14 DAY TRIAL // Having the right laptop mouse is just as important as a good keyboard, and the Razer Atheris certainly fits the bill.
All laptops and notebooks come with some form of a touchpad that can emulate the mouse input, and some people have adapted to use only that. It’s not the best input, and it’s a lot slower than a mouse, but it’s already implemented, and you don’t have to carry anything with you.
Making a case for a laptop mouse is not challenging, and I’m sure that most people would choose one if provided with the right options. And since there are a lot of people with laptops out there, it stands to reason that there are lots of manufacturers who are looking to fill that market.
Unlike regular mice, where the shape and size are dictated by the needs of the users, the counterpart for laptops and notebooks are usually restricted by size. Not to mention the fact that they are often a lot less conspicuous. For some strange reason, people choose the blandest possible designs.
On the other hand, laptops are now much more powerful than they used to be, and they can be used for gaming. It’s not the ideal platform for gaming, but that doesn’t mean that users are not going to try it, which means that having a wireless mouse with gaming capabilities is not something to be ignored.
Design
The first thing you’ll notice with the Razer Atheris is the low profile and slightly aggressive shape. As I was saying before, companies are not bold in terms of design when it comes to mice for laptops, and it looks like Razer chose the same path.
The Razer Atheris is not built to attract attention, which surprisingly is one of Razer’s strong points. Whenever we see that signature green glow, we know that’s a Razer product, but unless you take a very close look at the logo, you won’t know Atheris’ pedigree.
I have to admit that the choice in design is not a bad or good choice. It’s better to have something blend with the rest of your hardware than to have something that’s screaming Razer. Let’s not forget the market this is being built for.
Technical aspects and usage
If you’re looking for a mouse that can cover office work, then pretty much anything will do, but Razer thinks that people will have a gaming session between two meetings, and they won’t have a second mouse in the bag just that.
Building a mouse that’s good for gaming and office work, and for laptop users, doesn’t sound like a feasible project. But Razer proved time and time again that they can do some pretty exciting stuff with projects that other companies ignore.
Just take a look at the Razer Phone 2, a smartphone designed for gaming. Companies don’t prevent people from playing games on their high-end devices, but it’s not something taken into consideration. Razer built a device for gaming, which also happens to work as a phone as well.
We know that Razer can build a gaming mouse that’s also good for office work, and the Atheris is almost in that position. The reason I say almost is due likely to personal preference, but it doesn’t mean I can’t be objective and see the qualities of a product.
Let's get the obvious stuff out of the way. What exactly constitutes a gaming mouse, you might ask? It turns out that there are a couple of features that are essential for gaming. One is an excellent and precise sensor, and the other is the connectivity with the PC.
Razer Atheris has a 7,200 DPI optical sensor, which is a lot. In fact, it’s much more than what people would normally use, but we have to keep in mind that 4K displays are now all around us, and mice need to be compatible.
The second aspect that has to be taken into consideration is the connectivity. Gaming mice are usually wired, with some exceptions. Using Bluetooth is fine if you’re in Excel, browsing the web, or in your email client. In games, Bluetooth quickly reveals the inherent latency.
Razer implemented a secondary type of connectivity, a 2.4 faster GHz option. The only problem is that it’s going to drain the battery a lot quicker, but that’s the compromise. The small dongle is stored between the batteries, which are accessible by removing the top part of the mouse.
A third feature that might not seem that important at first glance is the weight of the mouse. A heavy mouse is much better for gaming, and it’s not cumbersome for office work. For the most part, the weight is provided by the two batteries. Usually, laptop mice use a single battery, but in this case, using two has multiple advantages.
The Good
Of course, users are not going to be forced to use only the 7,200 DPI. The mouse comes with a DPI button, right above the scroll wheel. A couple of buttons on the side complement the mouse, providing users with some extra options, in case they need them.
What I didn’t mention is the fact that the battery is expected to last for more than 300 hours of uninterrupted use. This is possible on Bluetooth LE, of course, and it’s unclear how much the batteries are going to last on 2.4 GHz. It depends a lot on the types of batteries, but it’s safe to say that it’s not going to be a short time.
The last thing I want to mention is the fact that it’s built for both right-handed and left-handed people, which is a great provision. Of course, you need to make the adjustments from the OS settings, but the design accommodates both hands.
The Bad
Also, the official website says that “featuring Razer’s proprietary wireless technology, the Razer Atheris provides you with industry-leading transmission stability. So, whether you’re in a café or the office where multiple wireless devices may interfere with the frequency, your mouse maintains a solid connection.”
My workstation is awfully close to an Internet router, and I can say that it definitely interferes with the signal. I guess that more than at least three feet are needed for the mouse to work correctly and in parameters.
