CNET Editor's rating: 6.6 out of 10
Reviewed by
Rich Brown
Review date: 07/31/06
Release date: 07/25/06
The good: Bluetooth wireless connectivity (even works in Windows, with Boot Camp); batteries lend welcome heft; ease to install and set up.
The bad: Side buttons lack sufficient tactile feedback and require too much pressure; doesn't work with standard Windows-based PCs (at least, not easily).
The bottom line: Apple's new wireless Mighty Mouse cuts the cord, giving you the freedom of untethered mousing. The design isn't perfect, and Apple isn't shy about the price, but Mac desktops and laptops beg for as little clutter around them as possible, and for that, the Mighty Mouse delivers.
We suspect that for many of you, the simple fact that Apple's Mighty Mouse has shed its cord will be reason enough to buy it. You won't care that your mouse now requires batteries, nor will you balk at its $69 price tag. And you probably won't find the new laser sensor that big a selling point. Macs call out for wireless peripherals, however, for reasons of both form and function. Plus, who wants to carry a corded mouse around when you're on the road with a laptop? We wish Apple had gone the extra mile and fixed some issues that linger from the original corded model, but our gripes don't amount to enough to prevent a recommendation. It doesn't revolutionize mice, but simply because it's now wireless, Apple's Mighty Mouse will be hard for Mac users to resist.
The Mighty Mouse uses Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to your computer. All new iMacs, Mac Minis, MacBooks, and MacBook Pros come equipped with a Bluetooth receiver built in. We had no trouble connecting the mouse to a Bluetooth-equipped iMac G5, and it worked equally well with our MacBook Pro. As long as your Mac OS X is updated to the latest version (10.4.6), you shouldn't have any problems. Simply install the software, reboot, turn the mouse on, and you're set.
The configuration software is basically the same as the old model's, with only minor layout tweaking. It lets you set the sensitivity of the main left and right buttons, the so-called 360-degree, multidirectional scrollwheel, the left- and right-side buttons, and the laser tracker itself. One of the claimed advantages of the laser sensor is that it's supposed to let you use Mighty Mouse on a wider variety of surfaces than the LED-based original, thanks to the laser's ability to read more surface detail. We tried various surfaces, including a translucent piece of black plastic (both passed), the reflective underside of a DVD (both failed), and a piece of clear plastic (both passed), and neither mouse outperformed the other. The laser's superiority might simply depend on finding the right material to show it off. Maybe you'll have better luck. For the rest of the design, we wish that the left- and right-side buttons didn't require so much pressure to engage and, perhaps, that they had some more pronounced tactile feedback to let you know when you have. Otherwise, once the buttons and cursor speed are set to your preference, using the Mighty Mouse feels as smooth as any day-to-day mouse should.
Because Boot Camp has granted Intel Core Duo chip-based Macs the ability to use Windows XP, we tested the Mighty Mouse in Windows XP via our MacBook Pro. We had to tell the system to search for the mouse over the Bluetooth connection again, but it recognized it with no trouble. We could even use Windows' standard mouse button control software to tweak its settings. It didn't seem to support the lateral and diagonal scrolling features of the Mighty Mouse's scrollwheel, but otherwise, its features were fully functional. We had less luck with a Bluetooth-equipped Dell Latitude D810 laptop. The Dell's Bluetooth software found the mouse and even recognized it by name, but the Mighty Mouse was never able to assume control of the cursor. Apple advised us that the Mighty Mouse was meant to be used with a Mac, and it appears that its advice was correct.
Because it's wireless, the Mighty Mouse needs power, which comes by way of two AA batteries. Apple specifies that two batteries will give you five months of power with average use. You can run on one battery, but you'll naturally have to replace it in half the time. In addition to providing the juice, we like that the batteries give the Mighty Mouse a little more heft than the original, which felt a bit insubstantial. The difference is only a matter of an ounce; the new model weighs 4.5 ounces with two batteries (to the original's 3.5), but in a side-by-side comparison we were able to tell, and we like the feel of the wireless Mighty Mouse better.
As with the previous Mighty Mouse, Apple covers this model with an industry-standard one-year warranty. Free phone support is available for the first 90 days after purchase, and Apple's support Web site offers troubleshooting advice, FAQs, and a searchable users' forum.
