Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Hardware, Peripherals, Bad Apple
Is the Magic Mouse a dog?
For some Magic Mouse users, the streamlined human interface device is not only a dog, but a dog that pees on the carpet, smells bad, and barks continuously. Apple support boards are beginning to fill up with complaints about tracking issues and Bluetooth disconnects. There are also complaints about the lack of a third mouse button, and some all-too-early hardware failures.I liked the Magic Mouse when I saw it at my local Apple Store, so I took one home for my Mac Pro. It seemed to work for awhile, but now it is very erratic at tracking and speed, even when MouseZoom is installed. Its Bluetooth connection has dropped several times, and it either comes back after a long wait or simply fails to connect again.
When I moved back to my wired Apple mouse, I found that I had actually preferred the form factor of the Magic Mouse, and I missed the button-less scroll wheel.
The Magic Mouse seems to be working fine for many users, but there are some hints that the little rodents are having trouble with some older hardware. My 2006 Intel-based Mac Pro may be one of the computers at issue.
Apple will hopefully issue a software update, if that is the problem. In my case, the only magic I'm going to see from the Magic Mouse is when it disappears from my desktop.
How is it going for you?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
DSM said 2:06PM on 11-08-2009
I've only tested it in-store so I have no idea about hardware issues or system performance.
However, I immediately wrote it off as being too design-centric at the expense of tried and true ergonomics. It felt terrible to me. Apple's track record with mice has never been good but this time the device fell out of favor right away purely based on touching it. That's not good and it's becoming a popular sentiment with others too.
A little shape... a little contour. Just less concern about sweeping lines and symmetry, please - it's a handheld input device, for Pete's sake. The human hand needs a few of these qualities.
I'm guessing the touch sensitivity is brilliant but form factor should be priority one. Apple's vision sometimes includes blinders - such is the case with their mice.
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David Lawrence said 12:35AM on 11-09-2009
I completely agree. I really need a new mouse and went to the apple store the other day to try this one out with the full intention of buying it. The scrolling was good and I had no problem with right-clicking, but the shape, contour and hand-feel were just horrible. I mean the main grip point on this mouse is a sharp edge. Geeze! It's especially bad when you try swiping left or right. This thing is an ergonomic nightmare. I can't imagine anyone who uses a mouse intensively will want it. Major FAIL!
nfotxn said 1:11AM on 11-11-2009
I agree. Apple's design, while superb, is too obsessed with symmetry to really grasp good haptics from the human hand. It's one thing for it to be beautiful but it's the only piece of the machine that regularly goes on my hands. And last time I checked there's a thumb on one side and four other digits that are all different from each other. MSFT has done much better in this regard and despite my love of Apple's hardware my last three mice have all been from Redmond.
andygee said 1:43PM on 11-08-2009
i wonder if it will work with a black macbook mid 2008?
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d-man said 2:01PM on 11-08-2009
It should, but I don't recommend bluetooth mice for macbooks. I had a BL mighty mouse before switching over to RF wireless. Even though you only have 2 usb, it's worth it to go wired or receiver-based.
photomandab said 4:19PM on 11-08-2009
Installed it on my wife's Black MacBook running Leopard couple days ago and its working fine - had to disable/uninstall USB Overdrive to get the touch sensitive preference pane and the scrolling to work though.
Quickdraw said 7:17PM on 11-08-2009
I am using it with my late 2006 macbook. Its fine!
Keith said 7:56PM on 11-08-2009
I love mine with my 2007 MacBook. I bought one the moment it showed up at the Apple Store. I have since purchased a 27 inch iMac, and also love it there.
Jordan said 1:43PM on 11-08-2009
Apple sucks at making mice. I wonder how many people who receive a magic mouse with their mac will still not use it and be forced to buy an additional normal mouse.
I think multi-touch has a niche place in the desktop arena, but it shouldn't be incorporated into the mouse. People want a mouse, a simple basic functionality, good form factor, fits well in the hand mouse - and Apple hasn't been able to provide one of those, well, ever since the puck mouse that's for sure.
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Joey said 4:31PM on 11-08-2009
No idea why you're being modded down. Apple seriously makes some of the worst mice in the industry. The hockey puck was a complete disaster, and Mighty Mouse wasn't much better with it's clog-prone rollerball and right-click issues. To date I've never once used the built in Apple mouse with any Mac nor do I personally know anyone who has. They're usually the first things to get replaced. In fact, even now I have 3 Mighty Mice still in the original box across three generations of Macs.
