Microsoft - Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse

Microsoft

Pro IntelliMouse: successful return of the legendary Microsoft mouse in gaming version

Aprox. 47€

See specifications

After the successful return of the legendary Microsoft IntelliMouse mouse in a Classic version dedicated to office automation, Microsoft is offering this time an IntelliMouse Pro designed for video games. The real return of the mouse from the 90s.

Positive points

Excellent optical sensor.

Comfort of handling.

Design and well finished.

Bad points

Only one sensor sensitivity setting.

Our review

Presentation

First returned from the dead in "Classic" version, Microsoft's IntelliMouse is now available in "Pro" version, unchanged. This one is distinguished by its dress in gradation from black to silver gray (Phantom Black version) or from white to silver gray (Phantom White version), by its slightly more responsive buttons, but also and above all by its optical sensor this time designed for video games.

It is therefore the real resurrection of the IntelliMouse in our opinion, since this icon of the 90s had at the time been able to seduce a number of players despite the defects inherent in optical sensors of yesteryear.

Without being particularly cheap, the price does not explode, the Pro IntelliMouse being launched at € 59.99, which remains in the current average of gaming mice.


Presentation

Ergonomics

Point of change therefore in terms of design, the Pro IntelliMouse is almost identical to the Classic IntelliMouse that we have already tested. We thus find a mouse with a neat finish, which quite naturally welcomes the hand and invites a grip in the palm or claw. Despite its name "Pro", this IntelliMouse therefore remains just as suitable for office use as the "Classic".

Despite a silhouette that invites relaxation, the Pro IntelliMouse is quite lively since it can be gripped fairly firmly by its curved edges and rubberized coating. A fairly soft coating that we hope to be durable, but which still seems quite thick and did not show any sign of wear during our daily use (about 3 weeks).

In any case, we easily lift the mouse to re-center it on the mat during large movements that we can perform if we play in low sensitivity, for example, especially as the 106 g measured on our balance place this Pro in the good average of gaming mice.

If we now find much lighter - the mice passing under the 100 g bar are legion -, there is not enough to find it heavy provided that compared to its size. The glide is also quite good thanks to 4 PTFE pads which are quite quiet.

It is in terms of design that this Pro IntelliMouse stands out the most, its metallic color in gradient offering a rendering of the most beautiful effect, enhanced by a small light touch by the presence of a backlit strip at the base of the mouse. and whose color can be changed in the configuration software. We couldn't resist the urge to find the characteristic red of the original mouse on our white test copy; nostalgia is running at full speed. The black version, for its part, is fatally more classic, but no less elegant. It can be just as well married with a red backlight as with white, blue ...

Regarding the buttons, gaming mouse requires, Microsoft has opted for switches 2 times more durable than those of the Classic version for left and right clicks: D2FC-F-7N signed Omron and capable of supporting up to 20 million activations. We still hoped to see models guaranteed for 50 million activations, as is now the case (especially with the competitor Logitech MX518, another ancestor brought up to date).

Their activation is nevertheless just as frank and requires a force of about 50 cN (at the level of the last third most forward of the button), while we observe a good rebound thanks to the lightness of the buttons and their separation from the rest of the hull. Their slightly concave shape also allows a good reception of the fingers. We have known quieter, however, but nothing really annoying.

Slight change from the Classic IntelliMouse on the side of the two buttons on the left edge, since these are now striated. They are thus distinguished a little better from the rest of the slice and the thumb slides a little less over it. Their positioning is always ideal and the most forward is identified by touch with its small bump.

We find, finally, the same well notched wheel which protrudes rather little from the hull and which is thus reached very quickly. Still missing the call - and this is much more regrettable for a mouse that wants to be adapted to the video game - a button dedicated to the change of sensitivity of the sensor. You have to settle for a single setting.


Ergonomics

Precision

Unlike the Classic IntelliMouse, which had a BlueTrack sensor rather well suited to office automation because of its ability to operate on a wide variety of surfaces, the Pro IntelliMouse has a more conventional optical sensor. It is a variant of PMW3389 signed PixArt, here called PMW3389PRO-MS. An excellent sensor that we know well for having already used it in many of the last mice we tested: Asus ROG Gladius II Wireless, Razer Naga Trinity and Basilisk, Dream Machines DM1 FPS, HyperX Pulsefire Surge, Corsair M65 RGB Elite and Nightsword RGB. ..

This ultra-fast sensor is capable of operating at speeds of 11.43 m / s and withstanding accelerations of up to 50 g. Suffice to say that with such performances, impossible to get him off the hook, even when playing in very low sensitivity. It is thus very well suited to FPS, but may just as well be suitable for other types of games, of course. The optical tracking is also impeccable, without acceleration or smoothing. The 16,000 dpi sensitivity, on the other hand, is as usual perfectly useless (remember that at such a level, a movement of 2 cm is enough to browse the pointer the entire width of 3 Ultra HD screens), but who can more can the less, shall we say.

In terms of surface recognition, on the other hand, it is logically not as good as the BlueTrack of the Classic version, but it remains very suitable, since it has been used on various surfaces, ranging from the varnished wooden tray to the office slightly satin white. It is still necessary to avoid too shiny or transparent surfaces, such as glass, but in extra use, if you do not have the essential mouse pad that any self-respecting player (and especially who respects the sliding of his mouse and the wear of his skates) should have on hand, it is still suitable. It is in any case satisfactory for a gaming mouse.


Precision

Conclusion

With its Pro IntelliMouse, Microsoft shows that with a good design, a mouse can cross the years and come back successfully thanks to some technological evolutions, as did Logitech before with a reissue of its MX518. The IntelliMouse thus remains a precise and comfortable mouse, certainly not the lightest or the best equipped, but which retains this unique character which has won over many users and in particular players. If you were a fan of the IntelliMouse at the time, then you are likely to succumb once again.


Conclusion

Specifications