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$70 Cordless Notebook Mouse with No Scroll Wheel

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the interesting-new-design-concepts dept.

superfloungmous writes "CoolTechZone.com has reviewed Logitech's latest V500 Cordless Notebook Mouse that uses 2.4GHz wireless technology to transmit signal and has a scroll panel instead of a scroll wheel. The concept behind a scroll wheel is you simply move your finger in up, down, left and right directions to use the function. The mouse has a whopping $70.00 price tag as well. Could this be the end of scroll wheels? Here's a quote from the review, "One of the unique things about the V500 is its scroll panel, and this is the very first mouse to actually use this concept. Throughout our testing, we are nothing but impressed with Logitech's new idea. It worked perfectly, and it's actually better than a scroll wheel in many instances. It looks like the era of scroll wheels is short-lived if Logitech applies the same design to its desktop equivalent products."

63 of 372 comments (clear)

  1. 2.4 GHz by bigtallmofo · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Hmm.. That's weird. Every time I move my mouse, I get disconnected from my 802.11g network."

    --
    I'm a big tall mofo.
    1. Re:2.4 GHz by cybersaga · · Score: 3, Funny

      "Hmm.. That's weird. Every time I move my mouse while talking on the phone, the person on the other end sounds like Satan."

      --
      Web Design Tips
    2. Re:2.4 GHz by magefile · · Score: 3, Funny

      That happens to me a lot, and I'm not even using a wireless mouse! ...

      Oh. SHIT.

    3. Re:2.4 GHz by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The thing that bugs me is that it isn't Bluetooth. Bluetooth is 2.4GHz too, but it seems to coexist fine with WiFi, and will work with many more recievers than just the one in the package. I keep a Bluetooth mouse with my laptop, in part because my laptop has an integrated bluetooth reciever.

      A proprietary USB dongle just means something more to break off, more potential wear on the USB ports and such.

    4. Re:2.4 GHz by sammy+baby · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I was thinking exactly the same thing. I just snagged a new laptop with built-in Bluetooth, and it's shocking exactly how few bluetooth travel mice there are out there.

      If you're going to include a dongle in the packaging anyway, why not make it a bluetooth one? The mouse I eventually bought came bundled with one, and I just tossed it. (Okay, actually, I just put it aside.)

      I could see the need for a 2.4Ghz transmitter if this were a presentation remote or something similar, but come on, people. Most of us don't sit fifty feet from our laptops.

    5. Re:2.4 GHz by pixelpusher220 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Something sorta up this alley...

      Back in the day when I was working on a DOS based, flat file database app; one of the new guys discovered that if you moved the mouse, searchs, updates, maintenance processing, ran faster.

      The logical reason was that the interupt checking to see if the user had hit the space bar to cancel, was firing and not waiting that extra milisecond because the mouse was saying 'nope nothing happening here' quicker than just timing out the interupt. So you just balance the mouse on the SHIFT key and boom, faster processing of long reports!

      The Customer Support people in house were like "We are NOT telling that to customers!"


      --
      People in cars cause accidents....accidents in cars cause people :-D
    6. Re:2.4 GHz by Mr+Bill · · Score: 4, Informative

      Although I know you were going for humour here, I just want to dispell any concerns people might have that take your comments seriously.

      I have this mouse, and my Wireless-G router is about a foot and a half away from my mouse, and I have not had any conflicts. It would be silly if Logitech didn't take that into consideration.

      As for the quality of this mouse, I have had it for about 5 months now, and it is amazing. I've only replaced the batteries once, and I use it for at least 8 hours a day, and I rarely turn it off. They got the size right as well for a laptop mouse. Not too big, and not impossible to use like those micro mice.

      This one is definately worth the high price tag...

    7. Re:2.4 GHz by ArsonSmith · · Score: 3, Funny

      Are you on the phone with Microsoft support?

      --
      Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
    8. Re:2.4 GHz by Noke · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I wouldn't say that Bluetooth coesists fine with WiFi (a or g - 2.4GHz). I use a bluetooth mouse with my 802.11g laptop and have very sluggish response from my bluetooth mouse whenever I do heavy data transfers to/from my laptop over the WiFI network.

