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What's your opinion on the Magic Mouse from Apple?
- Thread starter The Clark
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My fairly limited experience: The Good: Ergonomically its great
The Bad: a) Eats AA alkaline batteries for lunch. So to make it affordable to operate I stock up on Sunbeam alkaline AA batteries at the Dollar Store.
b) Not maintenance free and bulletproof - mine became erratically functional after 4-5 months of use so rather than researching the net to find ways to clean and troubleshoot it I put it away and went back to using an old fashioned wired mouse - the iMac "puck" mouses from the late 1990's - they last me about a years worth of use.
The Bad: a) Eats AA alkaline batteries for lunch. So to make it affordable to operate I stock up on Sunbeam alkaline AA batteries at the Dollar Store.
b) Not maintenance free and bulletproof - mine became erratically functional after 4-5 months of use so rather than researching the net to find ways to clean and troubleshoot it I put it away and went back to using an old fashioned wired mouse - the iMac "puck" mouses from the late 1990's - they last me about a years worth of use.
My favorite mouse. Used one for over three years and never had an issue.
As for the battery issue (as with any wireless component), buy Apple's charger and rechargeable batteries and you never have to worry about batteries.
As for the battery issue (as with any wireless component), buy Apple's charger and rechargeable batteries and you never have to worry about batteries.
Actually, totally opposite. Other mice make my wrist hurt.
There is a reason it has its own unique design.
I use it in Aperture all the time, and find it easy to use, but there is a learning curve. I'm not keen on mice with a lot of extra buttons and controls. I find the gestures super useful when browsing the net too.
I find it great, had a problem with it occasionally losing connection but a small piece of paper did the trick under the battery cover, I might have slightly under-size AA rechargeables I guess....ergonomically great for me, guess that aspect depends on your individual hand size...
I love the Magic Mouse and with BetterTouchTool the gestures I've programmed have, at this point, become second nature.
Try it yourself, of course, because the ergonomic debate is an entirely subjective matter. It is a perfect fit for me and I have no discomfort nor health issues as a result of using it for the past 4+ years. I also have rather large hands.
I bought a set of 4 Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable AA and two are always charging while the two are in the MM. That solves that problem.
Try it yourself, of course, because the ergonomic debate is an entirely subjective matter. It is a perfect fit for me and I have no discomfort nor health issues as a result of using it for the past 4+ years. I also have rather large hands.
I bought a set of 4 Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable AA and two are always charging while the two are in the MM. That solves that problem.
Mouse design is a matter of preference (& hand size). So the following is purely subjective:
Its too low-profile - looks good but horrible to use. esp. for that manoeuvre where you run out of table space and pick up the mouse to re-center it. Knock it into the side of a keyboard or other obstruction and it registers a click. Using it for gestures is like trying to do a Vulcan salute. 2 minutes trying to use a Magic Mouse makes me want to gnaw my hand off.
Less subjectively - several of my colleagues use them and the go through batteries like stink & sometimes have problems with dodgy battery terminals.
Go to a computer/electronics store where you can handle the mice and pick one that feels comfortable. You'll probably get something from Logitech or Microsoft for a fraction of the price - although there is an annoying tendency for mice to be too small.
If you want wireless, as long as you can stand to lose a USB port to a proprietary dongle, avoid Bluetooth - it will limit your choice and that's where the battery problem comes from (until manufacturers start using the newer low-power options).
I have a Logitech Performance MX (which was not cheap) which is really nice to use but, sadly, they've skimped on the build quality - the right button on mine went flaky after a few too many Minecraft sessions (and lots of other users online are reporting similar problems) so I can only give a qualified recommendation.
Overall I like it.
However I will accidentally use the swipe back feature on accident on occasion which can be very annoying. Its a double edge sword, I love using that feature but when I accidentally do its incredibly annoying. I was doing my taxes the other day and accidentally swiped back and lost a TON of info I inputed...
Also for some reason the double tap for Mission Control is very hit or miss for me recently. I'm not sure if thats mouse or mavericks related....
