Review: Logitech MX Revolution Mouse

It’s only when you’re handed a mouse as great as the Logitech MX Revolution that you realize what you’ve been missing. I’ve been so accustomed to Apple’s one button wireless mouse for so long that I had no idea what a different mouse could do in helping me in my daily workflow.

The Logitech MX Revolution is labeled as the worlds most advanced mouse. Inside is a rechargeable li-ion battery run over a 2.4Ghz cordless connection and has 7 buttons, two scroll wheels. Outside, it features a great erginomical design.

mxrevolution-box.png

Design

Compared to other cordless laser mice, I don’t find the MX Revolution too different in terms of weight. It’s notably larger in size than stock Apple mouse, but it fits in my hand much better due to the slightly larger size and cut out “groove” in the side of the mice.

To pair it up with your Mac (or PC) simply plug the included portable USB transceiver into a free USB port, and your good to go. There are two things I’d like to note about the mouse using a radio frequency not bluetooth. One positive point is the ability to quickly swap the MX Revolution between computers without hassle, and a down-point is it takes up a USB port.

It feels very comfortable in my hand, I can use it for much longer periods of time without strain than other mice, it’s not awkward at all to leave my hand on the mouse for prolonged periods - great for late night blogging or photo editing sessions.

The black design might not be for all - once again I thought it might not suit my Apple setup too well, but I was wrong. The black against white doesn’t look bad at all, and I’m quite happy to leave the charging base sitting on my desk when not in use, the whole package looks very slick.

mxrevolution-overview.png

Hyper Fast Scrolling

Hyper fast scrolling using the main scroll wheel is one of the the most unique features the MX Revolution has to offer. Simply flick your finger on the scroll wheel, and it’s mechanical design will keep the wheel spinning until you put your finger back down on it, perfect for scrolling large web-pages such as Digg or my posts related to Apple.

You can also press down on the scroll wheel to enable “normal” scrolling, and click again to free up the wheel for hyper fast scrolling. This is a really awesome feature, browsing the web has never been easier.

mxrevolution-buttons.png

7 Programmable Buttons

One of the major features on the MX Revolution is its seven buttons, all of which are fully programmable through Logitech’s Control Center. I personally have the button on top of the mouse set to hide the current app, the back button on the side to display Expose All Windows, the forward button to display Expose Desktop, and the button on the side wheel to open Dashboard.

These are all big time savers if you program them right, according to what features in OSX you use frequently. The buttons can even be set to do things such as open folders or applications, or even insert strings of text into documents.

mxrevolution-charging.png

Charging Base

Wireless Mouse owners will share my frustration with how quickly the batteries drain. I found myself changing batteries on my Apple Wireless Mouse (Not Mighty) every 5-7 days, it’s not a fun or enjoyable task - in fact, it made we want to move away from using a wireless mouse.

Conclusion

Overall, the Logitech MX Revolution is the best mouse I’ve ever had in hand. The combination of 7 buttons, hyper fast scrolling, ergonomic design, and a charging base makes for an excellent mouse well worth every cent it costs. I’m hooked - try one and you will be too.

Comments

  1. #1

    Jeremy S

    Great review Glenn. I have been waiting for this review since i saw you had the mouse. I have been wanting to purchase this mouse for a while, but have been hesitant because of the high price. I currently don’t own a desktop, do you think this mouse will be as useful for a notebook (mainly because of the size)?

  2. #2

    wphj → www.wphj.wordpress.com

    This is the only type of mouse that could possibly tear me away from my Mighty Mouse. I just love the scroll ball and squeezing feature. I always end up squeezing other mice when I’m not on my computer!

  3. #3

    Caitlyn Imburgo → www.alwaysg5.com

    Another great review, Glenn. I like Logitech products very much, myself. :) I’m looking forward to your Airport Extreme Review.

  4. #4

    Kiro → tstitch.wordpress.com

    The only mouse I’ve ever bought separately is my Apple Wireless Mouse. Not the mighty mouse. I think that a mighty mouse would be a good step forward for my workflow because my pocket book isn’t as big as I want it to be. Sweet Review. I’ll be sure to notice it next time I see it at a store.

