Switch Complete - But Keyboard and Mouse are rubbish

[Mantishead]

Okay so I made the switch to Apple about 3 months ago with a Mac Pro, 2.6, 2GB RAM, ATI card, etc, etc...

I have been itching for years given that I do a lot of design work, both print and web as well as a little video editing.

Anyway, the MAC Pro seemed like the perfect move.

By and large I am quite satisfied. Certain things I am blown away by and others not so much. I have to say, I feel the the reality does not live up to the hype on the Apple front. I know there are the die hards out there who will say otherwise but that's just because religion is the opium of the masses and for many Apple is a religion.

Don't get me wrong I am not getting rid of my Mac Pro, and I find a lot I prefer to Windoze... and aweful lot.

As a designer two of the most vital elements to any rig are the keyboard and mouse. I was led to believe that the Apple Wireless KB and Mighty Mouse which the absolute best. Well I find my wireless mouse constantly goes off on auto character repeat. I switch it off and on and it works again for a while but eventually it does the same thing.

And I find the mighty mouse horrendous for precision design work. Tracking is poor yad..yada... though horizontal and vertical scrolling is amazing.

The other thing is that for a machine that boasts so much power I find it miserable in Aperture. I feel sorry for people trying to run Aperture on a lesser being. It's a little better following the recent Aperture update but it's still not rapid enough for a Pro.

So, to anybody considering purchasing a Mac Pro - I don't want to put a downer on it for you but don't expect heavenly bliss like I did. I just don't think it exists yet!!

 

[yellow]

I have to say, I feel the the reality does not live up to the hype on the Apple front. I know there are the die hards out there who will say otherwise but that's just because religion is the opium of the masses and for many Apple is a religion.

So.. what category do you fall into having believed the hype?

I prefere the old keyboards.. If you don't like yours, get a new one. The same is said of your mouse. The mighty mouse is crappy at best. I still prefer the microsoft opticals.

 

[netdog]

I love the feel of my Apple wireless KBD. I never had a Windows kbd that felt so nice.

 

[gr8tfly]

No problem at all with wireless MM. Tracking fine - don't even use mousepad (on fabric couch cover - well, a linen towel). Couldn't track on this with the wired version, so the laser is a noticeable improvement.

 

[apfhex]

I know there are the die hards out there who will say otherwise but that's just because religion is the opium of the masses and for many Apple is a religion.

And I find the mighty mouse horrendous for precision design work. Tracking is poor yad..yada... though horizontal and vertical scrolling is amazing.

Pah, so just because a lot of users genuinely like a product they're suddenly religious fanatics?

Well, I dislike the Mighty Mouse too. I'm glad Apple is finally shipping multi-button mice with their computers, but I can't use it. In fact I haven't liked Apple's mice since the "puck" ones that shipped with the iMacs all those years ago. But you know what? Anyone who's serious about their mousing just goes out and buys a better mouse, or probably already has one. Can you show me any other computer that comes with a great mouse? I've never seen one.

Same goes for the keyboard... most PC keyboards are rubbish. I like the keys on the Apple Keyboard. I do wish there was a more ergonomic option from Apple, but it works fine for me (I could stand to get a wrist pad though...).

 

[eMagine]

Okay so I made the switch to Apple about 3 months ago with a Mac Pro, 2.6, 2GB RAM, ATI card, etc, etc...

I have been itching for years given that I do a lot of design work, both print and web as well as a little video editing.

Anyway, the MAC Pro seemed like the perfect move.

By and large I am quite satisfied. Certain things I am blown away by and others not so much. I have to say, I feel the the reality does not live up to the hype on the Apple front. I know there are the die hards out there who will say otherwise but that's just because religion is the opium of the masses and for many Apple is a religion.

Don't get me wrong I am not getting rid of my Mac Pro, and I find a lot I prefer to Windoze... and aweful lot.

As a designer two of the most vital elements to any rig are the keyboard and mouse. I was led to believe that the Apple Wireless KB and Mighty Mouse which the absolute best. Well I find my wireless mouse constantly goes off on auto character repeat. I switch it off and on and it works again for a while but eventually it does the same thing.

And I find the mighty mouse horrendous for precision design work. Tracking is poor yad..yada... though horizontal and vertical scrolling is amazing.

The other thing is that for a machine that boasts so much power I find it miserable in Aperture. I feel sorry for people trying to run Aperture on a lesser being. It's a little better following the recent Aperture update but it's still not rapid enough for a Pro.

So, to anybody considering purchasing a Mac Pro - I don't want to put a downer on it for you but don't expect heavenly bliss like I did. I just don't think it exists yet!!

I'm a photographer as well as a web designer.
I use Logitech Cordless Keyboard and Mouse and I love it! The precision is incredible.
I never even hooked up the shipped keyboard and mouse.
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2162,CONTENTID=11420


About Aperture.. I use it on a daily basis. Its got its faults. But in general it is great for raw conversion and photo management.
It is a Ram Hog. Get more memory, 2GB is not nearly enough, considering a big chunk of it is being used by system and other apps. I would suggest at least 4GB.

 

[Chone]

Aperture on the stock config Mac Pro will be just ok, but chuck 2 to 4GB (or more) of memory on it and the X1900XT and you'll be quite satisfied...

The Mac Pro takes a HUGE performance hit by using only a 2 FB-DIMM 1GB configuration.

I agree that the mouse blows, its pretty looking, goes with the mac and is 4 button but thats it, you'll be much better with a really comfy Logitech mouse, I really like the Keyboard though, I have the wireless and wired mighty mouse, there is not a tangible difference between the two, in fact the wireless one might be a little more responsive due to the laser tracking and its heavier so I like it better, nothing beats my MX 518 though, NOTHING.

 

[Crikey]

Perhaps the original poster's disappointment stems from a little religious hunger within more than from the reality? It used to bug me that Apple supplied such lame mice. Now, I think they should by all means economize on the mouse, because with any computer I'm probably going to find and buy an aftermarket mouse I like better.

I was at first really disappointed when Apple switched from the flat gray keyboard that came with my G4 tower to the sloping white wireless one that came with my G5 iMac. The flatter one, according to ergonomic orthodoxy as I understand it, should be more "correct". After having used both extensively, I find I prefer the new keyboard. This Apple keyboard is one of the best I've ever used, so I have to disagree that it's "rubbish". Different strokes -- but as with the mouse, a keyboard is something that might not be "one size fits all". Find one you like better, and don't sweat the minor cost. Keep your original Apple input devices in the box and they'll still be shiny when you want to sell the Mac Pro.

Enjoy your speedy new computer!


Crikey