Magic Mouse OR Apple Mouse & Wireless keyboard OR Apple Keyboard

[dethmaShine]

Hi guys,

I'm buying a new iMac 27inch 3.2GHz.

I was wondering what would be more suitable for me. I am an engineer and I work with unix most of the time. So iMac is used for loads of programming and continuous regressions. My iMac would be in the ON state for at least 5 hours a day.

I don't need the extra keys but they may be helpful.
I wont be away from the computer, so I am really not sure about the wireless options.
The major concern is the battery. I just want a very good battery which can go on for months before a complete recharge.

Any thoughts?

 

[dethmaShine]

Sorry,

If the mods can push this to the Buying Tips and Advice section!

Thanks

 

[alust2013]

If you're not too concerned with wires, I'd just go with the wired keyboard at least. Probably would stick with the magic mouse though. If you want really good battery life, you will probably have to go with the more expensive batteries, or at least that has been my experience.

 

[dethmaShine]

Which would be better? The magic mouse or the traditional apple mouse?

 

[alust2013]

Which would be better? The magic mouse or the traditional apple mouse?

I really am not a huge fan of either. I have the old bluetooth version of the current apple mouse, and I like it, but I really don't like wired mice, and the magic mouse just doesn't fit in my hand right

 

[iAAPL]

I got the wired keyboard. The wireless one is great, but I kind of wanted the number pad. The USB port on the keyboard should be really handy, too. (Try plugging a flash drive into the back of a 27" iMac without leaving your seat.)

As far as the mouse goes, I would just visit your local Apple Store/reseller/BestBuy and see which one is most comfortable. They might not have the "old" wired mouse on display, but if you ask they should have one laying around for you to look at. I fell in love with the MagicTrackpad on my most recent trip to an Apple store. (The nearest Apple store is 150 miles away, so yes, "trip".) I loved it so much that I tacked it on to my most recent iMac purchase. Than again, there was standing room only, and I don't know of a single physical mouse that is comfortable to use while standing up. If you do want a physical mouse, though, I would just get the Magic Mouse. These devices are so efficient, battery life shouldn't really be an issue. I bought my wireless keyboard in May for my MBP, and the batteries are still nearly full, and yes I use my computer at least 5 hours a day.

 

[MMM.PWR]

Magic Mouse is good enough. Fits fine in my hand, just rest your palm on the desk and move the mouse with your fingers. Works for me.

As far as which keyboard to get, I have both and I prefer the wired over the wireless. the numpad is so much more comfortable to use for typing numbers. And the wire really isn't a big deal. as mentioned already the usb ports will come in handy.

 

[brucem91]

The magic vs mighty mouse debate is two-sided for me, (and I've found apple mice most comfortable for me btw, as I only use apple mice and tablets).

PROS:

Magic Mouse
-wireless
-no scroll ball makes for easier scrolling
-momentum scrolling
-very tiny, great for travel(though you will be getting iMac)

Mighty Mouse
-can come in wired or wireless
-traditional scroll ball
-middle click
-all four buttons("left click","middle click", "right click", "squeeze" can be customized to be anything, though I set the traditional buttons for LMB, MMB, and RMB, and use squeeze for expose, but it can be anything. I also find that squeeze works better on the wireless version over the wired, but that may have just been my luck).

CONS:

Magic Mouse
-momentum scrolling tends to be very sensitive to scrolling in apps where scrolling activates something (very annoying in Final Cut, After Effects, and Nuke for me personally, but PERFECT when I need it in Safari, Pages, Finder, ect. Scrolling can be turned off via sys prefs, but is sometimes a minor annoyance to do so
-REQUIRES BATTERIES
-no native Middle Mouse Button, and 3rd party software don't really emulate it nicely IMO

Mighty Mouse
-the wired cable is short, though isn't a problem running from an iMac or the side USB port on the wired keyboard
-the mouse ball will every few months POSSIBLY clutter with a little dirt, possibly making it hard to scroll. The fix though is to unplug mouse, put upside down, and roll mouse ball on a sheet of paper for about 10 seconds. It wasn't THAT big an issue for me back in the day
-squeeze may be a bit more sensitive on the wired version, though that may have been my mouse in particular


Keyboards, keyboards, keyboards

Wired vs Wired Compact vs Wireless

wireless is nice due to lack of wires(duh), but requires two batteries. It also does not have a number pad, which isn't a problem for me. I also use it as a media control when my MBP is plugged into my tv, but again you seem to be using this for work, so it may not be a necessity

wired vs wired compact

the wired is great because it does not require batteries and has two usb ports on the side. You have a choice between compact, and regular which includes the numpad. Since I don't use the numpad like ever and like simple keyboards (basic keys I use), I prefer the compact. however, the extended is better if you need to use the keyboard on top of your lap or something, as it is easier to balance.

Well, those are my 2 cents, so good luck

 

[dethmaShine]

Thanks for the valuable opinions and suggestions.

The magic vs mighty mouse debate is two-sided for me, (and I've found apple mice most comfortable for me btw, as I only use apple mice and tablets).

PROS:

Magic Mouse
-wireless
-no scroll ball makes for easier scrolling
-momentum scrolling
-very tiny, great for travel(though you will be getting iMac)

Mighty Mouse
-can come in wired or wireless
-traditional scroll ball
-middle click
-all four buttons("left click","middle click", "right click", "squeeze" can be customized to be anything, though I set the traditional buttons for LMB, MMB, and RMB, and use squeeze for expose, but it can be anything. I also find that squeeze works better on the wireless version over the wired, but that may have just been my luck).

CONS:

Magic Mouse
-momentum scrolling tends to be very sensitive to scrolling in apps where scrolling activates something (very annoying in Final Cut, After Effects, and Nuke for me personally, but PERFECT when I need it in Safari, Pages, Finder, ect. Scrolling can be turned off via sys prefs, but is sometimes a minor annoyance to do so
-REQUIRES BATTERIES
-no native Middle Mouse Button, and 3rd party software don't really emulate it nicely IMO

Mighty Mouse
-the wired cable is short, though isn't a problem running from an iMac or the side USB port on the wired keyboard
-the mouse ball will every few months POSSIBLY clutter with a little dirt, possibly making it hard to scroll. The fix though is to unplug mouse, put upside down, and roll mouse ball on a sheet of paper for about 10 seconds. It wasn't THAT big an issue for me back in the day
-squeeze may be a bit more sensitive on the wired version, though that may have been my mouse in particular


Keyboards, keyboards, keyboards

Wired vs Wired Compact vs Wireless

wireless is nice due to lack of wires(duh), but requires two batteries. It also does not have a number pad, which isn't a problem for me. I also use it as a media control when my MBP is plugged into my tv, but again you seem to be using this for work, so it may not be a necessity

wired vs wired compact

the wired is great because it does not require batteries and has two usb ports on the side. You have a choice between compact, and regular which includes the numpad. Since I don't use the numpad like ever and like simple keyboards (basic keys I use), I prefer the compact. however, the extended is better if you need to use the keyboard on top of your lap or something, as it is easier to balance.

Well, those are my 2 cents, so good luck

Those were more than 2 cents.

So I think a wired keyboard sounds much more feasible in my case.
But again, I've to look for the mouse myself.

Anyway, what is the average battery life[With and without recharge] if I use them in:

1. The keyboard
2. the magic mouse?

Thanks!

 

[mlblacy]

?...Anyway, what is the average battery life[With and without recharge]

Both tend to chew through batteries. do yourself a favor and buy some Eneloops at Amazon, or the Apple branded ones. The Apple ones are the same, and the price is pretty close. Been using the Eneloops for about 2 years and they are awesome...
Michael