Microsoft Precision Mouse Software For Mac

Besides announcing the new Surface Book 2 today, Microsoft also has a new desktop mouse built for those who need to get work done.

Priced at $99, the Surface Precision Mouse is not only ergonomic but it can run on three PCs at once.

Surface Precision Mouse technical specifications

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Jul 04, 2018  Microsoft Mouse software helps users to customize key features of the input device to better fit their needs. After downloading and installing this free software, users will be able to adjust pointer and scrolling speed, precision, and acceleration, thereby making it easier to use the mouse. There is no denying that Microsoft Mouse is a well. Mar 22, 2018  I've recently bought the Microsoft Precision mouse and Surface keyboard and having issues with connectivity. I'm using a desktop PC (running Windows 10) without bluetooth built in, so I bought a CSR4.0 Harmony bluetooth dongle in preparation. Aug 17, 2017  The “Enhance Pointer Precision” setting in Windows can actually make you less precise with your mouse in many situations. This poorly understood feature is enabled by default in Windows, and is a form of mouse acceleration.

The Surface Precision Mouse looks a lot like the Logitech MX series, especially with the thumb rest and overall ergonomic design. However, Microsoft added some unique features that make the Surface Precision Mouse stand out.

Features	Surface Precision Mouse
Design	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 office environment
Power supply	Rechargeable (USB)
Battery	Three months
Dimensions	122.6 mm x 77.6 mm x 43.3 mm (L x W x D)
Weight	135 g
Compatibility	Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 (USB only) mac OS X 10.12+ (USB mode only)

One feature people will like is the ability to use the mouse through USB to the PC. Many mice can charge through USB, but most still fallback to Bluetooth for connectivity. Some users, however, prefer to avoid any potential latency issues and by plugging in the Surface Precision Mouse directly, the signal goes with it.

The scroll wheel lets users shift between staggered ('clicky') and free-wheel scroll by merely hitting the button behind the wheel. Pressing down on the scroll wheel acts as a middle click.

There are also three user-programmable buttons to the side, including back and forward keys. Not only can you program them through the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center, but you can do so on a per-app basis.

Microsoft Mouse For Mac

Microsoft is betting those will appeal to people in the Science Technology Engineering and Medicine (STEM) industries, who could use the Surface Precision Mouse with app-specific needs. Users can also program macros or key combinations to the buttons for particular functions.

Three PCs at once

Not only can the Surface Precision Mouse be paired to three different computers, it can run on all three at the same time.

Through the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center app settings, users can quickly set the Surface Precision Mouse to run across all three screens. For instance, if you're on a desktop PC you can use the mouse as usual, but leave your laptop open. By mousing over to the edge of the screen, the cursor just continues onto the laptop.

Since many power users run multiple PCs, having just one mouse to control them all should streamline workflow. Logitech has a similar function in its new MX Master 2S (see our review) called Logitech Flow, which does something similar across three PCs too.

The feature worked quite flawlessly when we tried it out, and it should be an excellent selling point.

The only downside is the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center app is not available on Windows 10 S or macOS X. Those users won't be able to leverage many of the multi-screen or programmable button features for the Surface Precision Mouse.

Surface Precision Mouse price and availability

In my short time with the Surface Precision Mouse, I was impressed. It's super comfortable to use, the user-programmable buttons feel great, and working on three computers at once is impressive.

The Surface Precision Mouse should run around $99 and is now available.

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Tick Tock

Outlook nets a bunch of time-saving features across all platforms

Microsoft announced a whole bunch of new features headed to Outlook across all platforms today. The one thing they all have in common? Helping you save time and (hopefully) create a better work-life balance.

