Logitech MX1000 Cordless Laser Mouse Review
11 November 2004 Justin Williams Skip to comments
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Justin's review of the Logitech MX 1000 Cordless Laser Mouse. He covers its feature set, the differences between it and its predecessor (the MX700), and gives his opinion on it for a Mac user.
Any seasoned computer user, Mac or Windows, can usually agree on one thing: having one mouse button is really annoying. While Steve Jobs may think that having only one mouse button simplifies the user experience for new computer users, it drives anyone switching from Windows or Linux up a wall. They are accustomed to right-clicking, scrolling through Web pages with a scroll wheel and maybe even side scrolling. Because of this, a new mouse is usually one of the first accessories a lot of users purchase after they throw-down the cash for a new Mac.
The selection of mice is vast and varied. There are basic two button mice with a scroller, three buttons, optical, trackball, big, small and many other options. For the past few years, the two-button optical mouse has been the king of the mice. It offered greater precision compared to the old school ball mice and had a neat red or blue glow. As years pass, new technology emerges, and now mice have laser precision. Laser mice are supposed to be twenty times more accurate at detecting your movements than their optical brothers.
One of the first laser mice on the market is Logitech's MX1000. Logitech was founded in Apples, Switzerland in 1981. They are known not only for their mice, but webcams, game controllers, speakers, headsets and other computer accessories. Their mice are their crown jewel in my opinion. The MX1000 is the new version of their popular MX700 mouse. The MX700 was a Mac user's dream with buttons positioned almost perfectly for mapping to Exposé. The MX1000 has a few differences. Besides the obvious change from silver and black to black and blue, the MX1000 feels lighter. There is no longer a user accessible battery compartment. The MX1000 also sports an on/off button and batter indicator. The battery indicator is a great addition to anyone who used the former mouse. Nothing was more frustrating than to be working and then see the blinking red light under your index finger. Now you will know when your battery is getting low. The MX1000 cradle also holds the mouse more firmly than the MX700. I don't have to seat it multiple times to get a charge. Finally, the small button below the scroll wheel has been moved to the side and is bigger. This allows for a more natural grip.
Set up of the mouse was simple. Plug into an open USB port, connect the AC adapter and get to work. There was enough of a charge to do some work from the get go, but giving the mouse a full charge before using it wouldn't be a bad idea. One of the first things you will want to do is map your spare buttons to Exposé. I have mapped the top side button to only show application windows, the bottom to all windows and the middle button to reveal the desktop.
Performance wise, the mouse is definitely up to par. It is definitely more precise than my MX700 was on my glass and metal desk. I no longer have to deal with jerking movements when the mouse can't sense what I am trying to do. That is a welcomed change. Of course, you can't put it on glass and expect it to work. It has nothing to reference for your movements.
Another nice feature is that if the mouse is not moved for a few moments, the battery indicator goes off and the mouse conserves your power. If you forget to dock your mouse and leave town for a week, you aren't going to come back and have to deal with a dead mouse on your desk (unless you have a pest problem.)
The one downfall to the mouse is the price tag. An $80 price tag may be hard to swallow for some, but keep in mind that you are using a mouse almost as much as a keyboard these days. If you have to interact with a device for several hours a day, shouldn't you work with something that feels good in your hand? If you haven't used Exposé as much because using the keyboard to activate it is awkward, this mouse is definitely for you. When I am at work I have a hard time not having those buttons at my disposal. Also, with the release of Tiger next year, you can map one of the remaining top buttons to activate the Dashboard.
The Logitech MX1000 costs $80 and is available at any of your local electronic shops or one of your favorite online retailers. If you have this mouse, feel free to post your own mini review in the comments.
Justin Williams is founder and chief author for MacZealots. He switched to the Mac almost five years ago hasn't looked back since. When not blogging or coding, you can find him watching copious amounts of TV. Justin can be reached at
Reader Comments (18)
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#1) On November 15, 2004 7:36 PM
I’m a seasoned computer user who find having two mouse buttons really annoying.
#2) On November 23, 2004 11:46 PM
I just bought the mouse, it’s great.
BUT Expose features don’t work from the mouse once you install logitech’s drivers. The only way to have expose on this mouse is not to install logitech’s software which becomes annoying because all it’s features are not available until logitech’s software is installed….
#3) On November 28, 2004 2:17 AM
You most surely can install the Logitech software and still use Exposé. Simply open the Logitech control center and remap those buttons to “Advanced Click” and then choose the mouse button # you want.
#4) On December 2, 2004 10:45 PM
I have had this mouse, and have had erradicate mouse movements and jumping. Scroll wheel can’t be used due to random movements that scroll you back to the top of the page. I’m running 10.3.6 and logitech washes their hands for any tech support. I’ve tried running with and without logitech software installed. I love the mouse…if only it would work. I also upgraded frmo the mx700 and agree with the review about all the upgrades…however with these glitches, I will sadly have to return it.
#5) On December 4, 2004 8:38 PM
I just purchased the mouse and still havent been able to make it show up on the system preferences.
