Source: Tom's Guide | Keywords: Logitech, Kensington, Mouse | Themes: Laptops and Notebooks, Business Notebooks
2. Design Appeal
These are mid-sized notebook mice—not the tiniest available, but not the full-size desktop or gaming mice that the most ergonomic-minded among us prefer. Neither mouse is so small that using it for long periods feels painful or cramped.
While the SlimBlade is longer, the V550 is taller, and they weigh the exact same amount: 4.2 ounces each.
The Slimblade’s dimensions are 4.25” x 3.1” x 1.2”; the V550 measures 3.9” x 2.3” x 1.5”. Overall, the SlimBlade is a touch bigger.
When it comes to physical attractiveness, however, the SlimBlade has an edge. While the mouse comes in a shiny piano black, it also comes in a lovely shade of maroon dubbed “Deep Wine” by Kensington. The iridescent color is offset by black perforated grips on either side of the mouse. Even though it is more than an inch thick, the mouse gives the impression of being completely flat and thin, and somewhat more angular and square than most mice. The two buttons are outlined with very narrow splits in the plastic.
The V550 is gray—albeit shaded a tri-tone of gray with silver on the top, a stripe of gray towards the sides, and charcoal edging up above the base. Though smaller than a typical mouse, the V550 retains a classical mouse shape: raised in back, sloped down in the front, and curvy all the way around. One split in the plastic down the middle of the mouse defines the two buttons.
Design score: Logitech: 4 Kensington: 5
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"But Kensington receiver?though a bit longer?has an ace up its sleeve as well. Though you might not want to leave the Kensington receiver in your computer at all times, it does have a safe home to go to when you remove it from the computer. The bottom of the mouse snaps off to reveal the battery compartment and a perfect hidey-hole for the receiver. Just don?t forget where it is..."
I think the Logitech mouse also has space to store the receiver in the battery compartment also (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2327551,00.asp).
You should update the review to mention this. Its misleading to praise the Kensington mouse for having it but omit to mention the Logitech mouse has the same feature...
J
"But Kensington receiver?though a bit longer?has an ace up its sleeve as well. Though you might not want to leave the Kensington receiver in your computer at all times, it does have a safe home to go to when you remove it from the computer. The bottom of the mouse snaps off to reveal the battery compartment and a perfect hidey-hole for the receiver. Just don?t forget where it is..."I think the Logitech mouse also has space to store the receiver in the battery compartment also (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2327551,00.asp).You should update the review to mention this. Its misleading to praise the Kensington mouse for having it but omit to mention the Logitech mouse has the same feature...J
Thanks Jon, you make a good point. I've changed the review to reflect the fact that the Logitech mouse also has a receiver compartment built in, however, this compartment is not as useful in the Logitech mouse and because it is so small, not nearly as impressive to me as the Kensington receiver's compartment.
Thanks for reading.
Rachel Rosmarin, Editor, Tom's Guide
Nice review.
I just wish there were mice that werent such a strain to use over time.
features and software and looks are great - but if my hand hurts After using said mouse for an hour or 2 (airplane flights, long meetings, etc), then the mouse quickly becomes a paperweight or a suprise gift to little brother (Thus was the fate of my Logitec G9).
You should mention the Logitech will last 5 years while the Kensington 5 months. All jokes aside, Logitech have better quality than any other manufacture.
Trackball on my Kensington Media mouse quits working within three months. I'm still trying to figure out how to get a replacement from Kensington.
Hey, if you're testing a presenter, then test the distance it can actually work from. I've seen huge discrpencies in this from different manufacturers. How about a whole article on presenters! I'd love to read that.
That self adhesive hook is like getting a *n00b* tattoo on your forehead. Only a complete oaf/geek would glue stuff to the outside of their notebook.