Mouse... Bluetooth/Wireless?

[frshhh]

HEEEELP!

Ok, i finally got my 17" MBP a few weeks ago and now im looking for a bluetooth mouse for it.

The problem is im a bit confused when searching for one. The only mouse ive seen thats labeled in any way as bluetooth is the mightymouse (which i dont want) all others are just called "wireless".

Also when ive been into stores there are plenty of wireless mice, but after asking, no bluetooth ones

So can anyone tell me the difference between bluetooth and wireless?
Do the wireless mice all need the USB thingy?
Any suggestions of what i should be looking for?

 

[zub3qin]

I am in the same position as you.

I have a Blackbook coming.

I have an old Apple Cinema Display (22") and want to occasionally use my Macbook with a large display. Interestingly, the display is so old it only has USB 1.1 ports.

My plan is to get the Apple Wired USB Keyboard, and I am debating if I want a wired MightyMouse, Bluetooth MightyMouse, or another mouse.

Using it quickly in the Apple store, the mighty mouse seems fine- but there have been SO many complaints, I am worried. I really like the scroll ball, but not sure how useful it is in real life (i am not a photo editor)

Possible disadvantages of a wired mouse is that you have to attach it to the left side of the Macbook (bad if you are right handed).

I don't particularly care about the dongle issue for wireless non-BT. In fact, at least it will be compatible with my PC and other computers that aren't BT.

So any advice on good looking, Mac compatible wireless mice with side to side tiltwheel, and more than just the three buttons, so I can activate expose and dashboard?

 

[DoFoT9]

im also in the same position. i would like to know what is the best mouse/keyboard combination.. im probably looking at getting the apple brand tho, just so it all goes together

 

[66217]

The MM is a great one. Either if you want wired or bluetooth, it is just a matter of choice. I prefer the wired.

In the Apple Store you can find some other mouses.

 

[zub3qin]

HEEEELP!

Ok, i finally got my 17" MBP a few weeks ago and now im looking for a bluetooth mouse for it.

The problem is im a bit confused when searching for one. The only mouse ive seen thats labeled in any way as bluetooth is the mightymouse (which i dont want) all others are just called "wireless".

Also when ive been into stores there are plenty of wireless mice, but after asking, no bluetooth ones

So can anyone tell me the difference between bluetooth and wireless?
Do the wireless mice all need the USB thingy?
Any suggestions of what i should be looking for?

Something else to consider:
I have read that there are problems using Bluetooth devices in BootCamp, so if you plan on running Windows on your Mac, you may have issues with BT.
Another reason to consider reg wireless, or a cable.

 

[Bern]

THe BT Mighty Mouse is great. I know some people have issues with them, but I haven't experienced those. If the tiny ball gets stuck then clean it, if the right click starts to go funky then replace the batteries it's that simple for me.

As for BT in Bootcamp, again no issues for me. I successfully use my BT Mighty Mouse in Vista and my Moto phone pairs without a problem.

 

[aethelbert]

I agree. The Bluetooth mighty mouse is great. It's special abilities in Mac OS really help make it worth the extra money.

 

[WillJS]

I had the BT-MM and I really disliked it.. Now I use a Logitech Revolution VX wireless mouse (made for laptops). It had a small little dongle (no wires, just like a thumb drive [smaller in most cases]) that goes into a USB port. When you aren't using it the dongle actually fits inside the mouse so you don't lose it. I highly recommend this mouse. I've used it traveling and I've had no problems with it. I was also looking for another BT mouse, but settled for this one.

Logitech Revolution VX for Notebooks

Edit: akonradi Other mice also come with software to allow you to set buttons on the mouse just like the MM. I'll try to find the universal one. I just use the one that came with the Revolution.

 

[aethelbert]

Other mice also come with software to allow you to set buttons on the mouse just like the MM.

I know that, but the fact that it uses bluetooth is, to me, a big bonus as it doesn't require anything except the mac. Bluetooth mice are generally more expensive than normal wireless mice because they connect differently. The scroll wheel on the mighty mouse is much better than the traditional one with 360 degree scrolling, as well.

 

[zub3qin]

WillJS: Hey- I was looking at this VX mouse as well. There are all sort of extra buttons. Does OS X support them?

How do you personally use the 1) Zoom toggle on the side, 2) the two side buttons, 3) the button under the track wheel?

Thanks!

 

[MattJessop]

Bluetooth:

• MUCH BETTER power consumption
• Works without dongle
• Software translation built in OS X - works as effect as a wired mouse
• Software translation handled by processes in Windows - Would only affect performance if you were looking to play games.
• Mostly likely to not pick up interference from microwaves and phones.
• Will work with ALL p.cs if you buy a $10 bluetooth dongle

Wireless:

• Cheaper
• Much better range (would you need it?)
• Faster rates (again, would you need this? - it's not like about 3Mbps isn't enough for a mouse)
• Work with any p.c
• Hardware translation for Windows - Better performance

It's up to which one you think has the better advantages.

