Apple's Bluetooth Mighty Mouse reviewed

So we're sure there's a select few who have managed to resist the temptation to cut the cord and pick up Apple's newest Mighty Mouse, and unless you simply wouldn't feel whole without having it in your collection, you should probably stick with your current rodent. The Unofficial Apple Weblog tried their best to give an unbiased account on the long-overdue device, and while they appreciated the improved accuracy over typical Bluetooth mice (probably due to its laser), it was pretty much downhill from there. We can't say we're surprised that complaints stemmed from the (still) unergonomic design and the difficulty it presented in mousing to tiny targets. Although it performed well over a myriad of surfaces, TUAW thought it still couldn't provide the precision that USB critters can, and offers up no substantial features (aside from Bluetooth) to justify the hefty $70 price tag -- though they still liked it. Besides the fact that this is the same 'ole Mighty Mouse minus a tail, it would appear to these jaded eyes Apple just hasn't provided a compelling reason to ditch your current pet in favor of one with no strings attached.

[blacklily @ Jul 31st 2006 1:37PM]

I have know idea what people are complaining about with this design for a mouse. I think its the best mouse ever made. i hated the one button mouse. This mouse is so much better. I use it for gaming and work. I love it. Best Fn Mouse ever. the scroll ball on it is so delightful and so much better than the huge scroll wheels on the logitech and microsoft mice. People are insane to not like this mouse.

[kerry @ Jul 31st 2006 1:42PM]

It's not really the same mouse without a tail, it uses a laser instead of regular ol' optics for tracking.

[RWD fan @ Jul 31st 2006 1:43PM]

I don't think I'm going to be getting one of theses for my new MacBook. I have liked the few USB Mighty Mice I've tried, but not enough to justify the price.

I'm thinking about replacing the OEM Dell optical mouse I'm currently using on the Mac with a Logitech Laser mouse (USB). Are the Laser mice more sensitive than the standard LED optical mice? If not I guess I'll just stick with the ugly Dell mouse that works fine, just the scroll wheel is getting a little slick.

[Alex @ Jul 31st 2006 1:58PM]

I still don't really like that scroll ball thing on the mouse. I prefer my wireless bluetooth logitech mouse thank you very much. It may not be laser, but it has a scroll wheel, fwd/back web buttons, and a lovely charging base.

[hj @ Jul 31st 2006 2:18PM]

Why is there so much obsession over every damn apple product!? It's just a mouse!!! Nobody gets all excited whel logitech, microsoft and other mouse makers release a new mouse. Why is there so much damn apple hype!?

[Lloyd Hobden @ Jul 31st 2006 2:21PM]

Seriously have you ever tried an Apple mouse next to you're nearest and dearest ergonomic mouse?

I used to be into the whole 'designed to fit the curvature of your hand' thing but actually trying my (wired) might mouse next to my Logitech MX1000 it really is the mighty mouse that's nicer to use - honest (and no, my hands aren't wierd)!

I don't know if things have improved much (I presume so) but I hope the battery lasts a little longer than my old Logitech MX900's did!

[Brado @ Jul 31st 2006 2:24PM]

I might buy one, but only because both Microsoft and Logitech don't have white Bluetooth mice (Loogitech has one as part of a combo, but they're so adamant on wireless dongles).

[Paul @ Jul 31st 2006 2:30PM]

I have one of the new Mighty Mouse and I really like it. I can't tell the difference between that and my Dell Optical USB mouse (which I like a well). I do like not having a cord - especially with the Macbook.

The price is a bit steep tho... but overall it's a great product.

[Matt @ Jul 31st 2006 2:48PM]

amen hj! I'd like to go to engadget just one day and see nothing to do with Apple. just one day! then you can go back to over-hyping them and their inferior products.

[zeddy @ Jul 31st 2006 3:02PM]

Apple is a hot company and the only one (besides google) that people actually talk about (yes, it's only a mouse for petes sake!) so get used to it. It must be hot and humid all over the country to get your boxers in a bind over a mouse review posting. If someone doesn't like it, just don't read it. There are things I pass over here (like how to make a transistor radio out of bandaids), and i just don't get all frothy and make inane comments.

[hj @ Jul 31st 2006 3:06PM]

re: Mathew

My first comment was deleted too! There must be a real hardcore apple zealot working for engadget, maybe it's macinuser from the CL apple/mac forum.

[Damage @ Jul 31st 2006 3:18PM]

Read the review, it seems like it's a good mouse if you must have one Apple branded Bluetooth Mouse (or Bluetooth Mouse in general).

Otherwise, if the mouse is inaccurate, jittery, and sluggish, then it's very useless as a rodent gracing the desktop, no?

