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I know it's sad to call a mouse your best friend, but when it comes to improving productivity with a single hardware, the Logitech MX Master 3 (99 $ / £ 99) is worthy of the BFF term because I do not plan to separate it anytime soon.
Advantages
- Fast scroll wheel, smooth and quiet
- Comfortable
- Control up to three PCs
- Share files, text, and images on up to three computers
- Pre-defined and customizable application-specific profiles
- 2.4GHz or Bluetooth
The inconvenients
- Thumb rest button might be more convenient
- DPI customization is not accurate
- No USB receiver storage
- Expensive
Verdict
The Logitech MX Master 3 is one of the nicest scroll wheels we've ever used and a customizable button layout that combines productivity and ease of use.
Targeting advanced users, such as creators, software developers, engineers, analysts and other professionals, its innovative electromagnetic scroll wheel and application-customizable settings allow you to fine-tune this mouse to be the ideal companion for every software you use. In addition, you can control and send information on up to three PCs (Windows, MacOS and / or Linux), so that the mouse can accompany you at every step of the multi-device activities.
But if you're not that type of experienced user or if you're just looking for a fast, light or flashy mouse, you'd better look for something cheaper or a dedicated gaming mouse.
Specifications for the Logitech MX Master 3
|
Sensor type |
Laser |
| Sensor model | Dark ground |
| Sensitivity | 4000 DPI |
| Voting rate | Not disclosed |
| Takeoff distance | Not disclosed |
| Programmable buttons | 6 |
| LED zones and colors | 0 |
| Measures (HxLxL) | 2 x 3.3 x 4.9 inches (51 x 84.3 x 124.9 mm) |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (141 g) |
| guarantee | United States: 1 year EMEA: 2 years |
Design and comfort
The most important change made by Logitech with the MX Master 3 to the MX Master 2S and MX Master is in the scroll wheel, which has been updated with electromagnetic technology and named MagSpeed, which allows you to switch between modes regular and precise scrolling. This is the only part of the mouse made in Switzerland (the rest in China). While the wheels of the older MX Master mice can also scroll in small increments line by line or rotate freely, they still produce noise. Even when you scroll line by line, each line creating a click of friction, the MX Master 3 is silent. On top of that, when it turns freely, the wheel rotates much longer and smoother than the predecessors of the mouse or even any other mouse I've ever used.
Here is how it works. The machined stainless steel wheel is open in the center, where electromagnets are located. In Mouse Ratchet mode, where the wheel scrolls line by line for more precision, the two electromagnets have opposite polarity. Magnetic force passes through the pinion teeth and interacts with the outside of the steel wheel. When the teeth of the gear are closer to the magnet, you feel more strength, when not less, which creates friction with each scroll of the line.
In Freespin mode, when the wheel rotates quickly and without friction, the electrical current inside the module changes the polarity of the electric magnets, so that the magnetic force no longer interacts with the steel wheel. which allows the wheel to spin as fast as it can – like a spinner – pass 1000 lines per second. This differs from the simple click in the scroll wheel and scrolling because it offers more precision, especially when you want to stop.
To move by magnetic traction. Logitech has said that it expects the mouse to have a longer life than its predecessors (but Logitech has not increased the warranty period).
You can switch between the Ratchet or Freespin mode by pressing the button below the scroll wheel or using SmartShift (software-enabled), which adjusts the mode depending on how you move the wheel. SmartShift is very useful when scrolling long documents, PDFs, or spreadsheets. Freespin quickly led me past several pages to reach the desired section and when I put my finger on the steering wheel, I could make more precise scrolls for the desired paragraph.
Physically, the MX Master 3 stands out from its predecessor by a new button layout and a revamped thumb rest designed to make the use more comfortable and intuitive. Designed for muscle memory, the thumb buttons – the wheel, the front and back buttons – are all stacked vertically above the thumb. The thumb rest also features a gesture button that can be programmed to perform an action when you press it and other actions if you press that key and you move the mouse in the action. one of the four directions.
