Is your Magic Mouse battery sub-par?

[appleguy123]

At 81% after 12 hours of use. How are yours?

[gr8tfly]

80% in a little over week's use (the original alkalines). Not sure of hour total, but it's been used everyday. Also, never turned off. I'm on my computer off and on all day, but I wouldn't say heavy usage - mostly email and surfing.

[Swagfndr]

87% after 5 days of heavy use. Not sure if that is bad or good.

[appleguy123]

87% after 5 days of heavy use. Not sure if that is bad or good.

Apple claims these last 4 months of 8 hour days. Apple on their site says four months the 8 hours come from a Q&A page.

[KidMoe85]

I've had mine for 3 days and I'm down to 87%. I remember when I first bought my Mighty Mouse, it stayed at 100% for over a month. Once it started to decrease, it drained quickly though but overall I think the included batteries lasted about 2 1/2 months. They stated 4 months for the Magic Mouse but at the current rate, this thing won't last more than a month.

[appleguy123]

I've had mine for 3 days and I'm down to 87%. I remember when I first bought my Mighty Mouse, it stayed at 100% for over a month. Once it started to decrease, it drained quickly though but overall I think the included batteries lasted about 2 1/2 months. They stated 4 months for the Magic Mouse but at the current rate, this thing won't last more than a month.

I wish Apple would make real world battery claims (also a product that your fingers won't scratch up).

[gr8tfly]

I've had mine for 3 days and I'm down to 87%. I remember when I first bought my Mighty Mouse, it stayed at 100% for over a month. Once it started to decrease, it drained quickly though but overall I think the included batteries lasted about 2 1/2 months. They stated 4 months for the Magic Mouse but at the current rate, this thing won't last more than a month.

I'm pretty sure the original Might Mouse came with lithium cells. They have a MUCH longer life than alkaline.

But, I agree, you might not get the 4 months. Another poster said that's based on 8 hours/day. There are still a lot of variables, though. If you're working for 8 hours on a text doc, you might be using the mouse less than if you were doing graphics. I can easily see a 2x difference in usage habits.

I guess we'll see how the Magic Mouse does over the next weeks and months to come. I expect it to be roughly the same as the Mighty Mouse.

[jlpoore89]

Mine is still at 100% after a day and a half of heavy usage. And yes the Mighty Mouse did come with Energizer lithium batteries, was kind of disappointed that the Magic Mouse didn't come with them.

I will probably end up buying rechargeable batteries for my keyboard and mouse. Unfortunately I have the first-gen aluminum keyboard which takes 3 batteries so for both I will need 5 batteries and last I checked they only come in 4 and 8 packs.

[BryanLyle]

74% after a weeks worth of work. Probably average use is 10 hours a day. I'm behind on a project :)

[CristobalHuet]

91% after 3 days worth...:(

[topmounter]

81% after 8 days.

As soon as the "free" batteries are done I'll put in my NiMH rechargeables, they last a lot longer per charge than disposables.

[appleguy123]

81% after 8 days.

As soon as the "free" batteries are done I'll put in my NiMH rechargeables, they last a lot longer per charge than disposables.

The next Apple Wireless Mouse should have a mousepad that would charge it inductively. Would you buy that?

[jlpoore89]

I would buy that in an instant!!!! :D:apple::D

[DannySmurf]

Charges? No. A mousepad that powered the mouse (with disposable batteries for when it's off the pad) would be much better. I don't need another device with a built-in battery that needs to be replaced at the store.

[spillproof]

Charges? No. A mousepad that powered the mouse (with disposable batteries for when it's off the pad) would be much better. I don't need another device with a built-in battery that needs to be replaced at the store.

*runs to patent office*

[jlpoore89]

*runs to patent office*

*When you get there sadly you will discover that I went there last week* :D

[appleguy123]

*When you get there sadly you will discover that I went there last week* :D

I had the idea for a few months but then I found someone had already done it. I can't find the link right now but it exists.

[iPhilPHX]

Original Energizers that came with the mouse. 95% after 20 hours of fairly heavy use. I imagine I'll look into rechargeable ones soon, but overall very happy with this thing.

[Dybbuk]

you just described a tablet mouse

[jlpoore89]

I had the idea for a few months but then I found someone had already done it. I can't find the link right now but it exists.

Here's one website that I found that has a wireless mouse charged by induction. BatteryFree Mouse (http://www.overclockers.com.au/article.php?id=326447)
Another cool device is the PowerMat (http://www.powermat.com).

