When it comes to computer portability, size matters in a big way. Most every notebook computer these days comes with some kind of mouse alternative built in. Most offer the trackpad that lets you navigate the mouse pointer with your fingertip. Personally I'm not crazy about trackpads and evidently that sentiment is shared by a large number of notebook users. It's just that most of us are used to using a mouse with our computers so why use something different?

Granted you can connect just about any ordinary mouse to your portable computer. But lugging around a full-sized desktop mouse works against the whole portable idea. Fortunately for the trackpad-impaired, there are a variety of smaller, portable mice from which to choose. They're a lot smaller that their desktop counterparts which is a good thing. The downside is that their downsizing tends to encroach on their functionality. In other words, the extra features one finds on even the most basic of desktop mice tend to be missing on the smaller versions. Fortunately, portable mice are reclaiming many of the missing desktop model features and the latest offering from Logitech really strengthens that conviction.

The Logitech V400 Laser Cordless Mouse for Notebooks is Logitech's latest portable mouse incarnation and it's a winner. It covers all the basics in that it's cordless and uses optical technology to track its movement. From there, it just gets better. The cordless uses the 2.4 GHz frequency unlike the conventional 27 MHz wireless mice. This gives the V400 a more consistent 30 foot range with less interference. According to Logitech, the optical component in the V400 uses a first-ever-in-a-portable-mouse dual laser engine. This helps it to detect microscopic surface variations which lets it track far more accurately on a wider variety of surfaces. That's important since you never know what you'll be mousing on when you travel.

Used to be that I'd always have to store the little USB mouse receiver in a pouch somewhere in order not to lose it. The V400 actually stores its receiver inside the mouse itself. Just press in and the USB receiver pops out. A little door swings down to cover the hole which is a nice added touch. Ejecting the receiver also activate the V400's power while replacing it turns it off. This helps the mouse to further conserve battery power. A little indicator light lets you know when it first powers on and also when the battery is running low.

As for mouse controls, the V400 really shines in this category. In addition to the left and right mouse buttons, the scroll wheel/button has a side-to-side tilt ability. Using the included Logitech software, you can use the tilt wheel to page back and forth within a web browser, pan left and right in an open window or even zoom in and out in a photo application. You can define the functionality of any of the V400's controls. The V400 also has two extra programmable Forward / Backward buttons that are positioned in the upper left corner. I have mine configured so that holding down either results in an automatic up or down scrolling within any open window.

The V400 has a nice, solid feel to it and even though it's smaller, it fits nicely in the hand. The rubber grip around the edges adds to the overall feeling of comfort and control. The rubber by the way, comes in two colors, Freerider Orange and Storm Gray. The orange looks like a racing stripe so I went for the more conservative gray model.

After using the V400 for over a week, I can easily say that this is to date the best portable mouse I have used. With its shock-resistant body, rubber panels, and storable micro receiver, the V400 is built to withstand the typical travel knocks. The V400 can be used in either hand, works in Windows or Macintosh OS X, requires one AA battery to operate and sells for $49.99.