[MOUSE] Apple Wireless Mighty Mouse

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DuckRacer

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What is it? It’s Apple’s wireless version of their Mighty Mouse.

What did it cost you? A good $69, excluding tax.

How long have you owned it? Since early August 2006.

PROS
  • BLUETOOTH – This really doesn’t matter much on PCs, but for the Macs out there, this is a biggie. All current Macs (except the Mac Pro I believe) come with Bluetooth built-in. That means you just connect the mouse directly to your Mac. You can’t beat that. 👍
  • COSMETICS – You can tell it’s an Apple product miles away. It’s stark white, sleek, and minimalist. So minimalist you can’t tell that there’s a right click. Apart from the white shell, the only other things you can see are the side buttons and the super-small scroll wheel.
  • SCROLL BALL – It’s 4-way! You can scroll horizontally as easily as you can vertically.
  • LASER TRACKING – Where my mouse is, there’s a shiny, smooth spot. Optical mice can’t track on that spot for a million bucks. However, laser mice can. Since my Mighty Mouse utilizes laser tracking, that’s definitely a good, necessary thing.
  • SIDE BUTTONS – On Mac OSX, there’s a very useful function called Exposé. Squeezing the side buttons to launch it is very intuitive. I can’t explain it right, but once you’ve tried it you’ll know what I’m talking about.
CONS
  • BATTERY LIFE – Since this is of course a wireless mouse, you have to use batteries. Some mice (such as Logitech’s) use rechargeable Li-Ion packs. Others, such as this unfortunately, need Plain Jane AAs. This wouldn’t be a big deal if it wasn’t bad, but since two AAs only last the mouse a month, you have to change them more than you should.
  • ERGONOMICS – It’s one of the most uncomfortable mice I’ve used ever. POS Microsoft rollerballs are more comfortable. It’s pretty embarrassing for a $70 mouse, and this is caused because Apple decided to sacrifice function for form.
  • SCROLL BALL – While the 4-way scrolling is cool, I spend more time cleaning the scroll ball than using that unique function. For some odd reason, dirt and other particles get lodged under the scrollball, and that virtually renders the thing useless. Of course, you can clean it… but that requires turning the mouse upside-down and using a wet washcloth to scrub the living hell out of the ball. That kind of crap should not happen with even a $5 optical yard sale special, let alone something that costs more than a video game.
  • RIGHT-CLICK – The Mighty Mouse uses sensors to sense if you’re clicking normally or right-clicking instead of actual mechanical motion. And that makes the right-click work only 70% of the time. It’s pretty pathetic. And the reason Apple is using sensors is because of what I said earlier: form over function. It’s very unlike them, yet it seems like they’re still struggling with the 2-button-mouse concept.
Overall Rating: 6/10, Decent.

Conclusion: It’s a decent mouse, and if you are willing to sacrifice function for something that looks sexy, then you’d be fine purchasing this mouse. However, if you just want the basic things to work properly, there are many other mice out there that’ll be perfectly fine for you for much cheaper prices. Not to mention you can get the almighty MX Revolution for the same price on eBay. So really, it’s personal preference. If you have an Apple store near you, you can hop on over to it to try the mouse if you’re considering to buy it.


Official Website
 
Doesn't the scroll ball work in all directions? It does on the wired one. Also, I don't know how yours gets so dirty. Ours are fine.
 
For the batteries, spend $15 and buy a cheap charger that comes with a set of rechargeable AA batteries – you’ll save lots of money.

I’m really surprised you dislike the ergonomics – though my mouse isn’t exactly the same as yours (this is it), it has the same form factor, and it is the only mouse I’ve ever been completely comfortable with, and I often credit it for “curing” the mild RSI I had a couple years ago. Most mice are too big for my hands, and the fact that the entire Apple mouse is a single button means that instead of straining one finger constantly, I can use the spread-out force of my entire hand.
 
Omnis
Doesn't the scroll ball work in all directions? It does on the wired one.
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Yes.

Also, I don't know how yours gets so dirty. Ours are fine.
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Do you use the MM or some other mouse? I think it's a design flaw, my wireless Microsoft mouse doesn't have any problems.
Sage
I’m really surprised you dislike the ergonomics – though my mouse isn’t exactly the same as yours (this is it), it has the same form factor, and it is the only mouse I’ve ever been completely comfortable with, and I often credit it for “curing” the mild RSI I had a couple years ago. Most mice are too big for my hands, and the fact that the entire Apple mouse is a single button means that instead of straining one finger constantly, I can use the spread-out force of my entire hand.
Click to expand...

You use that thing? :scared: I couldn't use something without a scrollwheel and a right-click.

I think the reason why it's not very comfy for me is that I seemingly strain my fingers when you click. It's just not natural. Right now, I'm using MS's desktop mouse, and clicking is easy and natural. It's a subtle difference, but when you click a bajillion times a day, it comes into effect.
 
Duck Tracy
You use that thing? :scared: I couldn't use something without a scrollwheel and a right-click.
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Scrollwheels exacerbate my RSI problem – they’re the worst offenders.

You see though, having a single button mouse isn’t an issue for me at all. I always always have my left hand laying on the left side of the keyboard, so when I need to right-click, I just hold down the Control key, and when I need to scroll, I tab the spacebar with my thumb (with or without the Shift key to control direction). This way the work is distributed between my two hands, plus “right-clicking” is more accurate (:P), plus scrolling is much faster with the spacebar and it’s much easier to change direction.

Trust me, I’ve got everything worked out. ;)

Duck Tracy
I think the reason why it's not very comfy for me is that I seemingly strain my fingers when you click. It's just not natural. Right now, I'm using MS's desktop mouse, and clicking is easy and natural. It's a subtle difference, but when you click a bajillion times a day, it comes into effect.
Click to expand...
Like I said, use your entire hand – when I click, my index and middle fingers only do about half the work. The other half comes from the part of my palm under my ring finger.
 