  5. #5

    Ryan → appleication.com

    Shame they haven’t taken the same “swappable lithium ion” approach as they took in my G7. That way you never run out of batteries, and you’d have the perfect mouse.

  6. #6

    Ivan Brezak Brkan → www.ivanbrezakbrkan.com

    I’ve heard there have been issues with Macs and Logitech MX Revolution mice because of bad drivers and that a good number of the features don’t work… No issues for you?

  7. #7

    alej744

    The only issue I’ve found with this mouse is that the horizontal scrolling doesn’t work. Also, It forces you to program Safari, Preview, Photoshop, and some Microsoft apps separately (annoying). The battery life is pretty good. I just charge it while I sleep and it never drains.
    The hyper-fast scrolling … I haven’t found a use for it. Being forced to use only hyper-fast scrolling would be really annoying. It feels slippery and way too fast.
    I got it 20% off at Best Buy ($80)
    Great mouse.

  8. #8

    MacFreak → macfreak.wordpress.com

    Oh no. I may have to buy one…..

  9. #9

    Indraneel → indraneel.thepurohits.net

    I love my LX5. I’ve had it for 6 months now and have only changed the battery once.

  10. #10

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    Oh no. I may have to buy one…..

    Let me tell you, once you pick up the MX Revolution, there’s no going back.

  11. #11

    Jeremy → jeremyfriedland.com

    I ve been interested in the his mouse for some time, but it pretty dang expensive.

  12. #12

    Brian Gilham → www.ekonoline.com

    I bought the MX Revolution about two months ago and I agree with everything Glenn said in his review. It may be expensive, but it really is the best mouse out there.

  13. #13

    Chris McElligott → theflanneleffect.com

    I’ve noticed recently the that the scroll wheel gets stuck in free spin mode, I literally need to shake the mouse for it to pop back into place. Oh and by the way, it’s spelt ergonomic not erginomic.

  14. #14

    Ivan Brezak Brkan → www.ivanbrezakbrkan.com

    @alej744: Thanks :)

    You guys are going to get me into Buying Mood TM… Argh! *Wait for new Mac… Wait for new Mac… Then buy a new mouse* ;)

  15. #15

    Michael → whalesalad.com

    I got a Revolution MX a few months ago and fell in love with it, after some getting used to. But! A week or so before SXSW I purchased a Wireless Mighty Mouse and it has definitely replaced the MX Revolution on my list of the best mice.

  16. #16

    Stephen Paul → ccjohannesburg.com

    I badly want this mouse, but last time I tried using something wireless from Logitech with my Mac (about 2.5 months ago) the Logitech Control Center acted weird — It kind of scare me in that it caused the first crash to Mac OS X that I’ve had in years. I’m debating whether to try installing it again with my old wireless setup now that Apple has updated to 10.4.9.

  17. #17

    Dan

    If I had a desktop this looks perfect but since I am frequently carting my macbook pro around I use ths slimmer yet equally sophisticated Logitech v500. I really think logitech is the best manufacturer of mice out there. I use rechargeable batteries and get about 3 months out of them, which seems quite long in comparison to Apples wireless mouse.

    http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/MY/EN,CRID=2135,CONTENTID=9508

  18. #18

    elclinto → difted.com

    Just bought the MX, I felt weird, being a mac user thinking it was going to look junky, but the it looks nice and the reviews and usability of this mouse make it happen. It’s great…nice review by the way.

  19. #19

    Logitech’s MX Revolution · cavemonkey50.com → cavemonkey50.com/2007/04/logitechs-mx-revolution

    [...] past week I decided to join great bloggers like Paul Stamatiou, Derek Punsalan, Alex King, Glenn Wosley, Matt Brett, and James Mathias and purchased myself Logitech’s MX Revolution. I was planning [...]

  20. #20

    Kelly-Anne Frendo → www.glide.gi

    Having had an earlier Logitech laser cordless dockable mouse for several years now, I bought the MX Revolution without even reading any reviews - and I don’t regret it one bit! It’s a fantastic mouse, very comfortable, the customisation of the buttons is great if you are the only one using the mouse, it’s sleek and smooth and stylish. Functionality is great and it’s ergonomically pleasing for a right-handed person. Not cheap but I honestly think it’s worth paying for this mouse!

