Logitech MX Air Mouse Review!
Published August 25, 2008 at 01:16:11 PM, by Victor Lin
Logitech proves once again that it's on the cutting-edge of mouse innovation. Their latest mouse is the MX Air, with Freespace technology.
With Logitech's motion-sensing Freespace technology, you not only control your mouse pointer by waving your hand, but you can also control your favorite media by doing simple gestures in the air. If you prefer the traditional way of using a mouse, you can try out the new touch-sensitive scroll wheel.
Design Incredibly lightweight and futuristic looking, the MX Air mouse looks like a spaceship straight out of a sci-fi movie. The mouse has sleek curves and sports a piano finish on the top and a chrome finish on the bottom accented by a yellow-orange glow to show the mouse's buttons.
When using the mouse in the air, you can hold it like a pointer and use the four middle buttons below the scroll wheel to navigate. The main button, which functions as the left-click, is raised so it's easier to find.
Features:As with most mice these days, the MX Air mouse has laser-precision tracking when being used on the desk. But this isn't just another mouse. The MX Air incorporates a touch-sensitive scroll panel that allows you to control the scroll speed with a flick of your finger. Employing an inertial scrolling mechanism, the scroll panel adjusts the speed of the scroll based on the speed of your finger movement. For example, if you want to scroll down a page faster, quickly flick your finger down to scroll faster similar to scrolling on an iPhone or iPod touch.
In the airIn the air, you can utilize Logitech's Freespace and Gesture Commands to control your favorite programs. The Freespace technology allows you to point in any direction, thus freeing you from needing to point at any screen or receiver like on a Nintendo Wii. Using the Gesture Commands, for example, you can turn the volume up by pressing and holding the volume button and moving your hand left or right. You can also use the mouse as a remote control to control playback of movies or music on your media PC. You can use the play/pause button, setup a gesture to allow you to skip tracks/scenes, or you can simply use the mouse as a traditional mouse to control your favorite media. All customization is setup using the SetPoint setup program included on a CD.
UsageThe mouse has a variety of uses. When on the desk, the mouse is very responsive as a normal mouse. The scroll wheel may need to be adjusted since it can be too sensitive right out of the box. If you are using the mouse on a media PC, you can use it to control playback or volume when playing your media by using the four middle buttons. This mouse could come in handy for those who do a lot of presentations for work by utilizing the mouse in the air. You can move the mouse pointer in the air instead of having to have it on a flat surface. You don't even need to point at the screen.
The mouse comes with a charger and an on/off switch on the bottom of the mouse.
The battery supposedly lasts 5 days without needing to charge, however, as always, results may vary.
The mouse can also be used up to 30 feet (10 meters) away from the micro-receiver.
Performance and Conclusion : The mouse feels very natural in your hand whether on the desk or in the air. On the desk, the mouse conforms to your hand due to its lower profile. In the air, the mouse should be held like a pointer - fingers under the mouse, with your thumb on the four middle buttons. The four middle buttons are placed comfortably for ease of use with the main selection, or left click, button raised.
Pros
Using your mouse in the air
Sleek design
Charger included
Cons
Not Mac compatible
Price ($149!! Yikes!!)
The MX Air shows off Logitech's latest mouse innovations. It may take awhile getting used to using the mouse in the air, but once you get the hang of it, the mouse is great. The only major downside is the price. The mouse is priced out of range for most home users. You should probably wait until Logitech comes out with a more affordable model since the price doesn't justify the added feature of using a mouse in the air.
Published August 25, 2008 at 01:16:11 PM, by Victor Lin
Logitech proves once again that it's on the cutting-edge of mouse innovation. Their latest mouse is the MX Air, with Freespace technology.
With Logitech's motion-sensing Freespace technology, you not only control your mouse pointer by waving your hand, but you can also control your favorite media by doing simple gestures in the air. If you prefer the traditional way of using a mouse, you can try out the new touch-sensitive scroll wheel.
Design Incredibly lightweight and futuristic looking, the MX Air mouse looks like a spaceship straight out of a sci-fi movie. The mouse has sleek curves and sports a piano finish on the top and a chrome finish on the bottom accented by a yellow-orange glow to show the mouse's buttons.
When using the mouse in the air, you can hold it like a pointer and use the four middle buttons below the scroll wheel to navigate. The main button, which functions as the left-click, is raised so it's easier to find.
Features:As with most mice these days, the MX Air mouse has laser-precision tracking when being used on the desk. But this isn't just another mouse. The MX Air incorporates a touch-sensitive scroll panel that allows you to control the scroll speed with a flick of your finger. Employing an inertial scrolling mechanism, the scroll panel adjusts the speed of the scroll based on the speed of your finger movement. For example, if you want to scroll down a page faster, quickly flick your finger down to scroll faster similar to scrolling on an iPhone or iPod touch.
In the airIn the air, you can utilize Logitech's Freespace and Gesture Commands to control your favorite programs. The Freespace technology allows you to point in any direction, thus freeing you from needing to point at any screen or receiver like on a Nintendo Wii. Using the Gesture Commands, for example, you can turn the volume up by pressing and holding the volume button and moving your hand left or right. You can also use the mouse as a remote control to control playback of movies or music on your media PC. You can use the play/pause button, setup a gesture to allow you to skip tracks/scenes, or you can simply use the mouse as a traditional mouse to control your favorite media. All customization is setup using the SetPoint setup program included on a CD.
UsageThe mouse has a variety of uses. When on the desk, the mouse is very responsive as a normal mouse. The scroll wheel may need to be adjusted since it can be too sensitive right out of the box. If you are using the mouse on a media PC, you can use it to control playback or volume when playing your media by using the four middle buttons. This mouse could come in handy for those who do a lot of presentations for work by utilizing the mouse in the air. You can move the mouse pointer in the air instead of having to have it on a flat surface. You don't even need to point at the screen.
The mouse comes with a charger and an on/off switch on the bottom of the mouse.
The battery supposedly lasts 5 days without needing to charge, however, as always, results may vary.
The mouse can also be used up to 30 feet (10 meters) away from the micro-receiver.
Performance and Conclusion : The mouse feels very natural in your hand whether on the desk or in the air. On the desk, the mouse conforms to your hand due to its lower profile. In the air, the mouse should be held like a pointer - fingers under the mouse, with your thumb on the four middle buttons. The four middle buttons are placed comfortably for ease of use with the main selection, or left click, button raised.
Pros
Using your mouse in the air
Sleek design
Charger included
Cons
Not Mac compatible
Price ($149!! Yikes!!)
The MX Air shows off Logitech's latest mouse innovations. It may take awhile getting used to using the mouse in the air, but once you get the hang of it, the mouse is great. The only major downside is the price. The mouse is priced out of range for most home users. You should probably wait until Logitech comes out with a more affordable model since the price doesn't justify the added feature of using a mouse in the air.
