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

Why can't Apple design a decent mouse?

H

Highway61

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 30, 2008
124
18
Love my new 20" iMac, and hate the mouse. Why can't a company that can design so many things so wonderfully (right down to the beautiful way they package the keyboard, manuals, discs, etc.) design a decent mouse?

I know they're all about the touch pad, but it must take them all of five minutes to design the "Mighty" Mouse.
 
Alot of ppl like it, Im like you, I hated it. Never used one til I got my iMac a month ago. Used it about 20min, right back into the package and on Ebay. I went back to an old Macally wired mouse that I had. Then the next day went out and got a Microsoft USB wireless in a nice shade of silver to match. MS doesnt do much right, but makes a nice mouse. :p

I think it goes pretty well with the Al iMac and keyboard

66124_Microsoft_Wireless_Laser_Mouse_6000.jpg
 
I like the mighty mouse, but seeing as I don't have one for my mac I guess I can't judge it on everyday use. I would highly suggest the Logitech Keyboard/Mouse combo S 530 designed specifically for mac. Both wireless, run off the same usb connector, and has all of the standard mac keys.
 
I have a mighty mouse on my quicksilver G4 and i'm on the fence about it. It likes to jump to one side of the screen and i have to track back to my work and other times it plays nice. The most i don't like about the mouse is the design. The touch buttons can get annoying. If i left click and it's a little too close to the right, it will think it's a right click. Same goes for the right click. Honestly, i should have ordered this mouse. At least these guys took the time to define a mouse and still keep the apple design.
MacMice Danger Mouse In White, USB Optical Laser
MacMice The Mouse BT II
 
You might want to give it a chance; I even bought an expensive Logitech I hated it so much... but went back to it time and time again. Now the MMouse is all I use and enjoy it very much... so just give it a change... and don't forget to adjust your settings in Sys Prefs... Good Luck...
 
What I wanna know is why does a mouse need to have a roller ball on the top for scrolling? Wouldn't it be possible to put some sort of sensor in it's place that tracked your finger sliding over it to use the scroll function? Being as it wouldn't be a moving part, it should never get gunked up and quit functioning. If something like that was incorporated into the MM, I'd use it.
 
Love my new 20" iMac, and hate the mouse. Why can't a company that can design so many things so wonderfully (right down to the beautiful way they package the keyboard, manuals, discs, etc.) design a decent mouse?

I know they're all about the touch pad, but it must take them all of five minutes to design the "Mighty" Mouse.
Click to expand...

LOL. You've just said nothing but you 'hate it'. It's like saying 'I know if I'll like it once you've done it'.

What exactly don't you like about it and how would you change it?

This thread just seems a bit of a baseless rant so far to me.
 
AlexisV said:
LOL. You've just said nothing but you 'hate it'. It's like saying 'I know if I'll like it once you've done it'.

What exactly don't you like about it and how would you change it?

This thread just seems a bit of a baseless rant so far to me.
Click to expand...

Okay.
Then, let me say that the only thing that I like about the MM is that it is white.
A lot of study has gone into mouse development in regard to ergonomics, and MM ignores all of it. The mouse is uncomfortable; it doesn't form to the hand. I would think that anyone who spends a great deal of time with the MM is going to wind up with some type of carpal tunnel whatever.
The teeny-tiny, fragile scroll niblet doesn't inspire confidence; that's for sure. It does not allow one to speed scroll.

I could go on, but--truly--I believe the mouse is completely antithetical to everything that Apple represents. Apple is all about intuitiveness and innovation, about form AND function, about aesthetics and application.

This mouse is state of the art. If we travel back in time to 1993.


(This iMac, though, is beautiful.)
 
Well, i'll add my two cents here. I use the mighty mouse for all my computer needs, but then i switch up for any gaming that i do. My Logitech MX 1000 comes into play on that one. When it's battery dies, then i plug in my little Logitech V100 mouse and i go nuts. So i have a variety of mice that i use.