Intro:
This Apple Mighty Mouse is a laser, wireless mouse.Compared to other wireless mice on the market, it is expensive at around $70.
Noteworthy Features:
Has laser movement detection.This is more advanced than the average mouse on the market today, but is to be expected for a mouse of this price.This design features a force-sensing side buttons, set of programmable buttons, TouchSense technology, and scrolling ball.(Using a scroll wheel reduces repetitive motions and makes it easier to quickly scan documents and web pages.)
Weaker Features:
None noted, given available product data.
Suitability:
Suitable for users wanting to avoid tangled wires.
Value:
Overall, this mouse's features are as expected for this price.
Suggestions:
(1) If you are connecting to a laptop, you may want to consider a mouse that has a USB interface instead.(2) With its programmable button function, you can set up a common sequence of actions to execute with a single click.(3) You might be interested in comparing this with a mouse that received Editor's Choice on CNET.
Use Scenario:
Programmable buttons offer custom control for easier graphics and data manipulation.
8 out of 10 - Excellent finally...
overall, this seems to be an awesome mouse so far (had it for a few hours now). it improves upon ...
overall, this seems to be an awesome mouse so far (had it for a few hours now). it improves upon the previous mighty mouse by implementing bluetooth for the wireless, and a laser-based sensor (compared to the previous optical one in the wired mighty mouse). you can run it off one battery (to save weight) or two to have the runtime as long as possible. it's simple to turn on and off by merely sliding the laser sensor cover, and even with two batteries in it, is quite lightweight. it tracks well and slides smoothly on any reasonable surface as well. it is a bit expensive though, at US$69. however, compared to other bluetooth mice, i think it's a reasonable amount for a first-party peripheral.
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by urpwnd (see profile) -
July 26, 2006
7 out of 10 - Very good On the right track
Since when has cnet.com cared about cross platform compatibility??? I never see Windows only software/hardware get a lowered ...
Since when has cnet.com cared about cross platform compatibility??? I never see Windows only software/hardware get a lowered review score because there wasn't a Mac version.
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by djcobb44 (see profile) -
August 1, 2006
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Best mouse I've ever owned.
I bought mine the first day they were in stock at my local Apple Store. Best mouse I've ever ...
I bought mine the first day they were in stock at my local Apple Store. Best mouse I've ever owned. I love the 360 degree control of the scroll ball and the new screen zoom function. Not to mention that it's absolutely beautiful, and I finally have a mouse that looks as nice as the rest of my setup.
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by ckuehne134 (see profile) -
August 1, 2006
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
2 out of 10 - Terrible Nice form, HORRENDOUS tracking
Maybe the one I received is defective, but I find it almost impossible to believe that this thing got such ...
Maybe the one I received is defective, but I find it almost impossible to believe that this thing got such great reviews. It arrived with my new macpro dual core yesterday and i'm in utter disbelief at the incompetency of this mouse. The laser doesn't pick up or track well even on my mousepad, desk, and countertop. The mouse I used to have on my old Commodore Amiga seriously tracks better than this thing. I plugged in my old USB optical mouse from my laptop and it is MUCH quicker and precise in comparison. Using this mouse is just pure frustrating and almost becoming infuriating.
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by surgrads (see profile) -
November 7, 2006
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 out of 10 - Perfect Very nice, just disappointed this didn't come out sooner
For only using two AA batteries, this thing gets great battery life. The scroll wheel is a little small but ...
For only using two AA batteries, this thing gets great battery life. The scroll wheel is a little small but after a couple minutes of use, I got used to it and found it very useful. The customizability options on this mouse are perfect for use with my macintosh. Apparently it doesn't use optical tracking, something about lasers....but anyways, I found it to be more responsive than what apple says, and apple says it's pretty dang good
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by mwknowles92 (see profile) -
August 5, 2006
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 out of 10 - Poor Worst mouse I've ever used.
Why is it that I feel like I have to research every single piece of hardware Apple makes before I ...
Why is it that I feel like I have to research every single piece of hardware Apple makes before I buy it? Oh yeah, it's because they continue to design and sell products like the wireless Mighty Mouse here. I got this mouse for Christmas from a relative, so I guess I'm stuck with it without a receipt.
