Review of the Logitech PowerPlay inductive charging carpet. Zero gravity. Hands-on test of the Logitech PowerPlay mouse pad Powerplay wireless charging system

With its Powerplay system, Logitech, through the use of inductive power delivery, eliminates the need for wireless mice to be wired while charging, or, worse, sent to a docking station. Now, during gameplay, you won’t have to be disappointed by a suddenly dead mouse or waste time connecting a new one.

During testing this system proved to be extremely practical and easy to customize. Some minor shortcomings leave room for improvements that the manufacturer can implement in the second version of the device. However, it remains open question about whether the rather high cost of the product is justified simply by the absence of the need to recharge the mouse.

Logitech Powerplay: how good is it in practice?

The principle of operation of a mat with a function wireless charging is relatively simple: the technology is based on a special mouse stand, connected to the computer via a USB cable, through which it receives electricity. The stand, measuring 320x275 mm, hides induction coils, which are used for wireless charging.

On the stand you can place one of the mats - hard plastic or textile (depending on personal preferences). At the top left there is a special receiver with a USB connector, which on the one hand makes it possible to use a wireless mouse, and on the other hand is needed for the functioning of the wireless charging system.

Logitech limits the applicability of its system to its own compatible products. Other devices (for example, smartphones) will not charge while lying on this mat. For now, the range is limited to two manipulators: a top-class mouse Logitech G903 and a model from the middle price segment Logitech G703. But if the system gains user acceptance, we expect more rodents to appear that will support Powerplay.

In practice and in everyday use it is a wonderful system. Firstly, its setup is very easy: just place the device on the table, select the type of mat and connect the receiver to your PC. After this, place the Powercore block at the bottom of the mouse - and the design is ready for use. Everything else happens in automatic mode.

The manufacturer has created the system in such a way that charging continues even when the mouse moves, so we can use the mouse almost endlessly without having to connect it to the PC via a USB cable.

Charges the mouse battery until the charge level reaches 95%, and then allows it to discharge to 80%. Thanks to this operating algorithm, battery wear should be significantly reduced. The white LED on the receiver indicates whether it is charging or discharging. currently device located on it. You can also monitor the charge status using Logitech Gaming Software utilities.

Logitech G903 and G703: what mice can do

Both compatible on this moment The devices are among the best wireless mice on the market. Logitech G903- this is an improved version of the G900 Chaos Spectrum, for which you will have to pay about 10,000 rubles. And although the price is extremely high, in addition to the space to accommodate the Powercore unit, the mouse can offer excellent gaming characteristics.

Logitech G903 fits well in the hand, works extremely accurately and with free application Logitech Gaming Software can be customized down to the last detail. The connection between the receiver and the mouse is very efficient, thanks to which the accuracy during work and gaming is at the level of cable-connected models.

Logitech G703 is also aimed at demanding gamers, but lacks some functionality, related to the area of ​​comfort. It currently costs about 7,000 rubles. The biggest difference from the model described above is the versatility of the mouse. While the G903 is suitable for both right-handed and left-handed users thanks to its symmetrical design and reversible thumb button, the G703 will only be comfortable for right-handed users.

From a technical point of view, the models are no different from each other. The laser sensor has a resolution of 12,000 dpi, which can be adjusted in 50 dpi increments using the software menu. Space for Powercore module Logitech G703 is also located on the bottom of the case, and the connection to the receiver is just as excellent as with the G903. Considering all of the above and taking into account the price-quality ratio, we give preference to the G703 (of course, if the user is right-handed).

However, considering that the mat itself costs about 6,000 rubles, plus you will have to buy a mouse for it at a price of 7,000 rubles - the total cost of the set turns out to be quite expensive. For professional gamers who spend hours in online battles, this purchase may be justified, but for ordinary users such a device is hardly necessary.