I installed the software but when I use it, it tells me no Logitech Device Found.
What can I do?
I tried switching where the base is connected and it didnt work. Most of the functions work, scrolling up and down, the 2 buttons work, but I havent been able to switch aplications or go back and forward with the buttons on the side on webpages, or switch aplications with the application button on the side.
#6) On January 10, 2005 12:33 AM
I am a member of a Mac forum and I have posted my review of the Logitech MX1000
http://macusersforum.com/index.php?showtopic=3034
and I have not been very kind. This is the most expensive disappointment and useless peripheral I have ever bought!
So until Logitech fixes something on this one, my advice is to stay away! And it is absolutely true: there is NO Logitech support. You’d think that for the price you’d get a little after-sales service…
#7) On January 18, 2005 1:25 PM
i am considering buying and have some general comments/questions:
seems like the whole point of a wireless mouse is to reduce the number of wires…. so having an ac adaptor and a little charging cradle definitely seems to undermine the value of this thing.
is the cradle necessary if you have built-in bluetooth?
couldn’t someone make a mouse that uses bluetooth and optionally can use a USB cable? ideally, when connected via usb, it charges itself. this would eliminate the need for the cradle, the power cord, and that damn little ac/dc transformer that these devices always seem to require. seems to me like it would probably be CHEAPER for them to do this than to provide a cradle.
#8) On January 20, 2005 7:33 AM
David…you’re onto something, but this mouse is a step backwards in that it’s an RF mouse, not a BlueTooth mouse. Go figure. The MX900 was BlueTooth, and appears to have a similar shell with different guts. I agree, though with the thought of a mouse with perhaps, an included ZipLinq retractable USB cable either separate or cleverly built in for the purpose of charging or using with a NON wireless computer.
#9) On January 20, 2005 6:02 PM
I also have erradic mouse jumping and skiping with my MX1000 in OS X. I came across this site in search of a fix. It’s upsetting Logitech has not addressed this. I can deal with the problems because the mouse is so much more precise than the MX700, but boy it sure would be nice to see a fix.
#10) On January 27, 2005 12:57 AM
Bought the MX-1000 from Monarch for less than $70. I got rid of my old optical mouse that struggled on my woodgrain desk. The MX-1000 works great, has deterministic mousing and frees me from having to use a mouse pad.
#11) On January 30, 2005 4:31 PM
I bought and installed the MX1000 about one hour ago. The mouse works perfectly, but the software provided only applies to PCs. It would be nice to have software for the Mac if it is a requirement to enjoy all the functions of the MX1000.
#12) On March 9, 2005 2:17 AM
To setup Expose using the side “Quick Switch Button”:
1.) in the Logitech Device Manager set the “Quick Switch Button” to “Advanced Click” and set “Button Number” to “4”.
2.) In the “System Preferences” goto the “Expose” screen. In the mouse section set “All Windows” to “Mouse Button 4”.
Tada! It works so beautifully it makes you want to cry.
To all those that say this mouse sucks, they’re wrong! $59 @ ZipZoomFly.com. You can’t go wrong.
#13) On May 10, 2005 8:06 PM
Just bought this mouse on sale from Future Shop (Canada) for $79.00 CDN. It is AMAZING! I have it running on a Dual 867 MDD under Tiger 10.4. I downloaded and installed the latest Logitech Control Center drivers via Versiontracker.com. The mouse works with Exposé and switches applications. It feels great in the hand (best feeling mouse I’ve ever used) and it looks great in the mat black / dark grayish silver. I highly recommend buying this mouse.
#14) On May 30, 2005 7:18 PM
Had to sell it a couple of days later. Erratic jumping movements on screen - most annoying.
#15) On June 4, 2005 6:00 PM
Ok, this is waay too complicated. Install the Logitech software. Then, set the buttons you want to “Keystroke”, and set them to the keys that activate Expose. If you’re having problems with the input causing expose to activate instead of setting values within LCC, hit down another modifier key (like command) while doing it, then turn off the little option button for the modifier key you used.
I use it, works great.
#16) On July 17, 2005 1:16 PM
Bought MX1000 week ago, and every couple of hours, it jumps to one side of the screen for a few seconds. bloody annoying, so its back to PCworld for me!
#17) On August 18, 2005 9:20 PM
Hey - new mac user here for the past couple months and I love it, though on my search for a mighty 2-button replacement mouse, this 1000MX has been a dissapointment. I have had the annoying radical jumps to side screen, occuring far more than once every hour or so. Try every 5 minutes. Thought maybe there was someway to fix this .. a driver patch? adjust distance of cradle to mouse location? Any thoguhts from mutally frustrated consumers, because this thing has to go if its not going to be fixed without support from logitech
#18) On October 1, 2005 12:33 PM
Logitech was founded in Apples, Switzerland in 198…..
I LIVE IN APPLES JUST BESIDE THEIR HOUSE… :)
LONG LIVE SWITZERLAND!