Apple's Most Questionable Design Decisions in Recent Memory

[boss.king]

I am in full agreement with you on not having sympathy for those types of users - and apparently Apple’s designers share that attitude as well.

Personally, I have used dozens of different mice over the last three decades and in my everyday computer work Apple’s mice have always been replaced with a competitor’s product.

And for those who think the MM is a bad mouse, check out the puck style mouse that came with the G3 iMacs - now that was a mouse to really get mad about.

I remember using a puck mouse as a kid, and we eventually got a shell thing to clip onto the back to make it more like a conventional mouse (I think it was called a cat—I miss fun product names).

But yeah, the Magic Mouse doesn't rank far above that. It's like they made it to look good in product shots but never actually considered the shape of the human hand or put any thought into what it would be like to use day-in and day-out.

I went through a few of them some years back, but between bluetooth connection issues, the hassle of charging, and developing pain in my hand from using them, I eventually went back to my laptop trackpad while I looked for a different mouse.

 

[krimco1]

While I do agree with all of this, MacRumors is throwing these stones from one very fragile glass house. The design of their logo and website is tragically outdated and deserves its own essay. Maybe point some of that finely tuned criticism inwards guys.

 

[gnipgnop]

or lay it on a padView attachment 1948401

How would "laying it on a pad" improve anything? Technically, you would still have to wait while it charged before using it.

 

[theluggage]

No wonder you don't know how quickly they charge...you don't actually use them.

Well, it would be a bit silly for me to be using the mouse if I hated it so much. I hate the MM's ergonomics anyway but I'm happy to put that down to personal preference. This is about stupid, unforced design shortcomings which are self-evident to anybody without a quasi-religious compulsion to defend Apple (can continue to use while charging => better - it's really absurd that people are trying to deny it).

Anyway, 3 minutes, 10 minutes - what's the difference vs. back to work instantly after plugging in the cable? (...and then no reason not to give it a full charge that would be good for weeks, rather than a 3-minute top-up that will see it run out again tomorrow).

And, PS, yes - I do have an Apple Pencil - I'm not using that because I left it unused for a while and it bricked itself. Seilly me, should have turned it of... oh, wait, no switch and (apparently) no cut off circuit to stop it totally discharging and killing the battery.

 

[Dfbmbill]

Of all the terrible developments Apple has ever had I believe that Siri, is the longest worst product that Apple has I’ve been using it for going on 11 years that’s more than a decade probably 20 times per day, and I haven’t had one text one email one anything that I didn’t have to go back in and change, what is it they don’t get it I can’t believe that anyone who is in the upper end of Apple users such a crappy product

 

[gnipgnop]

Anyway, 3 minutes, 10 minutes - what's the difference vs. back to work instantly after plugging in the cable? (...and then no reason not to give it a full charge that would be good for weeks, rather than a 3-minute top-up that will see it run out again tomorrow).

LOL...what's the difference? You were the one that complained it took 10-20 minutes. Obviously the amount of time mattered to you in the previous post.

 

[I7guy]

While I do agree with all of this, MacRumors is throwing these stones from one very fragile glass house. The design of their logo and website is tragically outdated and deserves its own essay. Maybe point some of that finely tuned criticism inwards guys.

You could volunteer an updated design.

 

[Alwis]

Even worse then the location of the charging port are the overall ergonomics of the MM. I really like it because of its touch surface, but it really does not fit in my hand. Probably I am holding it wrong…

I really do not understand this, considering how much Apple talks about „health“

 

[VintageDude]

To all of you hypocrite saying you like the Magic Mouse and charging it is a non-issue. You need to get better lying… ? it’s a complete failure when it’s completely inoperable due to charging. I can’t think of a single other product that has that issue aside from Apple Pencil 1.

For many of us it is a non-issue. When we get a low battery warning we plug it in for a short time during our next break or in the evening. No problem! Would have preferred to have the charger plug in at the front but I assume they didn’t want it being used while charging. Heat issue perhaps?

