Here it comes to save the day: New Mighty Mouse
"Twenty five years after introducing the world to mouse-based computing, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is now hoping to deliver significant advances to the input device by applying the company's extensive research and development in multitouch technologies," AppleInsider reports.In other words, "new mouse."
I own the often maligned Mighty Mouse, both wired and wireless. We have an on-again, off-again relationship. On one side, I like the feel of the thing. The extra weight added by the Bluetooth model's batteries is especially nice, as is the smooth surface. It travels well in my bag, absorbing bumps and jolts without complaint.
The little trackball nubbin is another issue. It requires more cleaning than I'd like to perform, and makes me wish for an old ADB mouse. Popping the ball out and cleaning the rollers was a quick and simple job. I've used the Mighty Mouse paper trick -- rub the ball on a sheet of paper or a few seconds -- with mixed results.
AppleInsider reports that the current model is back ordered across retailers, and that its replacement won't be white plastic, will ditch the trackball and feature "...expanded touch sensitive housing and 'multipoint touch detection mechanism' technologies."
The new mouse could ship with the rumored iMac update.
[Via Gizmodo]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Korpil said 12:09PM on 10-02-2009
Darn! It comes a month too late, I've already replaced all my Mighty Mice with Microsoft ones. (Microsoft should stick to making mouses, and Apple to develop operating systems).
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Jim said 12:12PM on 10-02-2009
I also love/hate the bluetooth mighty mouse...but I finally bit the bullet, cut it open and cleaned out the ball thoroughly. What a difference ! There was a huge amount of dirt in there. The first time you do this it's fairly difficult to crack open but subsequent cleanings are a breeze. You can find instructions if you search.
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hds said 12:35PM on 10-02-2009
It shouldn't be necessary to have to break this thing open clean the damn ball! I've had to open it several times and always have to superglu it back together...uggg. The fit and finish is not what it used to be.
I commend Apple for most of their design, but this issue is ridiculous.
Darren said 2:14PM on 10-02-2009
You don't have to take it apart.
Spray some Windex on a paper towel, turn the mouse upside-down and roll the ball over the wet part of the paper towel in all directions for about 30 seconds, then roll over some dry paper towel.
And that's it, your scroll nipple is good as new.
If it's really bad you may have to use a stronger alcohol-based cleaner, but Windex has worked fine for me in the three-or-so years I've used my Mighty Mouse.
kyle p snyder said 12:11PM on 10-02-2009
No kidding! The one good thing that M$ makes is their IntelliMouse series. Oh well, I suppose I could give the new Mighty Mouse a shout.
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kazimiriez said 12:20PM on 10-02-2009
I cracked mine open to clean out the ballcage as well. That used to work for a while but lately it just wouldn't last. I was about to smash the thing into pieces out of frustration-
Out of sudden inspiration I had the idea to use Hydrogen Peroxide. Like from the bottle you can get for under a buck at Target. Use a cuetip, apply liberally to the ball and spin it around. I doused it, really, and then let it rest upside down so the liquid wouldn't get too far in there. After a few hours maybe I spun the scrollball against a cloth (upside down of course) to help dry/clean it all out.
It hasn't worked that well in a LONG time. Best of all, I can do this without splitting the mouse open anymore.
That being said, the ball is unfortunately a horribly impractical design for the longterm. Bring on a new mouse.
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Thomas said 12:30PM on 10-02-2009
I tried the Mighty Mouse when I bought my new iMac 24", but I could never get used to it. Right click was the biggest hassle. I tried a couple in the Apple Store to see if I could do any better (just to make sure I didn't have a bad one), but no luck.
I'm now using a Logitec Optical mouse, and it's fine. I'd love to see a mouse that included some elements of the trackpad.
I almost never use a mouse on my new 13" uMBP - I just love the trackpad.
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hmlong said 6:00PM on 10-02-2009
I got tired of waiting, and just bought a Wacom Bamboo Touch multitouch USB trackpad for my iMac. Love it so far. The Touch supports all of the standard single finger and two finger gestures: clicking, right clicking, dragging, scrolling, zooming, swiping, and rotating.
