Mighty Mouse Review

September 03, 2005

I must admit it: Even though I mentioned that I would only buy a Mighty Mouse if Apple released a bluetooth version, I couldn’t resist any longer — so I finally bought the USB version. Here are my first impressions.

No Bluetooth

When Apple released the new Mighty Mouse back in August I had quite ambivalent feelings. On the one hand I was really excited, on the other hand I was wondering why Apple didn’t release a bluetooth version.

I currently use Apple’s bluetooth keyboard as well as the bluetooth mouse — and since I’m extremely satisfied, I could not imagine switiching back to a cable mouse. Well you might call me peculiar or whatever, but I don’t want all those cables on my desk. But since I still used a normal Apple USB keyboard and mouse in my office, I decided to buy the USB edition for my office.

First impression

I’ve read several mixed reviews, claiming that Apple’s new mouse is not a great success, claiming that it’s not possible to right click without lifting the left finger. Well that’s true — but funnily enough this is exactly the way I used all of my mice within the last 15 years. So I didn’t have to get accustomed to it.

Mighty Mouse

The track ball feels very nipple like ;) Vertical scrolling is a pleasure, horizontal scrolling… well I think I will get used to it. Marginal note: it is not possible to scroll horizontally in Firefox — instead you can navigate the history.

Résumé

The only drawback are the force-sensing buttons on either side of Mighty Mouse, because you have to press really strong in order to make the mouse respond. But all in all I am satisfied and I will probably also buy the bluetooth edition, as soon as it is available.

15 comments

I realy like the look of the mouse. I hope they release a Bluetooth version ;)

Philipe

The track ball feels very nipple like ;)
Eheheh :)

Mathias

I got mine last month and love it. The scrollball really makes it worth it.

Kyle Mathews

I said the same thing myself Wolfgang. I don’t plan on buying it until such times as they bring out a bluetooth version… whenever that may be. I use the Bluetooth Apple mouse and love it, and my only concern about using the Mighty Mouse (not the wire) is the weight. Because the Bluetooth has two AA batteries in it, how does the Mighty Mouse feel when using it? Is it much lighter?

Sam

Well I’m glad to tell you that the Mighty Mouse is of course way lighter than Apple’s current bluetooth mouse. And I might be wrong, but I think that it is even lighter than the old USB edition, very precise and as mentioned above a pleasure to use. By the way the surface is similar, or rather the same as the one of the bluetooth mouse. I just mention it, because on most pictures it looks less glossy.

Wolfgang

Curiosity begs: how much electricity is it using to power it because that could be why their is no bluetooth version. I love the Apple Wireless Mouse but its battery life sucks (unless you close the little bottom thing when you aren’t using it). This may be why we don’t have a bluetooth version because it’d have like a two-hour battery life. I would totally by a bluetooth version for a better battery life but that’d be about all.

ZicklePop

Speaking of the ball — I’d like to see some kind of sensor instead of a mechanical piece. There’s a notebook mouse from Logitech that has no wheel, just sensors for scrolling. I didn’t use it, but heard it works like a charm. Firefox hint: Link

Chris

I bought one a day or two after they were released, but I’ve already gone back to my old trusty Logitech mouse. Nothing clumsy about it — it just works, which is more than I can say for the Mighty Mouse.

Dale Cruse

How big is the mouse?

Tom

Das würde mich auch interessieren, wie liegt die Maus in der Hand.

Martin

Well the mouse is exactly of the same size as the old one and working with it is really comfortable: it is light, responsive and precise. Of course it’s definitely no gaming mouse, but perfect for you every day design or coding work.

Wolfgang

I didn’t like it … sorry! Not only did I find the two buttons distracting and the nipple hard to use .. it just felt … well, wrong. So I sold it on ebay and went back to the Pro Mouse. Mighty mouse — pah!

misterchris.

When you write entries about new hardware, I prefer your experiences about bigness and ergonoy (in the case of the mouse)

Tom

I got this mouse sent to me as a present. I love it. The main draw back for me is the side buttons only work if you have the latest OS. I’m still on 10.3. There’s no reason for that other than apple trying to force it’s customers to the latest version. I used the mouse the same way as you, lifting my right finger to right click… most of the time. It does screw me up once in a while, but barely. The horizontal scroll doesn’t work in Thunderbird either, which is really annoying.

Joe

I’m using the MM for about a month now and I still love it! I’m a pc user and it works like a charm. The sidebuttons: ok, they need a squeeze, but they work. They’re used every time I’ve got to go back in my browser or explorer! The “nipple” is a dream to use! When I’m using a classic mouse on someone else’s pc, I find their scroll wheel to big! To bad I can’t use the horizontal scroll in Windows… -----

Tim

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