A computing peripheral as pervasive as the mouse is often being neglected though it is being used arguably more than the keyboard. I had been guilty of opting for the no-brand, RM10 wired mouse only to regret it just a few hours later when I found out that the laser sensitivity is jerky, or that the clicking buttons malfunction. When on the go, you need a mouse that’s portable and reliable, and if you’re not willing to spend a lot for a high-end mouse because you already have one for the desktop, Microsoft’s got a solution for you.
The new Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 1850 is exactly that — portable and reliable. At 58.1mm wide and 100mm long, it is noticeably smaller than a regular desktop-sized mouse, but not too small until it’s unwieldy, like the awkward Wedge Touch Mouse. Though slightly larger than the Wireless Mobile Mouse 1000, the 1850 is actually RM10 cheaper. Color-wise, if Black is not your thing, you could express yourself in a choice of additional four colors: Wool Blue, Light Orchid (pink), Pantone Purple, and Flame Red.
It is a very safe design, including the symmetrical shape, ensuring the same user experience for you lefties out there. It has the same notched scroll wheel which you can use for middle-clicks, and the same clicky sound from the left and right buttons.
Some of you may scoff at manufacturers still producing transceiver-connected mice. I mean, why not just make Bluetooth mice, right? But it is worth pointing out that not every device in the world supports Bluetooth, including many set-top boxes and even some laptops. As far as the computer is concerned, when you plug in the transceiver, it thinks that you’re just plugging in a wired mouse, which means it’ll work with almost any device you can think of.
Speaking of which, the tiny “plug-and-go” nano transceiver could be easily stashed inside the battery compartment underneath, because you don’t want to lose it. Every transceiver Microsoft produces has a unique signature and it’ll only work with the device it ships with. Should you lose it, there is still a slight possibility of getting Microsoft Support to send a replacement, after you provide it with the part number (P/N) or the product identification number (PID). It does have a three-year limited warranty, if that helps.
The part number can be found on a little plastic flap inside the battery compartment, which brings me to this — everything about this mouse is so understated, and yet so high-quality, down to this very label.
The same compartment houses just one AA battery that Microsoft claims could last for six months (the slightly more expensive Wireless Mobile Mouse 1000 could last for 10 months and also takes only one AA battery). This is also notable, because many wireless mice today still take two AA batteries, adding to the weight (though they last longer).
Performance-wise, there is nothing to write home about, but it also works as it should. I’m sure if you compare it to a gaming mouse, there will be a huge difference, but when I compare it to a regular desktop-class wired mouse, I did not notice any lag on the Wireless Mobile Mouse 1850. In fact, even the cursor sensitivity (pointer speed) is consistent with a regular mouse, so if you were to swap it, you’ll feel right at home and don’t have to change the sensitivity settings. The laser works with a lot of surface types, including opaque glass, but it doesn’t work with transparent ones for obvious reasons.
It is said to be supported only on Windows RT, 7, and 8, but I’m sure it’ll work on XP and Vista machines too. In fact I’m writing this on a Windows 10 Technical Preview rig, and the mouse works just fine. On the Mac, anything from OS X 10.7 Lion to 10.9 Mavericks is supported, but again, it works on my Yosemite machine just fine. It won’t work with iOS, because frankly, no mice do, but on Android it has “limited functionality” when used with a USB OTG adapter. I’ve tested it on my Android device and it works as it should — left-click to tap, right click to go back, and the middle click either goes Home or opens up the menu drop-down (depending on the OEM skin).
Overall, this is a pretty decent mouse for its price. I can’t believe I can actually write a review this long, about a mouse, but here you go. Microsoft has been well-known for producing high-quality hardware, and this time it’s no different. Previously, the only brand that comes to mind when looking for a good-yet-cheap mouse is Logitech, but at RM49, the Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 1850 is only RM15 more than the cheapest wireless Logitech mouse, and it is also the cheapest Microsoft mouse ever. And a good one too.
You cannot buy the Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 1850 online, but it should be available at major IT outlets. For more information, visit http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-my/p/wireless-mobile-mouse-1850.
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