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bluetooth or USB mouse

puckhead193

puckhead193

macrumors G3
Original poster
May 25, 2004
9,591
880
NY
I want an external mouse for my new powerbook. I'm debating wether to get a USB or bluetooth. If I get a bluetooth which one would you recommened. What about a USB. I want a 2 button with a scroll wheel.
Thanks
 
puckhead193 said:
I want an external mouse for my new powerbook. I'm debating wether to get a USB or bluetooth. If I get a bluetooth which one would you recommened. What about a USB. I want a 2 button with a scroll wheel.
Thanks
Click to expand...


Logitech bluetooth mouse, no question (if you're right handed). It matches the PowerBook color, battery life lasts a very long time, and it has enough buttons to use expose with it. My best friend uses it with his 17" PowerBook, and it made me very upset I didn't get bluetooth with my iBook. I can't imagine using a wired mouse with a laptop.

The next computer I get will have bluetooth just so I can use a bluetooth mouse.

lasuther
 
I have an Apple BT mouse for my PB and I hate the fact that it doesn't discover it very quickly (or at all sometimes) when I come back to my desk.

More times that not, I have to go to the BT menu and discover new device all over again.

My BT keyboard works much better in this area...
 
I have been debating as you on what BT mouse to get for my powerbook, I want 2 buttons and a scroll wheel as well. However the apple BT mouse is the only one which has an off switch over the laser. For me the mouse would be in my back alot being bumped around and stuff, therefore if I bought one without an off switch it would more then likely stay on from getting bumped around all day. I will more then likely pick up the apple one, one of these days.

And for all the people who say just put a piece of black electric tape over the laser when its not in use, that is ridiculous and looks stupid as hell, especially when pulling it out with a nice new PowerBook.
 
A simple cord doesn't bother me. I'd prefer to not drain the laptop battery faster, or worry about my mouse running out of power.

The Logitech MX510 is nice. Higher res optical tracking, plenty of buttons, small, $50.
 
wireless without bluetooth

you don't really need a bluetooth mouse to go wireless. I have a logitech mouse that is RF. Pretty cool. Unless you want to use bluetooth for something else go for it. But if you are considering a bluetooth mouse because it's wireless, I'll say your going about it wrong. Check must mouse that are wireless sometimes even if they are in the PC section of the store on the box you'll see they support Mac also. Mostly check logitech, they are the only company (or most of their mouses) support both PC and Mac. This is what I have
 
I asked this on another thread, but perhaps this one is more appripriate. This may be a silly question, but can you use a wireless mouse on an airplane? I know that no devices that transmit or recieve signals are to be used, and I would think that Bluetooth qualifies. Has anyone considered this, or had any flight attendants comment on their wireless mouse?

Aaron
 
I think you can use one. Heck, I've used wireless devices like that. As a matter of fact, I was playing Starcraft via wireless adHoc on a recent flight. As long as it's not during landing/takeoff, they don't seem to care/notice two-way communications devices.
 
fred_garvin said:
A simple cord doesn't bother me. I'd prefer to not drain the laptop battery faster, or worry about my mouse running out of power.

The Logitech MX510 is nice. Higher res optical tracking, plenty of buttons, small, $50.
Click to expand...

same here.......i don't find any prob. in using a wired mouse........i too have the logitech mx510 it's a great mouse!..i wanted the MX500 (because it matches my powerbook, but the ran out at the store, so....the 510 was it....but it's a beutiful mouse!.....i love it! :D
 
I have the Logitech BT MX900, works perfect with my powerbook.. With the additional buttons set to exposé its a dream! :rolleyes:
 

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Joeytpg said:
same here.......i don't find any prob. in using a wired mouse........i too have the logitech mx510 it's a great mouse!..i wanted the MX500 (because it matches my powerbook, but the ran out at the store, so....the 510 was it....but it's a beutiful mouse!.....i love it! :D
Click to expand...

I ened up getting the 510, its cheeper then the mx900 gotta save up for "food" money at college so the extra 50 bucks will come in handy. I got it in blue, what about you? So far the mouse is great, its so smooth and the cord doesn't bother me at all.
 
take advantage of the bluetooth in your PB. i have the mx900 and love not having the extra wires to tangle up. I just wish logitech would release a driver for it.....
 
Aaon said:
I know that no devices that transmit or recieve signals are to be used, and I would think that Bluetooth qualifies. Has anyone considered this, or had any flight attendants comment on their wireless mouse?
Click to expand...

I'm fairly sure bluetooth qualifies. I've never been bothered by an attendant because I don't use the mouse on planes, not enough room on that little tray.... But it most definately sends out a signal. Better keep it packed up.
 
I'm using a plain ole apple bt mouse with 12" pb with zero problems, in my 2nd month. granted it's not a multibutton bute, but has been rock solid.

12'pb 1.33ghz 768ram
 
I find it suprising that G4Grover mentioned the Apple BT mouse isn't discovered quickly. I have the MX900 (which isn't even technically supported) but I have had zero problems with it being discovered via the built in Bluetooth.
 
I'm with lucarelli. I can't believe nobody mentioned the Radtech BT 500. That mouse is great and has gotten glowing reviews across the board. It is SO small too which is great for portability.

The small size, bluetooth, two buttons and scroll wheel give it pretty much all the desired features in a mouse for a laptop.

You can see it at www.radtech.us.
 
Aaon said:
I asked this on another thread, but perhaps this one is more appripriate. This may be a silly question, but can you use a wireless mouse on an airplane? I know that no devices that transmit or recieve signals are to be used, and I would think that Bluetooth qualifies. Has anyone considered this, or had any flight attendants comment on their wireless mouse?

Aaron
Click to expand...

The airlines (and I suspect the FAA) requires anyone using a laptop with wireless capabilities to disable the wireless. They never specifically mention Bluetooth, but I always turn it off, as well.
 
BT-500

I use a Bluetooth 2-button, scroll-wheel mouse from Rad-Tech. It's the BT-500. The little thing is TINY and the scroll wheel is expose compitible. Very cool. Battery lasts about a week with heavy use. Turns itself off when idle AND their customer service is awesome. www.radtech.com
 
I read somewhere ( I think it was Mac world magazine) that Bluetooth can interfere with your WiFi connection. Has anyone experienced this?
 
FelixDerKater said:
It would be nice if that Radtech mouse were not so stinking ugly.
Click to expand...

The BT-500 does look a bit ugly in white, but the other colors are great. I've seen it in person in dark blue and it was hot.
 
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