Introduction

   One's choice in input devices is as much a matter of personal preference as one's choice in clothing, food or movies, it seems. Just as some people don't seem to mind what they wear too much (I am one of them), some people don't seem to care what mouse or what keyboard they use, so as long as they work. For others, the choice of mouse or keyboard is a critical affair, and input devices that would be okay for a majority of the population just won't do for them - they must be fully comfortable with what they're using and "just any mouse" won't do. For these people, the effects of an inferior mouse can range from mildly annoying to crippling, and can severely affect their ability to do work well. (Or play games well, for that matter.)

In this area, I think I'm somewhere in between. I don't mind using most mice, so as long as they're responsive and not caked in disgusting gunk from overuse and lack of cleaning. However, if a mouse isn't working well, causing the cursor to jump across the screen or otherwise move unpredictably, I get annoyed very quickly. However, the thing that really annoys me is the trackpad on notebooks. Don't get me wrong - I understand the need for this sort of input device on a notebook or laptop, but I've hated using one ever since my first try and always will. I suspect most people do not like using it either, and with the prevalence of laptops nowadays, that equates to a lot of trackpads being used with annoyance, or not being used at all.

Indeed, most people who use laptops in a "desktop" way, that is, in a fixed location where the system isn't moved much, usually resort to using a mouse - it only makes sense. But when one is on the move frequently, moving a regular desktop mouse with its long cord can also be a little annoying. Seeing this, Logitech has released many mice targeted specifically for notebooks and laptops. Taking advantage of the increased availability of cordless technology, these mice have all recently been wireless - a definite benefit for the mobile user. Their latest offering in this area, the V400, is a rugged, portable mouse that also offers a dual-laser tracking system, and aims to be the best mouse for your laptop. Is it worth your money?

Specifications

   Logitech outfitted this mouse with laser tracking technology, opting to further the transition from optical to laser sensors for mice. The dual-laser tracking is based on a Philips design, and claims to better track surface variations and hence deliver precision tracking with "all-terrain performance", as Logitech says. In keeping with their other wireless mice designs, the mini-receiver for the V400 resembles a small USB drive, and plugs directly into a USB port, taking up little space and having no buttons in order to simplify installation. It runs in the 2.4 GHz frequency range, and its sleek, small look fits well with any laptop.

• Please see Logitech's site for product specifications and details.

Besides this technical jargon, the V400 is also not short on functionality or features. Complete with a wheel that also does side-to-side scrolling, (just like other Logitech mice), the V400 also has two more buttons, that by default are used to go "Back" or "Forward" in your web browser or while you're navigating through directories on your computer. They are conveniently located to the left of the left mouse button, and are easily activated, though if you're left-handed they might be harder to use since you'll have to use your middle finger to work them. The addition of these extra buttons brings the level of functionality on the V400 up to desktop-mouse standards, as anyone who has used back/forward buttons on mice will not want to be without them.

The neatest feature however, directly relates to the V400's portability. When not in use, or when you're transporting it, the mini-USB receiver plugs into a slot at the back; to get it out, simply push it in and it pops out, intuitively. The mouse also automatically turns off and on depending on whether the receiver is stored away in it or not, helping to save battery life in an easy way, rather than having a separate on/off switch. Thus, the V400 is carried easily since there isn't anything other than the mouse to carry, and it will fit easily into most any laptop carrying case or bag.

Most of you will know that I hate plastic packaging because it's always hard and annoying to open, but the V400 is a little easier since the packaging is perforated, making it easier to cut without cutting yourself on the plastic. Once inside you'll find not only the mouse and receiver, but also a single AA battery and the SetPoint software for customizing the mouse buttons. It's worthwhile to note that this mouse only uses a single AA battery - previous Logitech mice had used two, so the move down to using only one not only indicates a more efficient design that should save money on batteries, but also translates into a mouse that is lighter and easier to use.

The V400 package.

Contents.

Single AA battery.

   As you can see, the mini-receiver is actually smaller than most USB drives, being only slightly longer than the AA battery. Also, unlike the receiver on the Logitech V200 mouse, it's flat and small and doesn't have a chance at blocking any adjacent USB ports - a good feature on notebooks that often have ports and plugs crammed together at the back or side. The receiver easily slides in and out of the mouse for storage/transportation. Also near the receiver compartment on the mouse, at the back, is an LED that will indicate when the battery life is low, to give you some time to swap batteries; it glows green for a short period of time when the mouse is first switched under normal conditions.

Receiver slot.

Receiver in mouse.

Card comparison.

   As expected, the V400 is smaller than a regular mouse, being only a little longer than a pack of cards and maybe twice as thick at its thickest point, making the mouse also quite flat, compared to other mice. Compared to a full-sized mouse like the Logitech G7, the V400 seems like a dwarf. As I've mentioned before, to me, it would make better sense to make a notebook or laptop mouse the same as a desktop mouse, but just include features such as the stow-away receiver as well, to make it easier to carry. In this way, the mouse would provide better support and wouldn't "feel" like a smaller notebook-only mouse. However, with Logitech releasing many cordless mice that use mini-receivers, such as the MX610, perhaps these mice will be the ones people choose for laptops rather than mice designated as only for the laptop. It just seems to me that the choice to make these mice smaller than normal was more an issue of market segmentation than anything else.

   Having said that, the V400 is not uncomfortable to use. While it doesn't have the same feel as a full-size desktop mouse, its ambidextrous design fits well in your hand, and the side rubber-grips make it easier to use and control, being somewhat molded to the shape of the hand. The V400 is also flat for a mouse, and doesn't really fill the curve of your hand, thus you'll probably be using this mouse with a finger hold rather than a full-hand grip, which may be disappointing to some. Also, while the colour of the V400 in this review was "Storm Grey", it's also available in "Freerider Orange", which adds a dash of bright-orange to it, which is too crazy and intense for me.

Not very thick.

V400 vs. G7.

Extra buttons.

   The buttons are arranged normally, and while the mouse is ambidextrous, as mentioned before, the extra back/forward buttons are placed to the side that favours right-handed usage, in my opinion. The scroll wheel button also does side-to-side scrolling, but was a little smaller than a regular mouse's scroll wheel; I would have preferred a normal-sized wheel as it shouldn't have been a problem to put one on the V400. The extra back/forward buttons, while close together, worked well and I didn't find myself accidentally pressing one or the other. The buttons worked well and provided good tactile feedback, and didn't feel too loose; however, the middle (wheel) button felt a little too stiff, but perhaps this was just the effect of the wheel button being narrower than normal.

Side scrolling.

Not much palm support.

   The V400 felt nice to hold, thanks to the nice rubber side grips and a surface that wasn't overly smooth or rough. The buttons weren't hard to reach and the mouse also looks nice with most laptops and won't stand out as being weird or esoteric. The mouse feels quite rugged when everything's packed up, so you shouldn't have to worry about it getting damaged in your carrying case. The dual laser engine is also invisible, unlike most optical mice, though I wouldn't point it at your eyes for long periods of time, just because I'm slightly paranoid.