Less than a year has passed since Logitech introduced PowerPlay... No, not like that. More than a year has passed since the new product was presented to the public, and only now this carpet has just reached us. And so, tell me, who pulled my tongue with the words that, they say, Corsair with their MM1000 Qi are the one and only? Now this is not the case, and the carpet with an open standard for inductive charging has a very serious competitor in the form of Logitech PowerPlay, which has finally reached our shores. I'll start with the obvious: carpet is expensive, and with the change from the carpet you can buy some kind of mouse that suits it. Let's say G703 or G903. And this should definitely be taken into account when purchasing this carpet, since PowerPlay is an internal standard of Logitech, and the carpet will not work with just anyone. So only closed systems, only hardcore! However, given the popularity of Logitech rodents, you can only hope that you get a copy of such a carpet, because these carpets are selling like hot cakes.

The Logitech PowerPlay box turned out to be very large and flat, and it is made of very hard and durable cardboard. Filming top cover and we find a carpet with a PowerPlay module, which is located in the upper left corner. Literally everything here is interesting from the very first seconds: a sandwich is laid inside, and its lower part acts as a substrate, at the same time acting as an inductive charger. And then there are two surfaces to choose from, which are placed on top of this carpet. One of them is fabric, and the other is plastic. To operate the carpet, there is also a fabric-braided cable, reminiscent of the detachable cable on the Logitech G403 Wireless - at first glance, I did not notice any differences. There is also a wireless module for charging the mouse called PowerCore, which is inserted into its bottom instead of the supplied weight. The whole thing is completed by pieces of paper located behind the cardboard tray of the box.

Logitech PowerPlay is a medium-sized wired carpet with support for wireless charging. A unique feature of the carpet is that it charges the mouse over its entire surface, and also that the surfaces of the carpet are replaceable. And I don’t remember anything like this from other manufacturers. Two plastic surfaces – that’s it. And for both fabric and plastic – this is the first time I’ve seen such a combination. In terms of size, everything is also very good: the working surface of the carpet is 340 x 280 mm, and the height of the carpet together with the PowerPlay module is 320 mm. The thickness of the main part of the carpet is 3 mm, and 2 mm for each of the complete surfaces, which in total equals 5 mm. The cable length for connecting the carpet is 1.8 meters. Another unique feature is the presence of a built-in Lightspeed module - this will allow you to connect Logitech mice without a special radio connector. Well, the last small touch is the presence of RGB backlighting on the PowerPlay unit, which can be synchronized with other Logitech products via Logitech Gaming Software.

Next up is the Logitech G703 wireless mouse. A compact gray box, inside of which there is a plastic tray where the mouse lies, a 10-gram weight, a cable for wired connection and charging, as well as a radio connector for wireless connection and a separate connector that connects to the supplied cable to locate the radio connector in close proximity to the mouse. Well, and papers - how can we ignore them? Logitech G703 is a medium-sized ergonomic wireless mouse with a 5-button layout. The mouse inherited all the best features from its predecessor - Logitech G403 - and therefore all the characteristic features were completely transferred to this mouse. The main difference is support for the Logitech PowerPlay wireless charging standard, and a couple of little details here and there. For example, now under the main buttons there are Omron switches with 50 million clicks. The rest is pure top: Pixart 3366, mechanical wheel encoder, proprietary software, RGB backlight with the ability to adjust the weight of the mouse using one weight, as well as support for the PowerPlay standard for wireless charging. Mouse dimensions – 124 x 68 x 43, mouse weight – 107 grams excluding cable.

Just a few more words about mice. So far, there are only two models among mice that support this wireless charging standard: Logitech G703 and Logitech G903. The first mouse is a continuation and development of the G403 line, while the second is an almost complete copy of the G900 with the same minor improvements and support for wireless charging. If you look at this situation as a whole, it may seem that the choice of mice is extremely limited, but... Both the first and the second mouse represent the quintessence of all those wonderful qualities that Logitech mice can have, so any of these models is safe may end up on your desk, since Logitech is the Apple of the mouse world, and they don't need such a wide the lineup, like many other manufacturers. I, as a person who has been using the Logitech G403 for almost two years, chose the G703 for myself, since its shape and other indicators are so perfect for me that I simply don’t want to choose anything else. But you should understand that a mouse without a carpet and a carpet without a mouse cannot exist. More precisely, their full potential and all the delights of technology are revealed precisely in such a tandem.

