Gigabyte GM-M6880 Laser Gaming Mouse Review
If you are in the market for a gaming mouse, there are a lot of mice to choose from. While searching for a budget laser mouse, I came across the Gigabyte GM-M6880. Priced less than $20 USD, this particular mouse immediately caught my eye. Gigabyte is a trusted motherboard manufacturer, so lets see how their peripheral devices hold out.
Specifications:
Packaging / Presentation: 6/10
The packaging was rudimentary and painful to get into, especially if you don’t have scissors on hand. However, it does let you to get an idea of whether the mouse will fit your hand by allowing you to hold the mouse through the packaging – this would be helpful in a store without a display model available. The serial number and warranty information is located on the bottom of the display insert. The rest of the packaging is no longer recognizable after being opened and ends up getting recycled. I would have liked a cardboard box myself – save the plastic and my hands, and I would have kept the packaging.
Look: 9/10
The first thing I noticed with this mouse is the high arch and glossy-black exterior. It looks like it is ergonomic and should accommodate medium & large hands. The mouse features the basic left & right buttons, a clickable scroll wheel, two side buttons, an adjustable dpi switch, rubber side-grips, and a 5 foot USB cable. The two side buttons allow you to navigate forward and back in browsers as well as the capability of configuring functions to it in game. The adjustable dpi switch allows you to switch between 800 and 1600 dpi.
After using it for a few days, I noticed that debris gets stuck in the separations in the plastic. Its more of an annoyance to me, but it is worth mentioning. Overall, it looks like a mouse worthy of gaming – but not so over-complicated that it deters basic PC users.
Feel: 8/10
The mouse fits comfortably in my hands and after a few hours of gameplay, I don’t feel any tension. The side mouse buttons are very convenient in games for alternate fire and for assigning macro functions.
Mouse 5 is in a decent spot and is accessible by the thumb. Unfortunately, mouse 4 is positioned in an awkward position – requiring you to shift your thumb back or slide it up in order to press it. The dpi switch is low enough to not cause accidental clicks during gaming or normal use. It becomes useful if you are using a sniper to get that extra accuracy in games such as Call of Duty 4 or 5.
After extended use, I noticed the glossy-plastic would stick to my hand and cause me to sweat.
Longevity: 10/10
This mouse is definitely built to last. After having my first for several months, I decided to purchase one for my laptop. I have used the one from my desktop extensively, logging over a thousand hours on it and it has yet to have any click issues or dragging on the bottom.
As needed, I clean it with glass cleaner or alcohol – a proper measure for most mice – it still looks and operates the same as when I purchased it.
Pros:
Inexpensive
Ergonomic
Decent laser
5 foot cable (~1.5m)
Switchable between 1600 / 800 dpi (Rev. 2 includes 400 dpi)
Quiet clicking scroll-wheel
Works on just about any surface
Built to last
Cons:
Separations in the plastic trap debris, causing the mouse to get dirty very quickly
Hand tends to sweat with a few hours of gameplay
The second side-button (mouse 4) requires bending the thumb back to use
Conclusion:
After owning this mouse for over a year, I haven’t had any issues. It has exceeded my expectations for it, and it has spiked my interest in other Gigabyte peripherals. Despite some caveats, this mouse is an excellent deal for an entry-level gaming and regular activity.
Final Score: 9/10
