Logitech Revives the Foldable Mouse Idea Microsoft Abandoned

Eighteen years after Microsoft introduced the first foldable mouse, the ARC, Logitech last week unveiled its own version, called the Mobi Fold. The peripheral is designed to be easy to carry, with a folding mechanism that makes it slim enough for a pocket and convenient to use on the go.

Logitech says the mouse is aimed at people who want to work on a laptop in places like trains, beaches and cafes. In its research, the company found that 72% of users own a mouse, but only 26% use one in public spaces, mainly because traditional mice are too bulky.

Unlike the old ARC’s stiff physical buttons, the Mobi Fold uses two quiet customizable touch buttons. Its center wheel is replaced by a highly sensitive adaptive touch strip, a modern take on the magnetic touch bar used in the ARC Touch models. The mouse pairs via Bluetooth with up to three devices, switches smoothly between operating systems, and is built to resist dust and drops. Logitech says its internal hinge is rated for 15 years of daily use.

The Mobi Fold will go on sale in Israel in July in dark gray and light gray, with a recommended price of 379 shekels. The article notes that competitors have already followed Microsoft’s concept, including Dell’s Bluetooth Travel Mouse and Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Wireless Touch Mouse. Microsoft’s final ARC model appeared in 2017, and the series disappeared from shelves in 2023 when the company ended production of its computer accessories.