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drainyoo · Jul 17, 2003, 10:39 AM

Check out this article at powerpage.org:

Bluetooth Apple Mouse

Has anyone else heard anything about this? This would be very sweet if its true. I hope its a 2 button one!

urrl5201 · Jul 17, 2003, 11:04 AM

Sounds cool. I have a Microsoft BT but the skips prevent decent gameplay as well as other tasks. I would probably give it away for a decent BT mouse.

juanpacolopez · Jul 17, 2003, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by urrl5201:
Sounds cool. I have a Microsoft BT but the skips prevent decent gameplay as well as other tasks. I would probably give it away for a decent BT mouse.

Here's something I've wondered for a while...

How does the actual response from a BT mouse compare to a typical wireless, say the Logitech MX700?

I _LOVE_ my logitech, but I'd almost consider upgrading to a 15" Al w/ BT if it meant I could get rid of the damn recharge/base pod for the logitech. It's a great mouse, but the base is kind of bulky and a VERY odd shape to fit into a bag or other carrying device.

Apple needs a multi-button bluetooth mouse that is:

1) rechargable
2) similar in performance (or even exceeding) to an MX700 (IMO the best wireless as far as actual response, etc).

dabigdawg · Jul 17, 2003, 01:10 PM

I also wonder about how well the bluetooth mice will be. I currently use the Mx700 for my desktop and the kensignton Pro wirelss with my laptop which i just love http://www.kensington.com/html/1766.html
It makes for the perfect portable mouse. I game on the mx700 without troubles at all playing medal of honor and alice so FPS seem fine, will bluetooth mice be better than what I have now?

kstor · Jul 17, 2003, 07:37 PM

The sweetest would be a bluetooth mouse with a detachable USB cable. Most of the time, your mouse is running cordless on bluetooth. When your mouse is running out of battery it can charge from your laptop while you use it as a regular usb mouse. Ultimate convenience: no cable most of the time, and no heavy charger to carry around (not to mention no need for a power outlet)

Of course, 2 buttons and a scroll wheel would be quite necessary too.

Finally, the keyboard could use the same concept, and would preferably incorporate a couple of usb ports for when it's plugged in. That way the mouse and keyboard would only use one of the usb ports on the pb12 when charging.

Seriously, who wouldn't buy this? (and how can we get SJ to make one...)

KStor

ZildjianKX · Jul 17, 2003, 07:38 PM

I was thinking the same thing, hook it up to charge it... but firewire would probably make more sense

kstor · Jul 17, 2003, 07:56 PM

Firewire would be good if it can charge the mouse faster.

Otherwise it's likely to make it more expensive, and besides the pb12 only has one firewire port so I'd rather not use it for my mouse...

The transfer speed of firewire isn't really an issue, since usb is plenty fast for mice.

KStor

mism · Jul 18, 2003, 07:40 AM

I'll be at the front of the queue for an Apple blue tooth mouse. A few concerns will need to be answered first. Power consumption is obviously an issue but perhaps more importantly, will Apple stick to one button? Having used 2+ button mice for years now I don't think I could go back to one button. It will be interesting to see if the rumours of an iPod style scroll wheel prove to be true.

slow moe · Jul 18, 2003, 08:18 AM

The problem I see with a mouse that recharges using a USB port is that it's not only draining the battery from use, but, at the same time, it's draining the battery from recharging as well. As long as the mouse has really good battery life, this sort of thing shouldn't be a problem with consumers. A Bluetooth mouse that has looooong battery life and can recharge/use through a USB port, yeah I'd buy one.

EDIT: It should also include a AC charger just in case.

kstor · Jul 18, 2003, 09:46 AM

Frankly, I can't think of any situation where you'd need this: you only use your mouse with the computer, if you have access to an outlet you can plug the computer into it, and the mouse can charge from usb with no problem...

juanpacolopez · Jul 18, 2003, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by kstor:
Frankly, I can't think of any situation where you'd need this: you only use your mouse with the computer, if you have access to an outlet you can plug the computer into it, and the mouse can charge from usb with no problem...

Ever tried to find an outlet at an airport terminal? Or better yet certain hotel rooms?

I know there are plenty of times waiting for a flight or whatnot that I'd love to put a book down in the seat next to me, whip out a wireless mouse and do some video editing or some such that requires a mouse (maybe even get in a game of MOHAA etc.).

kstor · Jul 18, 2003, 10:49 AM

I don't think you understood my point.

If you DON'T have an outlet, then the ac adapter doesn't do you any good (obviously) You can still use your mouse wirelessly, or charge it off the computer's usb port if it's out of battery.

If you DO have an outlet, plug the computer into it, plug the mouse into the usb port, and both can charge, so the ac adapter doesn't do you any good.

Therefore, forget the ac adapter and just have a detachable usb cable.

juanpacolopez · Jul 18, 2003, 02:10 PM

Originally posted by kstor:
I don't think you understood my point.

If you DON'T have an outlet, then the ac adapter doesn't do you any good (obviously) You can still use your mouse wirelessly, or charge it off the computer's usb port if it's out of battery.

If you DO have an outlet, plug the computer into it, plug the mouse into the usb port, and both can charge, so the ac adapter doesn't do you any good.

Therefore, forget the ac adapter and just have a detachable usb cable.

Ahhhh... I DO see your point now.

You're absolutely right about the AC adapter, I can't think of a good reason for it... except...

Does USB actually provide enough power to charge a battery? The reason I ask is that the Logitech MX700 comes w/ an AC adapter. You don't need it to use the mouse, but you DO need it to charge, leading me to believe they couldn't get enough power out of the USB port to actually charge the battery.

Anyone know exactly what type of power output the USB spec provides for? I'd imagine 5V @ say, 5-6W?

MaxPower2k3 · Jul 18, 2003, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by juanpacolopez:
Anyone know exactly what type of power output the USB spec provides for? I'd imagine 5V @ say, 5-6W?

from a page i found for an uninterruptible power supply for USB devices:

The bus-supply voltage available to USB devices ranges from 4.4V to 5.25V.

dunno about the wattage though

edit: according to Apple System Profiler, both Bluetooth and the receiver for my older Logitech wireless optical (not MX series) draw 500mA from the USB bus

juanpacolopez · Jul 18, 2003, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by MaxPower2k3:
from a page i found for an uninterruptible power supply for USB devices:

dunno about the wattage though

edit: according to Apple System Profiler, both Bluetooth and the receiver for my older Logitech wireless optical (not MX series) draw 500mA from the USB bus

Well, 5V @ 500mA isn't enough to charge a couple of AA batteries I don't think...

If it could get a full amp, maybe... not sure though. Now the question is, how much juice does it take to charge 2 AA batteries (standard in wireless mice, maybe a BT mouse would use AAA's or a single AA).

urrl5201 · Jul 18, 2003, 03:41 PM

Response from my Microsoft BT is about as quick as my Logitech wireless. But I guess Microsoft does not have the proper drivers in it or something; the mouse can skip wildly at times. Though I use it at home I would not recommend it to those who want great performance. Battery drain seems good. When i made the mistake of carrying it lose in a backpack the batteries died quick, obviously due to the buttons being pressed while in the backpack. One thing I noticed; if left dormant for a long while the mouse seems to shut down and takes up to about 4 seconds to wake and react when moved. Again, it could be the drivers or even OS10, who knows.

vmarks · Jul 18, 2003, 06:30 PM

Hi,

this is a peripheral thread, not powerbook.

Moving.