MAY 2020 PCWorld 97Razer Viper Mini
PROS- Unbelievably lightweight.
- One of the only mouse options suitable for small
hands. - Cheap.
CONS - New (and relatively untested) budget sensor.
- Too narrow for people with average hands.
- Not that much lighter than the full-size Viper.
BOTTOM LINE
The Razer Viper Mini is a great option for people with
smaller hands, for children getting into gaming, and
for anyone who wants a mainstream-branded mouse
for only $40.
$40
what I expected, really. Nowadays I’d be
surprised if any mouse sensor gave people
problems.
Still, I find it weird Razer opted for a
budget sensor. I’ve seen a lot of people
asking for a Viper Mini the past few months,
and presumably they wanted a full-blooded
Viper Mini with the original 3389 sensor. The
same mouse as the Viper, only smaller.
Compromising the Viper Mini’s
performance—even if only on paper—seems
like a strange choice to make along the way.
Part of me wonders if it’s intended (at least
in part) for kids. Small, lightweight, cheap—
the Viper Mini could be an up-and-comer’s
first gaming mouse. Maybe I’m reading too
much into a few unrelated choices, but...well,
I’m curious.
BOTTOM LINE
I don’t mean to sound
dismissive of the Viper
Mini. It’s not only for kids.
That just seems like a
side-benefit, accidental or
not.
As I said, there aren’t
many options for people
with smaller hands, and the
Viper Mini seems like a solid
newcomer. I wish Razer had
used its tried-and-true
sensor instead of a cheap
alternative, but aside from
that, it’s a sturdy mouse that
should survive a lot of wear and tear, and at $40
it’s about as budget-friendly as you can get for a
name-brand gaming mouse.