And if we talk briefly about the Logitech G703, then this is a slightly changed and modified version of the G403 Wireless, where the changes affected only the filling, and only slightly the visual part. The mouse has become darker and has acquired an even more matte tint, its upper part is made of more tenacious plastic, covered with very good matte paint, and the side rubber bands are still the same smooth, but a little more velvety than the G403, which only enhances the tenacity of the device as a whole. . All other parameters remained at the highest level: excellent ergonomics, allowing you to use the mouse with any possible grip, and absolutely wonderful tactile characteristics, and from the point of view of weight distribution and balance, this mouse is perhaps the best eSports weapon, because it weighs little, and its center of gravity is optimal. It’s not worth mentioning the sensor, the reliability of the main buttons and the wheel - it’s simply “top” in all respects, but if something happens to someone, there is a very cool and world-famous Logitech support, which in case of a breakdown simply sends you a new one device Perfect product, perfect service – no questions asked.

Logitech PowerPlay is an innovative gaming surface that charges your mouse across the entire surface area of ​​your mouse pad. The system is very simple, intuitive and understandable. Here is a backing made of matte silicone. This substrate is the wireless charging system. Next, here are two overlays, which will be the surface of the carpet. Each pad is just a thin carpet with its own backing. Therefore, the signal from wireless charging will pass through clearly, and at the same time you can choose a surface with optimal gliding for yourself. One surface is fabric, so it has a moderate sliding speed, the other is plastic, and it already has a very noticeable sliding speed.

And then we collect the pieces of a single mosaic. We take out the carpet, connect the supplied cable with the “Batman” fixation plug to it via the Micro-USB connector (at the end there is a regular USB plug), place any surface you like on the backing of the inductive carpet, take out the mouse and insert that same “pill” into the place of its weight » PowerCore, after which we simply place the mouse on the carpet. That's it, the charge has started. That is, to charge you only need to place the mouse on the carpet and do nothing else. It doesn’t have to be connected to the PC via a radio connector; you can turn it on and work with it on the PC - in any case, charging will last exactly as long as it takes while the mouse is on the carpet.

And Logitech has provision for this simple system indication. If the mouse is on the carpet and charging is in progress, the indicator on the PowerPlay module lights up white. If it doesn’t work, the indicator doesn’t light up. And to make everything look beautiful, the Logitech logo shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow on top of this module. Through the software, it can be synchronized with the backlight of a mouse connected to the PC, but this is where the backlight options end; Initially, the logo only has the effect of cyclically changing the spectrum of colors. The carpet no longer serves any function and is not displayed in Logitech Gaming Software. This is just a surface to work with the wireless charging function. You don’t need to configure or do anything else: connect, select a surface, insert the PowerCore module into the mouse and play for your own pleasure for the rest of your life.

The carpet contains technology that allows you to keep the mouse constantly on, and if the charge is already full, the mouse simply works and does not discharge. Simplicity or genius? In the case of Logitech, these are two parts of a single whole. The only point that I don’t quite understand is related to connecting the mouse: it seems like Logitech promises that the mouse should work even without connecting the included radio connector, since the PowerPlay module itself supports these wireless mice, but in my case, the Logitech G703 did not work at all without connecting the radio connector . Perhaps this is only the prerogative of the top model G903? In any case, this should be kept in mind. You will have to find another USB port for connecting a mouse via a radio connector somewhere. This is especially critical in the case of laptops, where every port is worth its weight in gold.

Two interchangeable surfaces are generally a very cool solution, which no carpet currently has. There is, of course, nothing unusual here - both carpets can be used separately, but it is the integration with PowerPlay that makes these surfaces a truly cool addition to the carpet. In addition, here you get two completely different carpets at once, which change on the fly, like overlays on an iPhone, and therefore you can always choose exactly the surface that suits your playing style best. I’ll even say more: if the thickness of the carpet is not particularly important to you, then you can simply put the two surfaces on top of each other, and easily change them whenever you want - the charge will pierce right through the two carpets. The carpets themselves, in fact, are the Logitech G240 and Logitech G440 models, with the only difference being that the G240 (fabric carpet) uses a glossy and thin silicone backing. In any case, this allows the carpet base to tightly adhere to any surface, while maintaining a moderate thickness of the entire sandwich as a whole.