    9. Re:2.4 GHz by LetterJ · · Score: 2, Interesting
      I've found the same. Between bluetooth, wifi, microwaves, cordless phones, audio-video senders, these non-bluetooth wireless peripherals, etc. I just don't see how a "wireless future" is any more likely (near term) than the "paperless office". That's not even talking about the shared nature of the wifi itself. Ever transfer a DVD ISO file between to 802.11g laptops? That 54Mbps plummets REALLY fast into unusability.

      There's just too much going on and we haven't really hit complete widespread adoption yet for most of these technologies.

      I had a blog posting about this very thing a couple of days ago.

      http://www.wynia.org/wordpress/?p=100/

      --

      The Glass is Too Big: My Take on Things
    10. Re:2.4 GHz by mxms751 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I used to work with FoxPro 2.6 and had the exact same expeience with increased speed while 'wiggling' the mouse. No one ever believed me that it was a fact. Glad to know someone else in the world's been there.

    11. Re:2.4 GHz by egypt_jimbob · · Score: 2, Funny

      Get out of the house! The support guy is calling from your bedroom!

      --
      I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.
  2. small nit to pick by justforaday · · Score: 5, Insightful

    One of the unique things about the V500 is its scroll panel, and this is the very first mouse to actually use this concept.

    Kensington's been making a mouse with a touch panel in place of a scroll wheel for well over 2 years now. Admittedly it only does the up/down thing (no side to side action). Either way, 70 bucks is still way too much for a mouse of any kind as far as I'm concerned...

    --
    I'll turn into a supernova and burn up everything. Well I'll turn into a black little hole and you'll turn into string.
    1. Re:small nit to pick by theantipop · · Score: 2, Insightful

      My theory has always been that you spend the most time interacting with you monitor, keyboard and mouse so why not get an exceptional product that meets all your needs in those area? What good is a $600 video card if you can't see the image or interact with them in a meaningful way?

    2. Re:small nit to pick by dustbin · · Score: 5, Insightful

      In addition to Kensington's product that came out in '02, there was at least a prototype displayed at CES a few years before that by Fujitsu. Never saw it for sale in the states, but it looked like production plastics, so it was probably available in Japan.

      The interesting point about the Logitech design is their best ergonomic feature isn't being noticed - it isn't even called out by Logitech. The very small sensor they're using lets them push the sensor way up to the front of the mouse. It's long been known that the mice "feel" more responsive the closer you get the sensor to a point midway between the fingertips that are guiding the mouse. Most sensors have been too big to fit up there, so they're positioned farther back, where they don't move as far as the fingertips do.

      Real ergonomics is too subtle for marketing, I guess. Maybe it's because the "ball forward" concept was originally used to promote the Microsoft Dove Bar mouse http://www.ideo.com/portfolio/re.asp?x=12328 and the standard Apple ergonomic mouse of the ~90s.

    3. Re:small nit to pick by bhtooefr · · Score: 4, Interesting

      How funny ;-)

      First, there's the mouse.
      Then, there's the trackball, which is put into laptops.
      Then, somebody at IBM realizes that the trackball is too big, and puts in the TrackPoint (pointing stick).
      Next, somebody else also figures out that the trackball is too big. They use a touchpad.
      Microsoft (this is debatable, though) puts a sort of one-axis trackball in their mice for scrolling.
      IBM sees it, and puts a TrackPoint in the top of their mice for two-axis scrolling.
      Then, Kensington and Logitech decide to put a sort of touchpad in the tops of their mice for one or two-axis scrolling ;-)

      So, every major pointing device after the mouse (except for the touchscreen) has been strapped onto the top of a mouse for scroll functionality ;-)

    4. Re:small nit to pick by precize · · Score: 2, Funny

      I think we all know what's next...

      A mouse on top of a mouse.

      --
      www.code-fix.com
    5. Re:small nit to pick by justforaday · · Score: 3, Funny

      Great, just what we need -- more mice...