Finally, I believe Microsoft offers their Intellimouse with Bluetooth by itself, but it may have been discontinued by now. Check your local Office Depot.
But then again, some of us may like slow, unresponsive, jittery, and inaccurate mouse. You know, different strokes and all that.

[Craig @ Jul 31st 2006 3:27PM]

A response to an earlier comment about all the hype around 'a mouse'. It's an Apple mouse. All Apple products are surrounded by hype, and anyway the majority of them are amazing. Unfort I don't think the MM is one of the 'amazing' products. The wired Mighty Mouse I use at school is soooo damn uncomfortable after a few hours use. They should make it taller, so it supports the hand better.

[jonas @ Jul 31st 2006 3:38PM]

apple really goes to greath length trying to cripple their mice and touchpads. it's funny because it's true.

[Jacob @ Jul 31st 2006 3:44PM]

RE: Apple Hype

Beacause this blog is (strangly) in love with apples overpriced/underperforming products.

My .02

[D2 @ Jul 31st 2006 3:47PM]

Does anybody know if this will work with linux of xp? im thinking about picking one up for my thinkpad. ive got ultranav on the thinkpad (trackpoint and touchpad) so i figure i need to add an all white mighty for gaming...
when will it be released in black, cant wait...

[js @ Jul 31st 2006 4:01PM]

Apple fanboys to your battle stations!!!

[Jer @ Jul 31st 2006 4:06PM]

I picked one up for one reason only. Portability and compatability with my MacBook Pro. Also it's working under parallels no problems.

No brainer to set up, no wires, no issues, and it travels well. Oh, and I'm suprised noone has mentioned that it can actully RIGHT CLICK. I agree on the ergonomics of it, but since I prefer keyboard shortcuts to mouse clicks, my time spent with the mouse are minimal anyways. For instance I will not click this add your comments button, it's a simple tab space away ;)

[ty @ Jul 31st 2006 4:18PM]

hey jer, any USB wireless mouse will work with your crapbook pro.

[WWT @ Jul 31st 2006 4:19PM]

Lack of an "ergonomic" shape is actually a plus for me. I like the basic soapbar shaped mice, and despise the bulky ergo mice that never seem to fit my hands well.

[Padriac @ Jul 31st 2006 5:06PM]

1) Ergonomic ≠ shaped like a spaceship. (think of the lefties...). This mouse is designed to be equally usable to all hand shapes and handedness.
2) This is the first mass-market, *laser* bluetooth mouse. Apple is ahead of the curve on this.
3) This is not the greatest mouse in the world. But, this is Apple's *standard* mouse (in wired form, at least). What computer comes with a mouse this nice as standard? Of course if you are particular about your mouse you will go buy some $100 Logitech or Microsoft mouse. This is Apple's default mouse and it is light years beyond what comes standard with most consumer PCs (Dell, cough).
4) This mouse is not for FPS gaming. It doesn't even pretend to be.
5) The mouse is not really too expensive. Find me a bluetooth laser mouse that's cheaper. You can't because they don't exist.
6) So are Engadget Apple fanboys for posting this, or Anti-Apple for posting something that misrepresents the original article to make is sound negative? The fanboys on both sides are crying foul, which is hilarious. I love the internet.

[Deezee @ Jul 31st 2006 5:09PM]

Tried this at the Apple store and didn't like it AT ALL. Its a good example of function following form, when it should be form following function. Apple tried to make something with their usual minimalist design style above having something that actually fits your hand! Horrible design. I'll stick to logitech or microsoft before I over pay for one of these.

[ciprol @ Jul 31st 2006 5:26PM]

1) Agree that Engadget has misrepresented that TUAW review. Bad, bad, bad!
2) Did some people miss the point that this is meant to be an universal mouse, suitable for left, right, big, small hand operation? Most of those so called "ergonomic" mouse produced by the big two by which this one is being compared to are only suitable for big hands and to only a portion of the population. Apple's creation is good for those little K class hands too.

I've got one and it's as responsive as any of the wired and unwired mouse I've ever used. Good job Apple.

[Jer @ Jul 31st 2006 6:04PM]

Ty,

Yes I know, but this for the money is a decent bluetooth solution for laptops in general, which is what I was trying to say.

No dongles, no wires, small form factor, right click ability, and with the macs, it just works.

At home on my former PC and now iMac I use the logitech mice, as they are the best mouse out there IMHO.


As for the usability of the mouse itself, it tracks fine, clicks fine, I haven't expirenced any of the oddities mentioned in the article at all. It works as a mouse for my uses. Granted it's not going to satistfy all the hard core gamer type, but it IS a step in the right direction as far as apple mouses go.

