Does Mac mouse/keyboard work well with Catalina?

[lfaa]

I heard that only some brands of bluetooth keyboard/mouse doesn't work well with Catalina. (Have disconnecting problem). Does the ones that come with an iMac work well?

I recently upgraded to Mojave, but the problem of taking a long time to wake is unbearable. Some people suggested doing something with the terminal but it seems quite complicated. I would just switch to a different OS.

Even Apple mouse is problematic. I have indeed some lag issues and a disconnecting/reconnecting mouse with Catalina. With the latest version of Catalina (.3), the pb has not disappeared, I lost my mouse for a couple of seconds several times per day. My MBpro is just in front of me on my desk, and the mouse never more than 4" from the right edge of my mac. With my old and venerable mid-2010 macbook pro, I never lost the mouse, and the mac was 40" from my mouse (a first generation Magic Mouse, with 2 rechargeable AA batteries).

My external keyboard is an Apple, but not wireless. Old-style, USB cable+ USB-C adapter connected to the new MBpro.
Cheers
Lfaa

 

[K two]

I can't for the life of me understand the draw of a wireless KB

When using a 46" LED TV for a monitor at 8 feet away. Wired USB is unrealistic. Apple wireless keyboard and Trackpad or Mouse are essential.

 

[fisherking]

I can't for the life of me understand the draw of a wireless KB View attachment 896190

a. less wires b. more ports for external drives, etc c. ability to put the keyboard on a lap, or move back from the monitor. d. nicer aesthetic (see 'less wires')...

my apple mouse & keyboard run for a long time before they need a charge; they charge quickly... and always connect (my kanex keyboard needs to be charged more frequently, but hey... it's backlit).

 

[flowrider]

^^^^My wireless Logetich mouse takes up the same amount of ports as a wired mouse. The cable is used used for charging, and I charge it overnight whether it needs it or not, it doesn't. For extra ports, I use a Highpoint 4 port USB card and an Elekcity USB hub.

My wired Logitech G910 is also backlit.

Lou

 

[fisherking]

^^^^My wireless Logetich mouse takes up the same amount of ports as a wired mouse. The cable is used used for charging, and I charge it overnight whether it needs it or not, it doesn't. For extra ports, I use a Highpoint 4 port USB card and an Elekcity USB hub.

My wired Logitech G910 is also backlit.

Lou

that's fine, but certainly doesn't change what i said above. and i mentioned the backlighting on the kanex simply to explain (one of the reasons) why it needs to be charged more frequently, than, say, the apple mouse.

just that!

 

[a84c72]

Old thread, but interesting to come across this. I have been using an older Dell corded mouse on my Macbook Pro.... I opted for the corded because I normally have a cat that is on my lap when I am online and she blocks the signal from a wireless one (that has a plug into the USB port). I've been finding lately (and I just upgraded a few weeks ago to Catalina) I get random freezes for a few seconds on it. I thought the USB may be going bad, but the light is still on the mouse....wouldn't that indicate power? I then put the wireless mouse back. I had no issues, but didn't use it long because it hurts my hand. SO...I don't know if it is the Dell or the USB, really. I just deal.

 

[fisherking]

Old thread, but interesting to come across this. I have been using an older Dell corded mouse on my Macbook Pro.... I opted for the corded because I normally have a cat that is on my lap when I am online and she blocks the signal from a wireless one (that has a plug into the USB port). I've been finding lately (and I just upgraded a few weeks ago to Catalina) I get random freezes for a few seconds on it. I thought the USB may be going bad, but the light is still on the mouse....wouldn't that indicate power? I then put the wireless mouse back. I had no issues, but didn't use it long because it hurts my hand. SO...I don't know if it is the Dell or the USB, really. I just deal.

feb 25, 2020... thread is hardly old...

maybe the dell is not compatible with catalina? or needs a driver? look up that model, check the dell site.

 

[honestone33]

Use a Logitech mouse. They work flawlessly!

