Category: Hardware / Gear

You are in the middle of a deadline. You go to click your "Razor Tool" shortcut mapped to the side button of your mouse. Nothing happens. You Alt-Tab out and see that Logitech G-Hub (or Razer Synapse) is installing an update. Or worse, it has "forgotten" your profile for the third time this week.

Gaming mice are great for editing because of the extra buttons, but the "Driver Software" required to run them is often a bloated, buggy nightmare that eats up your CPU and crashes your workflow.

If you are tired of fighting with G-Hub, here is the solution: On-Board Memory and Driverless Mice.

The "Driverless" Philosophy

The most reliable mouse is one that doesn't need software to exist. You plug it in, and the computer just sees a mouse. No accounts to create, no cloud sync, no background processes.

Here are the two ways to achieve this zen state.

Option 1: The "Configure Once" Method (Logitech/Razer)

You might already own a Logitech G502 or a Razer Naga. You don't necessarily need to throw it away; you just need to use it correctly. Most high-end gaming mice have On-Board Memory.

1. Install G-Hub/Synapse one time.

2. Configure your DPI and Macros.

3. Go to settings and look for "On-Board Memory Mode." Turn it ON.

4. Save your current profile to "Slot 1" on the mouse.

5. Uninstall the Software.

Now, the brain is in the mouse, not the computer. You can plug it into any PC or Mac, and your shortcuts will work instantly without installing a single driver.

Option 2: The "Pure Hardware" Mice (Xtrfy & Zowie)

If you never want to install software again, look at brands used by eSports pros who travel to tournaments and can't install drivers on competition PCs.

1. CHERRY XTRFY (e.g., M4 or M8)

• The Vibe: Retro-cool, ultra-lightweight.

• How it works: Every setting—RGB color, Polling Rate, DPI, Lift-Off Distance—is controlled by physical switches on the bottom of the mouse or button combinations.

• Best For: Editors who want a simple, high-performance mouse that just works.

2. BenQ Zowie (e.g., EC2-C)

• The Vibe: The industrial tank.

• How it works: Zero software. You plug it in. It tracks perfectly. The DPI is a physical button on the bottom.

• Best For: Reliability. These mice are legendary because they never glitch.

3. The "Workaround" Utility: X-Mouse / SteerMouse If you buy a Zowie but still want to map the side button to "Ctrl+K" (Cut), you can use a lightweight, generic utility instead of the manufacturer's bloatware.

• Windows: X-Mouse Button Control (Free, tiny, powerful).

• Mac: SteerMouse or BetterMouse (Paid, but incredible). These apps are lightweight, don't require logins, and work with any brand of mouse.

Summary

Stop letting a 500MB mouse driver crash your premiere session. Either buy a driverless mouse (like an Xtrfy) or save your profile to your Logitech's On-Board Memory and delete G-Hub forever. Your CPU (and your sanity) will thank you.