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Originally posted by mainstreetmark <snip>The transmitter/charger needs not be plugged into the computer if you already have bluetooth, and doesn't even need to be used if you have AA's in the mouse.
That's good news. I have an MX700 on my PowerMac (love that mouse, the top button was custom-made for Exposé), been thinking about a bluetooth mouse for the iBook. This sounds pretty perfect. Thanks!
 
I am thinking about maybe getting the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard and Microsoft BT mouse. If i get those, and hook up an external monitor to my PB12, would I be able to run the machine with the lid closed? God I hope so......
 
Originally posted by Tommy!
I am thinking about maybe getting the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard and Microsoft BT mouse. If i get those, and hook up an external monitor to my PB12, would I be able to run the machine with the lid closed? God I hope so......

no
 
no no no... there isn't...

I asked if its possible to close the lid on ANY PowerBook to use it docked and the simple answer was: NO, one option is to squeeze something between screen and keyboard to leave the lid just open so the machine doesn't fall asleep...

but hey I bought a BT mouse from MS today and allso the Mac Wireless Keyboard, keyboard works fine (even tought I liked typing on the Pro version more...) but with the mouse I dohave trouble...
can't assign any of the 5 buttons, so it only works 'standard' with 2buttons + scroll... tried the latest intellipoint soft, but that doesn't help **** because it doesn't recognize a MS mouse :-S so if any of you are using it to the fullest TELL ME HOW, please ;-)

grts Jo
 
i wouldn't use my powerbook closed, it would get too hot.

This is the reason that apple doesn't let you use it closed also.
 
so, can anyone give me a comprehensive list of bluetooth mice that work with macs other than the apple mouse? It sounds like the logitech MX900 and the belkin do, and the MS mouse doesn't?
 
There aren't many BT mice on the market right now, but that should change in the coming months.

The ones I'm aware of are the three you mentioned and the BlueTake BT 500.

The BlueTake seems to be delayed, but it has all the desired specs (800dpi, compact form factor, 3-buttons and scrollwheel, etc.).

Unfortunately, all BT mice currently rely on Apple's built-in Bluetooth services which recognize left and right buttons, and the scrollwheel, but do not provide a way to map any remaining buttons. This applies to the MS BT mouse as well.
 
The MS blueooth mouse works fine. The people that complain that it doesn't are either looking for something special or running a pre-panther OSX and neglecting to mention that fact.

The basic three buttons and the scroll wheel work out of the box on any version of OSX.

On panther buttons 4 and 5 are assignable to expose.

On video games, all 5 buttons and the scroll wheel work fine.

The only thing that you can't do is if you are used to assigning the extra buttons to "special" funtions like open safari or something. The software for that isn't available.
 
yes I know that Panther only assigns the two buttons and the wheel and you can add expose functions to the buttons 3,4,5 but I'd like to add double click to the scrollbutton (nr3) like you can with all the other MS mouses but a friend works for MS here in Belguim and he tells me there is no support (yet) for the bluetooth & IntelliPoint soft for mac, He'll ask someone at the office tuesday if and when it would be working for Mac's 2 because it would be conveniant to add the camera trigger command to this mouse like I did with the old one I used before... than I can put it next to me when working and so there would be no need to go back to my computer while working in the studio, than I can use the basic functions of my software trough my mouse, I don't actually use expose much so there's not really a use to add them to these buttons...

I use OSX Panther wich i bought one day after the release, so its no beta or anything of that kind...

greetings Jo
 
I wonder how likely it is that MS will build this functionality into developing Mac drivers, since the mouse works now without them having to write drivers at all? It's unlikely to be built natively into OS X, I would think, simply because it's a feature relatively few people would use (which is the same argument I'd make about MS doing any OS X development along these lines). It's not like Windows builds this into the base OS either - but of course MS does support their mouse better on Windows via installable drivers. :)

Logitech has its own OS X drivers that do allow all sorts of customization. I've been poking around, but unfortunately there doesn't appear to be anything non-vendor-specific that would accomplish what you want.
 
I used the Microsoft Explorer on OS9.2.2 and I could add keyboard shortcuts to my buttons

for instance command+T is the command used to take a picture and that one is assigned to the mouse for easier use
the same with the command for LiveVideo used for focussing, wich I added to another button...

so maybe I need to get one of the 'normal' MS mouses again to use this functions :-S while using it on the Bluetooth would be great because of the range of this mouse... just put it next to my camera in order to trigger it from there

but I'll have to wait I guess ;-)
 
I'm pretty sure you can run Powerbooks in closed lid mode. With an external monitor, mouse, and keypad connected to my Tibook it woke up when I accedentally hit a key on the keypad. Try closing the lid and pressing a key on the Keyboard.
 
