MSI Clutch GM31 is the latest mouse proposition for gamers. We can buy it in two versions – wireless and wired. How does it work in practice? Find out in this article.
For review, I received two versions of the MSI GM31 straight from the manufacturer. In today’s article, I will describe both models at the same time, because their specifications do not differ significantly. The main differences are the ability to use the mouse in wireless mode, the weight and the sensor used.
Two types of mouse
MSI GM31 wired version is available in half the wireless package. Inside, there is a mouse and a user manual. The sliders of the device are protected with a film, which should be removed before first use.
The cable is made of a braid that reduces friction between the cable and the desk. It gives the impression of being empty inside and resembles a shoelace. It is 2 meters long and has a rubber clip at the end to catch the folded cord.
In turn, the MSI GM31 in the wireless version is in a special case in which the individual elements have been secured inside the foam. I really like this solution because it looks great and additionally protects the whole thing.
In this case, the set includes a charging dock, a USB key, a 2-meter cable, and of course a mouse. At first glance, it does not differ much from its colleague in the wired version.
Changes have taken place at the bottom of the device. There is a special indentation here to facilitate insertion of the mouse into the charging dock, and a switch. The middle slider has been extended to better match the milled hole for the charger.
The front part of the mouse also received an additional indentation, in which the manufacturer hid the USB input. If we want, we can connect the cable from the set and work in wired mode. Interestingly, the indentation has been designed so that you can hide a USB key in it and take the equipment with you. For me, this is a great solution, because I always lose such small elements.
I really liked the charging dock solution. Its special shape perfectly matches the notch of the mouse. Thanks to this, inserting the mouse into the charger is simplified, because it simply cannot be done wrong. However, MSI’s best idea was to put the USB port along with the dongle in the charger.
The key is a mini USB receiver that should be plugged into the computer’s USB port so that it wants to work with our wireless device. However, many devices do not have many free USB ports. The MSI solution allows you to plug the dongle into the charger, and using the spare mouse cable – connect the charger with the dongle to the computer. In this way, we gain connection to the MSI GM31 and at the same time the possibility of charging in the docking station. A fully charged battery will last up to 110 hours. Just 10 minutes of charging is enough to extend the mouse’s operation by seven hours.
MSI GM31 – in practice
Both devices are extremely lightweight. The version with a built-in battery weighs less than 73 grams. In turn, the mouse with the cable is 15 grams lighter. Low weight combined with great PTFE sliders make the device glide smoothly and precisely on the pad. You can wave it side to side for hours and not feel it in your wrist.
The main buttons are quite long and slightly profiled, which naturally moves our fingers closer to the center of the mouse. We also have two additional buttons on the left side of the housing. Both devices allow you to change the DPI between the values 400/800/1600/3200/6400. To do this, you have to turn the device over and press the switch next to the sensor. I don’t like this solution. In practice, a much more convenient option is an additional button on the roller. Speaking of the roller, I like the diamond-patterned rubber texture it’s covered with (just like the sides of the case). Thanks to this, the finger does not slip while scrolling the roll. However, I noticed that you need to put some strength and practice to press the button located just below it.
It is worth noting that, according to the manufacturer’s assurances, the life of the OMRON switch is at least 60 million clicks.
MSI GM31 – sensor difference
The wireless version is equipped with the PIXART PAW-3311 optical sensor, the wired one has the PIXART PWM-3360 version on board. PIXART is a company known for producing good quality sensors for gaming mice. The PAW-3311 is an optical sensor offering a resolution of up to 12000 DPI and a maximum tracking speed of 400 IPS. It also has an adjustable pooling rate and configurable RGB lighting.
PIXART PWM-3360 has practically the same capabilities and parameters as the aforementioned sensor, but it is slightly slower. The tracking speed in this case is 250 IPS. This means that the PAW-3311 is slightly faster and more responsive than the PWM-3360, making it a better option for games that require sudden, fast and precise mouse movements. However, both parameters are sufficient for most applications.
