MX Master 4 vs. Magic Mouse – can Logitech’s haptics finally get me to retire Apple’s magical gesture action?

One of the most exciting releases in the mouse game, in about as long as I can remember, has arrived with the all-new Logitech MX Master 4. Previous iterations have been, and still are, very popular among readers and staffers. I have colleagues that have been urging me and my poor mouse hand to switch over from the infamous Magic Mouse for more than a couple years now – will the MX Master 4 finally be the turning point for me? Is the MX Master 4 better than Magic Mouse? Let’s dive in. Logitech MX Master 4 vs. Apple Magic Mouse As you likely already know from the hordes of folks that have championed the Logitech mice for years, and my recent hands-on impressions of the brand new MX 4, Logitech makes a darn good mouse. No one is questioning any of that. Some folks like the more upright Logitech model and some swear by the MagSpeed Scrolling, ultimately customizable MX series. This year, or rather this week, Logitech unveiled and released its all-new iteration of the what I would call its flagship model with the MX Master 4 – it has an all-new shell said to be far more durable than before, quieter clicks, USB-C quick charging (up to 70-days of battery life), the expected multi-device pairing we love from Logitech, and better connectivity options this time around. But the real killer feature on the MX 4 is haptics. It’s not the first time a hand-based tech peripheral has given us a buzz to let us know it likes (or doesn’t like) what we are doing, but it is one-of-kind in its own right. I think most folks loved the previous MX Master mouse so much, they either just didn’t want a new one that might not deliver that same, ultra-familiar experience, or just needed to save up to buy a new one because they have already worn out the top surface. But I’m happy to report, both based on my own experience, and those of my colleagues that have been using one for more than a few weeks now, the MX Master 4 is a great mouse and a wonderful iteration on what was already a go-to input device for loads of folks. All of that said, I’m still not sure it’s going to get me to finally be rid of Apple’s magical touch controller just yet. Here’s why: 2D side-scrolling action As I briefly touched on in my hands-on review of the MX Master 4, it is a wonderful mouse that is largely superior to Apple’s in just about every way. It is arguably a more comfortable experience after 8 hours at a desk, it is dramatically more customizable even before you consider the Actions Ring that puts a bevy of commands and functions at your finger tips no matter where your cursor might be, and the scrolling is much better (well, only a touch better for me, but I’ll take basically everyone else’s word for it on this). But it’s not nearly as pretty and the side scrolling action is weeeaaaak. I know you can just flip your thumb up from the haptic pad and roll that handy side wheel up and down to move left and right on the screen, or app, or basically anywhere else your Mac, PC, tablet, or otherwise will allow you to. But it’s just not the same, and massively less intuitive for me. Is there some kind of customization option I’m missing here? Some years ago, in a simpler time, when you had an answering machine, maybe a fuller head of hair, living the single life out on the town perhaps, you also had a cell phone that was covered in buttons. Then this guy named Steve Jobs came along with band of (probably not so) merry men (after he was done with them) hosted a special keynote to unveil a new device. One free of buttons. One that would revolutionize the world and become a ubiquitous part of everyday life. One that just about every aspiring engineer and tech tycoon would shamelessly rip off for years to come (because it’s awesome). iPhone. Is the MX Master 4 better than Magic Mouse? Why am I talking about iPhone in this post? Because it’s wonderful and it changed the way we interact with our tech. Because, at least for me, the top gesture pad on the Magic Mouse is essentially the same physical experience, and it’s fantastic. And because I don’t want weird buttons, and scroll wheels all over the place on my mouse the same way I don’t want them on my phone. Look, I can certainly understand the ergonomics argument here – some folks simply despise the Apple Magic Mouse because it’s incredibly uncomfortable for them to use. Pain isn’t good. But for me it’s like riding a bike. A really comfortable, and enjoyable, and intuitive, and pretty one at that. I don’t hate the look of the Logitech MX Master 4, in fact I think it’s pretty nice and even more so with the latest release. I but I completely despise all of the extra bells and whistles, side buttons, and most importantly the feeling of carrying old Blackberry in my hand. I need the touch controls on the top of the Magic Mouse – it’s smooth as butter and deeply ingrained into my muscle memorized motor skilled computer controllin’ hands. It’s just so incredibly intuitive to control my cursor and apps the same way I have on an iPhone for all these years. If I want to go left, I swipe left, not roll a wheel up. I know this is entirely a personal thing, and I’m not ready to completely give up on the new MX Master – it is cherished for a reason after all – and the carpal tunnel fear mongering is both sound and getting to my head as I get older. But it just still feels like a step backward, both technically and intuitively. Somebody help me. Show me the ways and, more importantly, how to customize the MX Master 4 so that I can scroll sideways properly. FTC: 9to5Toys is reader supported, we may earn income on affiliate links Subscribe to the 9to5Toys YouTube Channel for all of the latest videos, reviews, and more!