Today I look at my Logitech Mouse:
[first impression]
I bought this mouse for use on my laptop about a year ago. I’ve come to enjoy and appreciate a variety of Logitech products; this mouse was no exception. It was my perfect mixture of features, portability, and price. The modern glossy gray on black finish provided an aesthetic appeal, and after a few uses I was very happy with its functionality.
[usability]
Other than the two buttons on its left side, this mouse is completely symmetrical. These two buttons make it biased for right handers, but otherwise this mouse is very usable for either hand. The scroll wheel is basic and noticeably inferior to the more expensive Logitech mice but for this price point it is perfectly adequate. The sides have nice rubber grips that allow for traction and an ergonomic feel. Clicking is straightforward and efficient. The long top plate that stems from the lower end of the mouse (by the logo) and spans to the top to become the two buttons is an interesting design decision. Most mice I’ve seen separate those parts, but I think its a unique and elegant design.
My favorite feature is the battery performance. Logitech’s efficient battery use is remarkable; I’m still using the same pair of basic Duracells that came with the mouse one year ago. This is substantially different from my bluetooth-operated Magic Mouse, which I need to swap batteries for every month. Additionally, its optics work on a diversity of surfaces and it gracefully slides across everything I’ve had to use it on. The USB connector is sensibly stowed inside by the batteries, and takes up little room when plugged into the side of my laptop.
[overall analysis]
This mouse has been an amazing mobile sidekick for my laptop and has been invaluable for designing on the go. It’s been great for Starcraft, Photoshop, and general web usage. I’ve used it for several hour-long work sessions and appreciate its ergonomic design. I’ve come to view the broader Logitech brand as an accessible, versatile everyday tool that brings great quality/design to ordinary people and ordinary usage. Perhaps I’ll analyze another Logitech product later on in DOET!
[about DOET]
Last year I read Don Norman’s The Design of Everyday Things. Inspired by Steve Jobs’ biography, I recently began thinking and reflecting on the beauty around me. There is a lot of design coverage and discussion about well-known and extraordinary things, such as a Retina Macbook Pro or a Lamborghini Aventador, but there is little towards better understanding the normal objects around us.
For the next 14 5 days, I will randomly choose an everyday household object and conduct a thorough analysis of its design in what I’m calling my Design Of Everyday Things, or DOET, project. My goal with this is to learn more about design through the careful scrutiny of products I would have otherwise overlooked. This is my refusal to take design for granted. Each analysis has three parts: first impression, usability, and overall analysis. I don’t consider this to be a review, but rather an exploration: there will be no numerical rating, purchasing recommendation, or a pro/con section.
Past DOETs:
