Powerbook and Bluetooth Mouse

[mac_geek]

Quick question - am about to purchase a new PB (15.2, 1.5 Ghz) and want to buy a bluetooth mouse. I need more than the one button Apple one, but all the third party ones I have looked at (Microsoft, Logitech) state they are not mac compatible.

What I want is to be able to use the Logitech MX900 (http://www.logitech.co.uk/index.cfm/products/details/GB/EN,CRID=646,CONTENTID=7110) ideally with the Powerbook without having to plug in the Logitech USB bluetooth hub, i.e. use the inbuilt Bluetooth so I only have to carry around the laptop and the mouse.

Has anyone made this work?

Would be very grateful for the answer and if anyone has also used the Logitech mouse in conjunction with the Apple Bluetooth keyboard which I also plan to buy.

TIA

[varmit]

I would say if you don't want to get messy with bluetooth, go with a usb retractable, http://www.kensington.com/html/1211.html. I have this one and it doesn't take up to much space, and usb retracts back into the mouse for storage.

You could just buy it at any best buy, if it doesn't work correctly, which I believe it should even though it says it isn't mac compatable, you can return it. Bluetooth is a standard that all the mouses use, and macs pick up on the extra buttons like when a normal mouse gets pluged in, it just works.

[JOD8FY]

I would recommend getting MacMice's "The Mouse". The bluetooth version is coming out in late summer. Go here to see some pics:

www.macmice.com/themouse.html

Good luck with your beautiful new machine,
JOD8FY

[stcanard]

The "Not Mac compatible" is a CYA thing.

I've been using the MS Intellimouse Bluetooth with my powerbook for 1/2 year now with nary a problem. It works very well with the internal bluetooth module.

The only catch is buttons 4 & 5 (forward and back) only work with Expose in OSX, which is no problem because that's what I wanted them for anyway :D The two main buttons and scroll wheel work as expected.

All 5 buttons are mappable in games (e.g. Quake 3 and RTCW) to any function.

There are lots of threads here discussing bluetooth mouse compatibility, a search would be a great idea.

[mac_geek]

Thanks - based on this and the other stuff on these forums the MX900 wins!

[solaris]

I use a Logitech MX900 with my PowerBook.
Its working great! :D

The "docking station" is only use for charging.

[mkrishnan]

Were you aware of this:

http://www.macmice.com/faq.html

Their aluminum PB style mouse looks like it would go nicely with a PB. Don't know if they're on schedule to hit that July timing for the BT version, and don't know if you can wait, but I kinda wish this had been available when I got my Apple BT mouse. Of course I never use it, and not because it lacks multiple buttons but because I never sit at a desk with my iBook....

[mac_geek]

May wait until July for the macmice BT version - an off-switch would certainly help.

Used a 17 inch PB today - have changed my mind about the 15.2 - the 17 inch rocks!

[mkrishnan]

May wait until July for the macmice BT version - an off-switch would certainly help.

Used a 17 inch PB today - have changed my mind about the 15.2 - the 17 inch rocks!

Don't all BT mice have an on/off switch? On the apple one, the cover/lid for the light sensor on the bottom is the switch. When you cover the sensor, the mouse is off.

[aswitcher]

I have the Kensington retractable. Its pretty sweet.

I too want a decent multiple button BT Mouse that fully functions with OSX...and has an off switch.

[JFreak]

i have found the apple bluetooth mouse being just perfect.

[michaelrjohnson]

I know you made your choice, but for the good of the thread, there is another "mac" BT mouse available. It is sold by MacAlly.

MacAlly BT Mouse (http://www.macally.com/spec/usb/input_device/mice.html)

[mkrishnan]

I know you made your choice, but for the good of the thread, there is another "mac" BT mouse available. It is sold by MacAlly.[/URL]

Actually that one looks like it would match a Al PB pretty well too. Does it in real life? :)

[michaelrjohnson]

Actually that one looks like it would match a Al PB pretty well too. Does it in real life? :)

I wish I knew. But keep in mind it is "JR", it's a compact mouse.

