What is Onboard Memory? How to Choose Input Devices to Bypass Software Restrictions on Company PCs
Company PCs are usually strict in the strangest ways, aren't they?
You're allowed to plug in a USB mouse, but installing the configuration software is prohibited. All the DPI settings and macros you painstakingly perfected at home are completely reset the moment you plug it into your work PC. The same thing happens with shared PCs on business trips.
I imagine many of you have thought, "I know that feeling." At first, I just thought, "Well, a mouse just needs to move, right?" but I recently learned there's a mechanism that solves that frustration in one go.
That is onboard memory.
It's a feature that allows the device itself to store all your settings, and the moment I understood that, I thought, "Oh, the way I choose input devices might change fundamentally." Today, I'll summarize how it works and which ones are worth choosing.
What exactly is onboard memory?
With standard mice and keyboards, DPI and macro settings are managed by software on the PC side. In other words, the configuration data is tied to the PC.
That's why it reverts to default settings when you plug it into a different PC. If the PC doesn't have the software installed, you can't customize it at all.
Onboard memory flips this structure. The device itself has a small flash memory or EEPROM chip, allowing you to write DPI, button assignments, macros, and lighting patterns directly onto it. Once you've burned the settings in, it will work with those same settings on any PC without needing software.
In other words, instead of "teaching the PC your settings," you are "storing them on the device itself." This shift in perspective is subtle, but it feels pretty great.
Why is this effective? For company PCs, remote locations, and those with multiple devices
The most obvious case is a company PC with strict security. While installing software usually requires permission from IT, connecting USB devices is often allowed.
With an onboard memory-compatible device, you just need to perfect your settings at home as much as you like before bringing it in. You can get your usual operating feel without installing any software on the company PC.
It's also a great fit for people who work in different environments every time, like at a friend's house, an internet cafe, or on a shared PC during a business trip. As long as you carry the device, you don't have to worry about environmental differences.
I think it's also a compelling point for people who switch between multiple PCs. It completely eliminates the hassle of reconfiguring settings every time you switch between a desktop and a laptop.
Miccell's perspective. The feeling of the device becoming your "alter ego"
The most interesting thing about this onboard memory topic is that the device itself acts as a small storage medium.
We are so used to the feeling that "settings are saved somewhere in the cloud or on the PC" that it feels fresh to realize the "object itself is remembering." Carrying a mouse becomes synonymous with carrying your own work environment.
However, it's not a cure-all. You still need dedicated software for the initial setup, and there's a limit to the number of profiles you can save (usually around 3 to 5). So, I think the right way to use it is to "set it up carefully at home once, and then just carry it around."
If you're actually choosing one. Recommendations by category
From here on, I will introduce devices that actually feature onboard memory by category. Whether you want to use them on a company PC or carry them around for gaming, I hope you find this helpful.
🖱️ Logicool G304 X SUPERLIGHT ── An affordable classic mouse
If you are choosing your first one, I recommend the latest model in this classic series.
Logicool G304 X SUPERLIGHT (Wireless, 59g, HERO 44K Sensor, Released July 2026)
Can save up to 5 profiles to onboard memory
Approximately 40g lighter than the old G304 model, supports USB Type-C charging
Since this is the legitimate successor to the long-selling old G304, this is the straightforward choice if you are buying one now. The old G304 is also still being sold and is even more affordable, but keep in mind that it is an older model.
🖱️ Razer Basilisk V3 35K ── Multi-button focus on expandability
For those who want to push customization to the limit with many buttons, this model is for you.
Razer Basilisk V3 35K (Wired, 11 buttons, Focus Pro 35K Optical Sensor)
Can save up to 5 profiles to onboard memory
Tilt wheel can switch between free-spin and tactile modes
This is the current model that has evolved from the old 26K sensor version, with finer DPI adjustment ranges. With so many buttons, it is perfect for those who want to set up detailed shortcuts and macros.
🖲️ ELECOM IST PRO ── A trackball that fundamentally solves company PC issues
Trackballs have the advantage of being easy to use even on small desks because the device itself does not move. When you add onboard memory to that, I think it is an unbeatable combination.