      --
      I'll turn into a supernova and burn up everything. Well I'll turn into a black little hole and you'll turn into string.
    6. Re:small nit to pick by ebuck · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Next they will implement a mouse that handles all of it's navigation through the touchpad. That way you wouldn't need to move the thing around on your desk.

  3. Re:Pictures? by closer_neg9 · · Score: 3, Informative

    http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=3,CONTENTID=9508

  4. Re:Pictures? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    you read the article? you must be new here

  5. sounds like the iPod interface by binarstu · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This sounds remarkably like the interface that Apple has devised to allow scrolling through menus, volume control, etc. on their iPod line of products. This isn't surprising, because the interface works extremely well and is very intuitive.

    1. Re:sounds like the iPod interface by dhakbar · · Score: 2

      What?

      How are these two interfaces similar at all? I don't see how they're remarkably like each other. One's a panel with four directions, one is a wheel with two directions and four buttons. What the hell is remarkably alike?

    2. Re:sounds like the iPod interface by DarkSarin · · Score: 4, Informative

      People like to complain about the price, but remember, kids, that the $70 is from logitech. Newegg has it for $49 (out of stock) and other places have it for as little as $29 (after rebate).

      Shop around--you'll get it at a reasonable price. NEVER buy directly from the manufacturer--you pay more, and they make a higher percentage profit off your purchase!

      --
      "We don't know what we are doing, but we are doing it very carefully,..." Wherry, R.J. Personnel Psychology (1995)
    3. Re:sounds like the iPod interface by ArsonSmith · · Score: 3, Funny

      They are both objects. Smaller than a bread box. Not related to a giraffe.

      Actually they are almost exactly the same.

      --
      Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
  6. Laptop touchpads have this as well by shailesh17 · · Score: 3, Informative

    A similar scroll pad exists on the synaptics touchpad that comes on compaq's presario R3000 laptops - but just does the up/down movements. It works nice but I still prefer the wheel on standard mice cause it provides better control over speed.

    1. Re:Laptop touchpads have this as well by antifoidulus · · Score: 4, Interesting

      The latest revision of powerbooks have a scrolling function built into the touch pad as well(and you can go left and right), you just use 2 fingers instead of one when you want to scroll. I use it and it's quite useful IMO.

      --
      Monstar L
  7. First??? Im not sure about that. by falcon5768 · · Score: 5, Informative
    ummm unless I am mistaken there is already a mouse with a scroll pad.

    http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail~dpno~46 3024.asp

    been out for at least a year now too.

    --

    "Slashdot, where telling the truth is overrated but lying is insightful."

  8. Kinda like this kensington one then? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    But with a 2D touchpad?
    http://www.kensington.com/html/4769.html

  9. Now if only by Enigma_Man · · Score: 2, Interesting

    They'd put a small scrollwheel within the touchpad on the mouse, then I could scroll around inside of large forms in a window that I'm scrolling around with.

    -Jesse

    --
    Nothing says "unprofessional job" like wrinkles in your duct tape.
  10. User preference differ by RealProgrammer · · Score: 2, Funny

    I like touchpads, but a lot of people don't. Some people like the Thinkpad nipple, but I don't (there's only one in the middle, and I can't get used to that :-).

    I think it would be harder to keep from making mousing mistakes with a scroll pad than a wheel, which requires more effort to engage.

    But still, people who like touchpads will probably like the scroll pad. People who make mistakes with touch pads probably will not like the scroll pad, either.

    --
    sigs, as if you care.
    1. Re:User preference differ by TobyWong · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I bought a Panasonic toughbook W2 and I've absolutely fallen in love with the touchpad.

      It differs from your average touchpad in that it's a circle and you can scroll by rotating your finger around the outer edge (think of an ipod volume control mechanism). Since it's a circle you can scroll endlessly without having to lift and reseat your finger like you would have to with other touchpads or with a mouse wheel.

      I wouldn't use it for gaming by for scrolling through documents, webpages, etc its fantastic.