Duck Tracy
Yes.


Do you use the MM or some other mouse? I think it's a design flaw, my wireless Microsoft mouse doesn't have any problems.


You use that thing? :scared: I couldn't use something without a scrollwheel and a right-click.

I think the reason why it's not very comfy for me is that I seemingly strain my fingers when you click. It's just not natural. Right now, I'm using MS's desktop mouse, and clicking is easy and natural. It's a subtle difference, but when you click a bajillion times a day, it comes into effect.
Click to expand...

My dad's house has nothing but MMs.
 
[Speaking of the wired-version]

The MM is very comfortable. Much more comfortable than any other mouse I have. I find that I have to clean the scroll ball often, but I simply take clear-tape and roll it around the ball. It picks up most of the dirt and the mouse is usable once again.

While the frequent maintenance is a big drawback, the mouse is great when using OS X. It's had no issues about properly distinguishing a right-click from a left-click, and the extra buttons are perfect for Exposé and launching Dashboard.

It's a good mouse, and the fact that it came with my Mac is a plus, but I don't know if I could justify the price of buying it separately.
 
I dont get why apply didnt stick with earlier designs of mice... I think this early optical one looks way more attractive, they could have easily addded all the features that the mighty mouse has onto this design.....

qotd631-led-mice-1.jpg


Oh and another thing, does the MM work with PC aswell? Not that ill be changing my corded intellimouse (the original) anytime soon, its rocks!
 
Robin ///////
Oh and another thing, does the MM work with PC aswell? Not that ill be changing my corded intellimouse (the original) anytime soon, its rocks!
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I know my wired one does, but the Apple website doesn't include PC's in the system requirements for the wireless.

Oh, and one thing I forgot about the Mighty Mouse; the 'clicking' and 'scrolling' sounds are not natural - they're actually produced by a small speaker inside the MM. Unplug the mouse or turn the computer off, and you get no sound.
 
dougiemeats
Oh, and one thing I forgot about the Mighty Mouse; the 'clicking' and 'scrolling' sounds are not natural - they're actually produced by a small speaker inside the MM. Unplug the mouse or turn the computer off, and you get no sound.
Click to expand...


For some reason I find this hilarious :lol:.
 
dougiemeats
[Speaking of the wired-version]

It's a good mouse, and the fact that it came with my Mac is a plus, but I don't know if I could justify the price of buying it separately.
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That's why I gave it the "low" score. It's a good mouse, but for $70 you could get something much, much better.
Robin ///////
I dont get why apply didnt stick with earlier designs of mice... I think this early optical one looks way more attractive, they could have easily addded all the features that the mighty mouse has onto this design.....

qotd631-led-mice-1.jpg
Click to expand...
Well, while the earlier mouse looks excellent, I'm not sure how they'd conceal the scrollball mechanics since it has a clear case...
Oh and another thing, does the MM work with PC aswell? Not that ill be changing my corded intellimouse (the original) anytime soon, its rocks!
Click to expand...
The wired one does, yes.
dougiemeats
Oh, and one thing I forgot about the Mighty Mouse; the 'clicking' and 'scrolling' sounds are not natural - they're actually produced by a small speaker inside the MM. Unplug the mouse or turn the computer off, and you get no sound.
Click to expand...

Woah, you're actually right. Normally clicking and right-clicking sound the same, but I noticed that the side buttons and the scroll wheel make artificial sounds.

Pretty amazing. 👍
 
Sierra
Will it work with Vista? If so I'm very temped to buy one :D Nice review :)
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I'm sure the wired one will, but as Duck mentioned earlier, you can buy something better for the price that Apple is selling it for. Also, I don't think Vista will support the 360° scrolling, but I could be wrong on that.

One thing to note about the wired Mighty Mouse: If you don't have a USB port on your keyboard, forget about the MM. The wire connecting the mouse to the port is very short in comparison to others.

(I'm sure the length would be perfect for your new Vista notebook, though).
 
I really like these. Infact I was tempted to buy a wired one. The one thing that held me back was the price, really - the last 2 keyboard and mouse sets I bought were both under £30, and they served me very well. It may be black plastic, but the way I treat them I really couldn't care less.

I think the ergonomics thing might be personal. Admittedly, one of these would be more comfortable, but using the macs at my school which have a wired version of Sage's mouse (yeah, nice and cheap to go with the end of the line eMacs...) is no problem for me. The one thing that annoys me is the lack of scroll wheel, obviously, but it's not uncomfortable to hold. Day to day basis, though? I'd have an intellimouse anyday. Oh, and do your fingers really strain with it? I just click with my whole hand and it's alright.

Nice review, btw ;)👍
 
I already have one of the best mice, Logitech G5 :D I just want one to see what it's like & as a backup mouse.
 
Duck Tracy
Well, while the earlier mouse looks excellent, I'm not sure how they'd conceal the scrollball mechanics since it has a clear case...
Click to expand...

I was thinking along the lines of Harmon Kardon jellyfish speaker style... with some exposed wiring and mechanics... like you see the ball in the clear case surrounded by the sensors and wires...

dougiemeats
Oh, and one thing I forgot about the Mighty Mouse; the 'clicking' and 'scrolling' sounds are not natural - they're actually produced by a small speaker inside the MM. Unplug the mouse or turn the computer off, and you get no sound.
Click to expand...

MachỎne;2565158
For some reason I find this hilarious :lol:.
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I find that absolutely hilarious aswell! :lol: its like tapping into some basic human feeling that a mouse must make a click noise! I would have thought silent opperation would have been a selling point! I wonder who in product development thought of that! its genious hahahahaha :lol:
 

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