All i can say it's more of a personal preference on what people like and what people use.
 
Highway61 said:
A lot of study has gone into mouse development in regard to ergonomics, and MM ignores all of it. The mouse is uncomfortable; it doesn't form to the hand. I would think that anyone who spends a great deal of time with the MM is going to wind up with some type of carpal tunnel whatever.
The teeny-tiny, fragile scroll niblet doesn't inspire confidence; that's for sure. It does not allow one to speed scroll.

I could go on, but--truly--I believe the mouse is completely antithetical to everything that Apple represents. Apple is all about intuitiveness and innovation, about form AND function, about aesthetics and application.
Click to expand...

AMEN! This is exactly right.

Look, we are all mac fans here, so we can be honest. As 'pretty' as the Mighty Mouse is, and as much as we like Apple's (and Steve's) commitment to simle flowing lines and simple design, we must admit that the mouse (as the primary or secondary input device of our computers) deserves a bit of a heavier balance on 'function' instead of 'form'.

The hilarious thing is that Mac OSX is more capable of taking advantage of multi-button mice than even windows. With Expose, spaces, dashboard, a quality multi-button mouse can make all the difference in your comuting experience.

I find it absolutely amazing that in the day and age of iPods, the iPhone, the iLife lifestyle, the iMac, and the world's most advanced operating system, that we can't STILL EVEN get a decent multi-function mouse from Apple! We are not all beginners who find a single button more easy to figure out... even our 5 year old children can figure out how to use a 9-button logitech mouse, so why can't Apple Engineers?

Really, I guess its not as big of a deal as we make it out to be. I mean, we can keep spending money with Logitech and Microsoft if we have to... it just seems strange that Apple wouldn't rather sell us a mouse. Obviously we would buy it, as whipped as we are, even if it was CLOSE in functionality...



And if there are any Apple engineers reading this, please... start HERE:
logitech-revolution-mx.jpg
 
fivepoint said:
AMEN! This is exactly right.

Look, we are all mac fans here, so we can be honest. As 'pretty' as the Mighty Mouse is, and as much as we like Apple's (and Steve's) commitment to simle flowing lines and simple design, we must admit that the mouse (as the primary or secondary input device of our computers) deserves a bit of a heavier balance on 'function' instead of 'form'.

The hilarious thing is that Mac OSX is more capable of taking advantage of multi-button mice than even windows. With Expose, spaces, dashboard, a quality multi-button mouse can make all the difference in your comuting experience.

I find it absolutely amazing that in the day and age of iPods, the iPhone, the iLife lifestyle, the iMac, and the world's most advanced operating system, that we can't STILL EVEN get a decent multi-function mouse from Apple! We are not all beginners who find a single button more easy to figure out... even our 5 year old children can figure out how to use a 9-button logitech mouse, so why can't Apple Engineers?

Really, I guess its not as big of a deal as we make it out to be. I mean, we can keep spending money with Logitech and Microsoft if we have to... it just seems strange that Apple wouldn't rather sell us a mouse. Obviously we would buy it, as whipped as we are, even if it was CLOSE in functionality...



And if there are any Apple engineers reading this, please... start HERE:
logitech-revolution-mx.jpg
Click to expand...

BLAH...had the "Revolution" at my last job. Granted it was on a Windows machine, but I couldn't stand it. Poor response, cheap feel to me. Also, Logitech needs to do something about their drivers; talk about crap! Standard Windows Mouse drivers work better than the Logitech. Again, I do preface that it was on a Windows box, and not a Mac. I have an MM wireless on my 20"iMac, and love it...
 
tmelvin said:
BLAH...had the "Revolution" at my last job. Granted it was on a Windows machine, but I couldn't stand it. Poor response, cheap feel to me. Also, Logitech needs to do something about their drivers; talk about crap! Standard Windows Mouse drivers work better than the Logitech. Again, I do preface that it was on a Windows box, and not a Mac. I have an MM wireless on my 20"iMac, and love it...
Click to expand...

