Although I spend most of my time typing on a keyboard, I am a huge fan of handwriting. There is something about the feel of a pen and paper that organizes my thoughts in a way that typing never does.

I was excited to try out Adonit’s new Note-M ($79) because, frankly, I have too many peripherals on my desk. This gadget works as a mouse and stylus in one Bluetooth-connected package. I was impressed with its smooth performance and easy setup.

Out of the box, the Note-M looks like a meaner Apple Pencil in a sleek black metal frame. The 6.5-inch-long by 1.5-inch-wide stylus also feels better than the Apple Pencil, with its subtly textured surface. I’ve never been a fan of the Pencil’s smooth surface, which can make it difficult to grip.

Setting up the Note-M was a breeze. I had it paired and working with my iPad within seconds of taking it out of the box. It was already charged and all I had to do was find it in the Bluetooth menu on my iPad. The pen is magnetic and clips onto the side of your tablet.