Last updated: March 16, 2021
*Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Affiliate Disclosure regarding these links.*
***My rating: 4.5 out of 5***
Specifications and Features:
Size: 4.5” x 2.5”
Resolution: 200 – 8000 dpi
USB cable length: 6.75’
Lightsync RGB (lighting effects)
Why I Bought It
Near the end of 2019, the wired mouse that I had been using for a couple of years began to perform poorly. I had a simple 3-button mouse from the Amazon basics line. I would click on something and there was this lag in response or I would click on a selection once but get multiple responses. The issue was affecting my job performance.
At the time, I was still using my Windows 7 laptop and wondered if the upcoming end of support move could be affecting the driver for my basic accessory. However, I experienced the same problems when I connected the mouse to my new Windows 10 laptop. I figured the time had come to upgrade to a new mouse.
Something interesting that I have found in my search for items for my work at home office is that gaming requires many of the same products. It should not have been a surprise to me that gamers need great keyboards, mice, and headsets too. What I also found, though, is that the products specifically designed for gamers tend to be top of the line with more features, sleeker designs, and even customization options like lighting effects and programmable buttons.
So in my search for a better performing mouse, many items designed for gaming appeared in my results. A mouse designed for gaming tends to be more sensitive so that the user can make super-fast movements and selections. I am not a gamer, but that kind of sensitivity seemed to be what I was missing with my previous mouse.
I really didn’t need a high-end mouse but I did want something from a trusted brand. So I decided to got with a Logitech mouse. I was happy to find one that fit my budget.
>>> Click here to find out what features and options to consider for your computer mouse. <<<
Let Me Tell You About It
I plugged it into my USB hub. My computer detected it right away and I was able to use it immediately. However, there was a lag in its movement across the screen. So I wanted to adjust its settings.
A footnote on the box stated that I needed to go to LogitechG.com/downloads in order to get the software for customization options. On the downloads page, there were 2 Logitech G options (indicated by “G” icon for Logitech gaming accessories) available, Logitech G Hub and Logitech Gaming Software. So I downloaded both. However, Logitech Gaming Software is where I would be able to customize my mouse.
While I downloaded the software and tinkered with the settings, the mouse continually cycled through its colored lighting effects options, putting on a little light show for me.
The Logitech G203 comes with six buttons: right and left buttons, two side buttons on the left, a scroll wheel that doubles a button, and a small square button immediately behind the scroll wheel. The function of all six buttons can be customized according to the user’s preferences. After completing the software download, I selected the “Pointer Settings” menu, where the user can select from the following from a drop-down menu for each button:
- Assign New Command
- Edit Command
- User Generic
- Unassign
Selecting Edit Command brings up another menu: Command Editor where the user can select from numerous functions to be assigned to the chosen button. The user can select from options like scrolling direction, volume control, and track control of a CD or DVD.
The two buttons on the left side of the mouse are parallel to each other. The button placed toward the front of the mouse has forward as its default setting, while the button placed toward the back of the mouse has “back” as its default setting.
The standard left- and right-click buttons can be altered for left-handed users so that they may opt for a setup that is more convenient and natural for them.
The scroll wheel is indicated as the “middle-click” button and clicking it allows the user to scroll a document or page with a simple up or down movement of the mouse and without having to maneuver the scroll wheel itself. The other button behind the scroll wheel had a default setting of cycling through DPI sensitivity settings. This is the setting that I was eager to change.
DPI, dots per inch, is an indication of how fast and precise a mouse’s cursor movement is on screen. This sixth button allowed me to cycle through 5 DPI settings, each of which was indicated on a scale on the Pointer Settings display. The default setting was the lowest at 400 DPI and felt too slow for me. I clicked the button and moved up to 8oo DPI, which was faster but still too slow. I clicked the button a few more times and found that the third setting at 1600 DPI was the most comfortable for me since the fourth setting at 3200 DPI and fifth setting at 5600 DPI seemed to make the cursor dart across my screen at speeds that were faster than my eyes could move. I could see how those higher DPI settings would be necessary when gaming.
I made a couple more adjustments to the pointer settings by unassigning functions to the “Forward” and “Back” buttons on the side of the mouse. I had experience with buttons like these on a wireless mouse that I own where I constantly pressed these buttons mistakenly while using it. I felt as though these two buttons would be more of a hindrance than a help for the type of work for which I use my mouse. Later on, I assigned my computer’s volume control to those buttons instead.
I moved on to the lighting effects settings. This menu allowed me to choose whether I wanted my mouse to light up by cycling through the available colors, remain a chosen color, or deploy “breathing” effects of a chosen color. I chose the “Breathing” effect of my favorite color. I was also able to choose the rate of speed of the lighting effect and its brightness.
The Logitech Gaming Software program has a few more settings to tinker with, but apply more to gaming performance. Since I was able to adjust the settings that I applied to my normal online activities, I allowed the others to remain at their defaults.
The Logitech G203 is longer than my previous mouse by roughly an inch and is thicker in size. I have relatively short hands and fingers which caused me to wonder how comfortable using this mouse would be or if I would need much adjustment. Within a short amount of time, I did begin to notice some discomfort and fatigue in my right wrist after prolonged use. I don’t count this as a flaw to the mouse though. I imagine it was generally designed with a male gamer in mind who would have bigger hands and longer fingers than me.
I like that the scroll wheel has a tread with grooves so that I am able to have a firm grip while scrolling through the many documents that I create.
Where You Can Find It
I bought my mouse at Amazon.com.
Pros
- Sleek and contemporary look
- Programmable button functions
- Lighting effects, programmable
- Long USB cable
- Adjustable sensitivity (DPI)
Cons
- None that I have found so far
Here is What Some Others Think
*Always read the reviews before buying any new mouse or computer accessory!
At the time of the publication of this review, there were 3,800 reviews on Amazon.com for the Logitech G203. I have shared a few of the most helpful reviews below. Please note that the Amazon listing for this product includes an additional version of this model called Lightsync that comes in white. They are both very similar.
Similar Mice
More mice from Logitech
Here is What I Think
I have no real complaints about the Logitech G203 gaming mouse. It does what I need it to do when I need it and how I need it to be done. My favorite feature is the bright colored lighting effects. I also love the ability to customize the button functions. However, after a few months of using the G203, I believe that I need to find a better fit with an ergonomically designed mouse. It never occurred to me that a mouse would be too big for my hand. Check out my post to know which features to consider before buying your next computer mouse.
