Review: Logitech Zone Touch Mouse T400

Usage and Software

There isn't a lot to say about the left and right mouse buttons (they click when you press them, believe it or not), but the multi-function touch zone has a couple of tricks up its sleeve and proves useful during everyday use.

And we must confess; nobody in the HEXUS office was particularly eager to sacrifice their tried-and-trusted scroll wheel in favour of a touch panel. If you're thinking along the same lines, you might want to give the Zone Touch Mouse T400 a try as it works surprisingly well.

Logitech's SetPoint software utility makes it easy to fine-tune certain aspects of the touch zone, though the T400's relatively-simple feature set ensures little configuration is needed. All the basics are here - such as the ability to adjust pointer speed - and Logitech provides a handful of ways in which to customise the touch zone.

Using the buttons built-in to the finger-sensitive strip, the touch zone can be used as a shortcut to four common tasks: middle click; bringing up the Windows 8 Start screen; switching applications; and zooming in and out. Diving in an out of the Start screen can be a common occurrence on Windows 8, and we've come to appreciate that particular shortcut - we didn't expect to being using it as often as we do.

Vertical scrolling, while not quite as precise as a good quality scroll wheel, is quick and smooth, and a swift flick can be used to scale long distances. It doesn't take long for the T400's touch gestures to feel entirely natural, and you automatically start using the mouse to scroll horizontally, too. Windows 8's built-in apps tend to favour ultra-wide layouts, and the T400 makes it easy to scroll in all four directions.

Logitech certainly has the basics covered, but there are limitations to what the touch zone can do. Though there are a couple of configuration options, it's worth noting that the built-in buttons can't be programmed at will - so no, the front click can't be used to minimise Wordament when the boss walks past.

And there are a few other restrictions, too. Left and right swipes work really well as back and forward shortcuts in web browsers, but the same swipes don't allow you to move back and forward in other applications such as Windows explorer. Given the small size of the touch zone, it's also unable to make full use of Windows 8's various built-in gestures - you won't be able to bring up the Charms bar, for example, and multi-touch gestures don't feature at all.

Final Thoughts and Rating

The Logitech Zone Touch Mouse T400 set out to prove that a traditional two-button mouse can be enhanced with the addition of a touch-sensitive zone. In that regard, the device is a success.

Using short swipes to navigate the Windows 8 interface feels intuitive right from the word go, and Logitech's keep-it-simple approach has its benefits as less-technical users won't be overburdened with new features.

For £39.99 (or £35 if you shop at Amazon) this is a mouse that just works, and though it has its limitations - the lack of back and forward support in Windows Explorer being our biggest bugbear - it handles basic gestures well.

The ambidextrous design is attractive and the rubber grip is a neat touch, but as with all mice, one size doesn't fit all. Users with small hands are likely to appreciate the T400's low-profile frame, but everyone else is going to long for something a bit bigger.

The Logitech Zone Touch Mouse T400 isn't the perfect Windows 8 mouse, but it is a very good one the underlying technology has us convinced; our scrollwheels are ready to be retired.

The Good

Touch scrolling works well
Handy for getting around the Windows 8 UI
Tiny Unifying Receiver
Ambidextrous design
Comfortable rubber grip

The Bad

Might be too small for some
Non-rechargeable

HEXUS Rating

Logitech Zone Touch Mouse T400

HEXUS Awards

Logitech Zone Touch Mouse T400

HEXUS Where2Buy

The Logitech Zone Touch Mouse T400 is available to purchase from Amazon.

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