Digital Trends

Logitech MX Air

July 15th, 2007 | by Josh Norem

Features and Design 

Every time Logitech introduces a new mouse design, we think to ourselves, “That’s it! There’s nothing left for them to create. This one does it all!” We thought that when they released the first optical mouse, then the laser mouse, then the mouse with removable weights, and also with the VX Revolution. And while it may be getting tougher to innovate on the standard desktop mouse, the company has now bridged the gap between its desktop mice and its HTPC (home theater PC) remotes with the MX Air.

The MX Air caters to users who need both on-surface mouse functionality and free-floating in-air use, which is mainly for those with an HTPC system. Prior to the MX Air, HTPC users were forced to choose the lesser of two evils by either buying a remote, which is not ideal for controlling a PC-based UI, or a cordless mouse, which is a pain since you need a flat surface to use it, and most couches are not flat (and nobody wants a mouse on their coffee table). Gyration is a company known for producing the in-air mouse, but surprisingly, they are often not included with Media Center/Windows Vista based systems; they seem to cater more towards the hardcore HTPC user. 

The package is surprisingly stark: you get the mouse, a USB receiver that is the size of a stick of gum, and an AC charger. When the batteries are full, the Logitech software reports that you have “five days” of usage. You can check the battery level by plopping it down into its charger, or by hovering your mouse over the Logitech icon in the system tray, where a pop-up tells you the battery condition (as well as if NumLock is on or off, which is odd). You can also turn the mouse off via a small switch on its belly. 

The mouse uses Logitech’s laser technology, and with its 800 dpi it’s not “gaming” accurate, but more than adequate for 99% of most computing tasks. Its design is ambidextrous, and you can switch left with right mouse buttons via the included software, which you must install to enjoy full functionality of the mouse. 

Perhaps the coolest feature of the mouse is that it ties into all of the most popular media applications, including iTunes, Winamp, WinDVD, Internet Explorer, Opera, Firefox, and more.

Image Courtesy of Logitech