Mionix NAOS 8200 (Hardware) Review

I love meeses to pieces!!

I’m a man of finer tastes when it comes to computers. I like them to run smoothly, have enough horsepower to max out the visual settings on a game, and all around work like they’re supposed to. But when it come to accessories and peripherals, like mice and keyboards, my tastes are a little simpler. I’m fine with a $20 mouse and a $25 keyboard. If it feels sturdy enough and lets me do what I need to without delay, I’m okay with that.

When the Mionix NAOS 8200 was added to my review queue, I was immediately interested. I’m a fan of affordable computer mice, but when given the chance to try out a device that offers a bit more luxury, how could I pass that up? It’s like being asked if you’d like to drive around in a Chevy Corvette when you drive a Hyundai Sonata on a daily basis. Uh… Yes, please!

The Mionix NAOS 8200 is a high performance mouse, designed with the gamer in mind — but not the awful “bro” screaming, Mt. Dew-drinking stereotype. No, the NAOS 8200, with it’s sleek-looking designx is a device of luxury, and thuly deserves a more sophistocated, but still extremely talented, demographic.

If offers a combination of sharp angles with comfortable ergonomics. My hand fit nicely on and around the mouse, and each finger (and thumb) rested on the nice molded frame, rather than a simple dome of my basic and utilitarian Microsoft and Logitech mice.

Palming the NAOS 8200 a little strange at first, as I typically use a much smaller and lighter optical mouse for productivity and gaming. The awkwardness only lasted a few minutes as my hand adjusted to the differences of the much more egronomically-designed NAOS 8200. It’s like easing into a much more comfortable couch, after being used to that piece of furniture from IKEA. It feels better, but different, and then you never want to leave.

Because of the molding, this awesomely egronomically-designed mouse is only for right-hand use only. There is no model for left-handed gamers.

Along the left side of the mouse, just above where the thumb rests are three lights, and two buttons. By default the two buttons, when using an Internet browser, server as a backward and forward button. The light panels are a visual indicator of the sensitivity setting of the NAOS 8200, and can be set by the up/down arrowed buttons below the mouse wheel. As the sensitivity is maxed out, the three lights begin to illuminate. If all three lights are glowing, then you’ll likely need “gamer reflexes” when using the mouse pointer for anything. We’re talking about some super hyper-sensitivity here!

The mouse wheel itself is also designed for grip, with traction that reminds me of something of a LEGO wheel. The NAOS 8200 also glided smoothly over the multiple surfaces I used, and was a significant improvement over my traditional mice.

The Mionix NAOS 8200 is future-ready! Windows 8 Pro immediately detected the mouse and installed the driver in mere seconds. I also plugged in into a Microsoft Surface tablet running Windows RT. While the mouse wasn’t recognized at the NAOS 8200, via Windows RT, it did load in a generic HID mouse driver immediately. I was still able to set immediatley configure the mouse sensitivity on Windows RT by clicking the up and down buttons below the mouse wheel.

The cord is nice and durable and has a threaded coating of the cable. The thickness helps keep the cord from getting tangled.

The Mionix NAOS 8200 is a premium device, and will likely run you around $90. It is a step up from the $10-20 price range of the mice I use, but you can really feel the quality when you hold it. For gaming or productivity, it’s a really nice mouse. If you have a finer taste in computer peripherals and don’t mind spending the extra money, I’d recommend checking out the NAOS 8200. It’s pretty sweet!

Final Thoughts:

Some tech enthusiasts treat their computers much like their car. They take good care of it, upgrade the hardware as needed, and generally “keep up apperances.”

While standard optical USB mice often work well for business (office work) and pleasure (gaming), it’s nice to take a step up and see what the life of luxury is like. The Mionix NAOS 8200 is that device. It combines some really remarkable design and sturdiness, with the convenience of smooth movements and on-the-fly sensitivity adjustments. It’s like the Bentley of comptuer mice, and once you use it, you’ll never want to drive that Honda Civic again.

The Mionix NAOS 8200 has a price-tag of under $100. For budget-conscious gamers, this might be out of their range, but for those who appreciate fantastic luxurious devices, this is a no-brainer!