Pretty much at this point, Logitech and Microsoft are the big guns for the computer mice universe. For some time now, they have been competing for the niche notebook/mobile mouse category. As desktop mice have adopted and have advanced the use of laser technology, both companies set out to incorporate this technology into their notebook mice.

Why? Aren't the old optical mice good enough?

Well... so why the laser instead of reliable LED optical technology? Laser technology is more sensitive and accurate than last generation optical technology. What this means is that you can use your mouse on more surfaces and small movements of your mouse should translate quickly to your screen. When Logitech introduced this technology in their MX1000 cordless mouse, this certainly was the case. For its time, the MX1000 was one of the best performing mice out there. Now Logitech is up to its second generation laser mice and Microsoft has its first generation models out there too.

So now we come to the V400 notebook mouse. I'll be comparing this to the Logitech V500 (still my favorite notebook mouse) and the Microsoft Notebook Laser Mouse 6000 (which had some issues).

Short Take

The V400 mouse is a decent mouse which is extremely sensitive and tracks very well when on the right surface. Although I could use the mouse on more surfaces than my Logitech V500 (LED optical technology) and the Microsoft notebook laser mouse 6000, I was surprised that on certain surfaces, the V400 performed worse than the V500 or the Microsoft notebook 6000. This inconsistency is what makes the V400 loses some points.

Otherwise, the V400 performed well even at 10+ feet away from the 2.4GHz receiver. You have a good number of buttons that can be programmed through the SetPoint software by Logitech. Although the mouse is not as small as the V500 and quite as portable, it is smaller than a desktop mouse but still feels overall comfortable (although people with larger hands may not think so).

Battery life is decent lasting 1.5-2 months on a single AA with daily use (as per my friends with the mouse already since I have had the V400 for only a few days now).

Unfortunately, I believe the V400 mouse is being discontinued soon as the V450 has just been released. This usually means the V400 is probably going to go on firesale and you should pick one up if you're looking for a decent to good notebook mouse. If you want a full size mouse that is more reliable on more surface types as well as transportable, maybe the MX610 would be a better fit (full size cordless laser mouse with a 2.4GHz micro receiver!)

The Look

The V400 has a nice two tone color scheme and a nice ergonomic look (there is a version with an additional bright yellow band). It is comfortable to use in either hand although the mini-scroll buttons on the side of the right mouse button makes the V400 more optimal for right handed use. The cover on the bottom of the mouse allow access to the battery... for the V400, it is a single AA battery. There is a slot on the back of the V400 to store the 2.4GHz receiver... when you store the receiver, the mouse also turns off.

As for the buttons, the V400 has a right and left mouse button, the scroll wheel acts as the middle/third button, and there are two mini-buttons (forward/backward) to the right side of the top of the right mouse button. The scroll wheel also can be tilted left and right as well. The only complaint I have with the button is basically just with the mini-buttons. The two mini-button aren't individual buttons per say... the two buttons lie on a rocker type switch. You'll notice that if you depress the bottom mini-button, the top one will rise and vice-versa. You have to press the mini-buttons at the bottom edge for the bottom button and the top edge for the top button for best effect (if you use them to scroll... you may find yourself scrolling down then back up again). The V500 only has 2 buttons and a scroll panel while the MS notebook 6000 has 4 buttons with a 4-direction scroll wheel.

As far as the overall look, I still think the V500 has the best look... and it is the most comfortable mouse in my hand. I prefer the angle of the V500 mouse (because of the latch mechanism that opens the V500 to its "full size").

The Tech

As far as I know, the V400 is the only mouse to incorporate Phillips twin eye dual laser technology. This is supposed to make the mouse "All-Terrain" and allows its use on any surface with exceptions for glass and mirrors.

Logitech continues use of 2.4GHz receivers compared to the MS Notebook Laser 6000 which uses a traditional band (27Mhz I believe).

There is an LED near the receiver storage slot to let you know the power status and when the battery is running low.

All-Terrain?

On most surfaces, the V400 is by far the most sensitive notebook mouse of the three. The V400 was more accurate and sensitive especially with photo work and gaming. Smaller movements were interpreted quickly and displayed accordingly on the screen. To the V400's credit, I could track on pretty much all surfaces.

However, the problem was the quality of tracking on certain surfaces. The MS Notebook Laser 6000 had better tracking on a medium shag carpet (my V500 could track at all). On a black hard plastic wal-mart disposable clip binder, I had more difficulty tracking than my V500! The V400 did perform better on my blanket, comforter, and bedsheets than the MS notebook laser 6000 or V500. The V400 was superior on a white sheet of paper and bright glossy surfaces as well. Unfortunately, as I said, I encountered some weird exceptions.

Transmitting and Receiving

The V400 uses a 2.4GHz receiver which allowed me to use the mouse as far as 30 feet away (like for presentations) if there is no other interference. In the house, the V400 had no problems when nearby a 20 inch LCD monitor, a desktop PIII, a notebook computer, 3 printers, and an active paper shredder. The MS Notebook Laser 6000 did not have as far a range (20-25 feet with no sources of interference nearby) and when interference was present... the mouse frequently disconnected from the receiver.

The V500 also has a 2.4GHz receiver.

I should note that the receiver inserts quite flush to the mouse. You depress it to have the receiver pop out but it only exposes a very small part of the receiver for you to grab onto. This can make it difficult pulling out the receiver.

Battery Life

As per my friends, the V400 gets at best 2 months of battery life from a single quality AA battery. The MS notebook laser lasted on average 3-4 months with a single AA battery. The V500 lasted 4-5 months on 2 AAA batteries. I use only energizers or duracell batteries in these devices. All estimates were based on 3-4 hours of daily use pretty much every day.

One slightly annoying feature of the V400 is the tendency of the mouse to go to sleep mode if not used for a few minutes (to conserve power). It takes a second or two of moving/shaking the mouse to wake it up again.

The battery LED to the right of the receiver storage slot grows green if the battery is good and red if the battery has low power. This LED only lights up when you pull the receiver out of the slot and for a few seconds only.

Again, inserting the receiver into the slot on the back of the mouse turns the V400 off. The MS notebook laser mouse also turns off when the receiver is placed back into its area on the bottom of the mouse. The V500 turns off when you compress the mouse to its travel size.

SetPoint Software

This is basically Logitech's mouse and keyboard software. It is a rather large program but it is useful in setting up your mouse and changing the programming of several of the buttons on your mouse. It also allows very limited modifications for game playing but not much.

Discontinued?

I purchased this mouse from Staples for $39.98 before a $15 off coupon and a $20 mail-in rebate.

I should note that the mouse is no longer listed under any of the product categories on the logitech website (the V500 is no longer listed either). You have to do a search to find it. This may be an indication that the V450 notebook mouse is the replacement for this mouse. However, the V400 is still the only mouse in the logitech line up that was utilizing the Phillips twin eye dual laser technology. On the plus side, this could also mean that the V400 will be going on a firesale soon (like in Staples!).

Note: I was kinda wrong... the V450 released in the summer of 2006 and the newly announced VX Revolution notebook mouse are both higher end mice from the V400.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 8