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Logitech Performance MX

Posted by Scott

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Logitech Performance Mouse MX


The new Performance Mouse MX from Logitech didn’t make it in time for the Design Mouse Roundup post from last year but I sure wish it had. I have the MX Revolution (the original version of this new Performance MX) and I really love it, save for one fatal flaw: a defective battery. This was apparently a common issue with the old MX mice and they lose their ability to charge properly. So now it’s pulling light duty upstairs as an entertainment center controller, a purpose for which it’s surprisingly well suited.

I’ve been using the Razer Death Adder recently, and aside from it’s tacky design and even tackier name, it performs very well. I’ve been steering clear of wireless mice — I just don’t trust the accuracy and the last thing I need down in the studio are more wireless signals — but this new one is pretty intriguing. I’d really like to have hyperscroll back, I miss it on the Death Adder.

Anybody using the new Performance MX yet? How it is? Let us know in the comments

23 Comments Leave A Comment

2

Dan says:

September 30, 2009 at 6:50 am

If you get the Performance MX, you won’t regret it. Picked this up earlier this month.

I’ve had many mice in my day, and this one takes the cake. Excelent tracking, better than any other mouse I’ve ever used. Absolutely no lag too. That’s pretty impressive. I had the MX1000 before and it’s a total turd compared the the Perfomance MX. Works well with Snow Leopard too. Also, it’s extremely comfortable in your hand and to use.

As you said, hyperscroll is awesome!

Didn’t mean to gush on and on about it, but it really is that good.

3

Mike says:

September 30, 2009 at 7:34 am

I was really excited about this coming out, have a glass desk and had been using a make shift mouse pad. Now, straight on the glass. It’s great. Definitely a step up from the MX Revolution.

5

Christof says:

September 30, 2009 at 8:23 am

I use the wireless mac “mighty mouse” and It’s been excellent for my purposes but it’s starting to lose it’s sheen. It’s starting to lag a bit and the right click is becoming increasingly unreliable. However, the multidirectional scroll ball is a pretty nice feature to have when used in combination with photoshop’s zoom. Before I make the leap over to the Performance Mouse MX, is there multi-directional scrolling, or something similar to, on this bad-boy? I must admit, it looks fantastic.

Thanks for the post, I’ve been on the edge of purchasing a new mouse for some time and this was all that I needed!

7

Matthew says:

September 30, 2009 at 8:50 am

I’d love to get one of these, but I just can’t justify that on a mouse right now. I think I’d just spend the extra $ and get a tablet.

I’m actually quite happy with my $20 Logitech LX6 on my dollar store mousepad.

8

Dan says:

September 30, 2009 at 8:54 am

Actually this mouse isn’t replacing or updating the Revolution MX, it’s replacing the MX1100.

The MX1100 is basically the same except this new one adds the ability to plug in and charge via USB as well as the new wireless signal receiver.

I switched from the Mighty Mouse to the MX1100 and I absolutely love it. There are a ton of customizable buttons and features and the “thumb” button is a lifesaver. You still get a little multi-directional scrolling but it’s not true 360 degrees like the Mighty Mouse, however for the ergonomics alone it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.

I also have to say the batter life on the MX1100 (and I assume this new mouse) is outstanding. I’ve had it over a year and only needed to replace batteries 2-3 times, and I use my computer over 8 hours a day.

9

zx says:

September 30, 2009 at 8:58 am

It looks great – both with the design and specs. It cost much though, but good mouse is priceless when working with design and my current Wireless Laser 9000 v2 is kinda crappy on my desk (and I don’t want a mousepad), so I need to consider testing this one.

11

Scott says:

September 30, 2009 at 10:52 am

Dan Almasy-
This does, in fact, seem to be the heir apparent to the MX Revolution, which has been discontinued and is no longer available except for in bundle form with a keyboard ( Although you can get in on the remaining stock for 40% at Amazon, which I wouldn’t recommend due to the well documented battery issue).

This new mouse very closely mirrors the design and functionality of the Revolution for those looking to replace it. The MX 1100 (which I have) is a lesser model (at $79), it does not have the thumb wheel and is a totally different form factor (trust me, it feels nothing like the Revolution in your hand, in a bad way). The Performance MX is the same basic form factor as the Revolution, having the thumb wheel and the same price point ($99). If you’re coming from the Revolution this would be the clear upgrade path.