      --
      - Toby
    2. Re:User preference differ by chrismcdirty · · Score: 2, Informative

      I've used a few Thinkpads at my previous job, and I didn't like using the nipple as the mouse. But if you were a fan of the nipple for scrolling, I'd suggest an IBM ScrollPoint II mouse. It makes scrolling easy, as all you have to do is lean the little joystick down or upward, left or right. Made viewing web pages real nice to have an analog control for the scrollbar using only a finger. It's too bad it wasn't more widely supported in games. Many I played didn't even recognize it, and most that did recognize it had it calibrated way to sensitively, to the point where the slightest touch would send my weapons into a frenzy.

      --
      It's like sex, except I'm having it!
  11. Miserable editing by nganju · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The concept behind a scroll wheel is you simply move your finger in up, down, left and right directions to use the function.

    I think you mean scroll panel, not scroll wheel. Does anyone even read these before posting them?

    --
    There are 2 kinds of people in this world. Those that can keep their train of thought,
  12. Tactile feedback by guyfromindia · · Score: 4, Insightful

    One think I like about scroll wheels is the tactile feedback.. (bumps when you roll the wheel)
    It gives me a perspective on how much I am scrolling.
    without it, I am not sure it will be a good experience..

    1. Re:Tactile feedback by md81544 · · Score: 4, Informative

      I bought a microsoft cordless mouse last year - and the scroll wheel has no "bumps"! I agree with you - it's an odd sensation not having them there. But you do get used to it. It's annoying though when you're playing Counterstrike and you use the scrollwheel to select weapons - you have to be careful not to overshoot the one you wanted.

    2. Re:Tactile feedback by SatanicPuppy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I don't know how many people use this function, but it's pretty common these days on MS boxes. If you click the scroll-wheel button, it changes your cursor to a little up/down (and right left on some applications) cursor link that lets you scroll by moving your mouse up and down. Think I saw it first on office, years ago.

      The thing is, I HATE it. There is a fine line between scrolling a little faster and SCREAMING down to the bottom of the page. It's seriously annoying.

      So, my question is, how does this touchpad deal with the speed question? I'd like to have more control than is currently possible with the wheel, but I don't want to have it spastically jumping around the screen when I brush it.

      --
      ad logicam Claiming a proposition is false because it was presented as the conclusion of a fallacious argument.
  13. What the!!!! by kaje103 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I was on google searching for dicks and assholes and I get linked to this stupid /. site!

  14. No middle click! by thule · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Since there is no way to press down on that panel, that means there is no middle click for us X users out there. That middle click turns into the command for left scroll.

    Other than that, the mouse is pretty nice. No moving parts except for the right/left buttons. When the mouse is in off mode, the right/left buttons dis-engage.

  15. Re:Doomsday? by duguk · · Score: 2, Funny

    Could this be the end of rethorical doomsday predictions in /. articles? :D

    Ok, ok, I'm sorry.

    D

  16. I have one by radish · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The "wheel" works pretty well, it's certainly nice to scroll up and down with, no complaints there. I also like the other design aspects of the mouse - like the tiny transmitter which fits inside the mouse for safe keeping. What I really don't like (being a Firefox user) is the lack of a middle button (which of course a wheel usually doubles as). It's very irritating to lose my middle-click open new tab function. If I had realised you couldn't use the touch pad as a button, I wouldn't have bought it.

    --

    ---- Den ene knappen er powerknapp, den andre er Bender voice knapp "Bite My Shiny Metal Ass"

    1. Re:I have one by hikerhat · · Score: 5, Funny

      Some people don't have their other hand free when using firefox.

    2. Re:I have one by glesga_kiss · · Score: 2, Insightful
      It's very irritating to lose my middle-click open new tab function. If I had realised you couldn't use the touch pad as a button, I wouldn't have bought it.

      Pester the maker for a driver update, there is no hardware reason why it won't work, provided they have just thrown a laptop touchpad in there (which accept clicks nicely).

  17. On the Logitech Site by lapsan · · Score: 2, Informative

    Here is a link to the Logitech page about this mouse:

    http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2146,CONTENTID=9508

    It doesn't even look like a touchscreen 'scroll' panel as much as a flat button with up, down, left, right capabilities.

    They've got a flash online demo of sorts to check out to see how it works. Doesn't even look as "fancy" as the Kensington touchpad mouse people have mentioned.

