Logitech MX5500 Review

Logitech MX5500

Published October 20, 2008 at 03:52:50 PM, by Thai Tan

Logitech has been making some of the best keyboards and mice on the market since they opened their doors in 1981. Their major competitor is Microsoft's line of input devices, which makes it fitting that we reviewed the Microsoft m7000 just last month. Logitech's MX 5500 is a different keyboard/mouse combo targeting a different market. Let's see how it fares against our testing regime.

Design
Logitech's larger half of the combo carries no less than 118 keys, finished in Spartan black. There's no ergonomic curve that Microsoft seems to love so much, which makes this keyboard look more traditional than some. Frankly, this keyboard won't win any beauty pageants. The palm rest uses a pocked pseudo-rubber material that is functional and emits a pleasing tactile response, although it looks better suited to dressing the underside of your chair. The buttons that control the display are placed directly underneath and symbolized with arrows to ease international translation. I'm not very impressed with the way the keyboard looks, especially for the price point (more on that later).

Before I talk about the mouse, there's one thing you have to know. I purchased this mouse in the wireless (non-Bluetooth) version over six months ago, and it is leaps and bounds beyond anything I've owned or reviewed in the past. I mean, this mouse design is incredible. The form factor is a great fit in both large and small hand prints. It carries an ideal weight (148 grams) thanks to the battery powering the wireless feature. We knocked Microsoft's m7000 recently for feeling too light for its purpose, translating into a slight disconnect between moving the mouse and the movement on the screen. The Logitech MX Revolution hits the sweet spot in that regard.There's no cramping after continued use, and there're enough unobtrusive (albeit reachable) buttons covering the mouse for nearly any application. We're seeing companies creating mice for specific uses (office, multimedia, gaming, etc.), and it's self-limiting. We're at a technological level where we don't need to sacrifice certain features to allow others, and the MX is a great representation of a no compromise mouse.

Connectivity
There's no option to connect other USB devices to this product, considering it would drain the four AA batteries powering the keyboard. This combo connects via Bluetooth, which is a step up from wireless. Sure, Bluetooth has a shorter range, but 30 feet is enough. The Bluetooth benefit is less interference on an already crowded wireless frequency.

Features
The Logitech keyboard is packed full of fun buttons, although their usefulness is dubious at best. There are some great implementations here, like the Smart Calculator, which allows you to math via the keyboard display. However, how often are you going to use the Windows Search Button, especially when the mouse has an identical button directly under the scroll wheel? The keyboard also offers shortcuts to Flip3D, Zoom In/Out, Media and Volume, Favorites, Sleep Mode, Media Center, Photo Gallery, and Gadgets. Although there are a hefty amount of buttons covering this keyboard, it manages a relatively small footprint.

The hyper-fast scroll wheel is something I've enjoyed immensely since I owned this mouse, and it's tough to look back. It's precise if you're performing some fine motor control, but you can give it a quick flick with you finger to send your web page or document scrolling all the way through in one go. Logitech states this pretty forward as an exceptionally advanced feature, which I find hard to believe. No matter what they feel about it, I use it all the time.

That same wheel also performs a middle mouse click function, as well as tilting left and right. The exterior finish is much smoother than the keys on the keyboard, and provides an excellent tactile experience.

The other wheel, which is placed within thumb's reach, only tilts forward and back. The other buttons, also placed within thumb's reach, are an excellent companion to web browsing. They perform the forward and back function, and are faster than traditional methods once you break out of old habits. The last button, which sits behind the first scroll wheel, performs the obligatory Windows Search. A useful addition if you find yourself needing that program.

Performance
This is where the Logitech design and feature set combine to form a sum greater than its parts. The keyboard delivers excellent keyboard feedback with the right amount of key travel. You're never getting lost in key "sinkholes" or accidentally pressing keys as you whisk by them. Although the shortcut buttons on the keyboard seem like pandering to the mantra that "more is better", it doesn't result in a footprint that makes you wonder where the rest of your desk went. For my money, I'd stick with something smaller (says the man with the G15).

Those shortcut buttons look great on the front of the box, but I rarely see them translate into a better user experience. Up until this point I was still on the fence with LCD displays, although the Smart Calculator pushed me to the side that says they're ultimately a good thing. It's actually pretty helpful.

The laser mouse performs so well, I use it for everything. It's very accurate and carries user map-able buttons, so gaming is a breeze. As you know, gaming is the perfect testing ground for a mouse's functionality. It tests the limits of accuracy, weight distribution, feedback, and button layout at the same time.

This mouse stands up to the test at every turn, and even carries a neat stand, nay pedestal, that the mouse rests on when charging. Speaking of which, battery use is negligible with both the mouse and keyboard. If you manage to get the mouse on the charging stand one night out of the week, you'll never have to worry about it.

Conclusion
The entire combo retails for a cool $169.99, which includes the MX Revolution mouse and keyboard in the Bluetooth variety. To give you some comparison, the mouse itself retails at $99.99. Microsoft's m7000 combo set retails at only $129.99. However the level of quality you get with Logitech's offering, especially the mouse, moves past simple dollar signs. Logitech's keyboard is a solid although uninspiring purchase, and if you did your research you could probably find a better keyboard out there. The mouse, on the other hand, is an incredible product which gets it all right, and deserves a look even if you don't realize you're happy with the one you have. It's that good.

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