Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Ben J.

macrumors 65816
Aug 29, 2019
1,044
606
Oslo
I'm guessing the OP knows about the trackpad but wants to have the option to use a mouse instead. I also use a mouse with my MBA because I'm more comfortable with it, and I'm more used to using the magic mouse.

Almost any mouse will do. From the cheapest, flimsiest models, to the expensive ones like Apple's. Most non-apple mice though, will have its own little usb dongle that you must plug in to the mac to make bluetooth work.

It depends on your needs and preferences. You need lots of buttons and wheels and accompanying software to customize it? What do you need?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ignatius345

Rhyalus

macrumors 6502
Mar 4, 2011
442
54
I Picked up a Logitech MX Master 3S and its pretty awesome so far! No need for a dongle as it has BT built in which is very nice!!

I love the logi mice… but my favorite is the MX Anywhere 3s… it is compact and silent.

Make sure to get a small case for it and it is a perfect travel device. BT or dongle and charges on usb c.

And don't forget to download "Mos" because Apple thinks it knows how you want to scroll (but it doesn't). (https://mos.caldis.me/)

R
 
Last edited:

ignatius345

macrumors 604
Aug 20, 2015
7,574
12,923
Most non-apple mice though, will have its own little usb dongle that you must plug in to the mac to make bluetooth work.
Bluetooth mice don't need a dongle of any kind because the Mac has bluetooth built in. Bluetooth has some downsides, though: latency, some delay in wake up time, and sometimes a suceptibility to interference.

A lot of Logitech's mice use a different wireless protocol that gets around the downsides to bluetooth, but require a little "unifying receiver" USB dongle. And, unfortunately, they still somehow only make those as USB-A, which makes them an awkward fit for MacBooks as you have to use them with another dongle and the whole thing juts horribly out from the port.

That said, I find the Logitech G305 an absolutely amazing mouse. It's made for gaming, so it's super light and responsive -- but it doesn't have any of the corny LED lighting or other aesthetics you usually get with gaming mice.
 

Torty

macrumors 65816
Oct 16, 2013
1,236
945
The Magic Mouse 1 stillt works with the M3 MBA which is very nice. Battery doesn't hold as much as it did with my MBP 2012 and Mojave.
 

ignatius345

macrumors 604
Aug 20, 2015
7,574
12,923
And don't forget to download "Mos" because Apple thinks it knows how you want to scroll (but it doesn't). (https://mos.caldis.me/)
Yes. Mos is an excellent little utility. I really hate how Apple reserves its "smooth scrolling" for its trackpads and that terrible Magic Mouse. Mos fixes that pretty darn well -- though it doesn't play well with some of the apps Apple has crappily ported over from iOS like Messages and News.
 

bradman83

macrumors 65816
Oct 29, 2020
1,274
3,224
Buffalo, NY
I have the Logitech MX Keys keyboard and Logitech M720 Triathalon mouse. Both work flawlessly via Bluetooth, require no dongles, and are extremely comfortable to work on. My favorite feature is the ability to toggle Bluetooth connections between three devices, so I can use them with both my MBP and my work laptop without having to move a physical dongle/connector around.
 

700-Grizz

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 9, 2010
493
90
ALASKA
I love the logi mice… but my favorite is the MX Anywhere 3s… it is compact and silent.

Make sure to get a small case for it and it is a perfect travel device. BT or dongle and charges on usb c.

And don't forget to download "Mos" because Apple thinks it knows how you want to scroll (but it doesn't). (https://mos.caldis.me/)

R
Thanks Ill D/L that and try it out----does it have adjustments for the MX Anywhere 3s?
 

HDFan

Contributor
Jun 30, 2007
7,257
3,314
Logitech MX Master 3S

Yes to Logitech. In my case an Mx Master 3.

as you have to use them with another dongle

Not sure what you mean about a "dongle". There are very simpler converters which just add some length to the connecter:

 

whitby

Contributor
Dec 13, 2007
379
392
Austin, TX
I use the Logitech MX Anywhere (2 in my case but there is a 3 now available). There are several versions. It is small and portable and works extremely well. The Apple Magic Mouse is an ergonomic nightmare (the crab like finger posture needed to hold the thing gives me cramp in about 5 minutes - form over function and typical of Apple peripherals).