 

[WilliamG]

Magic Mouse 3 needs iPhone style MagSafe

I always liked the look of the trash can Mac Pro, but too powerful for my uses.

Magic Mouse 3 needs an inductive charging mouse mat like the Logitech G903. It would be such an Apple-like thing, too, that I’m amazed they haven’t done it yet. No manual charging, ever. Been using this setup for ages.

 

[NT1440]

10-20 minutes? More like 3 minutes for enough charge for a full day of work.

That’s the other part, it charges fast.

 

[Sophisticatednut]

How would "laying it on a pad" improve anything? Technically, you would still have to wait while it charged before using it.

By the fact you could just lay it on the pad while you type or having it as a natural spot to put the mouse at an aesthetic spot that will charge it at the same time without the need to plug it in at the end of the day or need to worry about the cable fraying.

You could then naturally have a mouse pad with integrated charging allowing it to be charged during use as well for those who prefer that. Like Logitechs power play example

 

[Realityck]

While I do agree with all of this, MacRumors is throwing these stones from one very fragile glass house. The design of their logo and website is tragically outdated and deserves its own essay. Maybe point some of that finely tuned criticism inwards guys.

It also looks like the Apple pits are a frowning face too. Guess we are forever never satisfied with rumors.

 

[boss.king]

Even worse then the location of the charging port are the overall ergonomics of the MM. I really like it because of its touch surface, but it really does not fit in my hand. Probably I am holding it wrong…

I really do not understand this, considering how much Apple talks about „health“

You're not alone. One agency I worked at actually banned them from the studio. The business side of the building were allowed to use them, but the creatives (writers, art directors, designers, devs, video editors, etc) were given more ergonomic mice because there were so many complaints in the past about hand pain and basically all came from people using a Magic Mouse. Once they left the studio, the complaints mostly stopped.

 

[gnipgnop]

For many of us it is a non-issue. When we get a low battery warning we plug it in for a short time during our next break or in the evening. No problem! Would have preferred to have the charger plug in at the front but I assume they didn’t want it being used while charging. Heat issue perhaps?

The design matches the battery version of the Magic Mouse. The recharge plug is in the same location as the tab that you push to remove the panel that provides access to the batteries.

 

[NT1440]

It’s absolutely not function over form. It’s 100% form taking priority. Why would it matter if the mouse was plugged in? They could have made it charge wirelessly or a magne stand with charging pins.

Except all the grit, sand, and dust that have free access to rub against the headset, why not cover it all? Why leave the edges exposed? Just twist the headset like the Sony WH-4000 and it would take less space than the bra and include a power switch

It wouldn’t need any retooling if it was designed intelligently in the first place, secondly if the MM was a few mm taller you could fitt a port seamless you wouldn’t be able to see. Or just wirelessly charge it… it’s still a brain dead design for no advantage whatsoever, it’s impractical and not ascetically pleasing and easily fixed. Just like the Mac Pro 700$ wheels without breaks, all aesthetic no function

That’s not the point, the question is why design it in its worst configuration possible? It’s an 80$ mouse from a detail fixated company not a 2$ random Chinese brand.

Easy to fix, apple just designed it impracticaly and ugly, still you won’t need to unplug anything if they forgot it as it’s still usable. Or just have it wirelessly charged on a beautiful glass pad

I guess you would call it innovative to charge the car upside down as well or on your knees View attachment 1948395

or lay it on a padView attachment 1948401

It’s only the worst possible solution if you can’t manage to plug it in once a month, or for literally 5 minutes if you’re in a real bind. Once you’ve gotten to that point you’ve already ignored MULTIPLE warnings. If you fall in that camp I sincerely hope you don’t have any living things to take care of.

Again, it’s not a mouse I even like, I vastly prefer a trackpad or I’ll use an ergonomic standing mouse.

Yes it’s $80, but only if you’re insane enough to buy it separately. If anyone was in the market to replace a mouse I’d NEVER suggest a MM, but NOT because of this “issue”.

