Last year, PCMag's computer mouse to beat was the $119.99 Logitech MX Master 4, an expertly crafted device that thoughtfully worked haptic feedback into its design. One snag, though: The MX Master 4 was ideal for complex stuff like CAD workflows, but it could be overkill and an overspend for users looking for a simpler solution. That’s where the HP Ultra-Fast Scroll Wireless Mouse 780M ($79.99) comes in. With a comfortable ergonomic grip, a fast magnetic scroll wheel, and a handy shortcut roller, the 780M is a reliable driver. It’s not as feature-rich as the MX Master 4 or the Razer Pro Click V2, but that might not matter much if you’re looking for a mouse for simple productivity tasks.

Design: Can't Beat the Classics

The first thing I noticed when I unboxed the 780M was how short and stout it was. At 1.8 by 4.9 by 3.9 inches (HWD), the 780M is flatter and wider than the MX Master 4, with a round base I often associate with ergonomic mice. I do miss the hump at the center of the MX Master 4, which arcs the hand slightly; with the 780M, my hand lies flatter across the top of the mouse, which took some getting used to. Weight-wise, you’re looking at 4.4 ounces, almost an ounce lighter than the MX Master 4 (5.2 ounces).

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

At a glance, the 780M resembles the Logitech MX Master 3S: a gray-and-black color scheme with a DPI button at the center and a magnetic scroll wheel between the two clickers, with options for tactile and free-spin scroll modes. Another scroll "wheel" (more of a roller cylinder) is tucked away on the mouse’s left flank, just above your thumb, though I found it far less comfortable to use than the scroll wheel up top, and the action is a bit stiff for my liking. Two additional buttons hang like a piercing on the mouse’s left click.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

The device comes sheathed in HP Comfort Silicone, which provides a soft grip and (according to HP) is also easy to clean and resistant to water and heat. Meanwhile, light ribbing on the sides gives your fingers extra grip, and that feature extends down to the wing, where your right thumb will rest.

Turning the mouse over reveals four grips—one at each end of the wide, palm-sized base—to improve the mouse’s glide. On one end, there's also a small nook to house the mouse’s 2.4GHz connector.

Features: A Satisfactory Sensor, Plus Silence

Right at the center of the underside, you’ll find the sensor, flanked by a power switch and a button that cycles through wireless connections. HP doesn’t specify the sensor it uses, but it does say the device has a resolution ceiling of 6,000 dots per inch (dpi). DPI, or tracking resolution, measures your mouse’s sensitivity—the higher the number, the more precisely the mouse can track a surface. The 780M's figure falls far short of the MX Master 4’s 8,000dpi, but that won't be much of an issue for most users. However, if you’re hoping to use the mouse for gaming, consider this: The Razer Pro Click V2 offers a whopping 30,000dpi top setting.

In use, the mouse is as quiet as, well, a mouse. The click buttons are not only silent but also deliver satisfying feedback. As for overall ergonomics, the mouse isn't too heavy, so you won't strain your wrists or fingers too much. My biggest complaint is the stiff scroller, but I don’t use it often in my day-to-day work.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Wireless Connectivity and Productivity Features: A Wide Range

The 780M offers dual-mode wireless connectivity, allowing it to cycle between two connections. A third is handled by the included 2.4GHz connection. The single USB dongle can support up to eight different HP devices.

The mouse isn't picky about what it connects to, with support for Windows 10 and 11, macOS, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS. Since the MX Master 4 dropped Windows 10 support, the 780M actually offers more connectivity options, which is a plus for users who are still reluctant to update their Windows OS.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

When it comes to battery life, you can expect up to one month of use after a full charge, and it takes about three minutes to fully recharge (when connected to a USB Type-C 3.0 port, that is).

Software: Get Ready to Dig In

To see the full breadth of the mouse’s capabilities, you have to download HP’s utility software, called the HP Accessory Center, or HPAC. (It’s free from the Microsoft or Apple App Store.) Here's where you can edit button functionality and DPI speeds, and manage connections. It’s standard stuff, but you'll also find a handy productivity option that’s not set up by default: the shortcut wheel.

(Credit: HP/PCMag)

Once mapped to a mouse button, the wheel opens a radial ring on-screen with eight shortcuts. You can map apps on your computer for easy access, launch websites, and even record keystrokes. It’s not as dynamic as the Action Ring on the MX Master 4, but there’s a fair bit of customization here for productivity nerds.

Speaking of productivity, the mouse doesn't have any AI options built in by default, unlike the Logitech Signature AI Edition M750 Wireless Mouse, although you can map AI apps and websites to the shortcut wheel. It’s not as sophisticated as Razer's or Logitech’s AI options—which help users clean up their queries before launching them—but with a little elbow grease, you can work those AI workflows into your day-to-day via the software shortcuts.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)