ELECOM IST PRO (Multi-connection, bearing support, 10 buttons)
All buttons saved to onboard memory, settings remain the same even when switching connection targets
Supports three connection methods: Bluetooth, USB 2.4GHz wireless, and wired
It seems many people in companies with strict security use them by setting them up at home before bringing them in.
⌨️ ELECOM DUX TK-DUX30BK ── A cost-effective macro keyboard
You can also choose keyboards with onboard memory. This is for those who want to try it out with a focus on cost-performance first.
ELECOM DUX TK-DUX30BK (Wired membrane, supports hardware macros)
Saves key settings directly to the onboard memory, allowing them to be used as-is on other PCs without drivers
Dedicated keys allow switching between multiple profiles, such as for combat or chatting
Although this model was made for MMORPGs, I think it can also be used normally for work tasks that involve repetitive operations. By the way, this is a long-selling product released in 2015, and the DUX series itself hasn't been significantly updated since then. You could interpret that as both the price and functionality being well-refined due to its maturity.
⌨️ HyperX Alloy Rise 75 ── A mechanical keyboard that doesn't compromise on typing feel
If you also want to be particular about appearance and typing feel, this mechanical model is a good choice.
HyperX Alloy Rise 75 (Japanese layout, 75%, gasket mount, hot-swappable)
Capable of saving up to 10 profiles directly to the onboard memory
Equipped with an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts RGB brightness based on the surroundings
This is the latest generation of HyperX released in 2024, and since you can swap switches, you can use it for a long time. The number of profiles has also been significantly increased from the 3 of the previous generation to 10.
🔢 AREA NUMERICK Keypad AS-K24 ── A numeric keypad that balances number input and macros
Come to think of it, there are also models of numeric keypads that support onboard memory. This is for those who want to handle both number input and macro registration.
AREA NUMERICK Keypad AS-K24 (Blue switch mechanical, 21 keys)
Equipped with 32K of onboard memory, allowing complex key bindings to be saved to the device itself
Features 13 LED illumination patterns, with independent control for each key
It used to be a device that could cover a wide range of tasks, from Excel work to registering game shortcuts, but to be honest, it is treated as discontinued at major electronics retailers, and now we are dependent on existing stock on Amazon. If you are interested, please be sure to check the stock and price before purchasing.
⌨️ Keychron K2 Pro ── The gateway to the custom keyboard rabbit hole
Up until now, I have introduced products that explicitly claim to have "onboard memory," but there is actually another category with a similar mechanism. That is the QMK/VIA-compatible custom keyboard, Keychron.
Keychron K2 Pro (Japanese layout, wireless, hot-swappable)
A mechanism that writes key maps to the keyboard's internal flash memory, allowing it to work as-is even on PCs without software installed.
Connect to up to 3 devices via Bluetooth, with smooth switching between Mac and Windows.
Strictly speaking, it isn't called "onboard memory," but it does essentially the same thing. The concept that settings are burned into the device itself is alive and well here, too. It's worth remembering as a gateway into the custom keyboard rabbit hole.
Summary: A new perspective for choosing devices.
If you choose input devices based on "where the settings are stored" rather than just visible specs like DPI, button count, or weight, you might find that some of your daily minor frustrations simply disappear.
Whether you're struggling with company PC restrictions or moving between multiple environments, I hope you'll try re-evaluating your device choices from the perspective of onboard memory.
Hey, do you know if the mouse or keyboard you're using now supports onboard memory? If you didn't know, I highly recommend checking it out. It's subtle, but it's effective.
Production Notes
Before I started writing, I was honestly worried about how much I could expand on the topic of onboard memory since it's quite niche. But as I researched, I realized that what I thought were just features for gamers are deeply intertwined with corporate IT policies and the realities of working from home or on the go, which made it suddenly very interesting. There's something truly satisfying about how technical mechanisms can directly lead to solving life's little stresses, isn't there?
Miccell - When you understand how things work, the world becomes more interesting.
#OnboardMemory #GamingMouse #GamingKeyboard #Trackball #Keychron #CompanyPC #RemoteWork #GadgetLover #Logicool #Razer #HyperX #Affiliate