The fabric surface of the carpet is very smooth, very soft, very dense and very viscous: this carpet is somewhat similar in tactile sensations and glide to the black SteelSeries Qck 2 mm thick, except that it has a slightly less velvety surface. If we talk about its gliding qualities, then this is a carpet with a slight bias in speed while maintaining decent control. And... looking at its size, you understand that this is more of a medium format carpet, but in fact, in most cases it is enough to play any shooter well. Therefore, for super low-sensors this carpet will still be small, since they need a surface about 45-50 centimeters wide to spread out, but for all other fans of any games and genres who do not set their goal to conquer the eSports sphere, this carpet can be safely I recommend it as a full-fledged gaming surface – it pairs perfectly with a wireless mouse.

When it comes to plastic carpet, the Logitech G440 is one of the best plastic surfaces out there. It has a fairly high gliding speed, but at the same time, due to the slightly rough texture of the surface, control over the mouse is perfectly felt, so this carpet has complete control over movement. It's unlikely to be used for playing shooters, but for any day-to-day tasks it's an outstanding surface that provides a very easy glide with excellent feedback.

Now I would like to talk about the very unobvious nuances of this carpet. As you understand, this carpet will not interact except with a pair of mice of its own production, and neither will any other mouse (even with wireless Qi charging) will simply end up on the sidelines. Even if you manage to somehow attach a PowerCore module to an incompatible mouse. This is where I immediately think of Corsair and their work on an open and widely accepted Qi standard that will be supported by more and more manufacturers over time. Asus is already working on such a carpet, and soon there will be a replenishment in the ranks of carpets with Qi-charging. And in 2019 this will be the main trend for such devices. So if you are not going to use Logitech mice for the next few years (unlike me, since I don’t even think about getting off them), you should also think about the fact that with any other mouse this carpet will simply turn into a pumpkin, losing everything magical properties of inductive functions. However, keep in mind that at the moment all the models I have seen with Qi-charging can charge the device strictly in a certain place. And Logitech PowerPlay - over the entire surface.

And one more thing. During use, I noticed that wireless charging of the mouse lasts many times longer than conventional wired charging, so to quickly charge the mouse it is better to use the included cable, otherwise you will have to leave the mouse on wireless charging all night. However, once the mouse is fully charged in combination with the PowerPlay carpet, you can forget about charging and all the wires for the mouse almost forever, especially if you intend to use the Logitech bundle exclusively at home. By the way, Logitech G Pro Wireless is also on the way, and, apparently, this mouse will also support wireless charging, so the range of products compatible with the Logitech PowerPlay carpet will slowly and steadily expand. Take note.

Logitech is a kind of mafia in the world of gaming peripherals. They do the best, but so far, alas, according to closed standards. I suspect that this is only due to the technical limitations that the company's engineers faced in order to produce such a carpet. Therefore, while no one has provided a solution with Qi-charging across the entire carpet area, Logitech with their PowerPlay will be the kings of the world. This is, in all respects, an innovative, unique, very easy to set up and use comfortable carpet, with which you can forget about wires forever. At least as long as the devices work. From the point of view of product execution, Logitech is ideal, from a support point of view, too, so they simply do not have any shortcomings other than a proprietary system.

And the only thing that needs to be talked about is the feasibility of the purchase: wireless technologies in the periphery now cost literally astronomical amounts of money. A set of Logitech PowerPlay and the G703 mouse will cost almost 15 thousand rubles. And with G903 – all 18 thousand. These are very cool and ultra-reliable devices with equally excellent service, but not everyone can afford a set. Therefore, there is only one real drawback so far - the price. The rest is pure merit. And Logitech here are the guys from whom you can buy all the devices once and forget about changing them for many years to come, instead enjoying simply amazing sensations from wireless communication. Logitech PowerPlay not only gives you a sense of freedom - it gives you the opportunity to look at your habits and priorities when using gaming devices in a completely different way.

There are categories of products that you would never buy (voice of the mind) but would be happy to have (voice of the heart). Logitech PowerPlay is a masterpiece in one of these collections. This mouse pad costs RUR 9,000. No, I was not mistaken.