Kelmon said 2:47PM on 10-03-2009
I really wanted to like the Wireless Mighty Mouse, not least because it is so damned hard to find a good Bluetooth mouse. I agree with Dave that the feel of the mouse is very nice and it's what I miss most about it. While I never owned one long enough to experience the gunk in the trackball problem, I did really like the concept behind it and it was definitely useful. However, for me, the main problem with the mouse was that the right-click function just did not work well enough. It was bad enough that you needed to ensure that your left-click finger wasn't resting on the mouse's surface but even when I ensured that only the finger doing the right-click was on the right-side of the mouse I only got a right-click about 90% of the time. It doesn't sound like much but when 10% of your right-clicks result in a left-click that normally deselects whatever you have selected, it's maddening. Thankfully, Apple took the mouse back with no complaints and I subsequently bought a Logitech VX Revolution.
Oddly, my Revolution may not be long for this world so a replacement mouse will be on the cards. It would be nice if that mouse could be a Wireless Mighty Mouse that works properly.
grifmusic said 12:31PM on 10-02-2009
the first thing I do whenever I get a new mac is put the mac mouse in the drawer with the others and get my medium-size lightweight logitech mouse.
right-click, light and nimble, easy to click and never cramps the hand!
i'm a fan but apple losses on this one - hope the new mouse is better!
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SubGenius said 12:31PM on 10-02-2009
Interesting factoid: There was a point in time in the late 90's when Microsoft was making more money selling hardware(mice, keyboards, joysticks, etc.) than Apple was selling Macs!
It is really sad that Apple has put form before function in designing their mice for so long.
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huth.sebastian said 12:32PM on 10-02-2009
The new unibody mighty mouse :P
I'd like to see the MBPs trackpad somehow wrapped around it, with the entire button area being a touchpad, just still round.
With one finger for the regular click, two fingers for cmd+click, two fingers for scrolling, three fingers up and down for exposé and three fingers and click for backwards and forwards (whatever direction you move the mouse).
There wouldn't be any app switching (4 fingers on a mouse is stupid), but I've got that disabled on my MBP anyways, I always wanted to switch between spaces and always wound up switching into another app.
I hope they finish the code for that gesture customization window that was discovered a while back and release an upgrade together with the mighty mouse.
Oh, and I also want to double tap the mouse to make a click. Actually, just make the entire thing a trackpad, that's the most awesome thing ever invented, I haven't used my mighty mouse once since switching from my mini to a MBP.
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Sam said 12:38PM on 10-02-2009
I wish Apple would release a standalone keyboard with trackpad, like the MacBook Pros have.
I've become so accustomed to using the trackpad with my laptop that it's just second nature now. I would like the same input method at home with the Mac Mini.
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jack sutton said 12:50PM on 10-02-2009
I just brought my Mighty Mouse into my local Apple store because the track ball wasn't working smoothly. Apple switched out my used mouse with a new one with no hesitation, no questions and not even a receipt! It must be a company directive due to all of the complaints and problems. New one works great! I suggest if you have a Mighty Mouse with similar complaints to try this.
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John C. said 12:51PM on 10-02-2009
I don't like the mighty mouse because you can't press the right and left buttons at the same time. If they change that I might not toss the one that comes with my next iMac.
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oliver said 1:00PM on 10-02-2009
What makes me put up with the Mighty Mouse needing cleaning is they way the ball works when it is working. It's a delight, it's small and requires little movement, other scroll wheels feel huge and cumbersome in comparison. I have used a small Logitech mouse with touch scrolling and it was nowhere near as nice as physically moving something. I wait in trepidation about this. I would love a replacement to end the frustration but fear having to scroll along smooth plastic which is not a nice sensation, requires more movement and is fatiguing.
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David Robison said 2:16PM on 10-02-2009
I'm right with you. The cleaning thing is annoying, but OK. I use a dampened microfiber cloth with the mouse upside down.
I love that I can use the BT version with just one battery. Making it just the right weight to keep my hand healthy.
Skoalbandit said 1:13PM on 10-02-2009
Love the mouse when it works but it requires too much effort to keep it going. All other mice work for years with out requiring maintenance.
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Halopend said 1:16PM on 10-02-2009
I literally bought a Mighty Mouse 2 days ago, I don't wan't to hear this now... maybe I should preemptively return it.
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Jim said 1:23PM on 10-02-2009
It will work fine for six months, maybe a year, then will need to be cleaned occasionally. When the mouse is working I love it...you need to decide if the cleaning is worth the hassle.