 

[MacGizmo]

Use a Logitech mouse. They work flawlessly!

LOL. Logitech is notorious for making absolutely awesome keyboards and mice... that works great for 3 weeks.

 

[flowrider]

^^^^Not my experience. Their tech support is for crap, but their stuff just plain works GREAT. Software is pretty good too. I have the "wired" G910 Keyboard and the "wireless" MX Master Mouse.

Lou

 

[honestone33]

^^^^Not my experience. Their tech support is for crap, but their stuff just plain works GREAT. Software is pretty good too. I have the "wired" G910 Keyboard and the "wireless" MX Master Mouse.

Lou

Never needed their technical support. But their mice have always worked well for me, and I've been using Logitech mice for a long, long time. Also, the Logitech speakers I use with my Mac Mini work well also.

 

[fisherking]

all of this a reminder that anecdotal evidence is not the same as 'absolute' fact; one person's working mouse could be someone else's 'worst mouse ever'.

 

[honestone33]

But I suspect for Logitech mice, that most folks have no issues. There can be, of course, issues that arise for a number of reasons. But so far, none for me.

 

[MacGizmo]

I like the ergonomics of a lot of Logitech's stuff. But...

1. They employ outdated versions of Bluetooth—which is likely why their BT products have such a difficult time staying connected—a widespread problem that you'll see reflected in any web forum you search in. To their defense, it's not just a Logitech problem—it seems like nearly all third party vendors have this issue with little exception.
2. Their software drivers are constantly changing when you don't need them to, and not being updated for new OS versions when you do need them to.
3. Some of the plastics they use, particularly on their cheaper mice, literally disintegrate over time. I've had it happen to multiple mice from them in the past—though never to my old MX Master.
4. Logitech seems to be married to USB-A connectors. If their device doesn't have a wire to connect directly to the computer, you can bet they have an easily lost USB-A dongle to do it. This is probably because they can't figure out Bluetooth (see #1 above).

Obviously I was exaggerating in my original reply with the "they last 3 weeks" comment. But it has been my experience that they don't last very long compared to Apple's own products.

I love the look and the use of Apple's KBs and Mice... I just wish they were more ergonomic.

 

[fisherking]

I like the ergonomics of a lot of Logitech's stuff. But...

1. They employ outdated versions of Bluetooth—which is likely why their BT products have such a difficult time staying connected—a widespread problem that you'll see reflected in any web forum you search in. To their defense, it's not just a Logitech problem—it seems like nearly all third party vendors have this issue with little exception.
2. Their software drivers are constantly changing when you don't need them to, and not being updated for new OS versions when you do need them to.
3. Some of the plastics they use, particularly on their cheaper mice, literally disintegrate over time. I've had it happen to multiple mice from them in the past—though never to my old MX Master.
4. Logitech seems to be married to USB-A connectors. If their device doesn't have a wire to connect directly to the computer, you can bet they have an easily lost USB-A dongle to do it. This is probably because they can't figure out Bluetooth (see #1 above).

Obviously I was exaggerating in my original reply with the "they last 3 weeks" comment. But it has been my experience that they don't last very long compared to Apple's own products.

I love the look and the use of Apple's KBs and Mice... I just wish they were more ergonomic.

i love the apple keyboard and mouse but... wish you could see the letters on the keyboard. i much prefer the kanex keyboard i am using; not perfect (thr control & function buttons are reversed, for example), but it's small, wireless... and backlit; great when i work at night (which is often).

amazed apple has not yet given us a backlit macbook-style bluetooth keyboard for the imac (etc).

 

[AZhappyjack]

i love the apple keyboard and mouse but... wish you could see the letters on the keyboard. i much prefer the kanex keyboard i am using; not perfect (thr control & function buttons are reversed, for example), but it's small, wireless... and backlit; great when i work at night (which is often).

amazed apple has not yet given us a backlit macbook-style bluetooth keyboard for the imac (etc).

