Review: Dell MS700 Wireless Mouse has a tricky salon trick, but limited use

There’s a lot to be said for portable PC peripherals. With many people working in different locations and connecting PC accessories to various devices, portability has become a necessity for many. Launched today, the Dell MS700 Bluetooth Travel Mouse favors portability with Bluetooth connectivity and, more interestingly, the ability to roll into a flatter shape.

The curved mouse is similar to the foldable Microsoft Surface Arc , but stands out for its ability to easily switch between multiple paired devices, as well as its comfortable texture. But these are the only pleasant moments of using the MS700.

The Dell MS700 felt clunky when I moved it around or made long movements, and the touch scroll bar is an inadequate replacement for a scroll wheel. And this $65 (MSRP) mouse has very few customization options.

The MS700’s sinuous cabin gimmick means it’s easy to take with you, but the low performance means you won’t want to.

Portability with a twist

A unique feature is that the lower half of the MS700 (indicated by a line on the stern running horizontally through the mouse) can rotate 180 degrees. The mouse then no longer arches like a rainbow, but instead looks like a thinner, wavy line.

The mouse is just 1.17 inches thick and weighs 0.13 pounds, so it was surprisingly easy to carry around, whether in my purse or on top of my stack of devices as I moved from one room of my house to another.

Once curled, the mouse is not only easier to remove; it turns off too. This made it a lot easier than most other wireless peripherals I have (without some RGB options) to tell if it’s on or not. Most of my wireless peripherals stay on for countless hours overnight, but I would notice if the MS700 stayed on and be happy to spin it otherwise.

The adjustable shape of the MS700 is clearly similar to Microsoft’s long-playing Arc mouse series and comparable designs such as Lenovo’s Yoga Mouse. The Arc and Yoga are also arched when in use, but can bend to lie flat. The flatter shape makes them seem easier to fit into a narrow compartment or pocket than the more curved MS700.

Without having all three mice in hand, it’s hard to say which mechanism is best for long-term use. However, the swivel mechanism in the MS700 seems to be reliable. During my use, the mouse remained in place even if it was not twisted all the way. It also takes considerable force to initiate twisting, and when the mouse is locked into a fully twisted position, there is a reassuring sound.

In comparison, when reviewing the Surface Arc, Rtings.com wrote that “The clip mechanism used to secure the mouse in a flat or arched shape seems well built, but the latex material covering the back of the mouse may be more receptive.”wear”. The MS700 doesn’t have to worry about chassis wear due to friction, but there are moving parts inside that can wear out over time.

For what it’s worth, the Dell mouse comes with a three-year warranty, while the Surface Arc and Yoga mice come with a one-year warranty.