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Apple Wireless Keyboard + Mouse: Good idea?

M

milky23

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 23, 2005
161
0
Hi there. I'm planning on purchasing my first Apple computer (an iMac.)
Do you folks think getting a wireless keyboard and mouse from the apple store rather than the mighty mouse would be worth it? I'm not concerned about the extra money, but functionality wise. It'd be nice to have an absolutely clutter free workspace where i could just put my mouse and keyboard away if I so desired. However, are they responsive and accurate enough to do Photoshop work with? How long do the batteries generally last?

Thanks guys!
 
milky23 said:
Hi there. I'm planning on purchasing my first Apple computer (an iMac.)
Do you folks think getting a wireless keyboard and mouse from the apple store rather than the mighty mouse would be worth it? I'm not concerned about the extra money, but functionality wise. It'd be nice to have an absolutely clutter free workspace where i could just put my mouse and keyboard away if I so desired. However, are they responsive and accurate enough to do Photoshop work with? How long do the batteries generally last?

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

The wireless keyboard is awesome. Lasts roughly 6+ months of heavy use without battery replacement. The mouse on the other hand, is horrible. Battery barely lasts a month under heavy usage. I recommend getting the wired kit, and buying the BT keyboard separately.

Another problem is that the keyboard doesn't even work until your booted into OSX so you can't run any keyboard commands on startup and if you have problems pairing your keyboard, your pretty screwed if you don't have a wired keyboard to plugin really quick. So again, your going to need that wired keyboard for troubleshooting.

The mighty mouse is great. If they ever come out with a BT version with a better battery life, then it would be perfect. I have all 3 and I use my BT keyboard and mighty mouse combo.
 
milky23 said:
Hi there. I'm planning on purchasing my first Apple computer (an iMac.)
Do you folks think getting a wireless keyboard and mouse from the apple store rather than the mighty mouse would be worth it? I'm not concerned about the extra money, but functionality wise. It'd be nice to have an absolutely clutter free workspace where i could just put my mouse and keyboard away if I so desired. However, are they responsive and accurate enough to do Photoshop work with? How long do the batteries generally last?

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

I got both wireless, and I'm really glad I did :D. I think they're worth it. The bettaries on the keyboard last a long time but the mouse runs out pretty quick. You could turn the mouse on and off, but that's a bother for me and I just leave it on. I got a set of rechargeable batteries, that I keep on the side and replace as needed. So the battery thing isn't really an issue for me. I'm personally waiting for a wireless Mighty Mouse, if they ever come out w/ one. The responsiveness is just as good as a wired or any other mouse.

Oh and Congrats on your first Mac!!
 
Like the others have said, the mouse batteries will only last a few weeks, but if you spring for rechargeable batteries, it's not a huge deal. With the clean look of the iMac, having almost no cables in your workspace is well worth the money. The BT set and an iMac look like something out of a science fiction movie...in the good way.

Range is pretty good and latency is low enough for general usage. If you need extremely high precision for any sort of creative work, a wired mouse is good to have on hand for when the BT one frustrates you...because it invariably will at some point when working on fine detail and don't have access to your tablet (if you have one) :).
 
Personally I have no such problem with low battery life in the mouse. I use mine daily and it lasts regularly 2 months plus. The "trick" is to always ensure you use LITHIUM batteries rather than the standard - and far more common - ALKALINE batteries. Stick with lithium - which is the type it is supplied with - and you'll get excellent battery life.
Vanilla
 
just posting to backup the opinion of radiantmark. BT keyboard and mighty mouse combo!

to be honest, you will find the bluetooth functionlity of a keyboard far better than the bluetooth function of the mouse. sony ericsson phones (such as the K700i) can be used to remote control the mouse pointer and do some slicking from a fair distance away. bloody good for presentations.
 
I've been using a Logitech MX700 wireless mouse for over a year. This is an RF wireless, not bluetooth. I love this mouse. Includes rechargable batteries and a charging station.

I just got a new cell phone with bluetooth and decided to get a d-link USB bluetooth adapter to sync the phone via bluetooth.

Now I'm thinking about going all BT. I just got the wireless KB last night, so far it is nice but I didn't realize I was going to lose 2 USB ports. Plus I felt bad spending $60 on a keyboard.

I'm now looking for a Logitech MX900, which is the BT version of the MX700.

Am I nuts, or is no wires worth this much?
 
I have been using both for the past year, and they are really good. The only thing is that I wish the battery life on the mouse was a little higher.
 
sigamy said:
Am I nuts, or is no wires worth this much?
Click to expand...

You're nuts. :p Wireless is totally worth it. I've been using a BT mouse/keyboard for a year now, and recently had to go back to wired for a week or so... it's drove me crazy! :eek: Once you go bluetooth you'll love it, and won't go back.

Oh, and you don't really lose 2 usb ports; you only lose one because the keyboard has to be plugged in to one in order to get those 2. And the ones you lose on the keyboard are only usb 1.1...
 
I haven't tried wireless keyboard. I have a wireless BT Wacom tablet and love it but I don't if thats important to you.
 
ipacmm said:
I have been using both for the past year, and they are really good. The only thing is that I wish the battery life on the mouse was a little higher.
Click to expand...

Agreed. One thing you'll want is a back-up wired mouse because if your mouse doesn't automatically re-pair, I haven't found a way to force it to happen with the keyboard.
 
I've got the BT setup and it's a mixed bag. On one hand it looks really really clean, on the other hand, as people mentioned the mouse's battery doesn't last worth a darn. You are looking at about an extra 20-40 bucks to get rechargable batteries for the entire setup, so factor in that cost as well.

All in all, if I was getting an iMac G5 I would definately get that setup, that machine is meant to be 100% wireless. You MAY end up needing a wired keyboard for boot to cd zapping pram (does anyone do this anymore? on new machines?) or booting into target disk mode... however most of these options can be done through the "startup disk" pref pane in system preferences.
 
GreenDice said:
Can anyone comment on interference from cordless phones?
Click to expand...
Well I wouldn't keep a cordless phone right next to my computer, but I've used Bluetooth and RF wireless (even simultaneously) while talking on a cordless phone without any trouble. I would also avoid keeping a microwave next to any part of the computer (only applies in a dorm room or kitchen, I suppose).
 
i don't know what you people are talking about the batteries in my mouse have lasted since i got in April. The keyboard last about a month. I never shut my keyboard or mouse off either so if i did i prob would get even better results....
 
Does the wireless keyboard/mouse combo count as BTO? I don't want to delay the shipping of my iMac any. I'm thinking of just ordering the wireless keyboard on the side and sticking with the mighty mouse for a while.
 
Go wireless

Wireless is well worth the money- cable clutter is one hell of a pain in the butt. I just wish they would bring out a way to even get rid of or make more appealing the base station.:eek:
 
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