Driver

Driver-wise, SteelSeries gets it. The suite is fast to navigate, and you immediately get to where you want to be. The interface is not filled to the rim with graphics, which is nice. It does, however, take up an incredible 122 MB of RAM, even when minimized to the tray.

Performance

As the [RAW] Frost Blue Edition still uses the exact same sensor as the original Sensei, tracking performance is still intact, but it lacks the on-board ARM processor that provided the original Sensei with some advanced prediction and interpolation algorithm-processing capability. What you do get is the same brilliant shape and button layout as the original, which is 90% of the experience for any gamer. The ADNS-9500 series laser sensor has a very low lift-off distance and only a minor issue with positive acceleration. Its tracking performance is, aside from that, near perfect across the board. The 9500-series sensor has been superseded only by the 9800, with the only difference being that the newer version can track at a resolution of 8200 DPI.

Gaming

Gaming with the Sensei [RAW] is a pleasure. A well-performing driver suite makes dialing in button assignments and sensitivity a breeze. Its sensor performance is as you would expect, feeling superb for medium to high-sensitivity gaming. There are better options for low-sensitivity gaming, like the Ozone Xenon or any other mouse that uses the Avago ADNS-3090 series sensor and good ergonomics. This mouse is well-suited to both FPS- and RPG gaming since there are many button mechanisms, and all of them perform really well. The sensor has a bit of positive acceleration, but you will not notice the acceleration while using medium- or high DPI--most sensors have small issues and this is by all accounts a microscopic one.

The Sensei [RAW] is even better than its predecessor for FPS gaming since the weight is lower and there is no braided cable. The mouse feet provide great control and glide well on all surface types, right from the SteelSeries 9HD to the soft Epic Gear Meduza mat. It was still a pleasure to use on Ozone's soft mats, but a mid to high-sensitivity mouse like the Sensei longs for a smooth, consistent surface, like on the Func or 9HD.

Desktop Work

If a mouse is great for gaming, it is usually also good for desktop work, and the Sensei [RAW] is. The buttons are perfectly placed for most users and the driver suite allows you to create all the appropriate bindings and short cuts. The Sensei [RAW] is great for precision work in Photoshop or various CAD suites.