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Justin Hancock · Dec 17, 2002, 06:42 PM

What are your opinions of it? Are there other reliable (stylish!) optical mouses out there that are recommended over the pro mouse?

icruise · Dec 17, 2002, 09:42 PM

It does look good and isn't a bad mouse, but it seems too expensive for a mouse with essentially no features. Also I have found that occasionally something will get caught underneath the mouse which can prevent you from being able to click (the mouse has no button, operating on a tilting arrangement). Not a big deal, but kind of annoying. I also found that the bottom tended to collect dust and other gunk over time. And the cord is too short if you're not using it with a keyboard with built-in USB (or if you are using an ibook).

If I were buying a mouse I would go for one with two buttons and a scroll wheel, minimum. There are lots of possibilities.

SupahCoolX · Dec 18, 2002, 01:58 AM

The Kensington Studio Mouse looks pretty nice. It has a cool design, multiple buttons, a scroll pad (like a touch sensitive scroll wheel), and probably some other nifty things. I also think it's cheaper than Apple's way overpriced Pro Mouse. Search around this forum, as there were several threads about this particular mouse recently.

Boochie · Dec 18, 2002, 07:50 AM

Logitech makes a good optical mouse with two buttons and a scroll wheel. It comes in both wired and wireless versions. It does a much better job of tracking quick mouse motions than does Apple's mouse.

I like Kensington's products too, but when I used one of their mice on my G4 the CD tray would eject randomly without apparent provocation!

GORDYmac · Dec 18, 2002, 08:08 AM

If you have small children (under 9), go with Apple's mouse. I'm sure that Apple assumes older users have the smarts to buy their own mouse. The Pro Mouse is rock solid.

icruise · Dec 18, 2002, 10:55 AM

Yes, I have one of the Logitec optical mice. Not stylish in the same sense as the Pro Mouse (in what sense is that mouse for professionals?) but it works quite well. And it cost like $30 or something.

-Q- · Dec 18, 2002, 02:23 PM

After using the Kensington Studiomouse for 3 months, I really didn't care for it. It looks nice, but didn't work very well for me.

I got a Logitech MX 500 (looks great with a TiBook) that works exceptionally.

finknottle · 04:25 PM

The cable on the pro mouse does not wear well over time, one button, looks good but overall avoid.....Go with logitech

Captain Obvious · Dec 18, 2002, 03:21 PM

I'd scrap the Pro Mouse if you are a heavy user. Read this thread its more extensive about who uses what:
http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=135630

dividend · Dec 18, 2002, 06:17 PM

i am very stupid. i bought a second hand pro mouse for more than a new double-button scroll-wheel one, BUT i am very happy with it. It is very stylish and nice to use. if you are not a pro-user, then it is ok to buy it (but why call it pro-mouse?)

iDaver · Dec 18, 2002, 07:27 PM

Originally posted by dividend:
(but why call it pro-mouse?)

Oh, it's just a name Apple came up with to distinguish the new mouse and keyboard from the original USB mouse and keyboard. They could have called them the Apple USB Mouse 2 and USB Keyboard 2. It's just a name.

I like the Pro Mouse myself, finding nothing wrong with it, but I've never felt any need for a second button or a scroll wheel.

MickS · Dec 19, 2002, 06:06 AM

I'm a heavy user, my machine is on and used over 10 hours a day 360 ish days a year, and I like the Apple Pro mouse.

It fits my hand well and is accurate enough for my use. I've tried multi-button mice but I find it as quick to hold down the relevant modifier key as to press a second/third button. As a long time Mac user I guess I'm used to only having one button.

tooki · Dec 19, 2002, 02:28 PM

I cast a vote for Logitech's basic optical mice. The hardware is excellent, and OS X's built-in mouse support works fine. Logitech's software is wretched, so don't bother with their multibutton mice unless you want to shell out extra money for USB Overdrive.

(On OS 9, USB Overdrive is the only way to use the scroll wheel on any Logitech mouse.)

Microsoft makes some nice optical mice, and their software is excellent (written by the fellow who makes USB Overdrive, in fact). Also worth investigating.

I have to agree that the Pro Mouse has a serious design flaw with the cable... it frays at the point where the wire enters the mouse. And since it's impossible to open a Pro Mouse without destroying it, you can't replace the cable.

tooki