Professional and semi-professional CS:GO players know that you shouldn't skimp on a mouse pad. One more thing is the familiar and popular SteelSeries QCK, which is almost 8 times cheaper than Logitech PowePlay. What can this gadget do if the manufacturer rates it on par with the best? computer mice for players?

With Logitech PowerPlay, you don't have to charge your wireless mouse

To be precise, the mousepad constantly charges the mouse using electromagnetic resonance technology. This way, you'll never have to plug your mouse into a cable, and your battery won't drain.

The peculiarity of Logitech's PowerPlay gadget is that it is a special platform on which we place accessible surface mats. The station generates an energy field to a height of about a centimeter from the surface, so that the wireless mouse is constantly charged. Even in the middle of the game.

Unfortunately, this “magic” is only available for wireless mice from Logitech. Today the manufacturer has two compatible products with PowerPlay. The first is the cheaper, more economical G703. The second is the excellent, unobtrusive and uncompromising G903.

Players should be especially interested in the second option. The Logitech G903 truly blurs the lines between wired and wireless gaming devices. Zero lag. No problem. Amazing possibilities. Only the battery did not last forever...

The best computer mouse from Logitech will have more than 30 hours of battery life. When using the Logitech PowerPlay panel, this period extends indefinitely. Of course, if the SED is permanently connected to the PC.

It is worth noting that thanks to the special module at the top of the platform, you do not need to use additional USB plugs required to connect the wireless mouse adapter (dongle). PowerPlay is ideal for the G703 and G903. Synchronization occurs on the fly. Everything works instantly, there is no need to install any additional software.

The longer I used the gadget, the more shortcomings I discovered

Let's start with the two most obvious shortcomings. The first is the absurdly high price. The second is compatibility only with the mentioned computer peripherals from Logitech. If you have the best peripheral device this company, you can forget about wireless charging thanks to PowerPlay, but only for the G703 and G903.

Battery charging speed is disappointing. It takes at least 15 hours to fully charge the sensational G903. If we did this via cable, every few days we would get several times less time. But, Logitech PowerPlay is primarily wireless mouse support, and then slow, slow charging battery Of course, the mouse won't run out of charge, but don't count on it. fast charging in style chargers Qi for Samsung Galaxy or iPhone.

It's also frustrating that we can't use this big pad with smartphones, smart watches or wireless headphones. There's a lot of space here. Logitech has decided to use its own magnetic modules on the bottom of the new wireless mice, which is a bad thing for me. I wouldn't mind being able to charge my smartphone battery during the cataclysm of Universalis IV or World of Warcraft.

The system also has undeniable advantages

First of all, zero distortion and problems with signals. Although the force field operates below the surface, it does not interfere with wireless equipment. This is a great achievement. The flagship G903 retains its key functions, mice from Logitech still perform as the best cable devices. The gadget does not provide noticeable latency, as well as maximum accuracy other than sensor calibration.

The second plus is that the batteries in the G703 and G903 are charged even when we actively use the mouse, making fast and jerky movements. The energy connection is constant, despite the intense action on the servers of your favorite online shooter. This is a reliable technology that could become the new standard in the future.

Should you buy Logitech PowerPlay for its extraordinary price?

No. Definitely not. Especially when we know that we need a special mouse for this station. While the Logitech PowerPlay is an interesting and sophisticated toy, I can't rationalize this purchase decision.

I think Logitech has taken a very good direction. As the cost of producing their proprietary solutions decreases, these types of platforms will become more interesting solution for players. Moreover, wireless mice (mainly Logitech, Razer and Roccat) have already caught up with the most modern technologies.

The company has strong and promising technology. Now she must skillfully use it, optimizing manufacturing process and reducing the price by at least half.

Benefits of Logitech PowerPlay

• The set includes two soft rugs, each very High Quality(G440 and G240).
• Wireless mice will never sit idle while charging.
• An adapter that replaces the USB connector on a computer.
• Instant synchronization without unnecessary software.
• Charges peripherals even when moving quickly in games.