[mainstreetmark]

I've got the Logitech MX900 as well. I had to buy a keyboard to get it, but I got it. It works great. The "docking station" is only plugged into the wall and used only for charging (and it's awkward looking). The keyboard lives underneath the futon and is rarely used.

All the mouse buttons are recognizable and assignable to Exposé functions, and the mousewheel scrolls everything. Pressing the mousewheel in Safari opens a new Tab. All the normal keyboard functions work, with the addition of the volume, power and mute keys. The mousewheel also works well. The Apple and Option buttons are switched, which is annoying. Apple's bluetooth Mouse and Keyboard pref panes do not recognize these devices, although the Bluetooth panel does, once it's been paired.

The MX900 mouse has no "Off" switch. I have to carry around electrical tape to cover the eye if I ever intend to put the mouse in my pocket or a bag, or else by the time I get where I'm going, the batteries are half dead.

[mkrishnan]

The MX900 mouse has no "Off" switch. I have to carry around electrical tape to cover the eye if I ever intend to put the mouse in my pocket or a bag, or else by the time I get where I'm going, the batteries are half dead.

I could see this being irritating. The sensor's not protected, and like you say, it'll power itself down quickly. Not to mention blind strangers when you pull it in/out of your bag. ;)

[yinyang]

Actually that one looks like it would match a Al PB pretty well too. Does it in real life? :)

a review of it here....

http://www.technohappymeal.com/archives/000097.html

[aricher]

I have a Logitech MX 900 that I am selling cheap - if anyone wants it please PM me. It has only been used for a few hours and comes with all original packaging, inserts, etc. I thought I'd get more use of it but I'm on the road all the time and don't really have use for it.

If nobody wants it I'll sell it on ebay later this week.

[sandmann41]

damn, where were you last week when I ordered mine

[mainstreetmark]

I have a Logitech MX 900 that I am selling cheap - if anyone wants it please PM me. It has only been used for a few hours and comes with all original packaging, inserts, etc. I thought I'd get more use of it but I'm on the road all the time and don't really have use for it.

If nobody wants it I'll sell it on ebay later this week.

Define "Cheap"

[themadchemist]

I would recommend getting MacMice's "The Mouse". The bluetooth version is coming out in late summer. Go here to see some pics:

www.macmice.com/themouse.html

Good luck with your beautiful new machine,
JOD8FY

yeah, that looks gooood.

[bertagert]

yeah, that looks gooood.
To bad that site is owned by Jack Cambell (notorious rip-off artist and scammer. Not to mention someone who continually lies about rumors/etc.). I know I'd never get anything from him.

[mkrishnan]

To bad that site is owned by Jack Cambell (notorious rip-off artist and scammer. Not to mention someone who continually lies about rumors/etc.). I know I'd never get anything from him.

Which site? Macmice? Tell more, tell more. :eek: Are they not reputable? Or did you just have a bad experience with them?

Of course the biggest barrier to ever using my BT mouse is that I still never sit at a desk...hmmm...maybe I should just sell the stupid thing. :(

[papolo]

The Apple and Option buttons are switched, which is annoying.

Hello,

Do you really mean that the Option button works on the left mouse button???

It sounds really annoying as you say... but no body esles complains about it

Is that really true or is just happening to mainstreetmark??

I really want to purchase the MX900. The rechargeable feature is awesome

By the way: any suggestions about BT mice rechargeable working on mac os X?

Thx

[QCassidy352]

my M$ BT mouse works great with my PB! Very pleased with it.

[papolo]

Me again. I just wrotte about two hours before...

Yeah, I looked up the net about BT mice and I can't find any rechargeable one. Instead the Logitech.

But I read about the Macally BT mouse that someone named above this thread. I think it is very nice and affordable. And most of it is the only one which features the on/off button

Please, somebody tell us if it size is nice to handle and if battery usage isn't something alarming.

Thx

link to BT macally: http://www.macally.com/spec/usb/input_device/mice.html

sorry, this sentence is a re-edited... what is the resolution of the macally BT mouse? what about Radtech BT mouse (800 dpi)???