Also my Magic Mouse battery is at 93% and I have had it since Thursday afternoon.

I really love your signature btw!!! It is awesome.

[appleguy123]

I really love your signature btw!!! It is awesome.

Yeah , too bad I had to abbreviate it almost past the point of recognition.

[topmounter]

The next Apple Wireless Mouse should have a mousepad that would charge it inductively. Would you buy that?


Maybe, but I can't say I'd be real crazy about running a wire to the mouse pad. As much as Apple goes on about being so "green", not only am I surprised that they used standard batteries (and not a dock), but also that they included disposable alkaline batteries.

[appleguy123]

Maybe, but I can't say I'd be real crazy about running a wire to the mouse pad. As much as Apple goes on about being so "green", not only am I surprised that they used standard batteries (and not a dock), but also that they included disposable alkaline batteries.

I can kinda see that the mousepad idea would kinda destroy the purpose of the "wireless" aspect of the mouse.

[velocityg4]

Maybe, but I can't say I'd be real crazy about running a wire to the mouse pad. As much as Apple goes on about being so "green", not only am I surprised that they used standard batteries (and not a dock), but also that they included disposable alkaline batteries.

What would be great is if they did the same as Logitech did with at least one of their bluetooth mouse/keyboard combos. Provide a charging dock for the mouse, the Logitech dock also doubled as a bluetooth receiver but that is not needed though would be nice for older Macs that did not come with bluetooth.

I would not be a fan of a wire running to the mouse pad as that would defeat the purpose of a wireless mouse for a desktop. Which is to remove the clutter. Personally I am happy with a wired setup and will not switch until they are no longer available.

[appleguy123]

The wire would run to your wall not your mac.

[Weaselboy]

52% left after 17 days of heavy use. Probably 5-7 hours a day mostly web browsing. I don't see how it can possibly make it to four months.

[PatrickCarroll]

80% after about 3 1/2 weeks.

[jlpoore89]

Wow mine went from 93 to 98% overnight.(Yes it actually went up) Though I did take my batteries out and put them back in last night.

Maybe if some of you with low batteries try that it might go back up a little. Let me know if this works for anyone else.

[ReinMan]

A) I think you can trust the "you have x% of power left" message about as much as you can trust the "Estimated time for transfer 15 minutes" messages! ;)

B) my Mighy Mouse would do between 25~30 days (I kept a log for a few months) on ONE rechargable AA cell.

C) at this point I can't seem to get Mr. Magic Mouse to run on ONE AA cell of any type.

D) there is no 4th point to this post

:)

[brasscat]

The default batteries are "bulk" rated usually, even if they're branded Energizer, for example. The real test is using a name brand battery in the mouse after the factory installed ones die.

My magic mouse started at 90%, then seems to plummet within a couple weeks in the 50% range -- where's it's been ever since (on the factory installed batts).

[nissan.gtp]

I'm at 75% after a week with pretty heavy use.

A power-charging mousepad would be brilliant.

[iPhilPHX]

Now at 62% after 2 weeks and a day (Nov. 7th) on the original batteries. Daily use, approx. 3-4 hours on average, more on days off.

[appleguy123]

Battery at 68% after 4 and 1/2 weeks. IT has actually gone up since last week though. I think the indicator in mac OS X is bad and not the mouse.

[crazyrog17]

I use rechargeable, high capacity (2650 mAh) Duracell batteries in both my (3 cell) Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse.

Of course, because the cells are only rated at 1.2v, I have never seen the charge percentages over %70 but they last about three weeks between charges. That doesn't bother me much as I have a full set of charged batteries and a coin in the drawer next to the keyboard tray. It takes a few seconds to change the batteries and I'm back in business.

I do, however, hate charging an odd number of batteries because I don't know if charging one by itself will harm it or change it's characteristics compared to those charged together. Whatever, I guess it's petty.

[thermus]

Battery at 17% after 14 days of heavy use. Average about 10-12 hours a day for work (mostly programming) and it is never turned off. Very disappointed if the meter is accurate. Running OS X 10.6.2 if that makes a difference.

I would have bought a wired Magic Mouse if available because I hate the idea of replacing batteries for a desktop machine.

[iPhilPHX]

Mine's now at 34% after 25 days of daily use (purchased on Nov 7). This is my first wireless mouse, so I've nothing to compare it to, but I'm still happy with the mouse overall. Just not having the scroll ball is satisfaction enough. I leave it on and just put the computer to sleep when it's not in use.

