Logitech's V550 Nano Clip-and-Go Mouse with 18 months of go at a clip

Today Logitech is unveiling its V550 Nano cordless laser mouse. This $60 mouse packs a few tricks including that itty bitty 2.4GHz USB nano receiver, 18-month life off 2x AA batteries, and "Clip-and-Go Dock" which affixes to your laptop. the 3.91 x 2.28 x 1.34-inch V550 also features Logitech's superb hyperfast scrolling. Expect it to ship sometime later this month in the US and Europe.

[thr33face @ Aug 13th 2008 5:13AM]

Now why is this not bluetooth?

[NienorGT @ Aug 13th 2008 5:31AM]

Because they used an old lappy that even have a super Floppy drive!

[j_g_puff @ Aug 13th 2008 5:35AM]

How do you know it's not bluetooth?

Well spotted RE floppy drive, btw.

[thr33face @ Aug 13th 2008 5:39AM]

because they call it "Logitech’s advanced 2.4 GHz wireless technology" ...

[snife @ Aug 13th 2008 5:42AM]

Because bluetooth doesn't work instantly, uses more power, is a bit flakey and wont work in all situations (bootable CDs etc) - i'll take the nano reciever anyday over a bluetooth mouse.

[j_g_puff @ Aug 13th 2008 5:53AM]

Fair enough, though it wouldn't be the first time i've seen a company call someone else's technology 'theirs'.

Bluetooth is a little unnecessary for wireless mice, but then again the cost of an off-the-shelf BT radio is miniscule compared to the cost of Logitech developing their own.

[Kelmon @ Aug 13th 2008 7:06AM]

Yes, for the love of god, where is a decent Logitech mouse with Bluetooth? I currently have a VX Revolution and, crappy drivers aside, the only issue that I have with it is that it isn't Bluetooth. Pretty much all laptops today have Bluetooth but I still have to go through the hassle of connecting a sodding RF dongle to a USB port.

Sort it out, Logitech!

[Kris @ Aug 13th 2008 9:41AM]

I wish they'd move to Bluetooth. I have one of their mice that uses 2.4GHz wireless an it's junk because it gets bad interference from WiFi. I have to yell at my girlfriend to not watch streaming video if I want to play a game.

Very annoying.

[Tonicboy @ Aug 13th 2008 10:32AM]

@Kelmon-

A quick glance through their website reveals that they have multiple models of Bluetooth mice. The one I have, the V270, is superb. It has great performance and range, is small but not so teensy tiny that you're using it with just three fingers (my pet peeve with portable mice) and is very comfortable. There's a slight delay to become active when it's idle, but that is true of all Bluetooth mice.

@j_g_puff-

It's clearly not Bluetooth because it has the dongle. The whole point of a Bluetooth mouse is that you can use it easily with your computer's built-in Bluetooth, sans dongle. Also, the press release clearly states that it is not Bluetooth.

[James @ Aug 13th 2008 10:42AM]

Kris: I have an idea! Take some ferrite beads and attach them... oh shit

[Niraj @ Aug 13th 2008 11:17AM]

I second Tonicboy's comment..I also have the V270 bluetooth notebook mouse and it's awesome. Great battery life and great sensitivity. Most of the complaints are about the delay in waking up if it's been unused for a while, but that's how it has such great battery life. And you can disable the power saving if that's really important to you anyways.

[chansthename @ Aug 13th 2008 5:07PM]

That's not a floppy drive but a slot loading CD drive

[Muttley @ Aug 13th 2008 5:35AM]

And the drivers are installed with a floppy... Not available to download.

[avester @ Aug 13th 2008 8:49AM]

And remember kids, Don't copy that floppy!

[tom @ Aug 13th 2008 9:25AM]

What if i do? what are you gonna do?

[dervheid @ Aug 13th 2008 5:39AM]

I think they used an 'old' lappy, cuz you'd not want to stick this on your nice new one, would you?
Really?

[Gunn @ Aug 13th 2008 5:42AM]

Exactly how does it stick to the laptop?

[Nylz @ Aug 13th 2008 5:52AM]

I second that question.
... and...
Why?

[j_g_puff @ Aug 13th 2008 5:53AM]

Magnets :D

[Phoenix @ Aug 13th 2008 5:58AM]

I think I'll stick it right over my HDD

[Gunn @ Aug 13th 2008 5:58AM]

Wouldn't that mess with the laptop's components, like hardrive?

[Dillon @ Aug 13th 2008 6:31AM]

Lasers.

[Kelmon @ Aug 13th 2008 7:07AM]

Six inch nail. Use may void your warranty.

[nDee @ Aug 13th 2008 7:47AM]

It's a hook.
it really is horrifying ugly
I mean why would anyone buy that for that purpose?
Put the mouse in your pocket, it's that simple.
Next on logitech : A mice with Blu-Tag so it can stick on your palm.

[Marq @ Aug 13th 2008 12:25PM]

"No boss! I wasn't sexually harassing her...I had a mouse in my pocket!"

[Logitech Guy @ Aug 13th 2008 7:50PM]

The Clip-and-Go dock attaches to your laptop with an adhesive. We designed it so that the dock would stay firmly attached, but could be removed with an included removal tool. Also, we include two docs (one silver and one black) so that you have a backup. If you ever need more, they can be purchased at logitech.com

[happy_penguin @ Aug 13th 2008 5:54AM]

Pretty friggin cool.