Agree... love the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse, but would really appreciate a backlit keyboard.

 

[fisherking]

Agree... love the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse, but would really appreciate a backlit keyboard.

considering how long the apple keyboard runs between charges... i'd give that up in a heartbeat for a backlit keyboard (am tempted to tear the one out of my macbook for this purpose )

 

[flowrider]

I like the ergonomics of a lot of Logitech's stuff. But...

1. They employ outdated versions of Bluetooth—which is likely why their BT products have such a difficult time staying connected—a widespread problem that you'll see reflected in any web forum you search in. To their defense, it's not just a Logitech problem—it seems like nearly all third party vendors have this issue with little exception.

I am not using BT at all with my Mac. In years past I have not had good luck with BT with a computer. For my mouse I am using Logitech's Wireless Receiver, I find the connection much more reliable then BT.

I have not experienced any of your other issues.

Lou

 

[fisherking]

I am not using BT at all with my Mac. In years past I have not had good luck with BT with a computer. For my mouse I am using Logitech's Wireless Receiver, I find the connection much more reliable then BT.

I have not experienced any of your other issues.

Lou

that's fine, but most mac users (imac users, for example) use bluetooth. whatever you experienced in the past... it works well in the present. just a thought.

 

[honestone33]

I like the ergonomics of a lot of Logitech's stuff. But...

1. They employ outdated versions of Bluetooth—which is likely why their BT products have such a difficult time staying connected—a widespread problem that you'll see reflected in any web forum you search in. To their defense, it's not just a Logitech problem—it seems like nearly all third party vendors have this issue with little exception.
2. Their software drivers are constantly changing when you don't need them to, and not being updated for new OS versions when you do need them to.
3. Some of the plastics they use, particularly on their cheaper mice, literally disintegrate over time. I've had it happen to multiple mice from them in the past—though never to my old MX Master.
4. Logitech seems to be married to USB-A connectors. If their device doesn't have a wire to connect directly to the computer, you can bet they have an easily lost USB-A dongle to do it. This is probably because they can't figure out Bluetooth (see #1 above).

Obviously I was exaggerating in my original reply with the "they last 3 weeks" comment. But it has been my experience that they don't last very long compared to Apple's own products.

I love the look and the use of Apple's KBs and Mice... I just wish they were more ergonomic.

Cannot comment on #1, as both of my Logitech mice are wireless, with little Logitech USB Unifying Receivers. For #2, not sure if "constantly changing" is accurate, as I have not needed to get new versions of the software very much. In fact, sometimes I have been behind their software, but the mice still work fine.

As for #3, never been my experience.

 

[jeffme]

FWIW, I'm a long-time Logitech MX Anywhere 2S mouse user across multiple iMacs, Powerbooks, etc. I've always connected by Bluetooth, so I don't have to give up a USB port.

But, since the 10.15.4 upgrade, I've noticed a periodic disconnect across multiple mice, so something is up. Not sure if it's MacOS bluetooth or device drivers or what, but it's annoying & I've been forced to go back to the Unifying Receiver. Hoping this somehow recovers itself in a subsequent patch, etc...

 

[afd]

My original Magic Trackpad not working well with Catalina (2017 iMac), If I'm doing a lot of tying and clicking the trackpad seems to lag for a second or two. Pretty annoying, am thinking of digging out a usb keyboard and seeing if that helps things. Would rather not spend a fortune on a new trackpad.

 

[fisherking]

My original Magic Trackpad not working well with Catalina (2017 iMac), If I'm doing a lot of tying and clicking the trackpad seems to lag for a second or two. Pretty annoying, am thinking of digging out a usb keyboard and seeing if that helps things. Would rather not spend a fortune on a new trackpad.

try changing some settings in system preferences>trackpad (like the tracking speed), see if that changes anything...

 

[afd]

I’ll give that a go.

 

[K two]

I’ll give that a go.

In the Accessibility CP under Pointer Control/Trackpad Options are the settings to fix that issue.