However I will accidentally use the swipe back feature on accident on occasion which can be very annoying. Its a double edge sword, I love using that feature but when I accidentally do its incredibly annoying. I was doing my taxes the other day and accidentally swiped back and lost a TON of info I inputed...
Also for some reason the double tap for Mission Control is very hit or miss for me recently. I'm not sure if thats mouse or mavericks related....
Depends on what you use it for.
For general desktop use (browsing, email, coding) it's the best mouse I've ever used. I've had mine for nearly two years and would buy another in a blink if it ever failed. I use rechargeable batteries which seem to last about 3 weeks.
For gaming, it just doesn't work for me so I use a Logitech G700s instead for that.
For general desktop use (browsing, email, coding) it's the best mouse I've ever used. I've had mine for nearly two years and would buy another in a blink if it ever failed. I use rechargeable batteries which seem to last about 3 weeks.
For gaming, it just doesn't work for me so I use a Logitech G700s instead for that.
Personally I love it as well. The only downfall for me is it can't be used for 3D modeling in Blender. The lack of dedicated right, left, and middle buttons throw off the application to thinking you always have a middle button clicked.
In terms of aesthetics and wow factor it's incredible. In terms of actual performance that is quite subjective. I enjoy using it for casual web browsing and other non-intensive tasks, but for more serious activity I always switch to my Logitech M510 mouse which I find vastly more comfortable and easy to use.
You can get a "inductive charger" from Mobee which includes a replacement rechargeable battery pack, and a charger "pad" which you simply set the mouse on occasionally to recharge it. No more replacing the batteries often.
http://www.mobeetechnology.com/the-magic-charger.html
The mouse requires a low-profile somewhat flat shape in order to have a useable track-pad on the back. You don't hold it the same as you did with conventional mice ... or you may get hand fatigue. Guide it by the edged with your thumb and ring-finger ... and use a wrist-rest if necessary.
http://www.mobeetechnology.com/the-magic-charger.html
The mouse requires a low-profile somewhat flat shape in order to have a useable track-pad on the back. You don't hold it the same as you did with conventional mice ... or you may get hand fatigue. Guide it by the edged with your thumb and ring-finger ... and use a wrist-rest if necessary.
Hate it.
Magic mouse is uncomfortably small. Using for more than about 10mins really hurts my palm.
What's so wrong about having a cable plugged into my iMac that's about 6 inches away? Constant 'battery low' and 'device lost' notifications are frustrating and, when the batteries die, I inevitably haven't got any charged ones available.
The same applies to the piddly little keyboard. My 27" iMac's keyboard is smaller than that of my 13" Air. It's uncomfortable and frustrating. Both are pure style over substance.
Oh, of course, that's why Apple made it wireless. More accessories for people to buy.
Like the Magic Mouse, but don't own one.
The relatively short battery life is what puts me off.
Yes, there is the Mobee wireless inductive battery charger, but I have not seen it available where I am.
A $10 basic wired Logitech is cost effective and fine for me..
The relatively short battery life is what puts me off.
Yes, there is the Mobee wireless inductive battery charger, but I have not seen it available where I am.
A $10 basic wired Logitech is cost effective and fine for me..
Apple MM is fine for what it is - a free wireless mouse that comes with Mac Desktops (some)
I've used a few over the years, and they work as advertized. I never sway from using a Kensington Trackball as a main input device, but I use a second Mac on many occasions, and the MM can get the job done on basic day to day opps.
There's noting extraordinary about it over 3rd party devices, other than a few touch moves.
Apple has never made an exceptional mouse and I doubt they ever care to make the effort to design one. Many think it's great because it's an Apple device. BS - Most of us adjust to what we have. Some reach for something more refined for better control.
I've used a few over the years, and they work as advertized. I never sway from using a Kensington Trackball as a main input device, but I use a second Mac on many occasions, and the MM can get the job done on basic day to day opps.
There's noting extraordinary about it over 3rd party devices, other than a few touch moves.
Apple has never made an exceptional mouse and I doubt they ever care to make the effort to design one. Many think it's great because it's an Apple device. BS - Most of us adjust to what we have. Some reach for something more refined for better control.