While I can't speak for the Magic Mouse, as I haven't yet used it, it hardly looks like this is going to be the exception to the rule. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that Apple needs boutique-style design in oder to justify the high products margins, but sometimes practicality has it's place.
JKT said 4:39PM on 11-08-2009
You all marked Jordan's comment down but I strongly agree with him. I replace the Apple mice on every Mac we order. I hated my Mighty Mouse so much I eventually threw it across the room. (Literally...its hollow carcass still adorns my cube.) I'll give Magic Mouse a try but my hopes are not high and my trusted Kensington mouse will be kept close at hand.
Michael said 5:02PM on 11-08-2009
Hey Joey! I will gladly take your might mice. Yes, the scroll ball clogs up, but it also cleans out easily. Let me know if are willing to part with them.
I tried out the magic mouse at best buy and I liked it. I thought Apple should get rid of the mouse and just have a multi-touch pad so everyone could use finger gestures. laptops and desktops would be have the same finger gestures so no remembering how each worked.
I ordered the magic mouse I pray it works well on my mid 2007 aluminum 20" iMac.
robogobo said 6:51PM on 11-08-2009
It's amazing how divided people are on the Apple mice. I've always loved them, never had a problem with any of them, and that's with three of the original bluetooth mice and three bt Mighty Mice. The track balls need to be cleaned every few months, but it's pretty easy. Even when they clog periodically a good hard press and roll gets it going again, and dozens of other cleaning methods are all over the net.
I haven't tried the Magic Mouse, but I'm sure it'll have the same record as al other Apple mice- love it or hate it. And the haters will be very loud.
hmlong said 9:00PM on 11-08-2009
Joey said, "While I can't speak for the Magic Mouse, as I haven't yet used it..."
Another informed opinion.
Cy Starkman said 5:53PM on 11-09-2009
I'm not a fan of Apple mice and I could go on about the reasons far beyond the ball.
But
whAt I like about Apple mice is the irony that the leaders in usability and the company that introduced mice to the public makes the worst mice.
I've used a few by the way and I get along with mighty mouse ATM.
liuping said 1:44PM on 11-08-2009
It's been working perfectly on my 2008 24" iMac.
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richsadams said 3:32AM on 11-09-2009
Ditto here...late '08 iMac 24". Magic Mouse has been working perfectly since I bought it the day it arrived at the local Apple store. It's a keeper (at least for me)!
Daviesifier said 1:45PM on 11-08-2009
Bought one as soon as they became available in-store, and I must say, I love it. I hated the Mighty Mouse, and was unsure of the Magic Mouse, but the more I use it the more I appreciate it. I find it comfortable, the scroll is a pleasure to use (especially after coming from the dodgy scrollball on the Might Mouse), and on top of that there's the wonderful design.
I haven't had any of the problems mentioned in the article. Sensitivity was a little low as standard, but as I adjusted that and now it's close to perfect.
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David said 6:03PM on 11-08-2009
Have had the MM now for one week and still give it an 9/10. Weight is good, tracking excellent and smooth, scrolling great especially with the iPhone scroll effect, whatever thats called (still haven't had my first coffee or breakfast yet) and form and function... IMHO they got it right. It feels good and it works! So I give this rodent a 9/10... if they had a 3rd or 4th button for Expose etc, this would be a brilliant mouse.
As for problems, I am on a uMBP 17 (2009) and no probs with BT disconnects etc... still enjoying it after a full work week :-]
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Justin said 2:16PM on 11-08-2009
I have to say I agree entirely. I've had mine for about a week and it's wonderful. No issues with bluetooth or with tracking, etc. It does take a few seconds to disconnect, but after that it's excellent.
Scrolling is my favorite aspect, followed by the form factor that makes it possible to use it both as a desktop mouse and as a travel mouse. Also, for those who don't like the thin form factor, you have to bear in mind that you do NOT rest your palm on the mouse. I've found that putting my index finger and middle finger on the surface about 1/3 of the way back and holding the sides with my thumb and other two fingers works best. Your wrist should rest on the work surface, not on the mouse. If you go to the Magic Mouse homepage, the large picture under the heading "Make one great gesture after another" gives you a general idea of the way to hold it.
My least favorite aspect is the lack of a way to trigger Exposé functions; three-finger swipe up and down would be a welcome addition.
A quick word of warning though, if you use bluetooth with VMWare Fusion or Parallels Desktop, BE SURE to have a backup USB mouse since this can easily screw up the bluetooth link even if you use a second USB bluetooth dongle, but that's not related specifically to the mouse itself, just something I noticed with bluetooth mice in general.