MBP and external mice

[bwb]

For those with a MacBook Air/Pro with an external mouse, what model do you use?

I currently have an 2017 iMac and now a Mac mini (replacing the iMac), and thinking of also adding a MacBook with the excellent battery life to use instead of my work Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga X1. However, a three-button external moue is a must for work, and also a plus while gaming on the laptop. I have a fleet of Logitech bluetooth mice (2x M720's, MX Anywhere 2, M590 silent) and all of them exhibit choppiness/stuttering on the Macs over bluetooth. Choppiness gets worse when I'm using bluetooth headphones. On a Windows laptop the same mice are fine over bluetooth (admittedly I don't use bluetooth headphones with that laptop all that frequently). Magic Mouse 2 works fine without choppiness, but then I lose out on middle click and no way to play FPS games (since can't hold both right and left mouse buttons down at the same time). When docked, I can hook up a Logitech receiver to the dock's USB-A port, which is much smoother than bluetooth... but this is cumbersome when traveling.

 

[GiantKiwi]

For those with a MacBook Air/Pro with an external mouse, what model do you use?

I currently have an 2017 iMac and now a Mac mini (replacing the iMac), and thinking of also adding a MacBook with the excellent battery life to use instead of my work Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga X1. However, a three-button external moue is a must for work, and also a plus while gaming on the laptop. I have a fleet of Logitech bluetooth mice (2x M720's, MX Anywhere 2, M590 silent) and all of them exhibit choppiness/stuttering on the Macs over bluetooth. Choppiness gets worse when I'm using bluetooth headphones. On a Windows laptop the same mice are fine over bluetooth (admittedly I don't use bluetooth headphones with that laptop all that frequently). Magic Mouse 2 works fine without choppiness, but then I lose out on middle click and no way to play FPS games (since can't hold both right and left mouse buttons down at the same time). When docked, I can hook up a Logitech receiver to the dock's USB-A port, which is much smoother than bluetooth... but this is cumbersome when traveling.

Corsair. Their software is available for MacOS which ultimately allows full tuning of settings. Not had any interpolation issues with the wireless models in any MacOS version from HS and up.

 

[Weaselboy]

I have a 2020 13" MBP and use the Logitech MX Master 3 and it is perfectly smooth.

 

[retta283]

I had a 2019 16" MBP when they came out and I used a Logitech M570. The dongle was annoying, it wasn't intended to be a long-term solution though. Excellent mouse, only problem is you must clean the rollers regularly. I believe the MX Ergo trackball is bluetooth, if you're willing to try a trackball. I don't like regular mice so much anymore after getting used to a trackball. Wish Apple made one at some point.

 

[bwb]

I have a 2020 13" MBP and use the Logitech MX Master 3 and it is perfectly smooth.

Do you use bluetooth audio (especially Airpods/recent Beats, etc.. since those use higher bitrate AAC)?

 

[Weaselboy]

Do you use bluetooth audio (especially Airpods/recent Beats, etc.. since those use higher bitrate AAC)?

Yeah... I've used my AirPod pros with the MBP a few times and it seems to work well.

 

[Mr Screech]

I'd say keep your peripherals wired when possible.
Steermouse is a nice utility with many customization for any mouse.
It has a trial period.
Maybe get an extra usb bluetooth adapter for mouse or headphones only.

 

[Fishrrman]

Logitech doesn't seem to have a "unifying receiver" for a USBc port.

However... a "workaround"
Use the USBa version of the unifying receiver with an adapter dongle like this:

Cable Matters 5Gbps USB C to USB 3.0 Adapter - 6 Inches, USBC Male to USBA Female OTG Adapter, Black

The Cable Matters USB 3.1 Type-C to Type-A adapter provides a convenient connection between the newest devices with USB Type-C and legacy USB peripherals with Type A. It adapts the Type-C port on a computer to connect all legacy equipment, peripherals, cables, hubs and chargers that ...

www.amazon.com

You still have to plug it in, so it's a bit kludgy, but I assume when you're using the mouse the MBP is sitting on a table anyway, right...?

 

[ght56]

Presently the MX Master 3 (non "Mac" version) being controlled with SteerMouse as opposed to Logitech's own software but I am NOT using Bluetooth but rather a connection through the USB receiver. (IMHO, SteerMouse is a must have with any external mice, but an ultra must-have with Logitech mice.)

What you are most likely experiencing is potentially Bluetooth interference or potentially an outcome of the low polling rate over Bluetooth. I would lean towards Bluetooth interference given you notice it getting worse with using other Bluetooth connections. Are you also using USB 3 in the vicinity by chance?