For six years, I used Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 over three different Macs. Many of Microsoft’s computer peripheral products are expensive as you probably know. If they are expensive, they are also durable. And that’s how my IntelliMouse Explorer lasted for six years. Last week, I finally decided to buy a new Mouse. The thing is that I sometimes play computer games. Last month, I played a free online game called Legion of Legends. And IntelliMouse Explorer’s USB cable really annoyed me. And I needed to buy a couple of things online including a 16GB SDHC card and an IEEE1394a-to-IEEE1394b cable. So it was a good opportunity to buy a new computer Mouse.

My initial requirements were

1. It must have at least 3 buttons, preferably 5 buttons.
2. It must be a wireless Mouse.

It took me only 10 minutes or less to decide which computer Mouse to buy. And it was Logitech Wireless Mouse M505. There were a few decisive factors. No. 1, it was quite cheap. The price was ¥2,778 (US$32). The Japanese yen has appreciated quite a bit over months, but for many Japanese computer users, it must sound like a bargain price. In fact, it looks like you can find one for US$24.95 to 39.95. (See Screenshot 1-2.) No. 2, Logitech is a good brand name for computer peripheral products. No. 3, it was advertised as a computer Mouse with five buttons. Screenshot 3 does show that M505 comes with 5 buttons, according to Logicool, Japanese subsidiary of Logitech.

Screenshot 1 – Source: Amazon.com

Screenshot 2 – Source: MacMall

Screenshot 3 – Source: Logicool

I actually have a (wireless) Magic Mouse since I bought a new Mac last week. Do I still need a new computer Mouse? Oh, you bet I do. Basically, I have no faith in Apple over computer peripheral products. Seven years ago, a USB Mouse that came with eMac died within a week of purchase. Apple’s computer Mice are useless. I have two computer Mice from Apple that I have never used in my drawer.

By the way, Logitech Wireless Mouse M505 uses USB, not Bluetooth to connect a Mac. Personally, I don’t quite like Bluetooth devices. If you have a wireless computer Mouse, you probably want to turn the power off if you don’t use your computer for a while. If the power of a Bluetooth-connected Mouse is turned off, then you will need another Mouse to access System Preferences and enable access to Mouse. On the other hand, if you have a USB-connected Mouse, it’s just the matter of turning the power on and off within the Mouse.  

Screenshot 4 – Source: MacHouse

Screenshot 5 – Source: MacHouse

Screenshot 6 – Source: MacHouse

When I first opened a delivery package, I just had a feeling that it’s a relatively cheap quality Mouse. Well, it looked like one at a glance. Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer came with a nice box while Logitech Wireless Mouse M505 comes with a cheap plastic package. (See Screenshot 4-5.) Opening the package, I find Mouse, owner’s guide, two alkaline batteries and a USB connector. (See Screenshot 6.) And I noticed that this computer Mouse is quite small. Comparing it with three computer Mice from Apple that I have, it’s the smallest. (See Screenshot 7.) And it’s quite light.

Screenshot 7 – Source: MacHouse

Screenshot 8 – Source: MacHouse

Screenshot 9 – Source: MacHouse

Now, let’s take a close look at the Mouse itself. If you see the back of the Mouse, there are two pull buttons. One is a power button. (See Screenshot 8.) If you pull No. 2 button up, you can open a battery lid at the tail. (See Screenshot 9.) Now, notice that there’s a small hollow space. The USB connector is very tiny. You can plug it in there so that you won’t lose it. (See Screenshot 10.) That’s kind of neat. Moreover, there’s a green power indicator at the top. So if you turn on the power, this indicator will come into effect. (See Screenshot 11.) And it will turn off itself in a few seconds.

Screenshot 10 – Source: MacHouse

Screenshot 11 – Source: MacHouse

Screenshot 12 – Source: MacHouse

So the power is now on. Next, let’s plug the USB connector into either side of the USB keyboard. (See Screenshot 12.) Just like Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer, Logitech Wireless Mouse M505 will not require you to install any firmware for the basic operation. So I’m all set.

Now, the question is how many Mouse buttons can I actually use? Left and right Mouse buttons are working. And I can use the wheel to scroll up and down on a web browser. And, again, I haven’t installed any special software. Next, let’s start up an old computer game called Age of Mythology to see how many Mouse buttons it recognizes. Let me try setting a hot key to Mouse 3 so that I can locate idle villagers by pressing a Mouse button. So I press the wheel. And since I locate an idle villager by pressing the wheel, it looks like Mac OS and this game sees Button 3. (See Screenshot 14.)

Screenshot 13 – Source: MacHouse

Screenshot 14 – Source: MacHouse

Screenshot 15 – Source: MacHouse

Now, let’s take another look at Screenshot 6. Where are Button 4 and Button 5? Actually, they don’t exist. Let’s take a look at the Mouse at a different angle. There are two symbols that are painted around the wheel. (See Screenshot 15.) If you want to assign an action to the horizontal push to the right and left, you will be required to install software.

Screenshot 16 – Source: Logitech

Screenshot 17 – Source: Logitech

Screenshot 18 – Source: Logicool

In order to download software, you must get online. And you can find software for Wireless Mouse M505 at Logitech’s website. (See Screenshot 16-7.) If you are Japanese, you can find software for the Japanese language system at Logicool’s website. (See Screenshot 18.) The downloaded package comes with software called Logitech Control Center. (See Screenshot 19.) Finally, after a restart, you will find a new Preference Pane in System Preferences. (See Screenshot 20-1.)

Screenshot 19 – Source: MacHouse

Screenshot 20 – Source: MacHouse

Screenshot 21 – Source: MacHouse

With this software, you can assign an action each button. By default, the left pull is associated with horizontal scroll. (See Screenshot 22.) So if I horizontally minimize a webpage and use Tilt Left and Tilt Right, yes, I do get horizontal moves on a web browser. (See Screenshot 23.) And exploring the action column, it looks like you can set a button such that you can eject a CD, take a screenshot and do other things.

Screenshot 22 – Source: MacHouse

Screenshot 23 – Source: MacHouse

Screenshot 24 – Source: MacHouse

In summary, Logitech Wireless Mouse M505 is quite an affordable solution with USB wireless connection. Without using special software, you will get to use its three buttons plus the wheel scroll. Although Logicool advertises this produce as a wireless Mouse with five buttons, it’s more like one with 3.5 buttons. Logitech Wireless Mouse M505 has three independent buttons, not five. As far as its durability is concerned, Logitech Wireless Mouse protects itself with a thin plastic cover. It’s possible that the user can accidentally break the battery cover since it looks fragile.