Alongside the new Surface Go, Microsoft also made available a new mouse called the Surface Mobile Mouse that features a low-profile modern design to match the rest of the Surface product line. While not a new design, the Surface Mobile Mouse is a low-cost Bluetooth mouse accessory that you can't really go wrong with. Plus, it's available in the same color options found in the latest Type Covers and Surface Laptop.
Starts at about $35Bottom line: This is a low-cost, modern, and low-profile accessory that features Bluetooth connectivity and a portable design, at the expense of some comfort when used over a long period of time.
For
- Modern design.
- Clicky buttons.
- Simple setup.
Against
- Low-profile design can be uncomfortable.
- No rechargeable battery system.
What you'll love about the Surface Mobile Mouse
The new Surface Mobile Mouse is essentially a reskinned Microsoft Designer Mouse, which was released a few years ago. It features a super slim and modern design that's smooth to the touch and feels great. It features a plastic body with a metallic scroll wheel. The only notable difference between the Designer Mouse and Surface Mobile Mouse is the scroll wheel itself is slightly wider, which makes it easier to find with whatever finger you're using to scroll. The Surface Mobile Mouse is also low-priced, costing only $35 brand new.
| Category | Spec |
|---|---|
| Interface | Bluetooth 4.01/4.1/4.2 |
| Wireless range | 4.2GHz frequency range |
| Buttons | 4 buttons: Left, right, wheel, and power (paring button by long press) |
| Compatibility | Device must support Bluetooth 4.0 or higher |
| Weight | 78g including 2 AAA alkaline batteries |
| Battery | 2 AAA alkaline batteries (included) |
| Battery life | Up to 12 months typical usage |
| Dimensions | 107.20 mm x 60.30 mm x 25.80 mm |
The dedicated left and right mouse buttons have a nice stern click to them, and the metallic scroll wheel is cold to the touch which makes it feel a little more premium than it actually is. On the underside, there's one small circular button that acts as power and Bluetooth pairing.
It's a super-simple mouse. It is a Bluetooth mouse which means it should work with any device that features Bluetooth connectivity, and it has replaceable AAA batteries that come already installed in the box. To remove the battery door on the underside, simply push in the bottom of the mouse, and the door pops out. It uses a magnet to keep it shut when in use.
For those who like some customization, the Surface Mobile Mouse features X-Y resolution adjusting, the ability to reassign the scroll wheel click button, left-right click swap, and wheel customization. It also supports swift-pair with the Windows 10 April 2018 update, which makes connecting it to your device super quick and simple.
What you'll hate about the Surface Mobile Mouse
If you were hoping for a new mouse design not seen before on a Microsoft product, you'll be severely disappointed with the Surface Mobile Mouse. As already mentioned, it's literally recycling the old Microsoft Designer Mouse design. If you didn't like that design, you won't like this one either.
The other issue is that it's almost too low-profile for my liking, making it uncomfortable after prolonged use. The Surface Mouse is just like the Surface Mobile Mouse, except it has a slightly taller humped design that makes it fit in your palm better. The Surface Mobile Mouse is lower, but that's deliberate because it's designed to be easily portable in a bag or even pocket, and it achieves that goal at the expense of ergonomic design.
But Microsoft already has a mouse designed to be mobile, with the Surface Arc Touch Mouse. It features a design that allows it to lie flat when being carried around but pops up high enough so that it doesn't cramp your hand when in use. Admittedly, the Surface Arc Touch Mouse is much more expensive and doesn't feature dedicated right and left click buttons nor a physical scroll wheel, unlike the Surface Mobile Mouse.
Should you buy the Surface Mobile Mouse?
Overall, the Surface Mobile Mouse is a cheap Surface accessory that can be used on any device that features Bluetooth connectivity. It has a slim, low-profile and modern design that looks great in any modern setup, but its low-profile form factor may make it uncomfortable after long periods of use, unless you have small hands.
So should you buy it? For the price, it's worth it as an on-the-go mouse that you need when traveling. If you don't have the cash to splash out on a Surface Arc Touch Mouse, then the Surface Mobile Mouse is your next best choice. However, I probably wouldn't buy it to use as a primary mouse on a desk at home or work; for that I'd recommend the standard Surface Mouse or Surface Precision Mouse.
