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Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse

Originally posted by webplummer
Funny thing is, my previous argument about software philosophy notwithstanding, Apple's target is not so much first-time computer buyers anymore.

So many people have owned or used a PC by now, that their target market is already used to having at least two buttons, and probably a wheel. And, though it can be argued that the Mac experience is different and doesn't necessitate a two-button/wheel mouse, it CAN NOT be argued that Apple's first-time Mac buyers are neophytes anymore.
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Rightly or wrongly I believe the logic is that as soon as they release a two button mouse Ported software will begin to require a two button mouse. The other issue is the 'which button is it' effect. I am far from a novice and I have a slight preference for a two button mouse[*] but in a number of places in Windows there is total disagreement in which button should be used for an action (the most obvious place is the task bar icons where it is split 50/50 on which button brings up the 'options' dialog). Every time I go down to use one of the shortcut icons I have this - which button do I use for _this_ icon - debate with myself and I always get it wrong and click and hold for 2 secs while nothing happens, release, click the other button - oops the menu popped up and I just selected - 'erase hard drive' :)

[*] I am actually pretty convinced that the popup menu slows everyone down because no-one bothers to learn command keys anymore - they take their hands off the keyboard - find the mouse - reposition the mouse over the text and then right click rather than one quick command key.
 
Maybe it's just me, but I'm surprised to see that the keyboard is a wireless version of the 'Apple Keyboard', and not a wireless version of the 'Apple Pro Keyboard'!
 
I used two button mice before but for the last 6 months I've had a 2 button ms mouse sitting unused while I use my Apple mouse instead.

Why? Partly because the Apple mouse looks great but mostly because I don't really NEED two buttons. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

That is perhaps the good thing about Apple sticking with the 1 button mouse -- software is designed to work well with 1 button.

That being said, Apple could still ship 1 button as default, but also sell a 2 button as an option. I think I would greatly enjoy an Apple design 2 button mouse. And by keeping 1 button as default they hopefully wouldn't sabotage the niceness of the software. :)
 
Originally posted by WorldMage
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About the rickt click left click factor in the taskbar:
90% use right click, and the 10% that don't will change sooner than later. Even so, this is the tiniest disadvantage when compared to the advantages of a 2 button mouse.

Anyone stupid enough to delete a HD on accident deserves it.

[*] I am actually pretty convinced that the popup menu slows everyone down because no-one bothers to learn command keys anymore - they take their hands off the keyboard - find the mouse - reposition the mouse over the text and then right click rather than one quick command key.
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I can KIND OF see this. But not everything has key commands, and a professional user would know them on top of using a 2 button mouse.


Overall - a 2 button mouse is much better to pretty much anyone.

scem0
 
2 problems with the keyboard

2 problems with the keyboard:

1) No black or silver color? We need a keyboard that does justice to the pretty G5!

2) The wireless looks like the same body as the keyboard that ships with the G5 (which originally debuted on the eMac, I believe). I recently got a chance to see it with a G5 in CompUSA and I really disliked it. You cannot lie it flat which is awful! The plastic rim goes high up around the edge and just looks bad, I don't know if it is supposed to be easier to clean because of that or what. I've been fine with all the past Apple keyboards but this one just looks bad, IMHO. :(
 
Originally posted by soosy
That is perhaps the good thing about Apple sticking with the 1 button mouse -- software is designed to work well with 1 button.
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The irony is that now Apple are the owners of Shake and that app definately needs a three button mouse to be functional.

Selling the wireless keyboard and mouse as a replacement is rather silly as those who would go to the trouble of acquiring a bluetooth mouse are the ones who would benefit from 2 or more extra buttons.

Also, sadly the USB DWB-120M bluetooth device doesn't work with the new keyboard or mouse with no explanation from Apple why this had to be... forcing a seemingly unecessary upgrade to the DWL-120.
 
Originally posted by WorldMage
Rightly or wrongly I believe the logic is that as soon as they release a two button mouse Ported software will begin to require a two button mouse.
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So offer both. Heck, I would love to see the consumer line (eMac/iMac/iBook) standardize on one-button mice, and the pro like (powerMac/powerBook) standardize on two (or more) buttons. That would keep a large base on one-button, for those who prefer it and for neophytes who should be getting the lower-end systems anyway.

And it would give me a second button on the fscking laptop! Why people expect pro users to carry around a friggin mouse to plug into their otherwise self-contained laptop, especially with apple pushing the XWindows integration and all... aargh.

As for software requiring multiple buttons for maximum utility -- you did see Jobs' keynote speech about how nicely Expose worked with multi-button mice, right? When's the last time you saw other computer manufacturers using 3rd party versions of products that they make in a keynote speech?

-Richard
 
Re: 2 problems with the keyboard

Originally posted by soosy
1) No black or silver color? We need a keyboard that does justice to the pretty G5!
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This is the one thing that has me hoping that they'll put out some "pro" peripherals to match the pro line of systems at some point.

