly.

My only concern with the Surface Precision mouse is long term that gray Surface color may pick up – or at least show – dirt more easily than traditional dark or blackness mice. Of course, existence by and large plastic/rubber (Thermoplastic Elastomer or TPE) it should be readily cleanable, only fourth dimension will tell if it stains or non.

Surface Precision software

While users exercise non need to use the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software Windows users are strongly encouraged (and even prompted) to install it.

Like all high-terminate mice with configurations, the Mouse and Keyboard Heart lets users configure the buttons, set up DPI, add macros, check battery life and more. Information technology's excellent software that is also quite stable.

That software too lets yous use the Smart Switch feature which allows users run the mouse on iii PCs at the same time. The procedure is simple: pair the Surface Precision mouse to three different PCs. Each PC also needs to be running the Mouse and Keyboard Centre software. On any PC, enable the Smart Switch feature.

Once running, when you bring the cursor to the edge of the screen it will break for second and jump to the other PC seamlessly. Users can configure the ordering of the PCs too and change them at any time. If you don't want to include a PC, you can only toggle it off. At that place is also an optional notification that tin can pop up to let you know the mouse as jumped to some other PC.

While not anybody will use Smart Switch for those ability users who work on a desktop PC and a laptop, information technology'due south a killer feature. I had no problems using information technology.

Additional options like program-specific settings, assigning macros to those programmable keys, or even running keyboard shorts are all possible, merely reserved for those who need particular functionality.

Finally, information technology should exist noted that for those using the Surface Laptop and running Windows 10 S, they will not exist able to install the Mouse and Keyboard Heart software as it is nevertheless a Win32 app that needs to be downloaded. Hopefully, Microsoft volition be able to port it to the Microsoft Shop using its desktop bridge in the time to come to fix this oversight.

Surface Precision functioning and conclusion

The Surface Precision mouse feels cracking to use. The ergonomic blueprint is blindside on, and the scrolling and clicking feel great. Indeed, the clicking is on the quiet side, which is a good affair for those who hate precipitous, loftier-pitched clicks from constant usage in quiet environments.

Relying on Bluetooth is not without its risks, however. Depending on your device, drivers, and whatsoever possible interference from nearby devices, you could experience the usual Bluetooth oddities. Many companies avoid this by using a dongle with a 2.4GHz channel for the radio. While more reliable, that technology does require a USB Type-A dongle, which not merely takes up a valuable port but is rapidly lost. Moreover, it does non help when using across 3 devices at the same time.

Being able to plug in for USB wired-fashion is a great feature, yet. While you do need to plug in to recharge the battery should final around two to 3 months. I take seen some complain that Microsoft should have used a USB Blazon C plug, merely that component is larger than the micro USB, costs more, and it's non clear what real advantage it would have for everyday usage.

I found the DPI settings OK also even on a large 27-inch 4K display where high precision movement is needed.

Compared to the Logitech MX Master 2S, which I reviewed recently, there is not a whole lot of difference. Both run around $99, are ergonomic, run over Bluetooth, take similar DPI settings, and excellent software. The Logitech does have an optional 2.4GHz dongle, just information technology cannot run in USB wired mode. I also found the Logitech louder for clicking and non quite as comfy compared to the Surface Precision, simply those are personal preferences. The Logitech does have a favorite thumb roll wheel, but in my usage, I never took reward of information technology – your experience may vary.

Pros:

Very good design and comfortable to use.
Excellent buttons and curlicue wheel beliefs.
Wireless (Bluetooth) or wired (USB) options.
Long bombardment life.
Robust software that lets yous run on three PCs at in one case.

Cons:

Reliance on Bluetooth can be problematic for some.
Not overtly ameliorate than Logitech MX Master 2S.

Overall, I tin can recommend the Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse. It looks great, runs well, and it brings some advantageous features to the table for those who need advanced and customizable features. While not a travel mouse per se it is a bit flatter than the Logitech MX Master 2S making it not a bad choice for slipping in a handbag. Of course, if travel is your priority Microsoft has the very portable Surface Arc Mouse, which is a meliorate fit.

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