best mouse

[Biggles]

hey im just curious what all you guys think is the best optical mouse for OSX (excluding the Apple Pro Mouse)? I feel like replacing my one-button mouse and i just would like an opinion about what feels the smoothest, the fastest, and whatnot. Thanks in advance for any help.

[SPG]

I've actually been attacked for suggesting the M$ intellimouse before, so I'll just say that any optical with a scroll wheel, multiple buttons, and OSX support will be a step up from the no button mouse you have now.

[AlphaTech]

Macally ioptinet. I am using it right now on my TiBook under OS X without any drivers (other then what is built in with OS X). No wake up issues, or any abnormal issues for that matter.

Oh yeah, and it sells in stores for just under $30. Gotta love optical (no balls to clean). :D

[Mr. Anderson]

I'm using a Wacom Intuos tablet on my TiPB with OSX and OS9.2, it comes with a 4 button, programmable mouse and a pen. I couldn't imagine using anything else. One thing, I had to spend $400 for it (9x12), but for my job its worth it.

[me hate windows]

An optical Logitech. it has 2 buttons and a scroll wheel, optical, and it glides easy. It doesn't get stuck to anything. I don't know the model number, but, it has graphite sides, is light blue on the top, and it has the logitech logo is sort of in a gushy thing.

I know my description is bad, but you should know what I mean if you see it.

(OSX has full 2-button and scroll wheel support, which makes it really nice)

[Rower_CPU]

Like others have said before me:
Anything optical with two buttons and a scroll wheel that fits your hand well.

I have no problem with MS mice...now that we have drivers.

[AlphaTech]

Rower, the problem I have with getting a m$ mouse, is the company that makes it. How much do they go for anyway?? I would go with a Logitech long before one from m$. I like the looks of the Macally as well.. besides the differnet color 'jackets' that you can put on it (to match your cpu of choice :D ). Of course, I go with the graphite one. :D

[Rower_CPU]

Originally posted by AlphaTech
Rower, the problem I have with getting a m$ mouse, is the company that makes it. How much do they go for anyway?? I would go with a Logitech long before one from m$. I like the looks of the Macally as well.. besides the differnet color 'jackets' that you can put on it (to match your cpu of choice :D ). Of course, I go with the graphite one. :D

True...I definitely don't like supporting MS anymore than anyone else here. I won't be getting any more. But the ones I have now work great and are comfortable to use...

[SPG]

I've been using the M$ intellimouse as standard issue on all the FCP systems I've set up and started using them since at the time they were the only ones available with programmable buttons.
I have since been rethinking using them since I've found that of the last three or four that I've purchased two had less smooth action and one came broken out of the box. I still like the number of programmeable buttons and the scroll/push and scroll feature.

[Hemingray]

Kensington Mouse-In-A-Box Pro.

[britboy]

I'm perfectly happy with my logitech cordless optical. One less cable to worry about, and a nice shape to fit my hand :) Didn't need any additional drivers either.

http://www.logitech.com/lang/global/images/productov91.gif

[AlphaTech]

britboy, you using that puppy with OS X??? I am getting a bit tired of the cord between the computer and mouse, since it keeps getting caught on things, or gets in the way. How large is the transmitter for the mouse??? Any RF interferance??

If I do get a replacement mouse, it will be by either Logitech or Macally. Something to be said for companies that actually compete with others, and don't try and squash the competition with unfair practices (like m$ and intel). :D

[Hemingray]

No batteries for me, thanks. :)

[britboy]

yes, i have to use batteries, but it's no problem. I have two sets of rechargables, and just alternate between them.

The transmitter is connected to a USB port. It's slightly smaller than the palm of my hand, and lies down flat for a low profile. So far the only issues i've had are when the batteries are nearing empty; the cursor seems to stick. The additional software (for programming the buttons i think) doesn't work for osx, but for games the extra buttons function perfectly :) RF interference? Not so far.

It looks slightly ugly, but keeps me more than happy :D

[mc68k]

Originally posted by AlphaTech
britboy, you using that puppy with OS X??? I am getting a bit tired of the cord between the computer and mouse, since it keeps getting caught on things, or gets in the way. How large is the transmitter for the mouse??? Any RF interferance??

If I do get a replacement mouse, it will be by either Logitech or Macally. Something to be said for companies that actually compete with others, and don't try and squash the competition with unfair practices (like m$ and intel). :D

I'm using the same mouse with OS X. Switched from a corded optical m$ mouse and haven't had any regrets. I could never go back to corded for personal use after this. IMO, this is the best mouse out there. Says on the box that it has no support in X, but the default X drivers pick it up right after you plug it in. I use USB Overdrive X to program it's various settings/buttons.

Transmitter for the mouse is smaller than the mouse itself, say, about the size of a baseball distorted in a weird shape. I haven't noticed any RF intertference even with all the electronics in my room. Range is about 6 feet, but you wouldn't ever need to get farther away than that.

Batteries are no problem, even with heavy use. The sensor blinks a lot trying to conserve energy whenever it can. It's only constantly lit when it's in motion. Otherwise, it just sends out a pulse every now and then when it's inactive.

The rubber grip on one side is nice. This mouse is made for the right hand though. The ambidextorous mouse is a step down from this one IMO.

It's ugly— but as they say, form follows function.

[mc68k]

Speaking of mice, I opened my original Apple ADB mouse (it actually has four metal screws on the bottom) to clean it, and found that it was made by Logitech ©1988. Go Logitech!

[AlphaTech]

Originally posted by mc68k
Speaking of mice, I opened my original Apple ADB mouse (it actually has four metal screws on the bottom) to clean it, and found that it was made by Logitech ©1988. Go Logitech!