  21. #21

    Cheryl*

    Have had this mouse for about 3 months and all of a sudden our batteries drained. Cant recall if we left it off overnight or something? But now when it recharges if you have the control window open it charges for a moment then you see the red cricitcal battery icon flashing on the mouse and the SetPoint settings window says something like “error occurred (sp?) while charging.” Then it charges for a moment and … rinse and repeat. Anyone? I’m starting to think it just isn’t reading the batteries right. One day it said .5 days left, and 2 hours later it said 14 days left. After charging a short time later, it was back down to just 1 day of power on the reading. HELP?

  22. #22

    Dr. MadCow → www.drmadcow.net

    I had the pleasure of having Logitech send me a Logitech MX Revolution to review, and now at work I curse the fact that I only have one. Its one of those things that once you start to use it, the bar that is your computer experience rises. The closest comparison is dual monitors vs a single monitor. The scroll wheel is my favorite feature especially for web development, or even should the need arise scroll through 3000+ emails in Outlook with a single flick of your wrist. Its sexy and functional, what else can you ask for in a mouse?

  23. #23

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    I had the pleasure of having Logitech send me a Logitech MX Revolution to review, and now at work I curse the fact that I only have one. Its one of those things that once you start to use it, the bar that is your computer experience rises. The closest comparison is dual monitors vs a single monitor. The scroll wheel is my favorite feature especially for web development, or even should the need arise scroll through 3000+ emails in Outlook with a single flick of your wrist. Its sexy and functional, what else can you ask for in a mouse?

    Exactly, I couldn’t agree more. I feel very weird on a Mac without the Logitech MX Revolution, it makes for an awkward computing experience.

  24. #24

    Al

    I currently use the Logitech MX-1000 mouse and am having issues with my right click. I called them and they no longer make the MX-1000 mouse and want to replace it with the MX-Revolution. I am a little hessitant. I mainly use my mouse for gaming and set my buttons to use other programs like Ventrillo and in game speak. If I exchange this, will I still have these features?

  25. #25

    Mighty Mouse - Not So Mighty! at rdsaunders.co.uk :: the personal site of Richard Saunders → www.rdsaunders.co.uk/2007/10/03/mighty-mouse-not-so-mighty

    [...] just fed up of this mouse now time to get something new! Thanks to Glen Wolsey and his review on the Logitech MX Revolution  I think I’ve found an excellent replacement mouse, I’ve [...]

  26. #26

    Peter

    I bought the mouse months ago and I have to say I love it, except for the fact I too get the problem with the batteries. I get a message saying “An error occurred when charging” every time I try to charge them for some reason. If theres an in store warranty you can get… Do it. Its quite annoying even if the mouse still works decent.

  27. #27

    Eduardo G.

    This is an awesome mouse!! I love the free wheel thing its just so much faster, like youve been liberated from scrolling line by line. I got my mouse for $34 i think but its refurbished. Works perfect like retail!

  28. #28

    Aidan → www.jon4lakers.com

    I tried this mouse today when I was buying my PSP, I now have to get it. It is hard to use the might mouse. Its so comfortable.

  29. #29

    Ron H.

    Cheryl

    Go to the following website:
    http://logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/logitech_en_amr.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=5291&p_created=1156347110&p_sid=tdNV49Zi&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MjcsMjcmcF9wcm9kcz0wJnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1NWCBSZXZvbHV0aW9uIGFuIGVycm9yIG9jY3VycmVkIHdoZW4gY2hhcmdpbmc*&p_li=&p_topview=1
    You may Just need to reconnect the mouse. I was having the same problem and it was driving me nuts. Reconnected and problem went away!

    Good Luck!
    Ron

  30. #30

    Terrance Glass → www.marygil.com

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  31. #31

    Apple Mighty Mouse Sucks | WebRevolutionary → webrevolutionary.com/apple-mighty-mouse-sucks

    [...] the wall, I ran out to a computer store and picked up the Logitech MX Revolution, having read such positive reviews for the thing by some respected bloggers (namely Glenn [...]

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