Logitech : Computer Hardware Buyers’ Glossary

Logitech is primarily known as the world’s leading manufacturer of mice. They make two very inexpensive models the M310 and the M325 which I find preferable to much more expensive models. They also make headsets which are expensive, uncomfortable and fragile. They also make keyboards with lots of gimmicky extra keys. Logitech has the competition skunked when it comes to making mouse batteries last. Their wireless system is more reliable. Because mice are mechanical devices, you can’t expect a mouse to last more than about two years.

Logitech makes hundreds of models of mouse. The prices wildly fluctuate every day. The prices often seem to have no relation to features. It drives you crazy trying to pick the most appropriate one, given that no stores will let you test drive them. How do you choose?

• Size. Do you want something small for a laptop or big for your bear paw hand?
• How many extra buttons? You can program these for extra functions, but if you don’t, you will just keep hitting them by mistake and mucking up your work. Don’t buy extra buttons unless you seriously plan to use them.
• Colours and patterns. Many models come in a rainbow of colours and patterns. A mouse is a bit like a decorative paperweight, so style is more important than for other peripherals.
• Light: red, blue, infrared, laser. Laser is much more expensive and is supposed to give finer control, but I did not notice the difference. Blue (dark field) is supposed to work better on many surfaces, but it seemed to be slightly worse on troublesome surfaces. I use a 3M mouse pad which works spectacularly well with any mouse.
• Shape: the more asymmetrical the more expensive. I have not noticed any difference.
• What I would like is some sort of measure of how easy it is to precisely pick out a single pixel on screen. Logitech has stopped revealing statistics that would help in that regard.
• What is available at your local retailer. Logitech has so many models, no retailer comes remotely close to carrying them all.