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Magic Mouse draining Bluetooth keyboard batteries

by Dave Caolo Jan 2nd 2010 at 5:30PM

There's a group of users on Apple's Discussion Boards who claim that their Bluetooth keyboards have been devouring batteries since they started using a Magic Mouse. Despite switching to rechargeable batteries and running all pertinent updates, the problem persists. Most of the thread's participants claim to need new keyboard batteries weekly.

Some have guessed that the Magic Mouse is preventing the keyboard from going into sleep mode. One user swapped his Magic Mouse with a Logitech model and saw the problem disappear, while another claims to have heard from Apple Tech Support that this is a known Bluetooth driver issue and that a fix is in the works.

This thread appeared on November 12, 2009, just a few days after Apple released Wireless Keyboard Update 2.0 on the 9th. The update was meant to "...use the function key one-touch controls of your Mac with your aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard," and doesn't seem related to the battery issue.

The Magic Mouse was released on October 20, 2009, and is the first consumer mouse to have multi-touch capabilities. Together, the mouse and keyboard make a pleasant, clutter-free desktop, but aesthetics are worthless if you're constantly buying batteries. Have you experienced this issue? Let's hope it gets fixed soon.

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There's a group of users on Apple's Discussion Boards who claim that their Bluetooth keyboards have been devouring batteries since they...
 

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Shalom Jeff

Solved the battery problem!

http://sparc5.blogspot.com/2010/03/lithium-magic-mouse.html

March 10 2010 at 4:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Derekwoo

Well, in 10 minutes the MM battery has dropped from 20% to 14%...and the computer was asleep!
By the way, it's a 21.5" iMac [build week 42] with the two battery keyboard and mouse.

February 08 2010 at 8:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Derekwoo

I've just watched my MM batteries die over the past 30 minutes...from 34% to 20% and the low battery warning appearing, and I was only browsing. They are Eneloop rechargeables which survived 4 weeks light use. The keyboard has stayed at 36% for the last week, but tends to drop several points quite abruptly rather than gradually. If Apple cannot fix the software/firmware issues, the old wired mouse and keyboard will be dug out of the loft.

February 08 2010 at 8:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ewan

I have the same battery issue with the keyboard but it also affect the iMac sleepmode.
I use Ctr-Shift-Eject to put screen to sleep mode. Within a few minutes the machine wakes by itself. If I switch the mouse off then the machine does not wake.

January 14 2010 at 1:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ojfl

I have the same problem. It adds up the battery consumption. I used a Kensington mouse before but the trackball gave up on me. With that mouse the keyboard lasted a long time. No longer the case. Hopefully they fix it soon.

January 06 2010 at 12:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rasmus-tuaw

I received my iMac in late November and still haven't replaced the keyboard or mouse batteries that came with the computer.

January 05 2010 at 5:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to rasmus-tuaw's comment
rasmus-tuaw

Oh, and for the record: currently OS X reports the keyboard battery level as being at 79%, while mouse battery level is at 43%.

January 05 2010 at 6:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ernie

I upgraded to leopard at the same time but since then/getting the new magic mouse my keyboard's batteries have been dying every two weeks or so.

January 05 2010 at 5:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jandep.public

The full text of Mr. Jobs's email in response to one pointing out the problem:

We know. A software fix is coming soon. Sorry for the problem.

Steve

January 04 2010 at 4:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
caleb.Lyons

Yup, I just got a Magic Mouse and I've had to recharge the 3 AA's in my Apple BT keyboard twice since I got it last week.

I think you guys are spot on about the keyboard drain tying to the new mouse, especially since it's just waiting for you to hit command and flick the mouse for the zoom feature.

I expect a fix from Apple. This is the kind of stuff they usually get on top of. In the meantime, if you aren't already, use rechargables!

January 04 2010 at 3:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sean

I've definitely noticed this problem. I'm on my 3rd set of batteries in the last 2 months since buying the Magic Mouse. I hope Apple gets this fix out soon.

January 04 2010 at 1:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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