I also have the previous version
Logitech Anywhere Mouse MX
. The old MX is still a great mouse, especially at the reduced price it's selling for now. It does have a few shortcomings though; for instance: I'm loathed to buy AA and AAA batteries for anything in my house anymore (I don't understand why everything isn't USB rechargeable) and it only works with Logitech's Unifying dongle. So when I upgraded laptops to one who's manufacturer thought a single USB port is plenty (Ahem, Microsoft) a few months ago, I purchased the
Logitech Ultrathin Touch Mouse T630
to keep in my laptop bag. The advantages were two-fold; first the T630's Bluetooth pairing meant I didn't have to dedicate my only USB port to a mouse full-time, and secondly, it was USB rechargeable, so I knew if it was ever out of power I could just charge it, rather than having to go on a quest for more AA batteries. This didn't work out quite as well in practice though. While super-portable, isn't exactly comfortable to use for hours at a time, and it was a bit tricky to get the gestures to work on a surface that also moves around. Also, it only paired over Bluetooth; it didn't work with Logitech's Unifying receivers at all, so that's something to keep in mind. Finally, the USB charging port is on the bottom, so it's impossible to use while charging. It only takes 10 or 15 minutes to get a day's use out of it, but this was still annoying.
The MX Anywhere 2 is the best of both worlds, plus some. To start with, it's the same size, shape, and feel as the old MX, with the exception of the rubber grip strips on the sides. The old MX has small uniform dimpling, while the MX 2 has angled textures which I like both the look and feel of much better. Some may find it on the small side for a primary mouse, but I find it quite comfortable in both the right and left hand (important for a lefty) for all day use, and it's still small enough to throw in the laptop bag without adding too much bulk. I certainly notice the bulged in the bag now, unlike the super-slim T630, but it's definitely a trade-off worth making for the added comfort and functionality. Secondly, the MX 2 is USB rechargeable, with the port right in the front so it can easily be used while charging. This means I can just leave it plugged in and use it all day at my desk, then take it with me on the go, and it's always topped up and ready, or if I need to I can charge it from my laptop without interrupting my work. Finally, the MX 2 pairs with up to 3 separate devices in any mix of Bluetooth or Unifying dongle, and switch between them with the push of a button. This is fantastic for laptops and tablets which often include only a paucity of USB ports these days, as well as Android devices (though apple still doesn't have basic cursor support for ios; tisk, tisk...).
The only negative I've found in the MX 2 is a pet peeve of mine. Included in the package is a Unifying dongle, which is great. In the old MX, there was a slot in the battery compartment where you could store the dongle when not in use so it doesn't get lost. The MX 2 doesn't have a removable battery, so there's no battery compartment, and Logitech didn't think to put a slot somewhere else to store the dongle. That's it, that's the only thing I can find that I don't like about this mouse; you have to keep track of that little Unifying dongle on your own.
I highly recommend this mouse to anyone, though the old MX is still a worthy option for about half the price. ..If buying AA batteries once in a while doesn't offend you, and you have a USB port to spare, or are already using a Unifying receiver for other peripherals.
| Wireless Type | 802.11abg |
|---|---|
| Average Battery Life (in hours) | 2 months |