By moving my thumb up or down from its natural resting point, I could press all four buttons without looking down, so they are very useful. However, I wish the thumb rest button (which is in the same location as the previous models) to be closer to the mouse body or even just to the side as I had to move my thumb to the outside. and press with the side of my thumb to use it.
Measuring 2 x 3.3 x 4.9 inches, the mouse is rather voluminous, especially in height, but this height gives the palm a firm resting place but with a soft texture. Whether with a palm or a pliers, the joint of my pointer was particularly comfortable on the raised hump of the mouse.
The thumb rest is textured and the palm rest and the place where you keep your little finger have the same feel for lasting comfort. The right and left buttons are slightly smoother. It's not the sweetest mouse in town, but it's really an improvement over a flat plastic chassis.
The wireless mouse uses a Type A USB receiver and connects to a PC via a frequency ranging from 2.4 GHz to 33 meters (33 feet). If you use other Logitech products using the Logitech Unifying receiver, you can only use one receiver for up to six products, which is very useful if the number of ports is low. You can also connect it without a receiver via Bluetooth Low Energy, which is especially useful if you connect to a device that does not have a USB Type-A port.
At 0.3 kg, the mouse seems heavy, especially if you already use a light gaming mouse. Compared to the Razer DeathAdder Elite eSports mouse (0.2 lb.) that I usually use, it's a bit more challenging to make big moves with the MX Master 3.
Under the mouse is the power switch and a button to control the PC on which you want the mouse to control three. It may sound awkward, but if you turn on the Logitech Flow feature that lets you control up to three computers with the same mouse (you'll know more later), you do not need to press a button to move mouse from one screen to another. There is also a USB-C port for connecting the supplied cable and charging the mouse.
Productivity Performance
The new MX Master 3 has the same sensors as the MX Master 2S, the Logitech Darkfield sensor with max CPI. (Dots per inch, sometimes called DPI) of 4,000, which is high for a productivity mouse (low for a high-speed gaming mouse). You can change the speed with the help of software, but only with the help of a slider, not precise numerical increments. Even so, the mouse was able to follow all my movements from fast, crazy-fast movements to slow, precise movements around Excel spreadsheets.
The laser sensor is designed to work on all surfaces, including glass at least 4 mm thick. I have tried it on various surfaces, glass, wooden desk, plastic table, suede sofa, marble countertop and bed. I have never had a problem.
The rewind scroll wheel on the MX Master 3 offers the ability to switch between fast scrolling (for example, when looking for something in a PDF file or spreadsheet), and precise scrolling, line by line, like when reading an article– with one touch, and the mouse knows what mode you want to touch (although you can also select Ratchet or Freespin as the only mode). And thanks to its button layout, you can access almost any button (except the scroll wheel mode changer) without removing your hand from the mouse or watching it.
You can make the mouse even more efficient at work by programming the button functions in the Logitech Options software. You can not assign anything to the right and left click buttons, but you can change their functions. Profiles can be defined by application or for all applications.
The mouse software is preloaded with profiles for Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Office. If you have some, the profiles will be automatically implemented when downloading the software. This is a new feature of the MX Master line. Logitech said some apps had similar profiles to help with muscle memory.
The definition of functions by application is supposed to help users to fight against distractions. For example, in Photoshop, the shortcut for brush size is on the keyboard, but with the mouse you will not have to leave the eye screen.
Pre-fabricated profiles have been constructed logically for typical use. For example, in Chrome and Edge, wheel scrolling is switched, but in Excel it scrolls horizontally, while in PowerPoint and Word it zooms. Similarly, in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, the forward and backward scroll buttons are restored and undone respectively, but in Chrome in Edge, they allow you to go back or forward a page of the history.
If you do not like Logitech settings for a particular software, you can of course disable the profile or create your own. Since I often have many Chrome windows open at once, I've programmed the gesture button to show the desktop when you're in Chrome. I've also opted for SmartShift to automatically choose between Ratchet and Freespin modes and have made sure that the wheel's mode change button opens a new Chrome tab.
