Summary
Not only gamers may get the benefits of expensive mice, but other people can as well. For example, the Logitech MX Master, which costs one hundred dollars,. This mouse is constructed from the ground up with productivity in mind. It has a stunning and ergonomic design, a multiplicity of buttons, and software that is up to the task.
The MX Master may not be necessary for the typical office worker, but it might be of great use to graphic artists, media professionals, or anybody else who believes that the conventional “two-buttons-and-a-scroll-wheel” design is in need of improvement.
Logitech MX Master Mouse Review : Crafting
In the event that you are acquainted with the gaming mice manufactured by Logitech, you will be aware that the corporation seems to be almost incapable of developing a mouse that is not comfortable. This wireless peripheral, known as the MX Master, is a highly appealing piece of equipment that offers support and flexibility for a wide range of office operations.
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It is important to note that the MX Master is rather large. As opposed to regular mouse, this one has a tall profile and a great deal of additional space, which can be found in its large thumb rest as well as its wide palm rest. In comparison to the typical office mouse, the MX Master has a bit more flare thanks to its appealing bronze-colored trim that surrounds the gadget.
The MX Master has the proper approach when it comes to buttons; however, not all buttons are made equal, regardless of their importance. Two thumb buttons, a thumb scroll wheel, a clickable thumb rest, and a left button and a right button are all included in the device. Additionally, there is a scroll wheel that can be clicked on. The scroll wheel also has a button that is located just underneath it. This button allows the user to change the mode of the wheel from “frictionless” to one that provides a greater amount of resistance. Users who want to skim through articles at a more leisurely speed may find this to be more pleasant.
It’s difficult to say if the MX Master is a hit or miss when it comes to the scroll wheels manufactured by Logitech. It is true that the free-scrolling option is helpful for navigating very lengthy web pages; however, the more resistant mode is not nearly as resistant as it should be. As a result of the fact that even a casual spin causes the wheel to spin indefinitely, the actual behavior of the wheel is not all that dissimilar from its default state.
When it comes to the thumb buttons, there is also something that is lacking. In addition to being very small, the two buttons are stacked directly on top of one another. The two of them are so similar that it is really hard to differentiate between them without first feeling them. Logitech might have made something a bit more user-friendly by taking a page out of their gaming mouse. This is not a necessary deal-breaker, but it is something that should have been considered. It is arguable that a mouse that costs $100 ought to have buttons that are at least as nice as those of a mouse that costs $80, such as Logitech’s Proteus Core.
When it comes to the thumb scroll wheel, on the other hand, I have nothing but positive things to say about everything. This auxiliary scroll wheel will scroll horizontally by default on websites and documents that are longer than the typical computer screen. This is normal behavior. It is, to be honest, surprising that typical office mouse did not include this capability many years ago since it has been so useful on several occasions.
Logitech MX Master Mouse Review : Particulars
There are three different systems that the MX Master can connect to, and it can switch between them without any interruptions. This is one of the most desirable characteristics of the mouse. For the time being, the MX Master is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers via Bluetooth. Additionally, a dongle is available for use with computers that do not have Bluetooth built in. Despite the fact that I was unable to make the MX Master operate on both Android and iOS, the Bluetooth capabilities of the device indicate that it should be compatible with both operating systems. (There have been reports of success from Android users, so it definitely wouldn’t hurt to give it a go; nevertheless, if you need it mainly as a mobile mouse, you shouldn’t get the MX Master.)
The process of connecting to many systems and switching between them is, in fact, as straightforward as Logitech suggests. Changing profiles is as easy as turning the mouse over and pressing two buttons: one to connect and the other to swap profiles. This is a function that is unexpectedly beneficial if you want to use the MX Master on different systems, such as a computer in the living room that serves as a video player and a workstation that you need for Photoshop. If, on the other hand, you simply use one system, the MX Master will not transform your workplace. Furthermore, if you need to move between settings in the same room, switching the mouse over each time might get quite monotonous, very fast.
It goes without saying that having numerous profiles is not very useful unless you are able to personalize your controls. Because of this, the Logitech Options program is available. By installing Options, you will have the ability to modify anything from the sensitivity of the buttons to them. Options is neither as in-depth nor as aesthetically pleasing as Logitech Gaming Software, yet it accomplishes its goals in a way that is rather easy to understand.
With the mouse, you have the ability to reassign each button. It is possible to do almost any function: actions on the keyboard, controls for media, and even instructions for the operating system are all included in the possibilities that are available. One of the most significant issues that I have with the MX Master is that while it is possible to modify the sensitivity of the device in a broad sense, it is not possible to set particular dots-per-inch (DPI) values. More sophisticated users often have a better understanding of their preferred DPI settings for a variety of jobs (for example, I like 1,200 on a dual-monitor configuration and 800 on a single screen); however, the term “sensitivity” will not mean anything to them in a vacuum.
One of the distinctive characteristics of the MX Master is its thumb rest, which, by default, functions as a gesture control. The Options program gives some attention to this feature. Those who use Windows 8.1 are particularly familiar with the discomfort that comes with using a conventional mouse and keyboard interface on an operating system that was developed with a touch screen in mind.
Between a touchpad and a mouse, the thumb rest serves as a point of transition between the two. You are able to move between apps, zoom in on text, access the desktop, and pan around the screen by clicking down and dragging the mouse. You are able to configure a wide range of commands on both Windows and Mac computers by using the Options program. When it comes to distinguishing between the four cardinal directions, the MX Master exhibits notable proficiency.
Although the MX Master’s gesture controls did not fundamentally alter the way I use a mouse, it was nonetheless pleasant to have them available. I could imagine myself becoming quite used to these helpful features over the course of a few months since they are so convenient. It is simple enough to disable them, however, if you do not find them to be to your liking.
Logitech MX Master Mouse Review : The performance
When it comes to evaluating a productivity mouse, the most effective method is to put it to work for a few days. It gives me great pleasure to say that the MX Master performed very well on each and every piece of software that I tested it on. Such apps as Microsoft Word, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Adobe Photoshop Elements, and VLC Media Player are just some of the many that I tried.
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The gesture controls make it a little bit easier to navigate Windows 7, Windows 8, and Mac OS X; nonetheless, the mouse’s most significant advantages are its ergonomic design and its ability to function wirelessly. I was able to save a lot of hand strain by having a large mouse with a flexible base beneath my thumb. Additionally, I much appreciated the fact that I could pick up the mouse, transport it to another testing computer, and connect it to the other system via Bluetooth with ease.
On top of that, the battery life of the MX Master is actually impressively lengthy. According to Logitech, it may be used intermittently for around six hours every day, and it will last for up to forty days. In spite of the fact that I have not yet had the opportunity to use the mouse for forty days in a row, I did not have to recharge it at any point throughout a week of working eight-hour days at the office. In spite of this, the micro-USB wire that comes with the MX Master is much too short to be used while the mouse is being recharged. This means that you will need to either get a mouse with a longer cord or a backup mouse in the event that you run out of power in the middle of the day.
Logitech MX Master Mouse Review: As a conclusion
Despite the fact that productivity mice may not have the same level of flash as their gaming counterparts, I found the MX Master to be a valuable friend since it had a lot of sophisticated functions and very few downsides. The MX Master is a far more cost-effective option than purchasing a whole new monitor for consumers who are running Windows 8.1 and do not have a touch screen. It’s possible that, for everyone else, the price of $100 for a mouse seems like more than you’re prepared to spend on one. On the other hand, if you work for eight hours a day, fifty weeks a year, or even longer, having a mouse that is both comfortable and effective is arguably worth the price of admission.
