Introduction

   Despite having a huge customer base, both from end-users and OEMs, Logitech is no slouch when it comes to releasing new and innovative products. They know as well as anyone that being big is no excuse for dragging your heels - in this industry, as in any other, if you don't come up with better products faster than your competitor, chances are that you'll soon find yourself losing ground on all sides. Customers generally have little loyalty if better products are available from other companies at lower prices.

Thus, Logitech has been pretty steady in releasing new, top-of-the-line mice to compete with the likes of Microsoft, Razer, and other companies. While I would expect them to make the most of their revenue from large orders from OEMs (like Dell), they have continued to cater to the performance users, releasing products like the MX1000 and G7 mice, despite their lower sales volumes, as compared with other lower-priced mice. In this way, they have kept their market ownership fairly high across all segments, and having used both of these mice before, I can attest to their quality and usefulness.

However, a recurring trend has plagued most high-end mice, including Logitech's: They are almost all designed for the right-handed user in mind. In an attempt to increase comfort for these users, the mice were often designed sloping to one side, with button layouts to better accommodate the right-handed grip. While these changes usually did make the mouse feel better for right-handed users, they often left... left-handed users out in the cold. (Yes, the pun was intended.) So, lefties often had to fend for themselves, either learning to use the mouse with the right-hand, painstakingly using it with the left, or opting for an ambidextrous mouse that offered less features, instead.

Well, it seems that Logitech has had enough of this left-handed discrimination - they've finally released the MX610 Lefty, a left-handed only mouse that is a mirror copy of the original MX610 that was for righties only, and I say, "It's about time." This is the first left-handed-only mouse I've seen, and certainly the first to offer a huge bevy of features typical of right-hand-only mice - let's see if it delivers the goods.

Specifications

   Levering the latest technology, the MX610 comes with a laser sensor that should improve tracking because of the coherency of its tracking light. It also utilizes a 2.4 GHz wireless connection, with a mini-USB receiver typical of other Logitech mice that won't clutter up your ports. (Though a USB to PS/2 adapter is included.) The USB connection allows for two-way communication, so that the mice can both send and receive information. The mouse also features a smart power system that powers down the mouse automatically when the computer is off, to save battery life; a low battery indicator LED is on top of the mouse to warn you before the batteries run out.

• Full specifications

   Being able to send and receive over the connection is important for the MX610, because it has notification buttons that light up to inform you of new e-mail and instant messages. While this feature may be of limited usefulness to some, the functionality is customizable. Besides this, the mouse also features a tilt-wheel, back/forward buttons and volume control, for a grand total of 10(!) buttons. (I think, I have trouble counting that high.)

The MX610 Lefty I got came in fairly plain packaging, though this may be changed as it's released in large quantities to retail outlets. This didn't bother me though; I like simple packaging that's easy to open. Inside, you'll find the MX610, two AA batteries, the mini-USB receiver and PS/2 adapter, and a software CD and small install guide. As always, I'd opt to download the latest version of Logitech's SetPoint software (used to customize and provide full functionality to the mouse) from their site, just in case any updates have come out since the mouse shipped.

The MX610 Lefty.

Package contents.

Mirror of the original.

   The two AA batteries that the MX610 uses will make the mouse seem heavier than most, especially if you've always been using a corded mouse, but the mouse should have a pretty good battery life. From experience with other Logitech (non-rechargeable) cordless mice, the batteries should have a few months of life to them in this mouse - perhaps more because of the power saving features present. This brings the cost of ownership down to pretty much pennies a month. The receiver is a very small unit that plugs directly into a USB port, and shouldn't block off access to any adjacent ports.

As you can see from the pictures, the MX610 Lefty is pretty much a copy of the original MX610 - except the MX610 Lefty is what you would get if you could reach into a mirror with the original MX610 in front of it. (Maybe that's what Logitech has done - their mirror technology could be more advanced than we thought.) More than likely, they just reversed all the moulds or shapes used to form the mouse - I don't really know how mice are constructed. The internal electronics are likely the same, save for maybe some reconstruction to make them fit inside the newly-shaped body.

To me, this makes sense - if you have a good right-handed mouse, why bother to reinvent the wheel? Taking a proven design and just making it left-handed seems like a sound approach, especially considering that the MX610 was a high-end product. The MX610 Lefty fits well into your hand, providing good palm and thumb support with its sleek contours and nice side-grips. (The grips are smooth but feel rubbery, allowing for a nice hold.)

Thumb buttons.

Volume control and notification.

Tilt wheel.

   Being a high-end product, the MX610 Lefty is packed with many buttons and lots of functionality. Besides the standard buttons, the wheel button also offers side-to-side scrolling, which is quickly becoming a standard for mice. You'll also find two thumb buttons for back/forward functionality in apps like your web browser. Volume control buttons for up/down and mute are also located to the right of the index finger button; behind these are the E-mail and IM notification buttons, (which are translucent and light up to notify you), and they are best operated by the thumb. Despite this huge cache of buttons, they are placed on the MX610 in such a way that it does not look overly cluttered or busy like some grade school science project gone bad - the MX610 retains a look of professionalism, important for people who care about how their desktop looks.

Side grips.

Many buttons.

Gentle slope.

   The MX610 has a very comfortable shape that slopes gently to one side to accommodate the left-handed user. Compared with normal mice, the MX610 has a more full and formed fit to your hand, and should provide more support, which could make things more comfortable in the long run. Personally, input devices are very important for me because they're the fundamental limit to how well you can use a computer - after all, they are really another interface of sorts. Thus, having a keyboard and mouse that feel good to use should be at the top of your list, and I think the MX610 meets this demand for a mouse.

On the bottom of the mouse is the battery compartment; here the two supplied AA batteries install easily, and above is a power button and LED that glows shortly after the mouse is turned on. The laser sensor is also seen here, along with four feet. The mouse can be turned off at any time by holding down the power button for a few seconds; the same action turns it back on, and the green LED gives good indication of when it's on or off.

2 AA batteries (supplied).

On/off button and laser sensor.

Mouse comparison.

   Compared with other mice, the MX610 is easily one of the biggest mice you're likely to see, thus it should feel nice even for people with large hands who usually have trouble with smaller mice. Overall, the MX610 doesn't seem overly complicated - the laser engine should make it easier to use on a variety of surfaces and Logitech's 2.4 GHz interface should make usage a snap. Combined with the sleek shape and feel (the exterior is not too rough or smooth and has just the right texture), the MX610 certainly gives one a good first impression.