Pretty much everything Logitech puts out is plug n play but I always go to control panel and run the 'install new device' just to make sure.

If I can make one more recommend, and this is JUST MY opinion. I have never found a wireless mouse that was completely dependable and I try to avoid them. Since I am always so close to the computer when I use the mouse it's not a problem and it is one less set of batteries to worry about and one less remote to worry about breaking down. My game pads are always wireless because I tend to move around a lot when I use them. Again, that is just my feeling. Everyone has their own preference.

Actually, I would definitely prefer a corded mouse (or trackball in this case) for pretty much the same reasons as you, but for some reason Logitech offers this only as a wireless version:

http://www.logitech.com/fi-fi/product/7365?crid=8

I feel I am totally fine with USB cord keyboards, mice and gamepads, I've yet to become tangled to the cords so far when using them with my laptop. Maybe if I'm playing on a console which is sitting next to my TV several meters away from me, a wireless gamepad makes more sense. But even then only some.

Thanks Elvis Costello!
(my initial response was going to be one of his song titles)
If it doesn't make sense, just ask. :-)

Back in the days, Logitech made something called the MX-518. I think they had some problems at first, but Logitech got round to fixing them and, consequently, created something so ridiculously durable that if I knew a nuclear holocaust was coming, I would build my bunker from a stack of MX-518's. It's pretty fair to assume that they figured out what made the 518 so reliable and applied their knowledge on later models as well.

+1 for the M100. Cheap works for both left and righties.