The Microsoft Surface Precision mouse went on sale earlier this fall for $99 at the Microsoft Store. Co-announced with the new Surface Book 2 series 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 last few weeks and don't have anything negative to say about it. The features are useful, the ergonomics are fantastic, and if you are looking for a high-end, non-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 table 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
Design	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 office environment
Power supply	Rechargeable (USB)
Battery	Three months
Dimensions	122.6 mm x 77.6 mm x 43.3 mm (L x W x D)
Weight	135 g
Compatibility	Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 (USB only) mac OS X 10.12+ (USB mode only)

Eschewing 2.4GHz connection and requiring a dongle, the Surface Precision mouse uses Bluetooth Low Energy and is compatible with all modern Windows PC and even Apple Mac OS X (but wired).

For those who disapprove of wireless connectivity besides used to recharge the non-replaceable battery, the micro USB port also serves as a wired-connection overriding wireless. Surprisingly, not many mice offer a true USB mode, so it's great to see here as an option.

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

There is also a toggle switch on the bottom for three PCs. Users can switch between 1,2, or 3 on the bottom for each paired PC on the fly.

The mouse supports 400 to 3,200 dot-per-inch (DPI), which is user configurable in the accompanying Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center 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 rest. That rest prevents your thumb from dragging on a mouse mat and makes a big difference for overall comfort.

The scroll wheel is grippy with little wiggle or rattle. The detent scrolling (a.k.a. 'clicky') feels nearly as perfect as using a Precision touchpad tuned by Microsoft. For those who prefer free scroll that option is here and can 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 black mice. Of course, being mostly plastic/rubber (Thermoplastic Elastomer or TPE) it should be readily cleanable, but time will tell if it stains or not.

Surface Precision software

While users do not need to use the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software Windows users are strongly encouraged (and even prompted) to install it.

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

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

Once running, when you bring the cursor to the edge of the screen it will pause 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 just toggle it off. There is also an optional notification that can pop up to let you know the mouse as jumped to another PC.

While not everyone will use Smart Switch for those power users who work on a desktop PC and a laptop, it's a killer feature. I had no problems using it.

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

Finally, it should be noted that for those using the Surface Laptop and running Windows 10 S, they will not be able to install the Mouse and Keyboard Center software as it is still a Win32 app that needs to be downloaded. Hopefully, Microsoft will be able to port it to the Microsoft Store using its desktop bridge in the future to fix this oversight.

Surface Precision performance and conclusion

The Surface Precision mouse feels great to use. The ergonomic design is bang on, and the scrolling and clicking feel great. Indeed, the clicking is on the quiet side, which is a good thing for those who hate sharp, high-pitched clicks from constant usage in quiet environments.

Relying on Bluetooth is not without its risks, however. Depending on your device, drivers, and any 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 only takes up a valuable port but is quickly lost. Moreover, it does not help when using across three devices at the same time.

Being able to plug in for USB wired-mode is a great feature, however. While you do need to plug in to recharge the battery should last around two to three months. I have seen some complain that Microsoft should have used a USB Type C plug, but that component is larger than the micro USB, costs more, and it's not clear what real advantage it would have for everyday usage.

I found the DPI settings OK as well 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, have similar DPI settings, and excellent software. The Logitech does have an optional 2.4GHz dongle, but it cannot run in USB wired mode. I also found the Logitech louder for clicking and not quite as comfortable compared to the Surface Precision, but those are personal preferences. The Logitech does have a favorite thumb scroll wheel, but in my usage, I never took advantage of it – your experience may vary.

Pros:

• Very good design and comfortable to use.
• Excellent buttons and scroll wheel behavior.
• Wireless (Bluetooth) or wired (USB) options.
• Long battery life.
• Robust software that lets you run on three PCs at once.

Cons:

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

Overall, I 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 bag. Of course, if travel is your priority Microsoft has the very portable Surface Arc Mouse, which is a better fit.

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Tick Tock

Outlook nets a bunch of time-saving features across all platforms

Microsoft Precision Mouse Buttons

Microsoft announced a whole bunch of new features headed to Outlook across all platforms today. The one thing they all have in common? Helping you save time and (hopefully) create a better work-life balance.