I have to admit that I have a thing for mice. 
I’m always on the go and usually have a mouse and a laptop in my bag just in case inspiration strikes up an impromptu design session. I have owned all sorts of mice that have faithfully served on both Mac and PC, but I’m ready to throw them all away for the Apple’s new Magic Mouse…
APPLE AND THE ERA OF THE HOCKEY PUCK MOUSE
Apple Hockey Puck Mouse
I became a Mac user in back in August 2003. Being new to the Mac I went with what I new – my crappy corded microsoft mouse leftover from my desktop PC. There was nothing else…. right? My previous experience with a ‘mac mouse’ was the infamous hockey puck. I remember attempting to use a lovely bluebery iMac with this strange circular thing attached to it and was immediately frustrated. What was all this one button crap? This expierence would prepare me for another 6 year protest of Apple mice.
THE GHOST OF MOUSES (MICE?) PAST
Logitech VX Nano
As a designer I find it impossible to design solely using the trackpad so I always have a mouse on hand. I’ve have owned several Logitech and Microsoft mice with various sized usb receivers and even a few bluetooth models here and there. I’m the sort of person that likes to be able to use keyboard shortcuts and program mouse buttons for as much functionality as much as possible. Each mouse had its merits and its 15 minutes of fame.
I was using my Logitech VX Nano for a while and have been mostly happy with this mouse. I had it set up just the way I like it: Tilt scroll wheel left/right for volume control, scroll wheel click for for spotlight search, extra up/down buttons for web navigation. Pretty sweet set up! One problem: my scroll wheel started making noises (which I find extremly annoying) and has been loosing sensitivity… or I’m just going crazy.
GIVING THE MIGHTY MOUSE A TRY
Apple Bluetoth Mighty Mouse
After my frustrations with my trustly logitech mouse I gave up and went back to a wired Apple Mighty Mouse. I had been using this mouse a while and grew quite accustomed to the 360 scroll wheel. (not to mention the control+scroll wheel zoom for super-pixel design examination). But then… I grew frustrated with being tied down by a cord. So I decided to give the bluetooth mighty mouse a try. All was happy and full of glee for the first few months until I encountered the ‘dead scroll ball’ problem. While the idea of 360 degree scrolling is so helpful in programs like Illustrator and Photostop the unreliable scrollball made this a nightmare. I would be happily scrolling along and then BAM… its dead. 
I tried the rubbing on a piece of paper trick and it didn’t work so like the impatient person that I am – I gave up and went back to my trusty but noisy Logitech mouse until I saw the light today.
HELLO MAGIC MOUSE!
Apple Magic Mouse
So I saw all the hullabaloo about Apples new ‘Magic Mouse’ earlier today. (Sidenote: Who was high when they named this thing???) I have to say that I was hooked right away because of one thing – NO SCROLLBALL!!!!! It’s like Apple read my mind and removed the one thing I hated about the Mighty Mouse! I’m also looking forward to being able to use the swipe functionality to navigate in Safari and through photos.
Oh… and then there’s the lovely design and all the cool multi-touch technology thats packed inside…
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Did Apple create a breakthrough product that will change the industry? Or is this just a piece of overpriced plastic? Did you hop on the fanboi bandwagon and purchase a Magic Mouse? Leave a comment and let me know what you think! I value all your feedback (negative or positive)!
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Matthew Kammerer says:
I will be getting one for my birthday. Someone has already informed me
. Can’t wait!
October 20th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Gareth Coxon - Dot Design says:
It does look great, I think I’ll see what the initial testers think and then maybe give it a whirl!
October 21st, 2009 at 2:13 am
Ninique says:
I always thought apple made the weirdest mice ever. I could never get used to the way the buttons are in the mighty mouse. However, this model seems like a big improvement over all that they’ve done so far.
I doubt that I’ll get one anytime soon because i am a student and it’s a little bit on the expensive side. And I dont think schools will be using them because they have no wire so there is a greater posdibility of mouse theft.
October 21st, 2009 at 4:16 am
Mat 'Wilto' Marquis says:
I’m pro-trackpad, so this thing looks like a pretty sweet compromise.
Plus: I really have no choice but to get one anyway. I must do as Apple commands.
October 21st, 2009 at 6:09 am
curtismchale says:
I think it depends on how it actually works. Things always work super cool in demos cause it`s been rehearsed.
If it works good everyday for others it`s a winner. If it only works well in demo then…
October 21st, 2009 at 6:12 am
Robin Cannon says:
If by “breakthrough product” you mean “achieved the basic functionality of a mouse that other companies have managed for years”, then yes.
I’ve never understood how a company famed for creating user friendly products has consistently failed over a decade or more to make a decent mouse. The basic five year old Dell infra-red mouse I’m working on now is easier and more comfortable to use than an Apple option.
Computers, check. Keyboards, check. iPhones, check. iPods, check. Mice (…mouses?) – rubbish.
So I suppose a barely usable mouse product would indeed be a breakthrough for Apple.
October 21st, 2009 at 8:52 am
Liz says:
The low profile on the Magic Mouse and the amount of side-to-side wrist action I see in the demo video make me curious how ergonomic it is? I know Apple isn’t really hitting for that market. It’s a BEAUTIFUL product and for most “users”, this mouse seems like it would be a great experience. But for those on the computer 10 – 14+ hours a day, it looks as though it might put strain on your palm and wrist. (I could be wrong, I’m interested to hear your impression after a long day with it.)
I use a Waccom Bamboo tablet with the pen. I’ve found that for my extended hours at the computer having my hand in the pen holding position instead of that cupping position around a mouse does wonders on keeping my hands comfortable. Also my range of motion with it extends to be controllable from not just my wrist, but also fingers and forearm …making for less focused work on any one group of hand muscles.
Anyway… sorry for this long comment about hand muscles and ergonomics? Am I am old fart or just a total nerd? Hmm…
October 21st, 2009 at 9:53 am
Flavio says:
it is intersting, but i hate cordless mouses. i hadn’t the occasion to really use a mighty mouse, but the “clic everywhere” feature was already there, and the times i had it in hand, felt you would clic anytime. Other than that, (multi)touch looks great, i often would like to have a trackpad attached to the keyboard because if you are typing furiously, moving the hand to the mouse is really disturbing.
October 21st, 2009 at 2:38 pm
pidgeon92 says:
I think I ordered one as soon as I saw it yesterday!
I like my current Logitech wired mouse, but that three-foot wire is always getting in the way and getting caught on things. I considered the new Wacom trackpad, but this is a much nicer option….. With (allegedly) one-month battery life, I think this will be a great wireless mouse.
I do have a Bamboo pen and mouse tablet, but the mousing surface is too small for the mouse, and though I’ve tried using pens here and there for a few years, I just cannot get used to them.
October 21st, 2009 at 3:02 pm