Logitech Anywhere MX 2 Mouse (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
Logitech Anywhere MX 2 - MSRP $79.99
Logitech designs some very good products. I've been a long time fan of Logitech's products for years now, having purchased the original Anywhere Mouse MX a few years back. With that particular model though, the mouse was a very mixed bag as the mouse had a number of problems connecting or tracking on surfaces after about a year. I've had issues in past with their hyper fast scrolling feature bouncing the page, and I'll admit, I wasn't fond of it because it just had so many issues. With the arrival of the Anywhere MX 2, however, it looks like Logitech finally got all their eggs in the basket on this one, and the product actually does its job splendidly.
Design wise, Logitech opted to keep a very similar design as its older sibling. The mouse size is virtually identical on both models. While the Anywhere MX mouse had a glossier top to it, the MX 2 opted to go back to the matte top. The hyper scroll wheel received a minor aesthetic boost that gives it a more premium look. The trim of the mouse has also undergone some improvement with gold metallic highlights. The side grip has switched from a smooth texture to a more bumpy texture that gives it a better feel. Ergonomically, the mice are almost identical, with a remark that the MX Master mouse for desktop users is much better for that regard. As a means of carrying the mouse around portably, the MX 2 does a stellar job at looking classy and being portable.
Interesting enough, Logitech has decided to finally opt for a rechargeable battery model. If there was one feature that I absolutely despised on the original MX, it was its terrible battery life. The original MX had a battery life of about 53 days on two AA batteries. A side trick that I discovered was that only one battery was more than sufficient to power the mouse, and yielded the same battery life. But all that is gone with the MX 2. The MX 2 has a rechargeable battery that takes about two and a half hours to charge fully, through a micro USB port at the front of the mouse. It can be connected via Bluetooth using its newest Pico Receiver, an updated USB module that improves over the already incredibly tiny size of the original MX. The new receiver is a couple of millimeters thick and has almost zero obstruction in a USB port, to the point where sometimes it even is a little difficult to pull out.
Logitech has one upped their original connection method. As if the connection couldn't be any easier, this one has the memory to save connection configurations to three different devices, a feature that is new to the MX Anywhere 2. By flicking the power switch to the green and pressing connect, the mouse connects almost instantly to the device. To switch the device, there's a handy button at the bottom of the mouse that allows for quick switching. Blinking white means it is looking for a pairing, and a solid white LED means it has successfully paired.
The new tracking module has also improved and tracks much better on many different surfaces. The original MX mouse had a cover that served as the mouse power switch and revealed a relatively recessed Dark Field Tracking module that tended to get choppy after a few months of usage. The new MX 2 tracking module looks like it has even increased in size to allow for more accurate tracking. There is no lag between mouse and computer. Clicking the mouse feels great, with a slightly higher pitch compared to the original MX. Some users have reported however that there are issues with double clicking. Thankfully I have not run into those issues but I will definitely update my review if there is a problem.
So where does that leave this product? This product is leaps and bounds above the original MX in terms of functionality. Gone are my hyper tracking woes that caused the screen to bounce around, and gone are the days of spending cash for AA batteries. Compared to its bigger brother, the MX Master, the MX 2 stands incredibly strong as a mobile mouse. The MX Master has a $20 increase in price, but it is worth it for users that favor at home usage with a desktop or for those who desire a better ergonomic feel for their thumbs and for the extended features with a side scroll wheel. Other than that, the battery life on the MX is very powerful, with myself having used this mouse quite heavily in the past several weeks. It has yet to be charged, and is still going incredibly strong. The included software is optional and honestly, for the end user, just plugging in and playing will prove efficient. It's a great device and a definitely worthy successor to the original Performance Mouse MX.
Acknowledgements
I'd like to thank Logitech for providing a review unit of the Anywhere MX 2, and for answering any questions that I had about the device. `
Verdict
- Excellent tracking
- Rechargeable battery that lasts much longer
- Easy setup
- Price high for a mobile mouse
- Relatively poor ergonomics