  18. Cute mouse, but it lacks tactile feedback by TheRealElbadoo · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I bought one of these because of its extemely compact usb receiver. My older laptop's USB plug is recessed in the case so that most other wireless receivers would require an extension cable.

    This one's small enough that it plugs right in. I'm half-tempted to try and see if I can fit it inside the laptop's case. (BTW, why don't laptop makers include wireless mouse capability? OK, so Bluetooth might count, if there are any good Bluetooth mice...)

    Unfortunately, the mouse suffers from a lack of tactile feedback. It has a slightly audible "tick" when you're scrolling, but I really miss the physical "bump" of a real scroll wheel. Perhaps they could accomplish the same thing by adding some little ridges on the scroll surface?

    A little center dimple, like you find on calculator and phone "5" keys would also help in positioning your scrolling finger.

    It could also use a third button. Two just ain't enough!

    This is good enough for a compact laptop mouse, but I'd wait until they refine it some for desktop use.

  19. Re:Thinkpads by bogie · · Score: 2, Funny

    "It's glorious...for long web pages"

    "My hands can stay on the keyboard"

    Yea right. ;)

    --
    If you wanna get rich, you know that payback is a bitch
  20. Why isn't anyone using Bluetooth? by fsck! · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Why are Logitech and friends not using Bluetooth? It seems the most logical choice--broad compatibility, better utilization of that narrow and crowded frequency range, plus they can at a lower price because so many laptops and desktops already ship with Bluetooth support.

  21. Re:whooping! by kfg · · Score: 2, Funny

    Christ Almighty on a shingle. The fans in my PC are loud enough already without having my cpu going around and whooping all the time.

    Are water cooled cpu gags going to be the next hot mod?

    KFG

  22. Re:keep reading by soupdevil · · Score: 2, Funny

    Which is why I'm a musician, not a programmer, I guess.

  23. I already have a mouse by StarCharter · · Score: 3, Funny

    What I need is a $70 cordless notebook.

  24. Whatever happened to BlueTooth? by Minstrel+Boy · · Score: 5, Interesting
    I don't understand why the majority of wireless mice/keyboards out there use RF rather than BlueTooth. It's a reasonable standard, it's been out there for awhile, lots of notebooks come with built-in BlueTooth - I expected to see all the newer wireless mice start to use it over the past couple of years. Is it licensing fees? Power consumption? Implementation problems?

    KeS

    1. Re:Whatever happened to BlueTooth? by Mac+Degger · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Heh :) Only the AC comes close to a correct and comprehensive answer :)

      Bluetooth is overkill and way too expensive for a mouse. It's also too complex. Why use a tech which is more difficult to integrate than RF when you only need up/down/left/right/buttonclick info to be sent; why use a tech which eats a lot more power than 'just' RF; why use a tech which is more expensive than RF, as bluetooth means having to buy a chip and integrate it wilst RF only needs a transmitter/reciever antenna hooked up to some logic?

      In short, using RF means using the propper tool for the job, instead of using the equivelant of a jackhammer when you could use a tiny screwdriver to unscrew something.

      --
      -- Waht? Tehr's a preveiw buottn?
    2. Re:Whatever happened to BlueTooth? by screensaver400 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Why? Because RF isn't standardized. It isn't built into any computers like Bluetooth is. I have a Powerbook, and all I want is a Bluetooth v500, because I don't want something sticking out of the end of my 'book. If Bluetooth is overkill, fine. Make me some kind of standard that will be internal in laptops, and will support wireless mice and the like. Also, by your complexity argument, all mice should use a serial port, since USB is really overkill. But I'm just nitpicking there. ;-)

    3. Re:Whatever happened to BlueTooth? by doombob · · Score: 2, Informative

      Have you ever tried to develop any kind of hardware to use Bluetooth wireless? It's not fun or easy. In one of my senior design classes, we tried to implement wireless sensors that would use Bluetooth to communicate with each other and a base station, and it was next to impossible. We spent most of the year trying to get the Bluetooth to transmit the data we wanted correctly rather than working on any other part of the project. Our professor still gave us an A since he felt sorry for us.

