Is there a way to connect MX1000 without the base?

I use an MX1000 too with my iMac. Love it. But no you have to have the base. It contains the RF receiver.

However I've been investigating a mouse for travel use too and I'm going with the Logitech V400. The USB receiver stores neatly in the mouse itself when not in use. It's fairly close feature wise. Seems like a decent portable alternative to the MX1000.

Logitech MX1000 use RF technology as shown

Technical facts:
Transmission rate: 6 kbps
Range: 6 feet
Battery consumption: low (3 months for average use)
Security: Logitech® patented encryption
IDs: 12-bit digital ID (up to 4096 combinations)
Channels: Dual channel technology

that required dedicated RF tech receiver for the mouse, that I think that is different from blue tooth technology.

The only thing to find out is try to use your mx1000 without the base connected and check on: about this mac > more info > Hardware > Blue tooth, see if the Blue tooth detect something from the mouse.

Hope this help.

Yes, this is possible, but you need another Logitech wireless mouse's USB RF receiver, like the Logitech Notebook mouse. I've successfully had the MX1000 communicating to that little USB receiver and it works exactly the same as it would with the base unit.

He could also just buy a Bluetooth mouse (such as the Logitech V270)and not have to use any dongle.

I can't say for sure because I don't own a bluetooth mouse or a macbook[pro], but I think a bluetooth mouse would work as you describe, since the macbook has bluetooth = no base required.

I use a V270 and it is superb, great tracking, just the right size and no dongle.

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