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| | Manufacturer: Logitech | | Min OS X: Any Version  Requires: USB Port |
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At first glance, the Logitech MX300 optical mouse looks very similar to their low-cost Optical Wheel Mouse. What sets the MX300 apart from its older sibling is the MX Optical Engine, Logitech’s new optical scanning technology featured in the highly-rated, and much more expensive, MX500 and wireless MX700 mice.Don’t judge a book by its cover. At first glance, the MX300 looks almost identical to Logitech’s previous low-cost offerings. Its size, shape, and small footprint are identical to its older and cheaper cousin, the Optical Wheel Mouse. Weighing in at six ounces, it’s only twenty percent heavier than the previous model, and shares its ambidextrous design. Upon closer inspection, a few differences become noticeable. The mouse’s shiny silver exterior has been broken up with a smooth, black swoop, upon which sits the traditional large mouse buttons, and a sturdy, clicky scroll wheel. Wedged in the middle of the mouse, right beneath the buttons, is a third, tiny black button, whose default function in the Logitech driver utility is to switch applications. The new button’s positioning isn’t ideal, however. While it’s far enough out of the way to not be pressed accidentally, it requires a distinct bending of the wrist to access, and may encourage carpal tunnel. The new button’s location is also situated far enough out of the way that users cannot press it without lifting their fingers up and away from the mouse’s other buttons and scroll wheel, something I would be loathe to do in the middle of an intense multi-player session of any first person shooter. Using the mouse over a period of four weeks, I never got the hang of using the button for application switching, and eventually resorted back to Mac OS X’s command-tab key combination. Although the additional button can be re-programmed to perform other tasks through the Logitech Control Center System preference pane, its location and small size make it awkward to use repetitively. The end result of the new redesigned look makes for a very sleek and ultra-modern mouse that compliments the brushed titanium and aluminum look of Apple’s latest computers. The mouse’s relatively small footprint – a major advantage over Logitech’s other bulky MX Engine-equipped mice – works well for Mac users who don’t have the luxury of a large desktop space or work area. The small size of the mouse also feels more ergonomic, fitting comfortably in most people’s hands without forcing the user to stretch or extend their fingers to access all the mouse’s functions. Finally, the MX300’s shape is friendly and just as comfortable to both right- and left-handers, a quality that isn’t shared by Logitech’s more expensive, MX500 and MX700 mice.
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