Although this thread is about why the Mighty Mouse is bad, and not the revolution... I feel an obligation to atleast respond. Don't know what to tell you about the drivers man, they work flawlessly on my iMac. Since you were on a PC, the problem could stem from just about anywhere. The Rev, in my opinion, has a much more quality feel to it than the MM, and I frankly don't see how someone could possibly prefer the MM over the Revolution. I mean, I know that different people like different things, but thats like liking a ford escort over a Cadillac. The Revolution has gotten rave review after rave review in the computer magazines and blogs, and even Macworld gave the MM 3 out of 5 mice if I remember right.

I think you are the odd man out.
 
I personally have never had a problem with my MM. It works perfectly and the scroll ball has yet to act up.
 
I've been very happy with my plain-jane Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical. It's a little on the big side, so it fits nicely in my hand and is very comfortable to use. The scroll wheel scrolls quite nicely and I've never accidentally pressed it while scrolling, which happens regularly on some logitech mice I use at work. I also like that there are no thumb/side buttons - I guess I'm not a power user. As an added bonus, the red light at the base of the mouse now acts as my iMac's power light!

The mighty mouse that came with my iMac wasn't all bad - I was able to sell it to someone :)

31N7ENCV2ZL._SS400_.jpg
 
fivepoint said:
Although this thread is about why the Mighty Mouse is bad, and not the revolution... I feel an obligation to atleast respond. Don't know what to tell you about the drivers man, they work flawlessly on my iMac. Since you were on a PC, the problem could stem from just about anywhere. The Rev, in my opinion, has a much more quality feel to it than the MM, and I frankly don't see how someone could possibly prefer the MM over the Revolution. I mean, I know that different people like different things, but thats like liking a ford escort over a Cadillac. The Revolution has gotten rave review after rave review in the computer magazines and blogs, and even Macworld gave the MM 3 out of 5 mice if I remember right.

I think you are the odd man out.
Click to expand...

I could be. Just personal preference. Again, as I mentioned, it was on a Windows box, so that could have been the problem. I didn't think the feel of it was that great. Plus the drivers thing...it was jerky.

Personal I guess...
 
I've had my iMac for 3 weeks now and have been trying to like the MM, mainly because it looks nice :) I licensed SteerMouse so I could get Back assigned to a mouse button, something you can't do in the very limited Mouse preferences panel. In the end I've found the MM to be too light, too small in my hand and that it doesn't slide nearly as well as Microsoft and Logitech mice I've used before. I thought about using my old Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer but decided I'd treat my iMac to a brand new Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 8000.
 
fivepoint said:
The hilarious thing is that Mac OSX is more capable of taking advantage of multi-button mice than even windows. With Expose, spaces, dashboard, a quality multi-button mouse can make all the difference in your comuting experience.

I find it absolutely amazing that in the day and age of iPods, the iPhone, the iLife lifestyle, the iMac, and the world's most advanced operating system, that we can't STILL EVEN get a decent multi-function mouse from Apple! We are not all beginners who find a single button more easy to figure out... even our 5 year old children can figure out how to use a 9-button logitech mouse, so why can't Apple Engineers?

Really, I guess its not as big of a deal as we make it out to be. I mean, we can keep spending money with Logitech and Microsoft if we have to... it just seems strange that Apple wouldn't rather sell us a mouse. Obviously we would buy it, as whipped as we are, even if it was CLOSE in functionality...
Click to expand...

I think you're right on all points. However, I think your last point bears repeating - it's not that big of a deal. I have an absolutely fantastic logitech mouse (MX518 - 8 buttons, 1600 dpi, great ergonomics). It cost me $40 or something, and sure it would have been nice for apple to include a good enough mouse that I didn't have to buy that, but really, it's not a big deal (although I have a laptop... so really, that doesn't even apply to me). Although I love extra buttons so much that unless apple's mouse had at least as many as my 518, I think I'd end up using a 3rd party mouse anyway.
 
