Opinion

A charging station for my wireless mouse? Thanks, but no thanks.

11.1.2023

Translation: Eva Francis

The Roccat Kone XP Air has a charging station instead of a cable. Nice gimmick or electronic scrap? The latter, in my opinion.

What do overpriced graphics cards, cat videos on YouTube and billionaires taking joy rides into space have in common? They’re all things the world could do without. Now a new member has joined this illustrious club: Roccat Kone XP Air’s charging station.

Mouse

−7%

CHF157.– was CHF168.87

Roccat Kone XP Air

Wireless, Cable

Mouse

CHF181.–

Roccat Kone XP Air

Wireless, Cable

To me, the whole point of a wireless mouse is having less stuff on my desk. What does Roccat do? Include a charging station with the Kone XP Air. One more thing to clutter my desk. Sure, I don’t have to use the charging station. But then what is it? Nothing but electronic scrap.

That’s not sensible, especially in times when everything is expected to be sustainable and resource saving. I just don’t see the point of this charging station. After all, I never plan when to charge my devices. I just plug them in when it’s necessary. That’s usually right before the battery is empty – often at the very moment when I’m about to finish something or take on a final boss. What I do then is connect the mouse directly to my PC, without a charging station.

Why not offer the station separately? Then whoever finds it useful can buy it. Having said that, not a great solution either. Reminds me of Apple, who suddenly stopped including a charger with its smartphones. However, you can still charge a mouse via cable, as you need it when you’re on the computer. Apple’s argument of sustainability – less is more – worked well in the case of smartphone cables.

If the charging station was optional, Roccat could offer the Kone XP Air at a slightly lower price. The wireless version costs almost 100 francs more than the wired one. That’s a real shame, as the XP Air is a good mouse. Everything I wrote about the wired version also applies to the one without. But I’m tempted not to recommend this mouse – for the sole reason that it forces a charging station upon buyers.

There’s only one good thing about this charging station. It doubles as an extender for the 2.4 GHz dongle. Something I need to solve my connection problems.

Background information
Why USB can affect your wireless peripherals and what you can do about it
by Kevin Hofer

But apart from that, my verdict is: thanks, but no thanks. I don’t need a charging station.

27 people like this article

Kevin Hofer

Senior Editor

kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.ch

From big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.

Gaming

Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest

Peripherals

Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest

Opinion

This is a subjective opinion of the editorial team. It doesn't necessarily reflect the position of the company.

Show all

These articles might also interest you

Opinion
A tough decision: healthy wrist or healthy score?
by Valentin Oberholzer
Opinion
How a mouse with a ball drove me to despair
by Valentin Oberholzer
Opinion
Why I don't switch to the Logitech MX Master 3S
by Kevin Hofer