Personally, I'd go with Bluetooth, but thats just me.

 

[zub3qin]

Logitech v450- Reg $50, now $9.99/$19.99

HEEEELP!

Ok, i finally got my 17" MBP a few weeks ago and now im looking for a bluetooth mouse for it.

The problem is im a bit confused when searching for one. The only mouse ive seen thats labeled in any way as bluetooth is the mightymouse (which i dont want) all others are just called "wireless".

Also when ive been into stores there are plenty of wireless mice, but after asking, no bluetooth ones

So can anyone tell me the difference between bluetooth and wireless?
Do the wireless mice all need the USB thingy?
Any suggestions of what i should be looking for?

Here is a find- I may buy this one if someone tells me it works well with Mac.
And buy.com has it for $19.99 (reg $50)- if you do google checkout it is $10 cheaper.
Any reviews/advice?

Oh- I am not sure if I am allowed to post prices, so if I am not, sorry in advance.

 

[brewno]

I bought a Logitech MX900, bluetooth. It's great.

 

[hayduke]

Just to add some "balance" to those who favor the Mighty Mouse.

I think the Might Mouse is a TURD! Not the first time I've made that statement on this forum.

My advice would be to go to the Apple Store (if you can) and try it out. I like the RF wireless mice. I do find them more responsive than the BT MM and I also found the MM button configuration to be akward.

Regarding the MX/VX Revolution mice. That is what I use now, but only with my desktop machine. You will find many advocates of single-button-mice on this forum and that led me to try the experiment of only using the trackpad on my laptop. Once I did that for a week, I never turned back. In fact, I would prefer to use my Powerbook keyboard/trackpad with my Mac Pro, and I recently found a way to do that.

 

[aussie.damo]

HEEEELP!

Ok, i finally got my 17" MBP a few weeks ago and now im looking for a bluetooth mouse for it.

The problem is im a bit confused when searching for one. The only mouse ive seen thats labeled in any way as bluetooth is the mightymouse (which i dont want) all others are just called "wireless".

Also when ive been into stores there are plenty of wireless mice, but after asking, no bluetooth ones

So can anyone tell me the difference between bluetooth and wireless?
Do the wireless mice all need the USB thingy?
Any suggestions of what i should be looking for?

I have the Microsoft Wireless 8000 bluetooth mouse and it's awesome! It works flawlessly in both OS X and Vista (through Bootcamp). It's definitely the best mouse I have ever used, way better than the Mighty Mouse (in my opinion). It comes with a rechargeable battery and charger, gives about 3 weeks of battery life and best of all, comes in a cool aluminium finish which matches the MBP beautifully. It comes with a USB dongle, but you won't need it as the built-in bluetooth of the MBP works just fine.

I use this together with my wired Apple keyboard and Griffin Elevator notebook stand.

Damo

 

[magius]

the logitech v270 has some pretty good reviews. In the end I went with VX Revolution, and it is working like a beauty. The only problem is that you shouldn't install the logitech software, steermouse works much better. Even then the zoom buttons don't seem to work (though i haven't tried them in ps or anythng yet). I chose the VX because I've heard some bluetooth mice have lag, it is probably more reliable switching between bootcamp, it was cheaper, and had great reviews. I don't really need 2 usb ports all the time, so its fine with me, portable, and mucho comfortable.

 

[frshhh]

Thanks for all the replies

Certainly food for thought.

Anyway, the reason i asked about the wireless dongle thing is because i specifically dont want another usb thing (logic pro dongle + usb midi keyboard = only 1 spare usb input) and i dont want the hassle of using a hub.

And im not going to be using bootcamp, so bluetooth it is

oh, one last question.... did someone say that the mightymouse has a right button.... i.e. two buttons?

 

[shipdestroyer]

Yes, the MM has two buttons. The right click works by clicking on the right side of the scroll ball without a finger on the left.

You'll have to look into the details of a mouse as you're searching. The distinction between wireless-with-dongle and bluetooth isn't very clear most of the time.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

I"ve got a Microsoft intellimouse Explorer for Bluetooth sitting here my Dad wasn't using. Darn thing worked great the first day - and now it won't stayed paired.

I'm guessing it's a hardware issue though - that is why my Dad wasnt' using it, couldn't keep it paired and useable.

I'm planning on getting the MM BT version. I have a wired keyboard - in my current setup i wish it was wireless, but it will still work. I like the MM though - the kids have one on their eMac.