Quite a while back, circa 2005, I purchased a Logitech MX500 mouse. It served me very well for many years at my primary mouse, both at home and at work. I first used the MX500 at home, then later decided to bring it into work; I purchased a Logitech MX518 mouse, the successor to the MX500, for use at home.
Finally, this past week, after 7+ years of quality service, my MX500 flaked out: When holding down the left mouse button to drag something, the mouse button would randomly start “releasing", even though I was firmly holding down the physical button. This quickly started causing me lots of problems when selecting blocks of text, reordering items in lists, and performing other operations. I decided I needed to replace the mouse.
Now, in 2012, the model MX500 has been discontinued; its successor, the MX518, has also been discontinued. The modern successor to the MX500, as I found after doing some research, is the Logitech G400 mouse.
As you can see, the MX500, the MX518, and the G400 all have the same-shaped chassis. Despite the G400 being marketed as a “gaming mouse,” I’ve found that it’s perfectly suitable for office use, and is a seamless replacement for my MX500. Having used the new G400 for most of this week, I don’t even notice any difference while using the new mouse between it and my old MX500.
So if you’re in the same position I am, and your Logitech MX500 (or MX518) has recently died, and you’re looking to replace it with something that works and feels the same, I can recommend the G400 as a solid replacement.
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Nice post! I am a long time MX500 user!
ReplyDeleteJeremy, that's cool, I had no idea we'd both independently landed on the MX500 for everyday use. :-)
ReplyDeleteMy mx500 has the same history as yours. Bought in 2003 for home/gaming, used everywhere since 2007. Still working though! Good to know there is a good replacement option for the future :-)
ReplyDeleteAfter 9 years my MX500 finally died for good. I wouldn't have minded using it for another 9 years to be honest. Now I bought the g400 as well and I hope it will serve me just as long and well as the mx500 did.
ReplyDeleteI fixed my mx500 (bought in may 2006) by replacing the usb cable from an old microsoft mouse. The usb cable had become frayed near where it connects to the mouse and was shorting out. I only needed a screwdriver, a sewing needle and a pliers to complete the repair. I had to switch the red and green usb wires in the pcb connector with the sewing needle and pliers.
ReplyDeleteI'm running a dual workstation set-up and was looking to buy a second MX500, but of course they are discontinued as you said and I am considering the G400. Do you know if the G400 works with the drivers for the MX500? Logitech has confirmed for me that the MX500 will not work with the G400 software, but they haven't gotten back to me on whether the G400 is backward compatible with the MX500 drivers.
ReplyDeletebpeblogger, I'm not sure; all I can say is the G400 worked for me on Windows 7 with no special drivers necessary; I plugged it in via USB and it "just worked"!
ReplyDeleteNice blog! I was looking on internet where i could by a MX500 to replace my old one but this blog provided some nice information about the updated G400! Thanks
ReplyDeleteMy MX500 is starting to go, after about six years. What a champ it's been.
ReplyDeleteI have an very old MX500 and was looking at the G400 - i think i will get one for replacement of the mx500
ReplyDeletethx for great tips
nice article! I am using my mx500 since 2001 or 2002, can't even remember anymore. Work time about 8 hours a day. Years ago I've bought the G5 as replacmenet (same shape) but wasn't using it until today when i finally sent my beloved mx500 to her well deserved rest. It is still working. The problem you mentioned I also come through many many times. Just look in the inside and clean it from dust, hairs etc, it will work like new! That problem was the reason I bought the replacement back then, but when i solved it, I kept the mx500. Until today the Problem occured again. Cleaned it, worked again, but I decided to give the "new" mouse a chance. Even the Logitech logo on the mx500 isnt black anymore, but silver. Just some black paint left ;)
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