The problem with design is that what appeals to some, displeases others. That goes for aesthetics as well as ergonomics. If that were not true, by now we'd have one mouse design, and everyone would use the same thing because it would be universally liked and fit everyone's needs.

When I first unpacked my iMac at work and connected it all up, I looked at the Mighty Mouse and decided to give it a go, though was highly skeptical that I'd like it after my ergonomic Logitech. I was right, I hated the thing. It felt wrong in the hand, the 'buttons' were in the wrong places compared to what I was used to, the scroll ball was the far side of dire, and it felt like I was dragging it across a soft rubber surface when I moved it. So I went back to the Logitech and all was well.

Then I got another iMac at home, and my slightly less ergonomic Logitech cordless mouse wouldn't pair up (bad battery as it turned out) so I had to use the Mighty Mouse at first. It felt just as bad, but given no choice I kept on using it. After about an hour I realised I quite liked the feel of it - though I replaced the original thin mouse pad with a thicker, more rigid one. Now I use a Mighty Mouse on both iMacs, and the feel of them seems much more comfortable. Unlike the ergonomic Logitech mouse, the MM allows my wrist to remain level when using it, and I get far less wrist pain (I have ben a long-time RSI sufferer) with it than the Logitech.

I would not have expected to like this mouse, and yet using it anyway has proven a great improvement.
 
They did design a good mouse, but all the newbies complained about only having one button.
 
bartelby said:
They did design a good mouse, but all the newbies complained about only having one button.
Click to expand...

too true. the one button mouse was pretty fantastic imo. the wireless one was great. shame mine broke.

oh well i have a VX Nano now.
 
AlexisV said:
LOL. You've just said nothing but you 'hate it'. It's like saying 'I know if I'll like it once you've done it'.

What exactly don't you like about it and how would you change it?

This thread just seems a bit of a baseless rant so far to me.
Click to expand...

What else is there to say? Weve all probably used a mouse for 10+yrs. Its not like they have changed that much. It tracks, has a scroll button/wheel on top, and a few buttons to click.

I dont think there is any reason to have to give a 500 word essay on what you dont like about. Either you do or you dont. I used it for a few minutes, didnt like it, didnt like the scroll ball, didnt like not having 2 distinctly different buttons, went to something else.
 
fivepoint said:
AMEN! This is exactly right.

Look, we are all mac fans here, so we can be honest. As 'pretty' as the Mighty Mouse is, and as much as we like Apple's (and Steve's) commitment to simle flowing lines and simple design, we must admit that the mouse (as the primary or secondary input device of our computers) deserves a bit of a heavier balance on 'function' instead of 'form'.

The hilarious thing is that Mac OSX is more capable of taking advantage of multi-button mice than even windows. With Expose, spaces, dashboard, a quality multi-button mouse can make all the difference in your comuting experience.

I find it absolutely amazing that in the day and age of iPods, the iPhone, the iLife lifestyle, the iMac, and the world's most advanced operating system, that we can't STILL EVEN get a decent multi-function mouse from Apple! We are not all beginners who find a single button more easy to figure out... even our 5 year old children can figure out how to use a 9-button logitech mouse, so why can't Apple Engineers?

Really, I guess its not as big of a deal as we make it out to be. I mean, we can keep spending money with Logitech and Microsoft if we have to... it just seems strange that Apple wouldn't rather sell us a mouse. Obviously we would buy it, as whipped as we are, even if it was CLOSE in functionality...



And if there are any Apple engineers reading this, please... start HERE:
logitech-revolution-mx.jpg
Click to expand...

See, I don't like mice like that one. When I use a mouse (I use the Mighty Mouse), I only grip it with my fingertips, and I grip it very lightly. I don't like to lay my whole hand on the mouse. So for me, the MM is perfect. The scroll ball is perfect and easy to use, and the mouse itself fits nicely in my fingertips.

I guess if you like laying your whole hand on the mouse, I could see why the MM would be annoying.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back