Although it is not designed for gaming, with the ability to program software-based buttons, a comfortable grip and scroll wheel, the mouse can appease players during long gaming sessions or while scrolling through the game. One weapon to another. But competing players may prefer something lighter, while others may miss RGB lighting.
One mouse, three computers
Logitech has equipped the MX Master 3 with Logitech Flow technology, which allows you to use a single accessory to control and send files, text and images to up to three computers (you can find other products using Flow here) ). To use it, you must have Logitech Options software on each PC and, to transfer the information, the devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Flow is similar to the sharing near Windows 10, which you allows you to send documents, photos and URL links to another PC if they are both on the same Wi-Fi network and use Bluetooth technology; However, you can not copy and paste text or an image, or control different computers with a single device, unlike Flow. Note that if you do not have a computer with Bluetooth LE or more than one Logitech receiver, Flow will probably not work.
After pairing the mouse with your PCs and activating Flow, you can organize your screens in the software and have the cursor go to the next screen if you go to the edge or if you go to the edge and hold down the Ctrl key (your choice). . Designed for users such as programmers, engineers and other professionals. It's fantastic for someone like me, who often uses his work computer and a control unit, or even a personal PC, simultaneously.
Flow worked exactly as it should with the MX Master 3: the mouse smoothly transitioned on three PCs as if it were one. Copying and pasting was also fast and effortless, whether it's text or folders containing multiple types of files (PDFs, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and images). Each data transfer is protected with AES-256 encryption.
Features and software
You can plug in the MX Master 3 and get to work right away, but if you want to use it with multiple PCs or program one of the buttons, you'll need the free Logitech Options software. Experienced users will appreciate the ability to change button functions or point / scroll settings according to the specified application.
The programming of the buttons is very simple and does not require any technical competence, because Logitech makes it very simple with a multitude of options. It even recommends certain actions for certain gestures – the Scroll Wheel Mode button instead opening a new Chrome tab was part of it. The software thinks like users because Logitech created its profiles from user data and created by itself with the MX Master 2.
The software also features Duolink mode, which allows you to use a combination of Fn with specific mouse gestures to execute a command. The software can store two different profiles: Default and Duolink. There is a combination for everyone with this software.
The Point & Scroll section offers precise setting options for the mouse to work exactly the way you want. You can make the settings universal or application-specific. The application also provides a link explaining the different modes of the scroll wheel, which also ensures you do not need a lot of technical know-how to enjoy the device.
Activate Flow is just a click of a button in Options and about 60 seconds of waiting; it could not be easier. One Flow is enabled, it is very easy to adjust the edge of the mouse to PCs. And I appreciate being able to move devices (up / down or left / right) to reflect the actual physical layout of my devices. When Flow is enabled, your mouse will go to the next PC by choosing to move to a particular edge or by holding down the Ctrl key and moving to an edge. The devices even have a color code and the one you use receives a teal marker to avoid confusion.
You can also activate a convenient taskbar icon that you can right-click to easily disable Flow or access its settings.
Battery life
Logitech claims that the MX Master 3 has a battery life of up to 70 days in full charge (via USB-C mouse and USB-C to USB Type-A cable included) and up to three hours. from a charge of one minute. . The software includes a battery indicator with three bars and a small light next to the wheel that turns red when the charge level is low.
I did not have the mouse long enough to attest to the 70-day claim. However, I used it intensely for about 32 hours (4 days of work) and I left it on for an additional 72 hours, and its battery charge indicator was still full.
Bottom line
They say you should not reinvent the wheel, but when you can make it smoother, faster, quieter, more responsive and just more fun to use, why not? Logitech has managed this with the MX Master 3, while improving its usability through a highly customizable and almost fully navigable button layout without taking off from the mouse.
For $ 100, it's a premium mouse. You pay partially for the ability to control multiple computers and customize each application. If you do not need someone who needs it, you better buy something cheaper or, if you are a gambler, a fast gaming mouse.
But for professionals who often alternate between devices and software, the MX Master 3 is ready to be customized in your new favorite productivity tool.
Photo Credits: Tom's Hardware
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