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Razer Unveils Viper Mini Signature Edition Magnesium Alloy Gaming Mouse

The weight they saved by cutting holes in the shell appears to have been re-applied with vanity/sweat-protection covers for the components inside.
Effectively, the holes don't make it lighter; Razer is just implementing the looks of a skeletal mouse for the deep-wallet trend-victims.

What is this nonsense? It adds weight.
View attachment 282133
That's the sensor housing you derp lol

But you pointed out their ironic slogan 'For Gamers By Gamers'. LMAO we sure as F*K didn't ask for this.

Is this going to kick off a super alloy arms race among gaming mice? We'll start seeing mice made from Inconel, Titanium Aluminide, etc.....I wouldn't be surprised

Maybe even Vibranium, Unobtanium and even some 'Military Grade' Metals

That packaging is pure class.
The packaging is class but are you going to spend $280 for a premium unboxing experience to pull skeletal remains of a mouse out of a box?
 
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The packaging is class but are you going to spend $280 for a premium unboxing experience to pull skeletal remains of a mouse out of a box?
Nope.
 
That's the sensor housing you derp lol
No, that's an unnecessary cosmetic cover for the sensor that just adds weight.

Most other mice don't have that, they just have the raw PCB with the sensor mounted to it like this:

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No, that's an unnecessary cosmetic cover for the sensor. Most other mice don't have that, so it weighs zero in other mice.

Most other mice aren't naked. That cover is EMI shielding, PCB Shielding and Dust shielding. How would YOU have done it then?

You don't even know what that metal is made of. It could easily weigh less than plastic.

Edit: Cute updating your post after I already commented.
 
Most other mice aren't naked. That cover is EMI shielding, PCB Shielding and Dust shielding. How would YOU have done it then?

You don't even know what that metal is made of. It could easily weigh less than plastic.

Edit: Cute updating your post after I already commented.

Maybe it's not a metal after all? Maybe it's just been made to look like metal? Shit, as much as Razer is charging for this thing, they should've just made the whole thing carbon fiber. At least then the price would be more accommodating, as real carbon fiber is expensive, but also ridiculously light and strong. Plus if they'd gone that route, there'd be no need for the sinkholes in the shell.

On the other hand, if they'd gone this route, we'd be looking at $350 then, knowing how Razer is.

Razer, us gamers didn't ask for this. Probably didn't even want this. It's not a good product, and it's clear this mouse doesn't have gamers in mind, but the gullible folk who think having the most expensive keyboard, mouse, etc. will absolutely, positively, 100 percent, make them a "god-tier" gamer the moment they touch the mouse or keyboard; it's for the easily-influenced sheep who saw their favorite streamer using it and then decided that they had to have it too, because hey if *insert name here* is using it, then it MUST be amazing because *insert name here* is amazing!

While it's true people have been clamoring for an ultimate Viper Mini FOR YEARS, this...this ain't it, chief. All people wanted was a wireless Viper Mini, with the specs of the Viper Ultimate. That's it. Not this abortion calling itself Viper Mini Ultimate.

Carbon fiber is strong but not in the form factor (such as the ribs/hand support). Carbon fiber is only strong across a larger area. Maybe since out hands weigh relatively little it would be fine.

Unless I'm misunderstanding and you mean make a traditional design (full shell) and make it carbon fiber? If so, Carbon fiber wouldn't yield any weight savings over traditional indection molded plastic, only durability which isn't an issue. **

Source https://redd.it/2dn83t

Yes, that's what I meant. Like that one tiny mouse, the Zaunkoenig M2K, I think it's called. The whole thing is made from carbon fiber and since it's tiny (made exclusively for finger tip grip) it weighs a ridiculously low 24 grams.
 
Maybe it's not a metal after all? Maybe it's just been made to look like metal? Shit, as much as Razer is charging for this thing, they should've just made the whole thing carbon fiber. At least then the price would be more accommodating, as real carbon fiber is expensive, but also ridiculously light and strong. Plus if they'd gone that route, there'd be no need for the sinkholes in the shell.

On the other hand, if they'd gone this route, we'd be looking at $350 then, knowing how Razer is.