  25. MX900 by Brian+Stretch · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Logitech's MX900 mouse uses Bluetooth, but yeah, why they don't use it more often is beyond me too. Must be a cost issue of some sort. FWIW, I use a Microsoft Bluetooth mouse with my notebook. Logitech's mouse is supposed to be a bit nicer. Shame HP only provides Bluetooth radios with their Configure-To-Order notebooks and not with the gazillions they sell at retail. I always encourage people to add the Bluetooth option when helping them buy notebooks.

  26. First were keys. by SharpFang · · Score: 3, Insightful

    First of all were keys. Separate. One press, one effect.
    Then keys on top of keys. Shift plus a key... And keys on top of keys of keys. Double bucky :)
    Then, paddles. One manipulator - one rotary wheel, plus a key. Two of them, separate. Plus one key on each.
    Then came standard joystick, essentially four keys connected into one. Plus one separate (fire).
    Then came mouse. Two paddles connected into one. Plus two keys on top.
    About the same time came analog joystick. Two paddles connected into one, but with ability to return to original position by itself. Sometimes better than mouse, sometimes not. Of course, keys on top.
    Then some aberrations like trackball (mouse on its back) or driving wheel with pedals (2 paddles mounted in specific positions), mousepad without mouse (touch tablet), mousepad without mouse on top of keys (touch pad) micro-joystick on top of keys (trackpoint), etc - marginal use. And all with lots of keys on them.
    Then they added another paddle on top of the mouse. Wheel mouse.
    Analog joystick evolved. Two more joysticks were added in paralell (PS gamepad).
    Sometime along yet another paddle was added to top of mouse. (a4tech etc 2-wheel mice).
    Some more aberrations. Paddle on top of keys (keyboards with scrollwheels), Joystick on top of joystick (multiple levels of freedom), triple paddles (steering wheels with throttle), touch tablets on top of screens (touch screens), etc.
    Now we learn Logitech put a joystick on top of a mouse.

    Still waiting for mouse on top of a mouse (trackball instead of wheel), mouse on top of a joystick (trackball again, seemed like xbox2 would have it but not), and whatever comes next, following the pattern.

    Remember: keys and paddles.

    And of course screens on top of screens (windows).

    --
    45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
  27. Iffy ergonomics.... by Half-pint+HAL · · Score: 3, Interesting
    As someone with a personal and professional interest in ergonomics, I'm not too happy about this.

    First up, scroll wheels are a Bad Thing to start off with as they encourage unnatural movements of the middle finger while holding the rest of the fingers static.

    Secondly, things like zero-travel buttons and trackpads all too often prove far too sensitive -- any small twitch is interpreted as a meaningful movement. The result is that the user tenses up to avoid making any inadvertant movements.

    As all computer-people should know: tension is the root cause of many an RSI.

    HAL

    --
    Got them moderator blues I blieve I walk out the do', With these mod-points I been gettin', I 'most never post no mo'
    1. Re:Iffy ergonomics.... by toddestan · · Score: 2, Informative

      First up, scroll wheels are a Bad Thing to start off with as they encourage unnatural movements of the middle finger while holding the rest of the fingers static.

      I don't know about you, but I always use my index finger to scroll the scroll wheel on my mouse. Never really gave it any thought, it just seems natural to me. The only thing the middle finger is used for is right clicks.

    2. Re:Iffy ergonomics.... by redd+robber · · Score: 2, Informative

      Do people use their middle finger on the scroll wheel? I use my index finger on the scroll button, shifting it to the left button when I need to click left. My middle finger is used for the right button.

      Maybe because I started with a two button mouse?

      Is this better ergonomically?

      Maybe this is also why I suck at counterstrike?

      Too many questions,

      Redd

  28. Left unsaid... by Embedded+Geek · · Score: 2, Interesting
    the era of scroll wheels is short-lived if Logitech applies the same design to its desktop equivalent products...

    ...and they drop the price by an order of magnitude.

    It will be interesting to see if they can get the manufacturing costs down to $1-3 to adapt into a mouse. A quick check shows most touchpad mouse alternatives bottoming at about $30. How much of that is on the retail end (market demand & cost of stocking less popular goods) and the manufacturing end (dedicated USB stuff, case - stuff that goes away when integrated into a mouse) is anyone's guess.

