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Why do the Mac mice only have one button?

I love the single button mouse.

I hate scroll wheels because due to the way I place my hand on the mouse almost every time I click I hit the scroll wheel lightly and it messes up things. It gets annoying really fast.

The Apple Mouse is extremely comfortable and stylish. I don't see how they could achieve the seamless design with more buttons or a *gasp* scroll wheel that doesn't mess things up.
 
I hate scroll wheels ... they're completely inefficient!

Arrows and page-up and page-down are much better!
 
martin1000 said:
Is there a way to use a two-button scroll wheel mouse with the mac?
Click to expand...

Yes. Unplug your 1 button mouse. Plug in your multi-button mouse.

That's all.

EDIT: My office set-up (DP MDD w/ MS Optical Intellimouse)
 

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besides the belief that a multibutton mouse was confusing and unnecessary when the MAc OS was first designed, people should realize that Mac OS was designed so you don't need it. If you look at windows, when you have nothing but the desktop showing, you can't do a lot of things without the second mouse button and contextual menus. meanwhile, Mac OS has a global menu bar at the top so all of those functions are always available. Mac OS does not need a second mouse, windows absolutely does. This wasn't just done to make a multibutton mouse unnecessary, it was done to ensure consitency at all times in all applications. Its an often overlooked fact in the differences between the two operating systems.

That all said, I love my 4 button and scrool wheel trackball (which funnily enough is made by MS). A multibutton mouse may not be needed, but it sure makes things easier once you understand computers a little bit.
 
ksz said:
Rosco Peco Train not withstanding, there is no justifiable reason left to adamantly support the one-mouse-button ideologue. The rest of the world has moved on and they are not moving back (though most of them never tasted the one-button contraption). Apple, on the other hand, may be gravitating away from their age-old attitude. Many Macintosh users have already abandoned the one-button mouse and it makes sense for Apple to standardize on the 2-button mouse (with scrollwheel) and leave the one-button fashion statement to the aftermarket industry for those who really truly must have their one glorious button.

:end of rant:
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I have to agree. As someone who spends most of the day editing copy, the "right click" is far more intuitive than reaching for the control button and clicking for a contextual menu.

Even if Apple stands by the one-button mouse, is a scroll wheel too much of a departure?
 
dotdotdot said:
Everyone that complains about the one button mouse is either a power user or someone who uses computers a lot.

My grandparents use a dell laptop and only understand the left click. I told them the computer will break if you right click, so it was easy to teach them.
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Hahah nice one!


I'm on the fence about this, I love the Apple mouse, but I never use it.

That having been said, I still think Apple should ship these with their computers, for the majority of people, it's enough.
 
dotdotdot said:
Everyone that complains about the one button mouse is either a power user or someone who uses computers a lot.

My grandparents use a dell laptop and only understand the left click. I told them the computer will break if you right click, so it was easy to teach them.
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L O L
 
When I got my new mac a few weeks ago I first assumed that I'd soon be buying a new 2 button mouse to go with it. However, after reading (numerous) threads on here about the apple mouse I decided to give it a trial and I have to say that I'm very happy with it. Agree that a scroller would be nice though.

Has anyone else noticed though that in some things (eg the dock or firefox links) it is possible to bring up a 'right-click menu' by holding down the mouse button? I think that this would be a great alternative to a second mouse button and should be available everywhere. Seems odd that it can be done on some occasions but not others.
 
nw43 said:
Has anyone else noticed though that in some things (eg the dock or firefox links) it is possible to bring up a 'right-click menu' by holding down the mouse button? I think that this would be a great alternative to a second mouse button and should be available everywhere. Seems odd that it can be done on some occasions but not others.
Click to expand...

Yes.. also note, Control-Click = Right-click.
 
yellow said:
Yes.. also note, Control-Click = Right-click.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I knew about this but I meant as an alternative that still only requires one hand.
 
At work, we have two button mice with the little scrolly wheel deals in them (Windows boxes). I understand the (supposed) convenience of the wheel, but the reality is (at least for me) is that it just hurts. I'd be afraid of carpal tunnel or something down the road. My hands are kinda big, so the one button (actually, no button on the Apple "the mouse IS the mouse button" mouse) works really well for me.

As to the people who say surfing is easier with a scroll wheel - I use a Griffin PowerMate. Again, for me, the motion is more natural between the thumb and index finger of the LH than the front-to-back motion on the RH. I simply place my LH on the Powermate, RH on the mouse.

(of course, I can see how this might be inconvenient for those that usually surf with one hand.......) :eek: :D
 
Agreed on power users like to have more mouse buttons but casual users really do get confused.