[OldManJimbo]

I love my little wireless two-button mouse from RadTech. Cost about $US60. Scrolling button in the middle operates the Expose function. Size - about two inches long and 1.25 inches across. Goes to sleep after 3-4 minutes of non-use. On/off button underneath. Very nice - they are at <http://www.radtech.us> and have similar site for Europe.

[CTerry]

Hi. I plan to get a MX900 when I (finally) get round to buying a PowerBook.

From my research online if you set up the MX900 in the same way as Apples Wireless mouse it will work quite happily, all except for the back/forward and change buttons. But never fear, there is a solution!

Its called http://www.usboverdrive.com/ (USB Overdrive) and its a great app for mice, even better than Logitechs Drivers by quite some way. If you have a multi-button mouse and OS X this is a must have. USB Overdrive allows you to configure buttons to your liking, much like Logitechs, but it also allows you to configure button functions for specific PROGRAMS.

For example, I know a guy with an iMac in his room and a MX700. He loads up iTunes, and his MX700 becomes a remote, as if for a hi-fi. He lies in bed with his MX700, and the left click becomes play/pause, the forward/back buttons become next/previous, the scroll wheel and the scroll buttons change volume, the right click turns visualisations on and off, and the window selector changes playlist (though it activates Expose the rest of the time)

Right now, it does not support Bluetooth mice, only USB mice. However the next version (10.4) is out soon and will have Bluetooth support.

Hope thats helpful :)

[mainstreetmark]

Hello,

Do you really mean that the Option button works on the left mouse button???

It sounds really annoying as you say... but no body esles complains about it

Is that really true or is just happening to mainstreetmark??

I really want to purchase the MX900. The rechargeable feature is awesome

By the way: any suggestions about BT mice rechargeable working on mac os X?

Thx

I was talking about the Keyboard I had to buy when I got the MX900. The Option and Apple buttons are switched (so that "Option" is the one next to the spacebar)

[papolo]

I was talking about the Keyboard

there is an echo on my head: keyboard- keyboard-keyboard-board-board...

what was my brain thinking about at the moment???:confused:...

Sorry man

Any rumor about rechargeable BT mice with on/off button coming soon??

[Koree]

Is it just me or is the site down very often?!?!!?! www.macmice.com

[sandmann41]

What program are people using to configure the buttons on a MX-900

[annk]

I have the Logitech 900 (or whatever it´s called, don´t have it in front of me right now) and the Power Book identified it immediately the first time I used it. I don´t have to use the dock for anything other than charging. But since the first time, the PB can´t find the mouse! I´ve figured out that I have to cover up the sensor in order to keep the batteries from draining every time I´m not using the PB, but why can´t the computer "find" the mouse anymore?? Any ideas??

I´m also interested in anything anyone´s found to program it, but I can use it as is also...

[papolo]

Hello

Just updating this post.

Well, asking for news about rechargeable BT mice with on/off button...

[vgoklani]

the MX900 turns off automatically, I think after 20 minutes. See the support section in Logitech's website.

[titaniumducky]

The "Not Mac compatible" is a CYA thing.

I've been using the MS Intellimouse Bluetooth with my powerbook for 1/2 year now with nary a problem. It works very well with the internal bluetooth module.

The only catch is buttons 4 & 5 (forward and back) only work with Expose in OSX, which is no problem because that's what I wanted them for anyway :D The two main buttons and scroll wheel work as expected.

All 5 buttons are mappable in games (e.g. Quake 3 and RTCW) to any function.

There are lots of threads here discussing bluetooth mouse compatibility, a search would be a great idea.

With the wired mice, to solve this problem (4th and 5th buttons not working everywhere) all you have to do is install the IntelliMouse software (version 5, I think). That worked for my wireless (RF) mouse which is exactly the same except for the wireless transmission method.

[fixyourthinking]

you might want to review this: http://adzoox.com/catchIV.html

I will soon be listing how you can get this from the original source.

[yinyang]

you might want to review this: http://adzoox.com/catchIV.html

I will soon be listing how you can get this from the original source.

glad i went for the macally mouse instead...!

thanks for the info - very interesting read.