The Razer Naga Expert MMO Gaming Mouse 2012 Edition brings the new Synapse 2.0 software that Razer has recently released to the massive multiplayer online expert gaming mouse with cloud based settings and automatic updates.
Ease of Use, Performance: 5/5
Look & Feel: 4/5
Features 5/5
How much I enjoy 4/5
Total: 4.5/5 Stars
Razer has updated the software that runs their peripherals and using cloud based setting storage for players they now offer a way for gamers to automatically save and download any game or player specific settings. Connect to the internet, download the Razer Synapse program and install and your saved settings are available at your fingertips for any Razer peripheral that uses Synapse 2.0.
Razer Synapse 2.0 is not just a cloud based place for gamers to save settings but also updates drivers and firmware so gamers are constantly at the top of their game as far as hardware is concerned; the rest is up to you. Razer has gone above and beyond with keeping their peripherals current and they have also listened to gamers with what they want for gaming hardware when it comes to gaming performance.
Razer Synapse 2.0 also does something for gamers when they just have to do that other stuff like image editing and simple web browsing by storing settings specific to programs like Photoshop or Dreamweaver. You can use various configurations and store them in the cloud while also being able to automatically switch settings per program when you open them.
The Naga 2012 Edition has the usual slick Teflon pads on the bottom with one on each of the side panels and four on the main part of the mouse. The bottom also sports the number or keypad switch so the ten number buttons on the side will either emulate the numbers above the letter keys or the number pad keys.
The Razer Naga 2012 Edition does use the MMO specific side buttons to create a panel of 12 inputs using your thumb while the other side of the mouse has the three interchangeable side panels for optimized fit. You can use the side panel that best fits your hand and style of mouse usage from the very ergonomic style of gaming mouse with its general shape that fits comfortably in my hand.
The Naga 2012 Edition like previous editions has three interchangeable side pieces for the comfort of the user depending on how you like your mouse. You can use the smaller unobtrusive side for a more ergonomic fit, the ring finger support side or the ring and small finger support side for the most comfortable side you like.
The side panels fit onto the side of the mouse using four screws and magnets to hold the side on and even active gaming will not budge the pieces off the mouse. The various side panels make for the most comfortable mouse for any given user and makes the Naga 2012 Edition very customizable in both shape and programing.
The Naga 2012 Edition does not come with any drivers on a disc as you simply download them from the Razer support website but once you connect and have them installed you can customize any of the 17 mouse buttons. The four buttons of the mouse finger buttons, two buttons behind the scroll wheel and the scroll wheel itself mean a good versatile mouse but the addition of twelve side buttons give you lots of configuration options.
The Razer Naga 2012 Edition is mainly meant for Massive Multiplayer Games like Dungeons and Dragons Online or World of Warcraft and makes a handy way to access multiple spells or items. The included rubber indicators that Razer calls Grid Trainers allow you to get the thumb button positions down but you can keep them on for the life of the mouse to help with button locations.
The temporary adhesive on the buttons does mean that they will come off fairly easily but you can use something stronger to glue the indicators in place on any of the buttons you want. The Naga 2012 Edition comes with two sets of indicators with one set being rectangular and slanted to coincide with the buttons shape and the other set is round and you can put a single indicator or several on the side buttons.
The Razer Naga 2012 Edition has the usual profiles where you can save specific settings per game so when the game starts it will automatically switch to that profile. The newer Synapse program and cloud based setting saves allows for a user to save both settings and profiles in the cloud so that you always have them available over the internet.
The Razer Naga 2012 mouse now includes just about everything a gamer could want and the mouse also works very well for other tasks like image editing and web browsing. I have set up the mouse to work with common tasks like opening menu popups for image size and crop that makes my work on product shots that much easier.
The Razer Naga may be for gamers but it also works exceptionally well for other tasks and can be quite handy for many different programs and uses. The Razer Naga 2012 edition does make an excellent mouse for other programs but it excels at massive multiplayer online games.
The Razer Naga Expert MMO Gaming Mouse costs about $80 and can be found online at Razer and at other sites and local stores that sell high quality computer peripherals.
