Its small size demands much less space than a full-size wireless mouse, making it well suited for travel. To prevent the mouse from accidentally operating within your bag and draining the battery, an on/off switch is located on the underside of the device.
The bottom of the mouse also includes a slot for housing the USB receiver so it doesn’t get lost. The mouse automatically shuts off when you slide the receiver into the slot, which is another preventative measure against battery drain.
The mouse works with Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS X, which is very nice if you move back and forth between platforms. There is no need to download or install any software – you simply plug the mini-receiver in your computer’s USB slot and within seconds the mouse is operational.
Even the packaging is pragmatic. You don’t have to worry about slicing your hand or scarring the product with a box cutter in order to get the mouse out. Its “bend corner to open” design allows you to simply push the top right corner of the packaging and the corrugated plastic unfolds.
One AA battery is included in the package, which is required to get the mouse up and running. A single battery should last for about six months of use, according to Logitech.
I tested the V220 for a couple weeks, during the day on Windows XP and bringing it home to my Mac at night. The housing slot works, but could use some improvement. Carrying the duo around in my bag, there were a few occasions where I’d find the mouse and receiver had separated.
The mouse worked effortlessly on both platforms and operated well within a range of at least three feet. The V220 doesn’t have Bluetooth and relies on the USB receiver to operate, so you need to sacrifice a USB port in order to use it, but in exchange you don’t need to fuss around with settings and potentially weak signals.
I found the mouse too small for long-term daily use, but very easy to operate considering its size due to all the tactile feedback you get from its design. The V220 has an ergonomic shape, rubber side panels (which provide a great grip) and ridged centre wheel. Overall, the mouse is very comfortable to hold.
The centre wheel tilts side to side and features side-scrolling capabilities, so you can scroll to the right or left of a page depending on which direction you tilt the wheel.
You can engage the zoom feature, which allows you to increase or decrease the viewing size of a page by scrolling up or down on the wheel, by pressing down on the centre of the scroll wheel. A second press releases the zoom function and allows the mouse to revert back to its standard functionality.
Overall, the V220 offers the right amount of features for a very decent price. It performs well and is well suited for students who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a wireless mouse or travelers who want a comfortable device that works on multiple platforms with little fuss.
The mouse is available in solid red, pink, purple, blue and black or red and blue patterns.
