Logitech MX1100 Mouse

Logitech is one of the big names in input devices so when they put out a new product at or near the top of their line computer users pay attention. Their new MX1100 mouse is the long-awaited follow-up to the acclaimed MX1000. Of course, that was four years ago, so a lot has changed since then. One of the big changes on Logitech’s side since then was the release of the successful MX Revolution, whose influence can clearly be seen in the MX1100.
The MX1100 is a high-end, stand-alone mouse that sells for upwards of $80. It is designed for choosy power users who demand a lot from their mice and want to see competitive features for their money. It actually comes in cheaper than the MX Revolution (MSRP $99) and while the two are very similar, the MX1100 drops the Revolution’s thumbwheel and battery gauge. The MX1100 has just about the same shape and packs in eight buttons (counting the scroll wheel, but not the unlock button below the scroll wheel. This physically toggles the wheel from ratcheted to free-spinning mode.) The shape is aimed at comfort and easy access to all those buttons; it does a very good job, so long as you are right-handed. The three thumb buttons (forward and back above the thumb and the “Stealth” button built into the bottom of the thumbrest are all accessible, so long as you can find uses for all of them.




One very cool function on the mouse is the rocker switch above the left primary button. This will adjust the mouse’s DPI setting (sensitivity) on-the-fly. With it you can adjust the mouse up to 1600 dpi, which is great for larger displays or users who want faster move and later on prefer more accuracy. You don’t have to install the software in order to get this function to work, where you have to install it to do other things, like set what certain buttons do. The only problem with this, is that when you are clicking the button, it’s not immediately clear what setting you are moving to or from, you can just feel the mouse becoming less/more sensitive to your movements.

The mouse is powered by two AA batteries, a surprising choice given its price. Mice above the $60 mark are generally rechargeable and come with a stand, but the MX1100 instead comes with two plain old AAs. Logitech claims that these will last for 9 months so it’s not a major problem, and rechargeable mice always seem to run out of juice at the wrong time, but it will definitely turn off some people.

As far as usage goes the MX1100 is comfortable and accurate. It is a larger mouse and it’s just for right-handed users, but the thumb-groove and choice of materials is spot on. All the buttons have a distinct and smooth click so it feels like Logitech did a very good job building the MX1100. In order to appreciate the mouse users will have to want all those buttons and they should be willing to pay extra for features like the snazzy scroll wheel and on-the-fly dpi adjustment. Overall the MX1100 is one of the better mice to come out recently. It doesn’t do a whole lot to separate itself from the pack, but it has minor tweaks that fix the annoying features of its predecessors, making it a great choice over almost anything that came before it. If you like larger, feature-packed mice and you don’t mind standard AA batteries you’ll be a fan of the MX1100.