    An engineering challenge, to bring the concept of a touchpad onto a mouse for a low cost, but with the right price pressures (especially from competition) I wouldn't mind dropping an extra buck or three on this. Not too much more than that, though.

    --

    "Prepare for the worst - hope for the best."

  29. Powerbook trackpad / Firefox? by slthytove · · Score: 4, Informative

    I assume your browser history problems occur when you are using Firefox, as I had the same problem when I got my new Powerbook. Thinking something was fishy, I investigated a little bit, and it turns out that the behavior is due to (IMHO) a poor choice for default horizontal scrolling behavior in Firefox.

    If you want to change Firefox to actually scroll side-to-side, open up Firefox and enter the URL "about:config"

    Enter a filter of "mousewheel" so you're only seeing settings relating to the mousewheel.

    Set mousewheel.horizscroll.withnokey.action to 0 (the default value is 2, I believe). You may also want to try adjusting the values of mousewheel.horizscroll.withnokey.numlines and mousewheel.withnokey.numlines to get a more comfortable feel for how screens scroll in Firefox (and make sure to set the .sysnumlines values for each of those to "false," otherwise your changes won't have any effect).

    After I got those settings fixed, I found scrolling with the Trackpad in Firefox to be quite handy, though for some reason it still seems touchier than Safari. Oh well - I guess not enough of Firefox's developers are Powerbook users, and I lack the initiative to make a positive change.

    1. Re:Powerbook trackpad / Firefox? by FuzzyBad-Mofo · · Score: 3, Informative

      Here's what worked for me with Powerbook trackpad + Firefox:

      1. go to about:config
      2. set mousewheel.horizscroll.withnokey.action = 0
      3. set mousewheel.withnokey.sysnumlines = false
      4. set mousewheel.horizscroll.withnokey.numlines = 1
  30. This thing SUCKS by Jakobud · · Score: 2, Informative

    I got this a few weeks ago interested in the unique features it offered. What a waste of money. I hated it almost immediately.

    Ergonomnics - The shape of it is like a small box. About as non-ergonomic as you can get. Convinced that it was 'cool' product that I just had to ease myself into, I forced myself to use it and got used to the weird shape after a few days. But my hand began to hurt pretty easily from being in such an akward grip all the time.

    Scroll Pad - The whole 'scroll pad' thing.... Not a good idea... It's interesting and new and unique, but if Logitech replaces all their scroll wheels with these things I'd have to start buying other mice. I had an incredibly difficult time with it in some cases. It is good for scrolling up or down on long documents or webpages. But it is HORRIBLE for when you need precision scrolling. Like if you know you need to move the scroll wheel up exactly 3 "clicks", it is virtuall impossible, unless you get lucky.

    EXAMPLE - You are playing some FPS game and you use the scroll wheel/pad to change weapons. You are using the pistol and you have to scroll up 2 "clicks" to get to the shotgun. With this mouse, GOOD LUCK!. You will either overshoot or undershoot almost everytime and end up with the wrong weapon in your hand. Impossible.

    COLLAPSING - A cool unique feature is that the wireless receiver can fit into the bottom of the mouse and it collapses upon itself for easy storage/travel. A cool idea that works very well.

    NO MIDDLE MOUSE BUTTON - I use the middle mouse button all the time in my field of work and can't use this mouse without it. Logitech decided it was a good idea to get rid of it for some reason. Probably cause making a clickable scroll pad was too complicated. Anyways, BAD MOVE.

    Overall I give this mouse a 3/10 (10 being the best). I like the collapsing feature, but there are too many other problems with it. Too uncomfortable, scroll wheel too difficult to work with, and no middle mouse button.

    In my opinion, if you want a really great and comfortable mouse, buy the Logitech MediaPlay mouse. I own 3 of these things for my computers. It's wireless. Perfect for either left or right handed folks. Very ergonomic. And the wireless is very responsive. IMHO this is the best mouse Logitech has released since the original 3-button MouseMan many years ago...