[kellte2]

Anyone have any experience with rechargeable Eneloop batteries by Sanyo in the MM?

It seems like this thing practically demands rechargeables by the way it chews through batteries. Very disappointed.

[jessica.]

Anyone have any experience with rechargeable Eneloop batteries by Sanyo in the MM?

It seems like this thing practically demands rechargeables by the way it chews through batteries. Very disappointed.

I am about to use them. I bought a packaged deal for $30 on Amazon, then they credited my account another $5 for some reason (though the price increased and did not decrease). I am at 18% with heavy use as of 10.30 and frankly shocked as 4 days ago I was at 43%. It seems once it hits the 40 mark it is smooth sailing into a steamy pile of battery waste from there.

[appleguy123]

I am about to use them. I bought a packaged deal for $30 on Amazon, then they credited my account another $5 for some reason (though the price increased and did not decrease). I am at 18% with heavy use as of 10.30 and frankly shocked as 4 days ago I was at 43%. It seems once it hits the 40 mark it is smooth sailing into a steamy pile of battery waste from there.

Do the batteries stop recharging after a certain amount of cycles?

[rickeames]

Well, mine is at 15% and I've had it since it came a month ago with my 27" iMac. So I would say that is not a 4 month battery, unfortunately.

[southerndoc]

It's all dependent on how much you use your mouse, but I'm finding that mine lasts about 3 months. I don't care though since I use a rechargeable battery. As soon as the alert shows up that the battery is low, I switch it out with another that's already charged.

[SchneiderMan]

I use my magic mouse everyday with new energizer ultimate lithium batteries and got 100% for a few days then when i checked it was on about 85% and after a few days it drained all the power and was dead.


What's going on??

[GaresTaylan]

69% after about 3 weeks. I didnt start turning it and my keyboard off when I turned the iMac off until about a week ago tho.

[igs]

Got iMac at Chrsitmas, Heavy 6 hours per day for three of those weeks. Magic Mouse batteries died today.

[sparc5]

Just made a blog about how I solved this low battery problem.

http://sparc5.blogspot.com/2010/03/lithium-magic-mouse.html :o

[OldCorpse]

Anyone have any experience with rechargeable Eneloop batteries by Sanyo in the MM?

It seems like this thing practically demands rechargeables by the way it chews through batteries. Very disappointed.

The original batteries that came with the mouse from Apple lasted a bit less than 3 weeks. I now have eneloops. First time the fully charged eneloops lasted 1 week. Second time (now) - I've had them for one day, and I'm down to 73%. I do word processing and some web surfing, about 12 hours a day, nothing exceptionally intense, and I don't switch off at night.

This is the worst battery drainer ever.

[kockgunner]

I thought the battery life was really good. I used it heavily for 3 days and it said it was still 100%. But then, I turned off the mouse and when I turned it back on, it said 97%. I did it again after 5 more hours of use and it said 93%. It seems like the battery meter doesn't refresh until the mouse is turned off and on again. I'm really worried about the battery life of the mouse now. I've never owned a wireless mouse before, but I know this is bad! Why do all Apple product batteries suck ass (beside their laptops sometimes)?

Do you guys think BetterTouchTool drains the battery since it has to listen to so many new gestures?

[Jaro65]

I ran down my original batteries in about 2 weeks. Since then I use rechargeables and so having a fresh set sitting in a charger alleviates me having to worry about battery life.

[Darkroom]

2 weeks here. the magic mouse battery management is a complete joke.

[A Pittarelli]

i get 2 or 3 weeks from mine

[maflynn]

Overall I'm happy with my battery life. I've turned off the magic mouse and went back to my "mighty" mouse because for some reason when I have the magic mouse turned on, the laptop will not go to sleep.

[Dino1956]

I have the new iMac. It came with Magic Mouse. The Magic Mouse batteries die after 7 days with cheap generic batteries. But the keyboard stays at 100% for 3 weeks. Same battery. Yes, I'm a mouse guy. But that is way too big a difference between the Battery life of the KB & the Magic Mouse. I will try Lithium Batteries.

[pprior]

I just use a rechargeable battery, mine's currently at 50% and it's been many weeks since i changed it. So I swap it for a fresh one every few months - not a big deal to me.

[glavoie84]

My first set is dying! 6 months with Energizer Lithium. Moderate use on a 13" MBP (2009).

