Dual Mode Logitech S530-Wireless keyboard, wired mouse

If you read my earlier blog about the Logitech S530, then you know I love the keyboard but don’t love the mouse that came with it. The mouse is a Mac version of the Logitech MX610, which I thought I would really love but don’t. I like the Logitech MX510 series mouse much better. The 610 feels too light to me and there’s something about its pointer movement that just feels a bit off. So, I decided to see if I could use a MX510 mouse with my S530 keyboard.

The obvious downside to this approach is that I would lose my last free USB 2.0 port on the iMac. I had been resisting that but wanted to get back to the 510 bad enough to be willing to give the port up. One of the USB ports is hooked into a Belkin USB 2.0 hub connected to the Mac via a switch; if I really needed to hook up something to the iMac (like a USB hard drive) I could either unplug the hub and use its port or I could insert the device into the hub. (I tested that theory by plugging in my iPod to the hub and updating it.)

The less obvious downside would be that all the 510’s buttons and functions might not be supported, but I’m happy to report the Logitech Control Center installed with the S530 did recognize the mouse, allowing me to use all its functionality. So, I’m typing this on the S530 keyboard but clicking away using my old MX510 mouse; and I’m much happier.