When my mother/sister had their PCs, I'd be talking them through a problem and tell them to right-click. After that, whenever I told them to click, they'd ask whether it was left or right. There are people in my office who don't know there are contextual menu items under the right mouse button on windows. They insist on copying and pasting from the Edit menu :eek:
 
Is there any reason why Apple couldn't have both a 2+wheel mouse (which I'd buy in a heartbeat, if it were bluetooth) and keep the "classic" one button mouse? Everyone seems to be acting like the introduction of a 2 button mouse would mean that everyone who uses Apples would need to use this, when they could continue with their standard one button, and offer a 2+, and on new computers, just make it an option which one you want.

Doesn't seem too difficult to me...
 
doubleraven said:
Is there any reason why Apple couldn't have both a 2+wheel mouse (which I'd buy in a heartbeat, if it were bluetooth) and keep the "classic" one button mouse? Everyone seems to be acting like the introduction of a 2 button mouse would mean that everyone who uses Apples would need to use this, when they could continue with their standard one button, and offer a 2+, and on new computers, just make it an option which one you want.

Doesn't seem too difficult to me...
Click to expand...
Now, you're making too much sense. Stop that!

I think most people who do not wish Apple to make a mutli-button mouse is not because Apple would stop offering the one-button mouse but that the 1st party software might start requiring more right/ctrl-clicking. They think it'll alter the nature of the software - I disagree. I think in software it is fine to have more obscure, but faster/efficient ways of accessing menus, options, etc. as long as there is still a consistent and intuitive way to use it for beginners. Most Apple users are big fans of keyboard shortcuts and those are more obscure and more efficient ways of doing things that could be done other ways. I don't see the harm in offering a multi-button scroll mouse in addition to the one-button mouse myself. Tons of 3rd party apps already make heavy use of right-clicking and many Apple apps already have it sparingly as well.

Above all, one-button, multi-button, scrolling, no scrolling, keyboard shortcuts, not keyboard shortcuts... it is all a matter of preference, type and frequency of usage, etc. It has nothing to do with better or worse or right or wrong - it's a personal preference. I say offer a variety of products that meet the markets demands and there is certainly a demand for an Apple multi-button mouse with scroll wheel, so why not offer it?

I bought the wireless Apple mouse for my Mac mini and gave it a good solid tryout for two months. I could use my mini alright with one button, I even got use to control clicking. I couldn't stand mouse-gesturing in Firefox that way though - but I stuck with it - two solid months without a right-mouse button on my Mac. I did not grow to enjoy the experience. I plugged in an MX510 and I was moving along much faster and was much more comfortable with my Mac user experience. I’m now scrolling through webpages, mouse gesturing to navigate, using the extra mouse buttons on the MX510 for Expose and Dashboard functions. I love it! I'm not saying everyone would prefer it this way, but I do and I wish I could buy an Apple mouse to match my Apple keyboard - is that so wrong?
 
kwajaln said:
The answer = THINK DIFFERENT!!
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Was that in response to my question(s)? If so, I am thinking differently. I'm thinking different than the product managers at Apple, doesn't that count or does "think different" only apply when it is in agreement with Apple's products and marketing propaganda?
 
:confused: I'm not quite sure what some of you consider a "power user" to be.

I use Adobe CS2 and Painter IX everyday. I don't have a multi button mouse, just the Apple one. It's a lot more efficient using the left hand for actioning menu commands and the mouse for navigating than it is to depend on the mouse for everything IMO.

I also use a Wacom tablet in the same manner as my Apple mouse.

To sit here driving my pen or mouse all over the screen searching menu options or right clicking this and scrolling to that is a lot of wasted time when I can do all this in half the time putting my left hand to good use :)
 
Abercrombieboy said:
A right click might be nice, but Control-Click is really not that hard to get used to.
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But a right click is much more intuitive! I mean: Guess I want to open the context menu. On a two button mouse, there are 2 options: Either pressing the left mouse button (uh - oh, no context menu?) or the right one (aha!). On a one button mouse where you have to press a key in addition to the mouse click, there are about 102 possibilities. Apart from that, you can't convince me that it's easier to teach a computer novice to press a key and the mouse button at the same time than to teach him a right click.
 
weg said:
But a right click is much more intuitive! I mean: Guess I want to open the context menu. On a two button mouse, there are 2 options: Either pressing the left mouse button (uh - oh, no context menu?) or the right one (aha!). On a one button mouse where you have to press a key in addition to the mouse click, there are about 102 possibilities. Apart from that, you can't convince me that it's easier to teach a computer novice to press a key and the mouse button at the same time than to teach him a right click.
Click to expand...

I'm not questioning the abilities (or lack there of :rolleyes: ) of the novice user, my point was in regards to the "Power User" that some people mentioned. IMO a Power User isn't using the most efficient method with a multi-button mouse and so can not be regarded as such.
 
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