Microsoft's new Surface Precision mouse works with three PCs at once

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

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.

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FeaturesSurface Precision Mouse
DesignErgonomic desktop
MaterialsMachined aluminum
Molded TPE side grip and thumb rest
ButtonsThree customizable
ConnectivityBluetooth 4.0/4.1/4.2 Low Energy
USB 2.1
RangeAt least 16 feet (5 meters) in office environment
Power supplyRechargeable (USB)
BatteryThree months
Dimensions122.6 mm x 77.6 mm x 43.3 mm (L x W x D)
Weight135 g
CompatibilityWindows 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 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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Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and for some reason, watches. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.

22 Comments
  • I need a mouse & keyboard kit that supports at least 2 PCs. This mouse seems perfect, but where is the companion Surface keyboard with the same connectivity? :( I dont't want to deal with the buggy Logitech MK850.
  • If you didn't already, try "Mouse without borders" from Microsoft Research
  • or synergy. heard a lot about it.
  • Synergy is crap. The only reason people uses it, is because it is multiplatform. But if you have 2 or more Windows system, the free options out there are better.
  • Yeah probably. Haven't tried it. just heard a lot about it. Mostly on LinusTechTips.  xD 
  • I didn't know that software, seems really great. But my 2 PCs are connected to the same monitor, it works in this scenario too? One is a mini PC I use for trivial things, one is a full blown desktop for more demanding tasks.
  • This sounds pretty cool, useless to me, but I can definitely see the benefits. I am really surprised it doesn't work with W10S though, that seems like a missed opportunity.
  • Phone won't let me edit my reply, I mean the app doesn't work with W10S obviously, which shuts out all the benefits over other input devices, which are a lot cheaper. Great for other users though.
  • I like it. But it looks a LOT like the Logitech Triathlon that does the same thing. Even with those three buttons. And that one is 25 bucks, was featured as a deal recently in this site. So it's a bit weird that they didn't do anything better design-wise, like the Arc.
  • What happened to your hand Daniel?
  • Just yard work.
  • Logitech ripoff about three years late.
  • Does running 2.4GHz WiFi and Bluetooth at the same time still result in degraded network performance with Surface Avastar? Can you test please.
  • Looks like Logitech MX Master series mouses (mice - if it makes you sleep at night :) )
  • So many overpriced Surface products and they still didn't manage to get money to buy some f*cking paint to offer these in more than this horrible Apple-esque colour? shm...
  • It's not even require paint, since is anodized aluminum just require adding dye (very cheap) to the process
  • No info about the sensor, and dpi?
  • This is just the tpye of mouse I have been waiting for, If only they made a left handed version, or even an abidextrous one, I would be happy.
  • It really looks like a reboot of the MS intellimouse.
  • Would love this to be by next mouse. But do they have a black version? This white color will throw off everything on my desk.
  • Earlier this year, my trusty Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000 of 10+ years finally gave out...boy did I love that mouse! It was everything I wanted it to be and more. What did I discover when trying to find a replacement? Microsoft apparently decided not to focus on "power user" desktop mice; tried a few of the Surface-branded ones and they were lacking in every respect. This new Precision mouse looks like Microsoft woke up and realized power users still want a customizable desktop mouse; it looks like exactly what I was looking for...INCLUDING catering to differing tastes in "clicky" vs. smooth wheel scrolling!! :D
  • Great news. I will by a proper desktop mouse at some point. my only choice seemed to be the Logitech MX Master 2s but the surface precision looks like a strong contender. I will wait for reviews - I am sure there will be lots of reviews of one against the other as they are very similar. I hope i will be able to find it in a store in London though, so I can see how it looks in reality and how it feels in the hand. I have seen that the Precision mouse includes horizontal scrolling...since there is no secondary wheel like on the MX Master, how does that work? The scroll wheel can be pushed left or right to scroll horizontally? Horizontal scrolling is very important for me as I spend most of my work time on office documents. Also, I hope everything works by default as I cannot use install anything on my work laptop (I can't activate bluetooth either). Byt the way, what does the middle buttons on the side does by default?