I think that most mice innards are made by Logitech with other companies using them. I know that several from IBM show up as Logitech mice.

[mc68k]

Logitech MouseMan Traveler gets my vote for best looking mouse for a portable. Matches the TiBook.

[gerror]

I'm using the optical Logitech. Works great

[TiMacLover]

You could go on eBay and buy a M$ mouse cause then they never see that money.

[Durandal7]

Theres the logitech Im using. Its about the same as britboy's except $20 (U.S.) cheaper. Doesn't have the rubber on the side though. Believe me Hemingray, I've been using this since the beginning of March and haven't swapped batteries yet.

[mc68k]

Originally posted by asurace
Theres the logitech Im using. Its about the same as britboy's except $20 (U.S.) cheaper. Doesn't have the rubber on the side though.

Or the extra programmable button. I use that to simulate the carraige return so I can confirm dialog boxes just from the mouse if need be.

This one's more comforatbel too— made for right-handers. But that's a quality mouse too.

[oldMac]

Drivers? I don't even bother with them. Never found that third button to be useful and the mouse just works with OS X.

Batteries?
Heck yeah. I go through a pair of AA's per month. Just buy a 24 pack and you're set for the year.

[idkew]

it is a small optical 2 button, scroll wheel mouse. i regularly put it in my pocket while i carry my tibook around. no problems/drivers at all. it is nice and small, only as high as the ti.

[MacAztec]

Originally posted by asurace
Theres the logitech Im using. Its about the same as britboy's except $20 (U.S.) cheaper. Doesn't have the rubber on the side though. Believe me Hemingray, I've been using this since the beginning of March and haven't swapped batteries yet.

I am using the same exact one. It is the Cordless Optical Mouse; by logitech. It is very confortable, and I really like it!

[Jookbox]

intellimouse explorer is nice. if you have big hands, this is the best one.

[britboy]

just noticed whilst doing a few searches, logitech have released beta drivers for the mouse i'm using (picture's on the first page of the thread), to enable customisation of the third button and scroll wheel.

Basically, the thing works with osx :)

[AlphaTech]

britboy, IF you had to estimate, how many use hours do you get out of a set of batteries in that puppy??? I am thinking about getting the one you show, since it looks better then the other one. Not sure if I will use the third button, but I like having options available to me.

[DrGruv1]

I use the turbo mouse - not optical.

BUT

Six assignable buttons for launching programs or websites or functions in a particular program

AND

Four programmable buttons that change according to the program that you are in at the time. In word, you could have them set in any fashion, then in a music prgram the same buttons would do totally different funtions.

the ball is the size of a cue ball, your wrist doesn't get tired from moving.

i use it all day...

amazing... usb and wireless too..

hope this helps

-michael

[blackpeter]

Originally posted by mc68k


I'm using the same mouse with OS X. Switched from a corded optical m$ mouse and haven't had any regrets. I could never go back to corded for personal use after this. IMO, this is the best mouse out there. Says on the box that it has no support in X, but the default X drivers pick it up right after you plug it in. I use USB Overdrive X to program it's various settings/buttons.

Transmitter for the mouse is smaller than the mouse itself, say, about the size of a baseball distorted in a weird shape. I haven't noticed any RF intertference even with all the electronics in my room. Range is about 6 feet, but you wouldn't ever need to get farther away than that.

Batteries are no problem, even with heavy use. The sensor blinks a lot trying to conserve energy whenever it can. It's only constantly lit when it's in motion. Otherwise, it just sends out a pulse every now and then when it's inactive.

The rubber grip on one side is nice. This mouse is made for the right hand though. The ambidextorous mouse is a step down from this one IMO.

It's ugly— but as they say, form follows function.

Ditto that. The Logitech Cordless MouseMan Optical is the best mouse out there. Download USB Override X to bring functionality to all if it's 5 buttons. I don't even use rechargable batteries. It's still worth the cost* I'd say that I replace the batteries every 3 months (and that's with heavy Wolfenstein play...).

[macstudent]

I also have the cordless logitech. From the heavy use I give it at school, the batteries seem to last about a month. But I am using rechargables.

[AlphaTech]

Ahhhh... I remember using rechargable batteries, until I found that they didn't last as long in most devices. Granted, you end up spending about the same over the course of a year or two, but there is something to be said for knowing that the batteries are at 100% before you put them into the device.

I think I am going to stop on the way home tonight and see if I can dig up a Logitech cordless to give a twirl. If nothing else, I could toss it onto the game peecee, if it doesn't play well with my TiBook. Or place it on my next tower.

[mc68k]

Batteries are a trivial price to pay for cordless freedom. I hadn't thought of using rechargable batteries before. Seems like more trouble than it's worth.

I can just go to the store and buy a bunch of batteries in bulk (all alkalines are the same) and forget about any recharging. The cost/recharging hassle probably equalizes in the end.

I think that each time that you recharge a battery it loses voltage, so that eventually the max recharge voltage has been lowered so you have to recharge more often.

But my Logitech mouse sips the energy from those batteries— it pulses the laser to conserve energy. Probably replace on the order of month(s). Once you go cordless, you'll never go back.

[britboy]

erm, battery usage... let me think a bit.

Using the rechargables i'd say i get an average of three weeks' worth out of each set. That's using the mouse pretty much from 8am till midnight (i take the batteries out at night, and put them back during the day). On that basis, i guess around 200+ hours of usage. That seems a bit much... must be right :) You'd probably be a little more out of single-usage batteries.