I also use the the MX Master as my main mouse on my desktop. Much easier to use and again avoids the Magic Mouse.

I know people use the Apple Magic Mouse, I have no idea how or why (I think most people think is goes better with Apple machines), but go for the Logitech MX series, they are ergonomic and very easy to use and work flawlessly.

And no, for the cynical amongst you, I am not paid by Logitech and this is based on 30 odd years of mouse use.
 

ignatius345

macrumors 604
Aug 20, 2015
7,574
12,923
Not sure what you mean about a "dongle". There are very simpler converters which just add some length to the connecter:

That's exactly what I mean. Because Logitech's wireless adapters only come in USB-A, you're forced to use a dongle (converter) to make them work with the USB-C ports modern Macs come with.

 

whitby

Contributor
Dec 13, 2007
379
392
Austin, TX
That's exactly what I mean. Because Logitech's wireless adapters only come in USB-A, you're forced to use a dongle (converter) to make them work with the USB-C ports modern Macs come with.

Looking at the current Logitech site, I do not think they provide the USB dongle for the proprietary connection to the mouse. For some time, the so called Mac versions of their mice was the same mouse but no dongle as they depended on the built in BT. I am not a game player, but for normal use the standard BT connection seems to be fine. I think in order to get the low latency response you need in games you should probably stick with a wired mouse.
 

Rhyalus

macrumors 6502
Mar 4, 2011
442
54
Thanks Ill D/L that and try it out----does it have adjustments for the MX Anywhere 3s?

The software is a generic fix for how MacOS handles mouse scrolling. Give it a shot no matter which mouse you end up getting.

R
 

HobeSoundDarryl

macrumors G5
The Magic Mouse 1 stillt works with the M3 MBA which is very nice. Battery doesn't hold as much as it did with my MBP 2012 and Mojave.

I believe the "1" has regular AA batteries. Rechargeable AA work great. 2 always charged to pop in when the 2 in use conk and you are immediately back to work.

The "2" (I think) has the permanent battery that will eventually wear out. Modern Apple innovation... like $1XX buds with sealed-in batteries. Etc.

The "1" may last towards forever since the key part is easily replaceable. The "2" is doomed from the day one buys it.

I have both and don't "feel" any particular advantage of "2" vs. "1." If anything, I think the "1" is the better design due to that easy swap of batteries. A charged "2" lasts longer but the "1" is an easy battery swap... and no flipping the mouse upside to charge it.
 
Last edited:

joeblow7777

macrumors 604
Sep 7, 2010
7,185
9,028
Almost any mouse will do. From the cheapest, flimsiest models, to the expensive ones like Apple's. Most non-apple mice though, will have its own little usb dongle that you must plug in to the mac to make bluetooth work.
I think you're thinking of mice that just use radio waves, which is kind of old-school. Bluetooth accessors don't need a receiver (which is what the dongle is in this case) since the Macbook, like most devices, has built-in Bluetooth connectivity.
 

saber32au

macrumors 6502
Apr 5, 2019
281
207
Echo other comments here: any bluetooth enabled mouse should work fine.

I’ve used both Microsoft and Logitech M240 mice; both worked fine. Though for what it’s worth, the Logitech mouse has a more stable bluetooth connection…
 

1BadManVan

macrumors 68040
Dec 20, 2009
3,282
3,442
Bc Canada
I use the Logitech m720. Has wifi and bluetooth, 3 profiles to switch between multiple devices. I use it for my desktop and my Mac
 

DeepSix

macrumors 6502a
Feb 4, 2022
810
890
I just use the trackpad, it's so good that it saves from having to carry around a mouse. I would recommend MX Master 3S but that's very hard to fit in a slim laptop bag And not the most portable mouse.
 

Bazza1

macrumors 6502a
May 16, 2017
751
581
Toronto, Canada
I've used the basic Bluetooth M240 Logitech mouse on both my Air and my Mini. Works well, with outstanding battery life. Meanwhile, Logitech's Options+ software offers not only monitoring software (for battery life), settings and general guidance, but also affords the user the opportunity to add 'Smart Actions' templates / create yourself for added functionality shortcuts from the mouse itself.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.