Razer Diamondback Chroma

The thin-bodied mouse returns to rattle us.

This claims to have the first ‘optical gaming sensor’ — although what marks out a sensor as being for gaming we’re not sure.

The slim, tapering shape is unusual; your right thumb tucks right into the side but your fingers are left without enough to get a proper hold. It can sit forward in your grip; it’s not uncomfortable, even if it’s a bit low for our tastes, but after years of increasing girth, it takes a little getting used to. The 2016 Diamondback feels less flat than the original, and this improves the comfort.

The lighting, which occupies a continuous thin strip around the body of the mouse and the wheel, isn’t too horrifying, even though it’s set by default to coruscate through its entire spectrum in a way that’ll at first fascinate you before boring you to death.

It would be even nicer without the ridiculous three-headed logo that also flashes, but at least that’s covered by your hand. It’s also available as a truly ridiculous Collector’s Edition. Does anyone collect mice? Maybe keep them in a glass case and show them proudly to visitors? If you do, write in.

The original model was released in 2004, a more civilised time before coloured lights were common and marketing philistines crammed our nimble pointing devices full of unnecessary gubbins. This new model has thoughtfully updated the original, with a 16,000dpi sensor and access to Razer’s latest software. It’s not a mouse everyone will be comfortable using, though — the epitome of ‘try before you buy’ — and it feels a little basic for the price.