The lack of two buttons on the new powerbook has me reluctantly admitting that they probably won't.

-Richard
 
It's already been said, but I'm sorely disappointed in what Apple's offering. I had some money set aside for some peripherals and was looking forward in getting a bluetooth mouse. Only now it won't be an Apple mouse. I really believe Apple dropped the ball on this one.
 
Laaaaaaaaame!

Apple is so off kilter over the last two years. They keep dropping the ball. Worse, they've got terrible tech support. Terrible competition. Terrible processors (so far the only hope is the dual2 and future updates, but the two lower ends SUCK and are over-priced.) Their designs are suffereing - the G5 is pretty ugly. They've become a company of ipods and some phenomenal software. That's the ONLY reason why I stick with Apple. For Logic. And osX, I have forgotten to give props: osX is brilliant too. It's just too much patchiness from Apple in every other way, though. Long waits for hardware. Please! When are they going to iron it all out?!
 
I was hoping for the same shape, but with an aluminum looking touch sensor scroll strip in the center. the left side of the mouse would have been the left button and the right side the right button
 
I would give anything to be a fly on the wall and hear some of the brainstorm sessions that result in Apple remaining with a one-button mouse.... still.
 
Hey it could be worse

Hey on the positive side, it could be worse, we could have a resurrection of a hockey-puck BT mouse (I sure hate those things). Like the majority here I am disappointed there isn't 2 buttons, but even if there were I wouldn't buy an Apple mouse again, as they are too pricey. I just bought a Logitech MX 500, and it is very nice ($26 after rebate). I won't go back to one button. The keyboard I might consider, but I doubt it now has USB in the back, so I can't plug in my digital camera, and since I don't have a G5 I don't have a USB plug in front. I say put an option in the Apple Store to not get an apple mouse and save money, or be able to choose a third-party mouse instead. And yes, I did the control-click for years, and I got sick of it. Especially for games you need two buttons now.
 
I'm not going to switch, only because I've invested too much money already (which makes me very angry at Apple and myself for being so stupid) and because all my music is created in Logic, but I wish I'd started on a PC.
 
Originally posted by michael666
All you guys are just wrong. Read the following from Apple's web site :



So it's actually three buttons altogether! :D

But seriously, I am very glad they did not move to multi-button/scrollwheel mice. One of the reasons I like Apple computers are the one-button mice (and trackpads). It makes them so easy to use. In the PC world, they are starting to mount whole keyboards onto the mouse (5 buttons + scrollwheel), where will this lead? And as it has been said before on this thread, you can always buy the mouse of your choice.

But if Apple themselves would offer multi-button mice, then also all the software for the Mac would start not only to take favour of them, but to require them, which is a very bad thing. So I'm perfectly satisfied with today's announcement.

I'm going to have mine (and a keyboard) tomorrow.
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Which apps are you using? Almost all of the ones I use have useful context menus (i.e. control-click). And there's no way I'll ever buy an argument that holding down a keyboard key and clicking (two hands and two devices) is as easy as a single click on one device. I can do most of my browsing and online effort with just the mouse - as long as it has two buttons.
 
Originally posted by MorganX
I would give anything to be a fly on the wall and hear some of the brainstorm sessions that result in Apple remaining with a one-button mouse.... still.
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Heh, heh! That one's easy:

Designers, marketers, engineers and Steve Jobs all sat round a table, 8am, ready to start the design review meeting.

Head of design stands up and announces,
"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen for being able to come to the latest in a long line of Apple mouse re-design meetings, Steve has said he'd like to open the proceedings so I'll hand over to him".

Steve stands up as the other chap goes to sit down and says,
"Thank you ladies and gentlement, that will be all", and promptly walks out the room before the head of design's backside made contact with the seat.

:)

e.
 
Rip off

I've been using a wireless Logitech 2 button mouse w/ scroll ever since my Apple mouse died. I've never even used the second button but I can't imagine living without the scroll wheel. Apple really blew it on this one. My Logitech cost far less than $69, and If you notice, you can't even upgrade to the wireless If you're purchasing a system. Do they really expect people to buy a new IMAC, only to fork out $140 more for the wireless, and put the new wired pieces in your closet, or sell it on ebay? I'm starting to think Apple is taking its customer base for granted.
 
Originally posted by gotohamish
...

And the 3rd party companies are still there to serve you.

...
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Could you maybe name one, that offers Bluetooth Mice with 2 Buttons and Scrollwhell (or more) without an included BT-Adapter, since I bought a single one yesterday?
 
ewww why can't it be the black keys?? looks like i'm sticking with the wired...
 
obsession

i'm so dissapointed that Apple has once again snubbed a basic two button mouse with a scroll wheel ! Apple is shooting itself in the foot with this. I was waiting - but now I'm going out to get a Logitech instead..

:mad:

spinko
 
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