[kitsen]

I don't know what mouse background most of you have, but my Microsoft mice lasted at least a year before the fist battery changes. My year and a half old Logitech mouse is supposed to last two years and is still going strong.

I was appalled at the magic mouse battery life of about four weeks the first time. Since then rechargeable have lasted shorter. Anything from two weeks down to 6 days after I played a mouse intensive game!

Every time my magic mouse batts die I borrow from my Logitech while I recharge them batts. The first time it was around 80%, second around 70% and third in the 60's. So the several hours it takes to charge my batts, the magic mouse sucks up about 10% of my Logitech's batteries. Batteries which have already been in my Logitech mouse for one and a half years and was at 80%. What a difference between the two mice.

When my magic mouse dies I'll definitely replace it with a Logitech. The touch system is still a bit of a novelty right now, but weighed in with really bad battery life the only thing I find magic about it is how it makes my juice disappear in no time.

[Reventon]

The batteries in my Magic Mouse tend to last only 3 to 4 weeks, which I find dreadfully annoying. When this set dies, I may replace it with a Logitech mouse as I hear they have better battery life or buy rechargeable batteries.

[AndrewCjDuong]

I'm not going to lie. I love my Magic Mouse and it's great. I've quickly adjusted to the ergonomics. Now the only problem is that I run through a set of batteries every 2 weeks. I've literally went to Costco and bought the bulk set of Durcacell 2 months ago and I've gone through around 10 batteries alone on the mouse.

What the hell is this? I thought it was suppose to last around 4 months? I haven't had my MacBook Pro for even 4 months. Is there something wrong with the mouse? Is it the settings or something? I don't turn my mouse off but I'm not constantly on my computer so I don't see why it would die so quickly... Isn't there some sort of sleep mode or anything? I literally want to smash it and just go wired.

[AndrewCjDuong]

Ended up buying a Mighty Mouse today. I seriously can't take the multiple batteries I'm running through. They aren't cheap...

[decadentdave]

It's back. The rapidly draining Magic Mouse problem that I thought had been fixed with the last firmware update is happening again. I am having to switch out my rechargeable batteries every 5-6 days. It is really getting annoying. Had this problem earlier this year and then it went away after the supposed firmware fix came out to address this and now after 4-5 months of not having to change batteries every week it is happening again. :mad:

[Giuly]

Are you guys refering to the new rechargeable batteries? If not, get some of these. They appear to be rebranded eneloops (If they licensed them to Apple. If not, they are Yuasa eNiTIME or GP ReCyko. Both works similar to the eneloop, and all others brands of low-discharging NiMH batteries are rebranded from this two):
http://www.eneloop.info/typo3temp/pics/2637cff749.gif
Once the voltage drops below 1.2-1.15V or so (Usually devices switch off at 1.1V), you get the "Low Battery"-Warning.
If the Magic Mouse however consumes 500mAh or more, this looks even worse:
http://www.eneloop.info/typo3temp/pics/1c2ab443b2.gif

[pprior]

I'm at 56% and it's been at least a month since I swapped rechargeable batteries

[TC400]

I just got my iMac less than a week ago and my mouse is at 75%!!!!!!
And my keyboard is at 100% still.
I never owned a Mac before or never had a Mighty mouse. But from what I can tell this is common.
Maybe I need to get the Apple battery recharger

[Ygn]

My magic mouse only reads fully charged batteries at about 85%, at the most, but after a couple of weeks use they're currently at 55%, they're rechargeable batteries so it doesn't bother me too much.

[Pillar]

i voted "no, but i'm okay with it"

i guess

[csjo00]

Yea.. My battery life is pretty bad.. But I'm not really "pissed off" about it, but I'm definitely not okay with it..

I go through a set a batteries about every week.. And it kind of makes me angry because the battery meter will say I have about 30% left in the batteries, and then an hour later my mouse won't work.. So it seems whenever the mouse goes below 30% it doesn't work..

[darkoozy]

I realize this thread is old...But would like to add...

I am getting approx 1 months worth of battery life.

I went ahead and bought the apple recharging kit. I am not prepared to invest in swapping out batteries at this rate. I blame the blue tooth interface sucking the life out of the batteries.

Other than that, the mouse is awesome.

[avro707]

I'm also not happy with it. I'm using 2600mah batteries (rechargable ones) and find the battery life poor.

I've put the Magic Mouse aside and just use a cheap Microsoft mouse with a wired connection.