[Greg @ Aug 13th 2008 6:34AM]

Being able to park a cordless mouse on the laptop is the single most goddam useful thing I've seen on Engadget in months.

*looks at current logitech wireless mouse in disgust*

[johnzilla @ Aug 13th 2008 7:23AM]

Unless, of course, you value the aesthetics of your laptop and/or have purchased accessories like form-fitting sleeves and cases to protect it. Maybe it makes sense to gum up a $499 special, but a $2000-$3000 deluxe model? Or even $1500? No, thanks!

[Greg @ Aug 13th 2008 7:32AM]

It would be for my work laptop (so I don't care about appearance) and for when I schlepp my laptop from meeting to meeting. Currently I have to stick the mouse in my pocket - not ideal!

[Benson @ Aug 13th 2008 9:33AM]

I'd bet it's designed for low profile, so the dock wouldn't be an issue for sleeves, cases, etc., as long as you remove the mouse first.

As for aesthetics, the day I spend $1500 more on a $500 laptop because it looks nice, I'll start caring. I spend based on performance and usability, and if I go with a $2000 machine, it'll be because I expect $1500 more capability. I couldn't care less about aesthetics, no matter how much I spent for the computer.

[John Bailey @ Aug 13th 2008 1:23PM]

@Johnzilla
Would it make you happy if we called it an iClip..

[ean @ Aug 13th 2008 6:45AM]

8 buttons like the VXRevolution should be the bare minimum: for back/forward, copy/paste, volume up/down and custom app 1/2.. yes the design is cleaner but it shouldn’t be like the simple Mac mice, more buttons certainly increase productivity ten fold..

[Thijs Haenen @ Aug 13th 2008 7:05AM]

I've been doing fine with 3 buttons for over 8 years now, you know? I have used mice with more buttons, but without using more buttons, except accidentally.

[Richard Glitter @ Aug 13th 2008 7:24AM]

For a portable laptop mouse this is preferable as all the extra buttons require additional drivers and software. This nice standard 3-button mouse will most likely instantly detect, so using it on multiple machines or linux, or if you reinstall a lot will be much easier.

[Niraj @ Aug 13th 2008 11:20AM]

@ean: And then they could stick a qwerty setup on the underside and you could throw away your keyboard! Seriously though, I'd rather have all those controls (and they usually are) on the keyboard.

[Aaronage @ Aug 13th 2008 6:54AM]

Are logitech stuck in the 90's, they stuck it to a laptop toting a floppy drive xD

[swingin' dick hero @ Aug 13th 2008 8:30AM]

Are you stuck in the LOL age?

[Alex @ Aug 13th 2008 6:58AM]

Logitech is the best...(most of the time) and generally if I have a choice between their stuff and a competing brand, I usually go with the Logitech just because their support is top notch. They'd give you a pedicure if they could.

[nDee @ Aug 13th 2008 7:51AM]

It really is ,
with 5 years warranty on my MX610, I could almost certain that I'll never need to buy another one in five years. Besidessince those side buttons are so vulnerable to collisions, you could almost always get a new one if you want one.

[John Bailey @ Aug 13th 2008 1:05PM]

Same here. Logitech MX700 bought just under 5 years ago. When it wore out, it was replaced with an MX Revolution. Next time I'm going to have to actually buy a new mouse!!! For the first time in 5 years + how ever long the Revolution lasts.
Even better. Real people working the phone lines, and no interrogation required to get a replacement. Great customer support. Now if only they did Linux drivers for the extra stuff on their mice and keyboards.

[K Nang @ Aug 13th 2008 7:03AM]

i agree!
anyone know of any other mouses (mice?) that have a receiver this small?

[Derek @ Aug 13th 2008 7:03AM]

Hehe, you said dongle.

But yeah, I have that on my current mouse and I love it! I never take it out and no risk of breaking it off like others.

[Kelmon @ Aug 13th 2008 7:10AM]

@K Nang

Actually, the dongle isn't new for Logitech. The VX Nano also sports the fly-wheel design and comes with the tiny receiver. However, I suspect the mouse itself is quite a bit smaller than this one.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/3271&cl=us,en

[Berrs @ Aug 13th 2008 7:17AM]

I don't need a pedicure. I need the back and forward buttons on the side. Which I don't see on this mouse. Too bad, it looks rather nice. :-(

[Craig @ Aug 13th 2008 7:21AM]

Hyperfast scrolling may be good, but on the VX Nano model it comes at the cost of no clickable scrolling wheel. This was a major disappointment as this is how I open new tabs in Firefox and Safari.

[Richard Glitter @ Aug 13th 2008 7:28AM]

Ouch, that's good to know, I was reading about it and it sounded very nice, I was going to buy this mouse. That's a deal-breaker for me too, for the same reason.

[FRiC @ Aug 13th 2008 7:50AM]

There's also a V450 Nano that has the nano receiver but has a regular scroll wheel. Much better, imho.

[Phoenix @ Aug 13th 2008 8:49AM]

Can't you change it from changing the wheel mode to doing middle click?

[thomas @ Aug 13th 2008 10:09AM]

On the VX Nano I have you can't use the wheel for clicking, but there's a button on the mouse immediately behind the wheel that serves that function; so doesn't seem that big of a deal to me at least