 

[Tsepz]

That's a good point: "clever solution for its time" [emphasis mine].

I too have an iPad Pro that uses the original Apple Pencil. I don't quite recall whether induction charging for devices that small were available back then, but I don't think so? Or, at least it wasn't common?

It was indeed available, Samsungs Galaxy Note devices used it, this made Apples solution absolutely laughable and ridiculous then and now.

I still cannot believe people defended it. ?

Glad Apple fixed their ways.

 

[gnipgnop]

By the fact you could just lay it on the pad while you type or having it as a natural spot to put the mouse at an aesthetic spot that will charge it at the same time without the need to plug it in at the end of the day or need to worry about the cable fraying.

You could then naturally have a mouse pad with integrated charging allowing it to be charged during use as well for those who prefer that. Like Logitechs power play example
View attachment 1948408

LOL...having to include an entire charging mat is not a better design decision than plugging the mouse in for a three minute fast charge. More materials, more expense, more complication.

 

[Bandaman]

But then you couldn't use it either while charging. Also the Magic Mouse charging situation is such a none issue in real life, unless you're dumb enough to ignore the low battery warning for days or weeks. ?‍♂️

No, it's stupid regardless of anyone's opinion. It's a bad design. Period. There's no reason that you can only use the keyboard while it's charging and not the mouse.

 

[breather]

I get the chargingports position on the Mouse. They could easily have put it on the side of the mouse but they didn’t want people having the cable attached while they use it. it takes a few minutes to get hours of usage.

the next one better have wireless charging though…

 

[ChedNasad]

Depending on how well they can do the thermals the trash can mac design could work really well with the cooler Apple silicon. Aesthetically it was a very neat overall design. Might be more suited to a new mac mini than a pro computer though.

 

[gnipgnop]

It was indeed available, Samsungs Galaxy Note devices used it, this made Apples solution absolutely laughable and ridiculous then and now.

I still cannot believe people defended it. ?

Glad Apple fixed their ways.

FYI: the S Pen did not have a lithium ion battery inside it and could only be used for 30 minutes at a time. It's not really comparable to the Apple Pencil.

 

[ericwn]

It's the tech blogs that aren't doing the thinking. The AirPods Max case provides quick access and easy charging/sleeping for the headphones. That's what the design was for. Doing the standard zippered case would allow you to "throw them in a bag", but wouldn't provide any other function.

I take the protection aspect over quick access to the charging port any day personally. As an AirPods product, just like the cheaper ones, it would have been nice to have a proper charging case included from the get-go, although these things have good battery life already.

 

[Sophisticatednut]

It’s only the worst possible solution if you can’t manage to plug it in once a month, or for literally 5 minutes if you’re in a real bind. Once you’ve gotten to that point you’ve already ignored MULTIPLE warnings. If you fall in that camp I sincerely hope you don’t have any living things to take care of.

Again, it’s not a mouse I even like, I vastly prefer a trackpad or I’ll use an ergonomic standing mouse.

Yes it’s $80, but only if you’re insane enough to buy it separately. If anyone was in the market to replace a mouse I’d NEVER suggest a MM, but NOT because of this “issue”.

It’s objectively the worst solution to an issue that didn’t exist outside of having it on the top. It taking 5min to charge is not an issue or doing it once a month

Why design it in that way when there is zero advantages to doing it?

At least the butterfly switches had logic behind it as well as the Mac Pro trash can design. The mouse lacks all logical design for the port.

Me personally have no problem with the ergonomics of the mouse. But the port is a no go for an 80$ mouse

 

[ericwn]

Could have been worse - it could have been wireless and then you'd have had no idea which way it was pointing...

I agree that Apple haven't produced the best mouse since 1984 when they produced the only mouse. I've always given up on the Apple offering and use Logitech or Microsoft (who have, at times, made surprisingly good mice) instead.

Yes wireless this would have been a disaster. With the tug of the cable the mouse at least had a tendency to spin slightly every time you let go - quickly write something, put your hand back to the mouse only to find it changed its orientation a bit.