Member Avatar for kc0arf

Ladies and Gentlemen, stop the presses!

Well, in today's world, I should change that... Stop uploading the websites! This is BIG News. Ever since Apple came out with the Macintosh (1984), they have only shipped with one-button mice. Even mice prepared for the Apple IIe / IIc / IIgs had one mouse button. The reason was clear enough -- the OS was designed to be simple and effective to use. It would just take one button. With the development of USB, PC-based mice would work with Macintosh, and Apple built right-button functionality into OS 9 and OS X.

WOW.

Check the mouse out... http://www.apple.com/mightymouse

What do I like?

* The little scrolling ball. I want to run down to the Mac store and check this out. No big wheel to collect dust and dirt. Having a smaller surface area, it should remain cleaner. And it is 360 degrees, meaning it behaves like a trackball. Can go sideways. My Microsoft-Mouse-Wannabe with a scroll-wheel here cannot go left and right. Wow.

* Thumb buttons. One on each side. The website says it is programmable, but I wonder if they are separate, similar to Left and Right speakers on a stereo system. The web says the buttons are programmable with Tiger. That is nice and flexible.

* SRP of $49 is at a nice price point. Not cheap, but not going to kill me either. I wonder if Amazon will carry it at reduced pricing.

* It is USB. Means that other Operating Systems have a chance to use it. I wonder if YellowDog Linux will see the mouse and work with it properly. Also means that I can use the mouse on my desktop, and then take it with me. I wonder if a wireless model is in the works... And the Tech specs talk about Windows XP and 2000. I will not be annoyed... having a Gates OS driven by an Apple mouse would make me smile.

But the best thing that I can think of is that... the mouse is NOT ROUND! The last mouse Apple came out with was ROUND, and shaped like a hockey puck.

This thing is cool. I WANT ONE!

Christian

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Dani AI

Generated

Quick, practical add-on for anyone still deciding whether to buy one.

The shell does look “buttonless,” but it uses touch sensors under a single-piece top rather than separate mechanical left/right switches. That design gives up-and-down simplicity while adding programmable actions, yet it also means right-clicks can be unreliable if your index finger remains touching the left side — reviewers noticed a small learning curve to get consistent right-clicks. (apple.com)

Real-world maintenance note: the tiny 360° scroll ball is excellent when clean but is notorious for collecting lint and oils that gum up the internal rollers. Try these steps before returning the unit: power off/unplug, roll the ball vigorously on a clean sheet of paper, and clean the exposed ball with a lint-free cloth lightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol; compressed air helps dislodge debris. Full disassembly works but is fiddly and may void warranty — follow a teardown/cleaning guide if you go that far. (ifixit.com)

If the built-in options don’t do what you want, there are mature utilities to extend control. On the Mac, Apple’s prefs give basic assignments, while SteerMouse and USB Overdrive add per-app mappings, keystroke macros, scroll behavior tweaks and more. On Windows the wired mouse will operate as a standard HID device; to remap the extra buttons use Boot Camp drivers where available or a mapper such as X‑Mouse Button Control. These tools are the practical way to get the “PC mouse” features mentioned. (macworld.com)

Notes tied to the thread: — that sideways scrolling is what people like, but keep a cleaning routine. — it isn’t truly “no‑button,” it’s sensor‑based. and — looks are subjective; try one in-hand if ergonomics matter. — if you write a review, mention cleaning and driver behavior; they’re the two things buyers notice first.

Recommended Answers

All 5 Replies

Member Avatar for jwenting

WOW, a no-button mouse :) What'll they think of next?

Member Avatar for Toulinwoek

It looks like an overgrown sinus pill.

Member Avatar for Dani

LOL! :)

Member Avatar for Zachery

Dang, Might have to get me one of these for fun! dani get me one so I can write a review :p

Member Avatar for Danny

I still prefer the PC mouse -- a side button, two buttons on the top, and a clickable scroll wheel. :-)

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