I now have in my hand a Logitech MX900 Bluetooth Optical Mouse. Theoretically very close to the mouse of my dreams. So how does it stand up to the scrutiny of Julian?
My TiBook does not have built-in Bluetooth. I plugged in Logitech’s Bluetooth hub and connected the mouse. For some reason this Bluetooth hub is not detected by Mac OS X as such (I would imagine that means it doesn’t work the same was as all these little Bluetooth dongles), and Logitech of course provides no drivers. Nonetheless, the mouse still works fine because Mac OS X sees the hub as a USB HID. Basically it functions just as it would if I had an MX700 using Logitech’s proprietary radio protocol. I really hope Logitech releases drivers to allow the Bluetooth hub to be recognized as such. I’m not a fan of Logitech’s mouse drivers so I don’t care about that, I just want it to be a Bluetooth hub.
The mouse was really really jumpy, so much so that it could barely be used. I turned off 802.11b and it was still that jumpy. So I didn’t move a single thing and plugged the Bluetooth hub into my Windows machine. I installed Logitech’s drivers, rebooted a few times, the usual Windows fun, and then paired the mouse with the hub and I had the mouse working. It was smooth as silk. I turned on 802.11b on my laptop and there were no ill effects. Then I unplugged the hub from my Windows machine and plugged it back into my TiBook. There we go. It wasn’t as smooth as under Windows, but it was vastly improved over what I had before with the TiBook.
My only major problem with this mouse is the acceleration (not the speed, the acceleration curve). Logitech claims it has “10g” of acceleration built-in. It’s way way too much. I really prefer the acceleration I have with the other nameless USB mice I plug into my TiBook. I hope I can find a way to turn it down some.
So, Logitech, all I ask is that you give me drivers to allows Mac OS X to see the Bluetooth hub as, well, a Bluetooth hub. And give me a way to turn off the built-in acceleration in this mouse. Based on previous experience with Logitech mouse drivers, I’ll pass on those.
All that said, I really like this mouse.
Update 23 July 2005: I’d just like to add that I’ve been using this mouse for a long while now and I really do love it. The acceleration issue is nonexistent when using it as an actual Bluetooth device (see my comment below). My only two wishes for this mouse are an on/off switch and the ability to see remaining charge in OS X as can be done with Apple’s Bluetooth Mouse.
Some people still seem to get the “jumpiness” issue. The best I can recommend is what I said above or simply trying to replace the mouse (I hear Logitech’s customer service is usually pretty good with that). I’m not sure why Logitech still has yet to release a Bluetooth mouse targeted at laptop users or Mac OS X users. I don’t know what their market researchers are thinking. Maybe some day we’ll get an MX900 with an on/off switch. Who knows. Until then, I’ll just keep taking my batteries out and keep enjoying my mouse.