Notebooks are pretty handy on the move but, despite trying a range of different methods, designers have never really nailed an affective alternative to a mouse. Most people who can't cope with a touchpad or 'nipple' control end up carrying a wired or wireless mouse around with them, and Logitech has come up with something along these lines that's a little more dedicated to the task.

The V550 Nano is a cordless laser mouse that, in terms of physical size, sits somewhere between a full-sized model and the miniature alternatives that are often quite uncomfortable to use. It's just big enough to sit comfortably in the hand, feels solidly built and comes with some handy features you won't find elsewhere.

There are two main reasons why the V550 is a bit different. First of all the USB wireless receiver is tiny and only protrudes a few millimetres from a USB port when plugged in. This helps prevent it getting knocked and it can be left in a spare port permanently so that the mouse is always ready to go.

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The second innovation is something called a 'clip and go' dock, which is actually just a small button that glues semi-permanently to the outside of a laptop case and holds the mouse securely in place once slotted on. You're supplied with two of these and a removal tool if you decide you want to ditch it, but they cannot be reused so it's wise to think carefully about their position.

The mouse itself sports a high-speed scroll wheel that also allows you to shift left or right through applications or web pages, and a scroll control button switches to mouse operation to move around even faster. There are no additional controls past the conventional right and left click buttons, but in most cases these will be sufficient and we actually liked the simple but effective design.

The mouse itself works well and apparently utilises 'superior laser precision' to help it glide evenly on different surfaces. We tried it on everything from rough to glassy smooth and were pretty impressed by how well it grips and remains responsive.

Two AA batteries will allegedly keep it charged for up to 18 months and there's a separate compartment inside to store the nano-USB receiver so it doesn't get lost. Placing it inside switches the mouse off, as does slotting it into the docking port, or you can turn it off manually with the button underneath.

As is typical of Logitech, the V550 Nano is a tidy design that feels solid, comfortable and responsive to use. While you can use Logitech's Setpoint software to customise some aspects of control, there isn't a lot to the device bar the advantages outlined above.

Since most people using a notebook on the move will store it in a bag, we can't think of many situations where carrying a dedicated mouse around with you would be that much of a problem, but if you think you'll appreciate the advantages the V550 offers you'll find its performance and convenience to be impressive.

Logitech's V550 Nano does seem like a gimmick in some respects: we can't really see storing mice on the side of notebooks catching on in a big way, particularly when you consider it's more expensive than most alternatives. It's a tidy package, though, and performs well, so if you're in the market for a versatile solution in this area it's likely to suit.