ASUS SmartO Mouse MD200 Review: ergonomic and affordable

By
Prateek Pandey
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I am an avid video gamer, which is why most of the peripherals I use to power my work setup are gaming devices. My primary laptop, for instance, is a gaming behemoth from MSI. Similarly, I use a Hyper-X Alloy Origins Core keyboard and a Logitech G304 gaming mouse to go about my day. Although I am familiar with peripherals geared for office-goers, like ergonomic mice, I have never found them to be essential to my work setup. Fortunately, I was given the ASUS SmartO Mouse MD200 to take to the proving grounds. Having spent some time with it, here’s what I make of the device.

Setup and connectivity

The ASUS MD200 came to me at a very opportune time. I am usually surrounded by laptops, and while I enjoy reviewing them, I find the initial setup process a bit of a chore. This includes downloading all the relevant BIOS updates, drivers, benchmarking software, games with their respective launchers, and more. The lack of proper navigational inputs makes this process more cumbersome on a Windows gaming handheld.


Thankfully, I was able to take advantage of the MD200’s Bluetooth multipoint feature when I was setting up a handful of Windows handhelds. On that note, the MD200 supports Bluetooth 5.0 and can link with up to three devices. It also comes with a 2.4GHz dongle for latency-free wireless connectivity.

Since we’re on the subject, the mouse is extremely easy to set up too. You can sift between the different connectivity modes by flipping a switch located at the bottom. Once in Bluetooth mode, you’ll notice a tiny LED illuminated above ‘1′, denoting one of three Bluetooth profiles.  Long-pressing the pair button adjacent to it will put the selected profile in pairing mode. You can access the two other Bluetooth profiles by pressing the pair button once. 

Usage and performance

The MD200’s performance in Bluetooth mode was to my liking. Additionally, the mouse switches between profiles instantly, so you don’t have to sit on your hands. Do note that Bluetooth is more susceptible to latency and connectivity dips than 2.4GHz. To err on the side of caution, you can use the mouse with the wireless dongle, too. I found the performance to be excellent even then, and the unit’s 4,200 DPI optical sensor could comfortably track my inputs. 

Speaking of which, the ASUS MD200 comes with a 4,200 DPI optical sensor that works well on various surfaces, including glass. I tested the same on a table with a glass countertop and was not disappointed with the on-screen cursor movements. Additionally, the mouse can store two DPI settings in memory. You can switch between them using the DPI button below the scroll wheel. 

The mouse also has clicky shoulder buttons positioned towards its left fascia. The buttons protrude outwards slightly and can be remapped to invoke different commands from the Armory Crate app. The app also lets users adjust the mouse’s DPI presets, check its battery life, and update its firmware. Do note that you can only change the polling rate when the mouse is interfaced with your PC with the dongle. 

I found the MD200’s left and right buttons sufficiently tactile, too. They are also quite durable and are rated for up to 10 million clicks. However, I wasn’t a big fan of the scroll wheel, which doesn’t have neatly defined notches or stopping points like my Logitech G304 gaming mouse. This affected my scrolling accuracy, and I would always scroll slightly more or less than intended when I was using the MD200. 

On the upside, the mouse sports an ergonomic design and features a sizeable hump. Those habitual to using a palm grip will find a lot to like here. Although it is a bit on the heavier side, I didn’t notice any wrist fatigue when using it for hours at a stretch. Additionally, it has a comfortable thumb rest, too, which juts out from the left. Evidently, the mouse doesn’t sport an ambidextrous design and instead caters to right-handed users. 


Having said that, ASUS has treated the device with an antibacterial guard, which per the brand, inhibits bacterial growth by over 99 percent. The MD200 also features a lanyard of sorts that can be used to carry it around. I didn’t find much use for it, as I work from home, but you might if you are always moving from one conference room to the other. As for the battery backup, the MD200 can reportedly last up to a year on a single AA cell. I haven’t noticed the battery dip below 100 percent since I started using the mouse a while ago, which is excellent.

Verdict

The ASUS SmartO Mouse MD200 is currently available for Rs 2,499. For its discounted price, the mouse makes for a compelling buy. It offers an ergonomic design and tactile buttons. It pairs seamlessly with various devices and has a mighty battery backup, too. If anything, I would like ASUS to address the spongy scroll wheel with the MD200’s next iteration. 

Editor’s Rating: 8 / 10

Pros:

  • Comfortable design
  • Long-lasting battery backup
  • Accurate tracking

Cons:

  • Scroll wheel feels spongy
  • Not ambidextrous

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