Originally posted by Jo-Kun
yes I know that Panther only assigns the two buttons and the wheel and you can add expose functions to the buttons 3,4,5 but I'd like to add double click to the scrollbutton (nr3)

Not to be pedantic here, but that's very different from does not work that keeps getting thrown around.

You're looking for a specific function, and I absolutely agree that function is not implemented.

But, the way your post is put together it sounded to me like you were saying the buttons were not recognized:
can't assign any of the 5 buttons, so it only works 'standard' with 2buttons + scroll

This seems to imply that they are not recognized at all, and judging by the comments I see on this and Apple's boards a lot of people are confused by the comments like this.

If we are a bit more careful with our terminology we can avoid things like the 15 different threads on this board, all asking what bluetooth mice work with a powerbook.

This is an important issue with me, because I am very happily using all 5 buttons on my bluetooth mouse, and keep having to correct people who have decided not to buy one because only 3 buttons are supported.
 
Originally posted by oldschool
no

wrongo ;) I closed the lid of my PB, then stuck a toothpick in to press a key. Works like a dream :). Hello 1600*1024 resolution
 
Originally posted by Tommy!
wrongo ;) I closed the lid of my PB, then stuck a toothpick in to press a key. Works like a dream :). Hello 1600*1024 resolution
hahaha

you could also close it, then open it again and close it very quickly. It stays on most of the time when i do this.

BUT don't use it, you could screw it up from the heat.
 
Originally posted by Felix_the_Mac
Sorry to labour the point but which software do you mean? Is it the Apple Bluetooth drivers?

Does anyone think that there is any way I can improve the accuracy on my bluetooth mouse?
For example installing it on a PC with all the MS drivers etc and configuring it?

The problem is basically that it sticks a bit as you move it across the desktop which makes the movement jerky.
Optical mice are supposed to work on any surface aren't they? I use mine on various desks with smooth wood or plastic finishes.

I would appreciate any advice.


wood can be a problem for optical mice. i think it gets confused b/c all of the random line in it.
 
Originally posted by 7on
I'm pretty sure you can run Powerbooks in closed lid mode. With an external monitor, mouse, and keypad connected to my Tibook it woke up when I accedentally hit a key on the keypad. Try closing the lid and pressing a key on the Keyboard.

I do this all the time at work. The trick is to leave the AC power detached until you've plugged in your monitor and keyboard.

1) Start with your computer in "sleep" mode, and no AC power connection.
2) Connect the external monitor and turn it on.
3) Connect the USB keyboard (and mouse).
4) Connect the AC power.
5) Hit any key on the keyboard. The computer should wake from sleep.
6) You may find that you have to use the "detect monitors" function to get the higher resolution options.

I believe I found these steps somewhere in Apple's Knowledgebase; but in any case it works like a charm.
 
to stcanard

I mean only that you can't use the full functionallity of the buttons like you can with other MS mouses...

you can assign expose to these buttons but I don't need that, and most of us aren't looking to add expose to their mouse I guess...

the buttons ONLY work for expose... thats what I mean with not assignable for other tasks like other mouse do...

even the Logitech BT mouse has no Apple Drivers so you won't be able to use these allso except for expose I guess...

grts J
 
And I like to add that the old Tibooks have 2 vents on the sides and one in back, none of which are covered while in closed lid mode.
 
Hey all,
I own a new powerbook with bluetooth built in and a MX900 mouse.
I thought I'd just correct everyone who says that only the scroll wheel, and the right and left buttons have functions sans expose'. This is not entirely true. There are two other buttons, one directly above and one directly below the scroll wheel that also function without expose. Of course they pretty much just move the page up or down depending on which button you push (meaning they do the same thing as the scroll wheel). Pretty pointless function, but I think its important to mention that EVERY button (except one) CAN be utilized on the MX900.
1. Right button- used
2. left button- used
scroll wheel- used
3. scroll wheel button- CAN be used by expose
4. button above scroll wheel- used (or used for expose)
5. button below scroll wheel- used (or used for expose)
6. front thumb button- CAN be used by expose
7. back thumb button- CAN be used by expose
8. panel switch button that is 2nd above scroll wheel- CAN be used by expose

Notice I have four "CAN"s and only three expose button functions, therefore ONE button will not be used. Personally I think the panel switch button on the top of the mouse is the worst button on the mouse because your finger will never be in a regular position to hit it. I'd leave that one unused if I were you.

Matthew
 
yes now we know that any of the BT mouses work with expose, but actally that's nothing that I want... because I allmost never use expose...

I wanted to know if any of these buttons can be assigned to anything else (like the non BT versions ALL do...)

but it seems NOT...

thnx...
 
true, but that wasn't the point of my reply. I just wanted to let you know about those other two non expose buttons that no one seems to mention. Too bad they really don't help much. Oh well.
 
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