Razer, us gamers didn't ask for this. Probably didn't even want this. It's not a good product, and it's clear this mouse doesn't have gamers in mind, but the gullible folk who think having the most expensive keyboard, mouse, etc. will absolutely, positively, 100 percent, make them a "god-tier" gamer the moment they touch the mouse or keyboard; it's for the easily-influenced sheep who saw their favorite streamer using it and then decided that they had to have it too, because hey if *insert name here* is using it, then it MUST be amazing because *insert name here* is amazing!

While it's true people have been clamoring for an ultimate Viper Mini FOR YEARS, this...this ain't it, chief. All people wanted was a wireless Viper Mini, with the specs of the Viper Ultimate. That's it. Not this abortion calling itself Viper Mini Ultimate.
Carbon fiber is strong but not in the form factor (such as the ribs/hand support). Carbon fiber is only strong across a larger area. Maybe since out hands weigh relatively little it would be fine.

Unless I'm misunderstanding and you mean make a traditional design (full shell) and make it carbon fiber? If so, Carbon fiber wouldn't yield any weight savings over traditional indection molded plastic, only durability which isn't an issue.

Source https://redd.it/2dn83t
 
There is absolutely no justification in the world that a mouse, even a gaming mouse, can be worth more than 50$.
None.
 
There is absolutely no justification in the world that a mouse, even a gaming mouse, can be worth more than 50$.
None.

The articles monstrosity aside, not worth a single penny, mice have gotten cheaper. Back in the 2000's The 'Gaming Boomslang' was $170. Today you can get a Razer Basilisk or Logitech G502 for around $50-80 which in my opinion are great mice and worth every penny.

While it seems like a lot, and it sort of is, inflation did not bring up mouse prices and you have to keep in mind you're paying for R&D, Q&A, Support, Durability. Compare that at $80 to a cheaper 'gaming mouse' on Amazon and let me know how it holds up, spoiler, I do.

Bought 4 different brands of mice that were rated highly and barely lasted a year. Cost me more than 1 good mouse. Last time buying a mouse I bought a brand name and here we are years later and it still works.

It all depends on what ones priorities are.

(reading that it came off standoffish, wasn't meant to be).
 
Most other mice aren't naked. That cover is EMI shielding, PCB Shielding and Dust shielding. How would YOU have done it then?
Here are the last 10 mice TPU has reviewed, chronologically. No selective choosing - and several of these are naked/skeletal mice The thing they all have in common is that there isn't a single EMI shield, PCB shield, or Dust shield, or cosmetic cover of any type here.

How would I have done it? Like all the other other mice, of course (including two of Razer's own mice in this small selection).

Feel free to keep checking back through even older reviews, but I think I've made my point....)
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You don't even know what that metal is made of. It could easily weigh less than plastic.
It looks like it's alu, but it could easily be plastic or magnesium - we simply don't know at the moment and you're missing the point; It's a cover which weighs something.

Edit: Cute updating your post after I already commented.
I came back a minute later to add the picture for you. Wishing I hadn't bothered now...
 
Plastic is an EMI Shield, just not a great one. The mice you showed all have a fully covered shell/housing.

No I don't know if it's real metal and you're correct, it could be extra weight but is unlikely to be significant enough to matter. Time will tell when the reviewers and or suckers who buy this provide proper and full details.
 
It could be to balance the weight. A mouse with lopsided center of mass does not feel good to use.
 
Plastic is an EMI Shield, just not a great one. The mice you showed all have a fully covered shell/housing.
There was a perforated mouse in that set of the last ten reviews.
Here are more perforated mice teardowns.

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/xtrfy-m42-wireless/
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/spc-gear-lix-plus-wireless/
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/aqirys-tga-alpha/
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/xtrfy-mz1-wireless/

Realistically, it's cosmetic flair that sacrifices weight for style. Razer aren't alone in doing this but Razer are alone in charging $280 for a frickin' mouse.
 
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There was a perforated mouse in that set of the last ten reviews.
Here are more perforated mice teardowns.

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/xtrfy-m42-wireless/
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/spc-gear-lix-plus-wireless/
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/aqirys-tga-alpha/
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/xtrfy-mz1-wireless/

Realistically, it's cosmetic flair that sacrifices weight for style. Razer aren't alone in doing this but Razer are alone in charging $280 for a frickin' mouse.
Not disputing that the mouse price is stupid. Unjustifiable. I don't know. We'll see when people who are dumb enough to spend that much or review samples go out. As much as I despise them, I'm sure LTT will get and take one apart.
 
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