After configuring the mouse for right-click in System Preferences, it only functions properly for 10 - 15 minutes before reverting back to the primary click. There are a couple of threads about this problem on the Apple discussion boards, and it seems pretty widespread. A few people there mentioned having to return their mouse 3 times before getting one that right-click consistently. Some people are saying that all you have to do to get the right-click to work, is lift your finger off the left button first. This is not the problem. My Mighty Mouse will not right-click after 15 minutes regardless of whether no other part of my hand is touching the mouse, or not. It's a defect in design, in the software or both.
Also, in my opinion, the side buttons that open Expose by default must be squeezed with too much force to be used comfortably. It should be a simple click on the side of the mouse, but it's not. You have to use quite a bit of force.
The power switch is very difficult to switch on and off. There is only one little notch a switch that's flush with the rest of the body of the mouse making it next to impossible to get a decent grip on it. Clearly, Apple could have done a better job here.
On the plus side, the mouse tracks well on almost any surface except maybe my dog. Bluetooth is nice because there's no extra USB adapters or anything.
Bottom line, I am looking elsewhere for a Bluetooth mouse, and I recommend you do the same. It really takes the joy out of using my MacBook Pro and OS X. Apple really dropped the ball here.
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by ATC Dude (see profile) -
January 3, 2007
In ...
I've been waiting for the wireless mighty mouse to come out ever since the wired version was launched.
In terms of useability it's excellent. The scroll-ball is far better than any wheel (I use a trackball with my desktop, so balls are the natural choice IMO). I've heard the ball get's gunked up quite easily on the wired mighty mouse, I'll just have to wait and see just how bad it gets with mine. I especially like the control-scroll zooming on my Mac, for those who don't know, it zooms the entire desktop rather than just the text (much like a magnifying glass).
The only major gripe I have about all apple mice is the shape. For me it's not very ergonomic and after about 10mins of use I start to get very bad pain in my hand and wrist (hence the use of a trackball most of the time). My logitech V270 is far better in this respect, but lacks so much in comparison.
Overall I like this mouse and the ability to scroll in all directions is a godsend. Just make it a bit more ergonomic and you'll have an excellent product.
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by dazwan (see profile) -
August 9, 2006
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
10 out of 10 - Perfect Windows....
I posted this as a comment to the first post....sorry....anyway, I noticed on the specs, according to Apple'...
I posted this as a comment to the first post....sorry....anyway, I noticed on the specs, according to Apple's web site, that Windows Xp is not supported. Does anyone know if it will be suppoted in Windows, as long as it's running on a new Mac?
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by fatkid98 (see profile) -
July 28, 2006
3 out of 10 - Poor Should be called "Temporary Mouse"
The mouse works great, at first. Yet as time goes by, I began to notice that the button on top ...
The mouse works great, at first. Yet as time goes by, I began to notice that the button on top skipped more and more. A little research and I find that it's a dirt trap and that cleaning is not in the minds at Apple. While not impossible, it is difficult to open it (part of it is glued together) to clean it. Planned obsolescence? I was expecting the mouse to last at least a year...
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by Fesdon (see profile) -
March 31, 2008
3 out of 10 - Poor Aesthetics can't overcome poor performance
I have purchased two of these now and I am appalled by their performance. I run on both PC and ...
I have purchased two of these now and I am appalled by their performance. I run on both PC and MAC platforms and are used to my Sony VAIO bluetooth mouse which works great. I connected my VAIO mouse to my MAC as a comparison test and I was shocked at the difference. The Mighty mouse tracks significantly slower and less accurately. On the highest tracking setting, the mighty mouse was still slower than the VAIO on the middle setting. The tracking also misses/skips and just does not feel responsive. It is possible I have a bad mouse but I bought two and both are the same. In addition to the poor tracking, the side buttons require too much pressure to use and the design of the main button itself is bad. To click the main button means to essentially press the whole outer shell onto its base. The result is just a very clumsy feel that makes double clicking more difficult and the response of the button poor.
The only thing I really like about this mouse besides its cool apple looks is the scroll ball.
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