Apple's New Mouse

[Crazed Rabbit]

Throughout school, I was forced to use Apple's mice since all schools used Apple computers after falling for an elaborate con known as the 'Lebanese Tango'.

In elementary school it wasn't too bad, since the mice were ergonomically similar to PC mice but with one button, like a car with two wheels.

But then they came out with these with their iMacs:


It was horrendous ergonomically, and it was then I knew Satan existed.

There were aftermarket kits to change the ergonomics. Plus the cord was too short. And, of course, it only had one button.

Anyway, I happened upon a review of Apple's latest mouse, which they, in typical humility, are calling the "magic mouse".

And from that review I wasn't impressed;

Within minutes of installing the hardware and updating my copy of Mac OS X 10.6, I was computing with the same ease that users of those latest notebook touch pads have. Clicking was a simple press of the mouse — once on the left side for a left-click, once on the right for a right-click. Scrolling is now supereasy and very fast: The software controls for the Magic Mouse let you control the scroll rate.

So Apple has finally joined the computers of the '90s.

I wonder if the fellow has ever seen a PC. Does he really think laptop touch pads are the height of computer interaction? Now, I haven't used Apple laptops, but I can't imagine them being that different to PC laptops. I mean, PC users have had scroll wheels for years, and two buttons for longer.

It seemed like typical fanboy hype over something taken as standard in the rest of the computing world.

So I took a gander over at the Apple page for the mouse. They've got a video (which features the amazing ability of the mouse to double click!). The mouse doesn't actually have buttons; it's a multi-touch sensor like the iPhone. This means you can scroll in any direction with one finger, a much hyped feature. And if you use two fingers at once, you can scroll through pages on the internet or in itunes. But I've got this feature with the mouse I have, with two buttons, which are quicker to click. Finally, you can zoom in on part of the screen by pressing a button on your keyboard and scrolling with your finger. But I've, again, already got that feature with my mouse, and it doesn't even require holding a key to zoom in on a photo.

So it seemed to me that it was much ado about nothing. Sure, the tech is a bit neat, but it does nothing other (PC) mice haven't already done for years, for cheaper. Plus, I can reprogram my mouse buttons, something Apple won't let users do in its' "comprehensive" mouse properties utility.

And then I noticed the picture on the site, showing the mouse from the side:


And the nightmares returned.

I haven't held the mouse, but this looks like a continuation of the sadistic ergonomics of yore (and some reviews already ponder the ergonomic dangers). The mouse I have now is sculpted to my hand; this you can't rest your hand on, or really grip it all. You have to hold it daintily and keep your hand off of it. They have sacrificed basic ergonomics and long-term ease of use for a sleek PR photo.

And then I saw that their marvelous, wonderful (insert more typical Apple adjectives here) mouse required you to lift your index finger up off of the mouse surface to right-click with your middle finger. Yes, the epitome of Apple mouse tech and it doesn't have the same ease of use as a mid '90s PC mouse. And requiring two fingers to scroll web pages is more involved than clicking a simple button.

So overall it just appears like another Apple product with overhyped features that aren't the equal in terms of ease of use or functionality to PC products that have existed for years.

I know there's a few Apple users around here, and it's clear that I'm biased, so perhaps they could provide more perspective on this.

CR

[pevergreen]

Logitech G9x. Looks weird, but now everything else feels wrong. I get incredible hand pain quite often, but nothing with this.

[Raz]

Looking (insert typical Apple adjectives here).

Seriously though, whoever designed that mouse should, hopefully, be jobless... with a little luck.
I think I'd stick with mouse-keys than use that sleek beast!

[CountArach]

I have a mate with one who swears by it.

[Lemur]

First thing you do when you get a new Mac is throw out the mouse and buy a Logitech. I thought that was understood.

That said, the new multi-touch trackpads on the laptops are sweet.

-edit-

And yes, CR, the hockey puck mouse was an all-time low for Apple, and it's not as if they're known for making great keyboards or mice.

[Tellos Athenaios]

I have a mate with one who swears by at it.

Now we understand one another...

Really, Apple mice and keyboards are utterly horrible. Ergonomics aside they are also really “nothing to gain from”. By which I mean: you get better value from a $10 wireless keyboard+mouse set that gets thrown in on every desktop of the likes of HP you can buy.

[Whacker]

I've always found apple's styling to be hideous, and their user devices ridiculously un-ergonomical. Which takes more effort? A slight downward momentary pressure with the finger, or lifting it up a cm or two, then bringing it back down to make solid contact so the damn thing registers? Try it.

[al Roumi]

Someone please tell me when Apple re-invent the wheel, perhaps using carbon nanotubes in a remarkable and fiendishly expensive way -which is "futuristic" though and goes really well with my roll-neck sweater. Thanks!

[/hate]

[KukriKhan]

Maybe we're missing the point? The thing only works AFTER you've had a $200 manicure like the hand-model shown. Joe Six-pack PC users, with the panache of a gear-grinding long-haul trucker, would maul such a delicate instrument.

I bet chicks dig it.