MX Master 4 is a very peculiar premiere of Logitech. In fact, all information about mice has leaked for a few months. However, we will not speculate here how much this leak was controlled.
The new generation of mouse has a lot to prove. MX Master 3S, despite his undoubted advantages, suffered from his problems. The mouse worked out after a relatively short time – the rubber surfaces used had low durability. Although it was still one of the best (and by many simply considered the best) mice to work.
MX Master 4 brings a lot of new products, including the unique and unprecedented feedback in mice – so speaking more humanly vibrations. Did we wait for this?
Construction and ergonomics
Changes in MX Master 4 are already visible when unpacking mouse. First of all, in the box we will not find a USB cable anymore – after chargers it is another element from which producers give up more and more often, so it’s time to get used to (and respect the home collection of cables – I know well that you have one!). The Bolt Logi transmitter design has also been changed. Now we have a USB-C plugin here, which will certainly please MacBook users.
The mouse is still available in two variants – dark (graphite) and light (gray). The manufacturer has traditionally prepared the “For Mac” versions.
The shape of the MX Master 4 has not changed much, which pleases, because in this respect the manufacturer probably reached the ideal. The back is slightly more convex and has a less steep honeydew to the right. As a result, larger hands are more convenient to mouse. The whole weighs 150 grams with dimensions of 88.35 x 128.15 x 50.8 mm.
However, new products are visible at first glance. Logitech finally gave up this unfortunate silicone surface, which after a few months of use glued, ripped off and generally looked terrible. We now have silicone elements only in two places – on the right side, where they rest a ring and small, as well as in the zone under the thumb.
The rest of the housing is made of matte plastic, but not so ordinary. Logitech used an interesting striped structure here, which is very pleasant to the touch. It also seems quite durable. The main buttons were treated slightly differently – here the surface is smooth, and in addition they look a bit as if they were wearing two semi -transparent attachments. It creates a quite interesting effect, but is it nice? I do not know … Anyway, the buttons themselves, just like before, work silently, and at the same time have a clear, elastic answer. In this respect, MX Master 4 works similarly to the previous generation, and maybe even a little more pleasant.
The location of the LED diode has also changed – now we have it on the back of the mouse just behind the button switching the scroll mode. Previously, it was right next to the horizontal roll, in the cavity. Now this place has a convex element from the same plastic as the main buttons (I have the irresistible impression that if something is to peel off the housing over time it is this “dzyryklek”, so I would think during transport). The roll itself was also slightly extended, which makes it easier to “track” with a thumb.
You have certainly noticed an additional, third button next to the buttons back/further. All three work silently and have a clear, strong answer. Just below we have a haptic button mentioned in the introduction, which suits us through vibrations – it finds a number of applications, but about them in a moment.
Let’s take a look at the bottom, because here we also have some new products. First of all, much larger Teflon sliders were used here. Screws are also striking, which would suggest that the new MX Master 4 is much more “repair” than its predecessor. All the rest looks old – the On/Off switch, communications button and three white LEDs corresponding to three paired devices.
Construction changes in MX Master 4 seem definitely positive. I have the impression that the biggest problems of the previous generation have been eliminated. I still have concerns about silicone elements (especially the one on the right), but the whole seems much more durable now. After 3 weeks of use, a few hours a day, the mouse does not show any traces – and may it remain as long as possible.
Possibilities
The heart of MX Master 4 is a new 8000 dpi optical sensor. The manufacturer ensures that it is to work on any surface – even glass. I did not have the latter at hand, but on high -gloss tops, the mouse works very correctly. The DPI setting at the level of 8000 will probably not be very popular (maybe at 8K and several monitors, in extreme scenarios, or with a really miniature surface to operate the mouse), but you know – on paper it impresses.
The new mouse integrates even more with Logi Options+software. We now have a feedback – a small engine with vibrations, which we can freely configure to react in specific situations. But that’s not the end. Haptic Feedback integrates with Photoshop – as a result, the mouse reacts when cropping and using selected tools, allowing the user to be more precisely edition and retouching.
At the moment, unfortunately, the manufacturer does not inform about any other integrations – whether with Adobe applications or with other programs. Nothing is also known about any open API that developers could potentially use. I am afraid that without any clear initiatives and incentives on the part of Logitech, the adoption of this solution may be faint, and then it will be nothing more, as simply a curiosity and a gadgety addition. May not, because the potential is considerable – vibrations could, for example, help in video assembly, work with sound and not only/ I can imagine at least a few uses for this function.
From the things that the manufacturer distinguishes a lot, it is also worth mentioning Action Wheel – i.e. a circle of commands that we can call anywhere in the system to access the most used functions and buttons. Interestingly, in this way we can even switch now between paired computers. Nevertheless, the solution itself has been in Logi Options+for some time. With the premiere of MX Master 4, its capabilities were simply expanded.
MX Master 4 also brings a lot of good in terms of battery. This is now enough for us for up to 70 days of work. I have been using mice for less than a month, so it is difficult for me to verify these declarations, but yes – percentages fall much slower than in MX Master 3. What’s more, we have a fast charging function and one minute “on the cable” gives us an additional 3 hours of wireless work. Not bad!
A new king of mice to work?
As a long -term MX Master user, I expected better quality materials from the latest generation. Actually, it would be enough for me if Logitech got rid of this unfortunate silicone and used a much more durable material. At first glance, we succeeded – we have a new, striped structure, pleasant to the touch matte material, and rubber pads were limited only on the sides. The mass of smaller details has also been improved and the third programmable button has been added. Generally, these changes are definitely a plus.
However, the biggest novelty of MX Master 4 is feedback – and therefore a tiny vibrating engine – a revolutionary solution when it comes to wireless mice to work. The manufacturer made sure that it was not just a gadget supplement, but a really useful function and he partly succeeded. It is true that MX Master is now even more dependent on the Logi Options+software, which is sometimes criticized for its heaviness – something for something.
Fans of the series will probably throw themselves at the new generation, because their MX Masters 3S after so many years of work are probably in a deplorable state. For the other MX Master 4, it can be a tasty morsel, offering something more than any other rodent, and at the same time offer a great level of ergonomics and comfort.
The device for the purposes of review was made available by the manufacturer, Logitech. The company had no insight or influence on the content of the article before the publication.