Can't be the market leader in everything ;)

[coorpate @ Jul 31st 2006 10:39PM]

just picked one up yesterday and i gotta say its the nicest mouse ive ever used. it replaced a kensington bluetooth mouse and is very similar in size. i have not had any of the problems that have been expressed in these comments. i also found that this mouse connects faster (immediately) and stays connected better than any bluetooth mouse using mac or xp.

[Andy C. @ Jul 31st 2006 10:53PM]

I have read the linked article, and agree 100% that Engadget is misrepresenting the article bigtime. What's the point of linking to a review if you are going to completely ignore what it says in your summary?

As for the price, well, until someone else sells a BlueTooth Laser mouse, there isn't anything to compare it to, is there? Seems both the reviewer and Engadget missed that point, didn't they? All the laser RF mice available are anywhere from $10 cheaper to $30+ more expensive, and they aren't even BlueTooth! Other BlueTooth optical mice cost around the same as the Wireless Mighty Mouse, but aren't laser. Seems to me the Wireless Mighty Mouse is a pretty darn good value compared to the alternatives. If you can't justify the price, that's fine, but don't call it expensive or overpriced.

[cuby @ Aug 1st 2006 12:44PM]

that's twice now ...

"myriad surfaces". there's no "of".

[Deezee @ Aug 1st 2006 5:58PM]

"2) Did some people miss the point that this is meant to be an universal mouse, suitable for left, right, big, small hand operation? Most of those so called "ergonomic" mouse produced by the big two by which this one is being compared to are only suitable for big hands and to only a portion of the population. Apple's creation is good for those little K class hands too."

Are you kidding or just brain washed? Theres no such thing as a universal mouse size. People have different size hands. I have medium hands and this mouse feels like crap to me and makes my fingers cramp. If Apple really wanted to fit everybody they should have released the mouse in a million different sizes like shoes so everybody could have their own custom one.

Instead they release a half ass comprimise that doesnt fit any group perfectly.

Theres no way a mouse can fit a toddler, and an adult male at the same time, unless the mouse size was adjustable. Other than that, its just a comprimise. And in this case the comprimise doesnt fit either one well. Atleast not my hands. Which are average size.

[NF1 @ Aug 1st 2006 6:22PM]

I tried one of these at the store with excitement. I came away very disappointed. I hated how they integrated the second button: Lift Finger and then Click for a right-click. At first I thought I licked the ball but it quickly became annoyingly hard to use. It just wanted to scroll in all directions, especially difficult going horzontally was more like it wanted to scroll at an angle. Nah, Not for me, not for the price. I'll stick wtih $20 Logitech mice that work perfect. Function over fashion here. Otherwise love Apple products. I think they put way too much thought in this.

Who wants to think about doing a right-click when you can just right-click with a normal mouse.

[Deezee @ Aug 2nd 2006 2:13AM]

Couldnt agree more with NF1 ^^^^^^

[rastAsia @ Aug 4th 2006 9:08AM]

I got mine 2 days ago and I gota say I love it. I think many failed to point out that for mobility Mighty Mouse wins the grand prize. I read many who's been comparing it with MX1000 and I have to say its 2 totally different mouse. If you own a laptop that you need to tot around with you and whereby a mouse is essential for your work scope, how'd you advise to bring that MX1000 with you? So now you're back to wires and if you're on a Mac, its a no brainer that a wireless mac mouse would be nice.

I have MX1000 on my dual G5. Its meant to be. If I see the LEDs indicating that my Info Lithium battery is almost dead, I place it on the dock to recharge. But the Mighty Mouse travels with me. No power plug required, no usb sticks sticking out of my macbook pro. And if battery runs out I need just one AA battery to get back in service.

And I have to make clear that there is currently not many Bluetooth Laser mouse available in the market today. So its on how you use it, where you use it, and who's using it.

[Started with Apple @ Aug 17th 2006 11:30PM]

The problem with sites like this, which review items, is that you don’t learn anything. It’s like partisan politics – it all depends on what side you are on. Nothing will make you see the good points from the ‘other’ side. But I guess there will always be Mac haters and pc lovers.

I found this site through google. I wanted to read reviews about the new Mighty Mouse. I was hoping for objectivity, but I guess that was too much to ask for. I even read the posts from people who said it was a Mac site. Hmmm. I have the previous Apple Bluetooth mouse and I love the feel, looks really don’t matter – at least too me. It offers me the freedom I want without a dongle or home station. So, I think I will give the new Mighty Mouse a try. Plus, there is additional software I can buy give added fine tuning to the Mouse.