A 2.25-inch screen on a mouse: Can it function like a 'Stream Deck'?

The 'Command Series MC7', introduced by the American gaming accessory manufacturer Turtle Beach, is a unique product equipped with a 2.25-inch color touchscreen on the side of the mouse. Turtle Beach is a brand with strengths in the headset field and has a history of acquiring Razer. The pre-order price for this product has been set at $159.99 (approximately 220,000 won).

Custom functions using the display and limitations of viewing angles

The core of this product is the 2.25-inch touchscreen located on the left side of the mouse. Through the dedicated software 'Swarm II', the display can be customized, and if used well, it can provide an experience as if a 'Stream Deck' were attached to the mouse. Touching the screen to the left can increase the polling rate by 200Hz or adjust brightness, and scrolling to the right allows setting the DPI in units of 100. Additionally, through further scrolling, it is possible to turn vibration on and off or adjust lighting brightness.

The utility increases further when utilizing the custom widget function. Functions such as screen capture, media control (volume adjustment, play/pause), and copy and paste can be assigned. In particular, by linking with third-party apps such as Discord, OBS, Steam, and Counter-Strike, functions like mute buttons or app execution can be set. Up to 3 pages can be created to arrange different widgets, and it is also possible to create a timer function and keep it displayed on the screen.

However, shortcomings are pointed out in terms of hardware. In the video, it was mentioned that the quality of the vibration occurring upon touch is not good. Also, due to the nature of gaming mice, the user's gaze is mainly directed toward the monitor, so it was pointed out that the viewing angle of the display located on the side of the mouse is not good, making it inconvenient to check information during gameplay. The design takes a shape similar to the office mouse Logitech MX Master.

Harmony of detachable battery and high-spec sensor

A unique design stands out in the hardware configuration. Two 1,000mAh capacity batteries are provided as standard, adopting a detachable system where one can be used while the other is charged in the dedicated charging dock for replacement. This charging dock also serves the function of storing the USB receiver (dongle).

In terms of performance, it is equipped with an 'Owl-Eye' 30K optical sensor and supports a polling rate of up to 8,000Hz. The switches use 'Titan Optical Switch', and the scroll wheel can operate in stepped or free-spin modes depending on the intensity adjustment. The weight is 135g, which is on the heavy side compared to the ultra-lightweight gaming mice currently in trend. Additionally, detailed settings such as the 'angle adjustment' function, which corrects a gamer's tilted swipe motion, are included.

Software stability and constraints of the usage environment

As much as it provides powerful custom functions, software stability is a task that needs to be solved. The video reported that an initial setup error occurred during the display setting process through the software. It was mentioned that it is not recognized simply by connecting the cable, and normal updates and function utilization are only possible when the wired cable and dongle are connected simultaneously. Also, it was pointed out as a limitation that the software itself experiences severe lag during the process of setting various functions, making operation frustrating.

In conclusion, the Turtle Beach MC7 is a product with a clear target audience. The analysis suggests that rather than hardcore gamers who prioritize lightweight design, it is suitable for users who use the mouse for work during the day and enjoy gaming and streaming at night. However, currently, the software does not support the Mac environment.