Hands-On: Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse

Hands-On: Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse

Almost lost in all the excitement around Surface Book 2, Microsoft has also announced a new mouse, the Surface Precision Mouse. And there is some good, and some bad.

The good?

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The Surface Precision Mouse is the first Surface-branded mouse to actually provide an ergonomic-ish design. It’s not as large or hand-friendly as the Microsoft Sculpt Mouse that I prefer, but it may be large enough, and formed correctly, to allow for long hours of work. Unlike, say, the terrible Surface Arc Mouse and even worse Surface Mouse. Which, again. Are terrible.

Aside from ergonomics, there are other things to like about the Surface Precision Mouse.

It provides three buttons on the side that can be programmed to do things like launch an app, run a macro, or issue commands like “Save.”

It can be paired with up to three PCs at once, which is very interesting: I actually maintain two identical mice, one for home and one for road, so I never have to worry about this pairing stuff.

It appears to be well-balanced, with a good weight and overall feel. And if offers both Bluetooth and wired USB operation, which seems unique to me.

But there are bad points, as well. Microsoft has yet to surpass its nearly-perfect Sculpt Mouse.

First, the Surface Precision Mouse is for righties only. Left-handed people need not apply.

Second, it’s cheaply made, as are most Surface peripherals, which is really strange considering the premium brand association. It’s all cheap plastics with little hard bits of aluminum that don’t seem nice either.

Also, it’s super-expensive at $99.99. That is unsustainable.

Anyway, I do like it. And I will get one and see whether it can become my new mouse.

The Surface Precision Mouse will be available for pre-order starting on November 9.

 

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Conversation 21 comments

  • calarez

    17 October, 2017 - 10:32 am

    <p>Paul, logitech mouse anywhere 2 offers bluetooh, usb wired and usb mini wireless dongle (3 way to connect) and also rechargeable battery, so usb wired is not unique to this microsoft mouse.</p>

    • SvenJ

      17 October, 2017 - 9:11 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#207949"><em>In reply to calarez:</em></a> Unique doesn't always have to mean the only one of it's kind. Can just be unusual or not common, which it is. Makes sense, though, a rechargeable mouse, being able to work via USB while charging. Makes more sense than the Apple Magic mouse, or even Logitech's slim mouse, whos charge port is on the bottom.</blockquote><p><br></p>

  • jimchamplin

    Premium Member
    17 October, 2017 - 11:05 am

    <p>Why does it seem like these are pack in mice and keyboards that the company simply charges Apple prices for?</p><p><br></p><p>Oh. Because they are.</p>

  • gregsedwards

    Premium Member
    17 October, 2017 - 11:07 am

    <p>Unless there's a lefty version, this kind of contoured design is a no-go for me. That's why I much prefer ambidextrous peripherals.</p>

  • JacobTheDev

    Premium Member
    17 October, 2017 - 11:37 am

    <p>I was pretty excited to see this, been waiting for a Surface ergonomic mouse for a while now. Interested to hear your thoughts vs the Sculpt mouse (which I currently use) when you pick one up!</p>

  • xperiencewindows

    17 October, 2017 - 11:38 am

    <p>Sort of looks like the Logitech M705, which I am a big fan of.</p>

  • glenn8878

    17 October, 2017 - 11:38 am

    <p>Why not add biometrics into their peripherals? Overdue. </p>

  • Hal9000

    Premium Member
    17 October, 2017 - 11:53 am

    <p>Now this paired with the Surface sculpt keyboard might be my next combo… but my Logitech Illuminated Keyboard and Performance MX Mouse are is still working fine.</p>

  • MutualCore

    17 October, 2017 - 1:22 pm

    <p>Apparently this doesn't work well with Windows 10 S.</p>

  • ErichK

    Premium Member
    17 October, 2017 - 1:44 pm

    <p>Funny, seeing it in a picture it looks (to me) a lot more premium than its plastic reality would suggest.</p>

  • SDreamer

    17 October, 2017 - 3:26 pm

    <p>Looks so cheap, but it's so expensive for just having a matching color mouse honestly. Most of those functions can be had on other mice. I'd almost use a Magic Mouse instead of that for that price point. Least that one looks premium.</p>