Disadvantages of PowerPlay

• Comic price.
• Compatible only with new Logitech gadgets - G903 and G703.
• Very slow battery charging (from several hours to 100%).
• You cannot charge your smartphone or headset.
• There is no specific software for MacOS.

Gaming PC innovative breakthrough

Unrestrained, Contactless, Continuous

With POWERPLAYTM and LIGHTSPEEDTM technology, logitech G has broken down the barriers to creating high-performance wireless gaming devices. Input delays, interruptions wireless connection and insufficient battery life have passed. Outstanding technologies and engineering testaments to the future of wireless gaming

POWERPLAY charging technology aipower

Continuous life

With the innovative application of electromagnetic resonance, the POWERPLAY base creates an energy field on its surface. It supports charging while you work and enables wireless charging without interfering with the precise positioning and data transfer of high-performance gaming mice. Integrating this technology into a thin 2mm profile is not easy.

POWERCORE module

Persistent game

The POWERCORETM module converts the POWERPLAY energy field into charging current, which can be magnetically connected to a compatible wireless gaming mouse. The beauty of POWERPLAY is that it can charge the mouse while you relax and play. Comfortable. Always charge. Therefore, fearless construction, hardening, assault strikes...

Moving at the speed of light women's clothing wireless technology

Real freedom, outstanding performance

Logitech G has released LIGHTSPEED wireless technology to deliver superior wireless gaming performance. Wireless technology LIGHTSPEED delivers the same speed and responsiveness as a wired USB connection. No compromises, no “lines” of freedom.

Fabric and Hard Gaming Mouse Pad

Select surface

Tune your performance based on the mouse pad you choose. Comes with fabric and hard surface that can be resized or customized. POWERPLAY meets your individual needs and works right out of the box.

POWERPLAY gaming mouse pad

Add powercoretm

The included POWERCORE module supports a POWERPLAY compatible wireless mouse. Works with the new G903 and G703 wireless gaming mouse. Simply install the replacement POWERCORE magnetic module for wireless charging.

Custom color (RGB) LED backlighting

Sync colors with your gaming device

Bright G Brilliant RGB lighting. Use Logitech gaming software to customize the backlight to match your other hardware, with approximately 16.8 million colors available. You can even sync your mouse, keyboard, and headset with color and lighting effects for a unified look and feel.

AMD PowerPlay is a power management technology that delivers high-performance features when needed and energy savings when used infrequently GPU. The PowerPlay page allows you to manage the power consumption of GPUs, providing better performance or longer battery life, or balancing the two.

On some systems this page can be used to enable and configure Vari-Bright™ technology, which optimizes laptop screen brightness to reduce power consumption and other settings to extend battery life.

The PowerPlay page is located in the Power Options group in Standard or Advanced view.

Configuring AMD PowerPlay™ Technology

With AMD PowerPlay technology, you can control how you balance GPU performance and battery life on your laptop. You can optimize your laptop for improved graphics performance, more long term battery life or the balance of these two parameters.

1. Power > PowerPlay.
2. Select the desired setting for the following power sources:
   • Connected - Specifies the option to use when the laptop is connected to AC power.
   • Battery - Indicates the option to use when the laptop is running on battery (DC) power.
3. Click the Apply button.

Enabling and setting up Vari-Bright™ technology

Vari-Bright technology is used to automatically optimize laptop screen brightness to reduce energy consumption. When Vari-Bright is turned on, images are continuously monitored on the display screen. If possible, the screen brightness is reduced and compensated by increasing the gamma level. This reduces system power consumption while ensuring sufficient screen brightness at all times.

For most AMD graphics cards, automatic brightness adjustment using Vari-Bright technology is gradual. If the screen is predominantly white (for example, when using Notepad or Microsoft® Word), it is also restored to its original brightness so that it does not appear too washed out.

Note: Vari-Bright technology and its features are not available on all systems.

1. In standard or advanced view, go to the page Power > PowerPlay.
2. Check the Enable Vari-Bright checkbox.
3. If possible, click the Vari-Bright slider and adjust it to the desired position to balance image quality with power consumption. Drag the slider towards the label Maximum quality to minimize the amount of brightness reduction. Drag the slider towards the label Max. battery life to achieve the opposite effect.
4. Click the Apply button.