13

Design Police says:

September 30, 2009 at 2:11 pm

Might as well just strap a Nintendo “Power Glove” on and call it good. That thing is hideous! BUT, before everyone gets their undies in a bunch, I will admit, ergonomically speaking, that it does look a lot more hand friendly than most. I do think that great technology, however, should move in the direction of simplicity and refinement while improving functionality. Blinking lights, protruding buttons, chrome embellishments and the rest all seem unnecessary. Could someone just please make something beautiful?!

14

Rent says:

September 30, 2009 at 8:17 pm

What a well-timed post. My fingers are hurting as I type from too much tea cup finger track use. I’ll definitely be investing in one of these.

15

Scott says:

September 30, 2009 at 9:22 pm

Design Police-
yeah, so many pc peripherals are ugly as hell, but I guess some things just can’t look that great and work the way they’re intended too. Apple’s keyboards and mice may look nice, but they’re far from ergonomic and certainly not designed for long periods of continuous use.

16

Joshua Vaughan says:

September 30, 2009 at 9:37 pm

Sad but true, all of the best peripherals out there seem to “gamer” targeted unless they are coming at you from Wacom. But that said I have bought a Razer keyboard and the death adder for my workstation and I have found them to be pretty choice. Now if Razer really wants to make some money they will sex up the look of these things, ditch the silly glowiness and we’ll finally have both a nice looking and nice performing set of input devices…

17

RPD@ says:

October 1, 2009 at 11:07 am

Off the topic..

What kind of keyboard do you all you guys use? I am on a new iMac. I like the keyboard. The Mighty Mouse is getting pretty bad, the ball stops working all the time. I wonder how different the change would be to upgrading to one of these super mice from the Might Mouse? I saw one of those Razer Death Adder over the weekend and puked in my mouth… I just couldn’t do it. I am in front of the dang computer 10 hours a day. I want the best for work flow and my body. So let me know..

18

blackabee says:

October 1, 2009 at 1:37 pm

I use the travel version of the old MX Revolution (basically the same as the current “Anywhere Mouse MX”) and I can’t say enough about it. I’ve tested 30+ some mice trying to look for perfect fit to my hand and the mini MX Revolution outweighs all performs all. It isn’t rechargeable but thats okay because the AAA batteries last like a month on full use. Worth it IMO.

19

Dan Almasy says:

October 1, 2009 at 8:37 pm

You’re right Scott, my apologies. For some reason I was firmly under the impression that the Performance was an upgrade or replacement for the 1100. I think it just seemed really similar to me without the thumb wheel, so I dismissed it from having anything to do with the Revolution. My bad.

In any case, I have had a chance to fondle a Revolution and I really didn’t like it. The thumb wheel seems like a giant leap backwards in human interface and ease of use. I much prefer the thumb-button on the MX 1100.

I plan on passing my 1100 down to my wife and upgrading to the Performance in the near future. Hopefully the different form factor will still fit my hand nicely.

20

Robert says:

October 2, 2009 at 9:21 am

So there are rumors of Apple coming out with an improved Mighty Mouse. You can read about it here: http://tinyurl.com/ydsdz2l – although i already ordered my Performance MX and should love it. I will maybe sell it if the Mighty Mouse 2.0 is anything worthy of trying again.

21

alphonse says:

October 2, 2009 at 10:44 am

Hey Scott, long time reader, first time poster.

I actually received the Performance MX for a new job last week – Logitech sent it out instead of the recently retired MX Revolution (which I use happily at home). So far it’s been pretty good, very comparable to the Revolution. I do miss the thumb wheel though – I can only set the thumb button to one expose’ option, rather than the three I had on the Revolution. And so far, the wireless has been quite spotty – it drops connection with the computer every 10 minutes or so. However, the remedy to this is the new USB/charger cable: it plugs right into the top and makes the mouse wired again (they got rid of the charging dock this time around). At least they got this right, giving you the option to make it “wired”.

Long story short, I still think the Revolution is slightly better than this new one, unless of course you need to be able to use this on a glass or reflective surface.