    • skane2600

      17 October, 2017 - 6:01 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#208108"><em>In reply to SDreamer:</em></a></blockquote><p>Doesn't Home Depot advertise that they can match any color. Take a better mouse and paint it the same color as the laptop :)</p>

  • GarethB

    Premium Member
    17 October, 2017 - 8:22 pm

    <p>Looks like someone at MS has looked over the wall and seen a Logitech MX Master and/or Anywhere, and then got some Chinese ODM to copy it from memory using cheap plastic.</p><p>Sadly, I don't see MS every returning the halcyon of their mouse designs over a decade ago.</p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      18 October, 2017 - 2:32 am

      <blockquote><a href="#208225"><em>In reply to GarethB:</em></a></blockquote><p>I still have a pair of IntelliMouse 3.0, which I use on new machines I'm building. My main PCs get the Logi MX Master 2 or Performance MX Mouse.</p>

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    18 October, 2017 - 2:29 am

    <p>I gave up waiting and bought the Logi(tech) MX Master 2, it can be paired with 2 PCs, uses either Logitech's Unify or Bluetooth (useful if you are pairing it with a desktop without Bluetooth). It also costs around the same as the SPM, but the finish is the usual high quality for Logitech's high end mice.</p><p>I'm seriously thinking of getting a second one for work – lugging the mouse back and forth is a pain and I've reverted to using the Arc Mouse and IntelliMouse 3.0 at work.</p><p>Edit: I am a mouse and keyboard nut. I have about a dozen keyboards and about half a dozen mice at the moment.</p><p>I am currently using Surface Keyboards at work and home, but I prefer the Razer BlackWidow from typing feel, but it is too loud for work. I did have the MS Designer set, but the mouse is horrible and the keyboard layout is "interesting", the typing feel isn't a patch on the newer Surface keyboards. I still have a Sculpt, Natural 4000 and 2 Natural Multimedias from around 2003. Then there are a couple if Apple crumb catchers and a pair of Apple aluminium keyboards…</p>

  • rtdelan

    18 October, 2017 - 7:21 am

    <p>When traveling light and attempting to fit as much as possible I'm wondering if the bulkier design will be more of a hindrance than the Arc Surface Touch Mouse that I use now that can be easily folded flat. Granted, I use the SP4 mostly at home, where this mouse would be more ideal. However, it would be more space efficient to pack the Arc mouse for travel.</p>

  • Tony Barrett

    18 October, 2017 - 7:26 am

    <p>Wow. Microsoft's Apple envy now extends to very average spec hardware at extortionate prices. $100 – FOR A MOUSE! Holy sh*t, and not a very good one either by the looks of it. Still, if MS expect people to pay $100 for a pen, I'm sure those same people will pay the same for this and think it's good VFM.</p><p>What the heck is the world coming to. Have companies lost all sense of reality? Consumers should just stick two fingers up and not buy it.</p><p><br></p>

    • dontbe evil

      18 October, 2017 - 7:50 am

      <blockquote><a href="#208310"><em>In reply to ghostrider:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>easy don't buy it…but at least before compare the price and specs with similar products (if you find one)</p>

  • jwpear

    Premium Member
    18 October, 2017 - 8:37 am

    <p>Why is MS hell bent on using this gray/silver color on all the Surface accessories? Doesn't have the premium look or feel of the magnesium finish on the Surface. Screams boring and looks cheap. Off topic for this post, but I think a gray/silver background on keyboards is one of the absolute worse colors you can go with. Neither black or white lettering have good contrast against the background color. I expect better of premium priced accessories.</p>

  • ememmactello

    19 October, 2017 - 11:48 pm

    <p>I do testify that i am financially ill before. It's very hard even to recall. A friend introduced my to learn how totrade and brought me to SuperiorTradingSystem website. With their expertise intrading i proudly say that I am making good money now. Just Google SuperiorTradingSystem and learn how totrade.</p>

  • mortarm

    08 November, 2017 - 12:32 pm

    <p>Looks like the images got borked.</p>

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