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Axo1ot1 · Sep 21, 2003, 12:43 PM

I'm not particularly anti-one button mouse. This summer when I was working on high-end Final Cut Pro/Cin�Wave editing rigs I used a one button apple mouse almost exclusively, and I wasn't that annoyed by not having a second button, but I really appreciate the efficiency it adds when I have it. At home I have a logitech wireless mouse with 2 buttons, a scroll wheel, forward and back buttons for web browsing and some other mappable buttons. It's great because it lasts a long time on one charge, and you never need to replace the batteries. It's the best mouse I've ever used. I paid about $10 more for it that you pay for Apple's new mouse, and you get a mouse with tons of versatility that can be recharged.

Don't even get me started on how stupid the wireless keyboard is. Now we get to remember to switch the keyboard off before we go to lunch? WTF? They really didn't think this one through IMO.

Seriously though, what's the attraction?

ajprice · Sep 21, 2003, 12:59 PM

When the keyboard and mouse run on batteries, an on/off switch is a VERY GOOD IDEA. Whats the point of the light and sensor on the mouse being on when your computer is turned off and your not at home? Or maybe you leave the oven on all day ready for when you get home and cook your tea, leaving the car engine running ready for morning?

G4ME · Sep 21, 2003, 01:31 PM

you make tea in your oven?

CheesePuff · Sep 21, 2003, 01:32 PM

All the keyboard needs is a delay sensor, when no activity for 10 seconds it will turn off, but in sleep mode so when it notices activity it will turn back on.

Angus_D · Sep 21, 2003, 01:50 PM

Originally posted by ajprice:
you leave the oven on all day ready for when you get home and cook your tea

scaught · Sep 21, 2003, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by CheesePuff:
All the keyboard needs is a delay sensor, when no activity for 10 seconds it will turn off, but in sleep mode so when it notices activity it will turn back on.

see. thats the sort of thing i figured apple would come up with. that and some way to make the mouse help power itself with your movements like a seiko kinetic watch or something like that.

as it is, its not a terribly apple-ish product IMO.

Axo1ot1 · Sep 21, 2003, 03:18 PM

exactly. on/off is fine until you realize the fallacy of having to replace batteries in you keyboard in the first place.

Boochie · Sep 21, 2003, 03:56 PM

Are keyboard and mouse cables *such* an inconvenience that Apple somehow believed that non-rechargable wireless devices would be a step forward? I don't get it.

I see the utility of Bluetooth wireless connections for say syncing a handheld, but for a mouse or keyboard it's overkill, especially with such a half-ass implementation.

parsec_kadets · Sep 21, 2003, 04:47 PM

All of you who commented so far are stuck in a desktop oriented world. A wireless keyboard and mouse would be great when I travel with my PowerBook. I've been in situations where I travel half-way across the country to give a software demo and find a bug. As a result I'm given a desk and a few hours to sit down and try to fix it. It is in situations like this that I would love to have an external keyboard and mouse, but I don't want to deal with the cables getting tangled in my bags and whatnot. A totally wireless solution is ideal.

Edit: Just another thought here. If you always use your Mac at a desk then you guys are right, a wireless setup is pointless. They only exception being that ridiculously short cable on Apple's wired mouse.

LosJackal · Sep 21, 2003, 04:55 PM

Originally posted by scaught:
see. thats the sort of thing i figured apple would come up with. that and some way to make the mouse help power itself with your movements like a seiko kinetic watch or something like that.

as it is, its not a terribly apple-ish product IMO.

I think the apple-ish design is having the switch cover the optics at the same time! Very elegant.

I bought the Microsoft Bluetooth mouse when it first came out for use with my 17" PowerBook, traveling between home and work. I returned it because it didn't have an off switch!

It falls asleep after a few minutes of inactivity. To awaken it you click a mouse button. So in my bag, an accidental push would awaken it for who knows how long. Furthermore, when packing up for the day, I'd have to leave it alone for a few minutes before I could put it in my bag asleep in the first place.

I ended up opening the battery compartment and reversing the battery instead. Lame.

tooki · Sep 21, 2003, 07:33 PM

Originally posted by CheesePuff:
All the keyboard needs is a delay sensor, when no activity for 10 seconds it will turn off, but in sleep mode so when it notices activity it will turn back on.

Who said it DOESN'T have that? For all the bellyaching about it, how many of you actually bought or tested one? Jeez...

tooki

nobitacu · Sep 21, 2003, 07:51 PM

Either way, the one button mouse is lame, I know because I've used one, and have one as I bought it when I first bought my 17" (first mac) worst thing I've ever spend $60 on.

Ming

aapljack · Sep 21, 2003, 08:42 PM

I will get the mouse to use with my new 15" PB. It is an ideal solution. The last thing you want to contest with is a bunch of wires. I think the mouse + PB will compliment each other nicely. And you don't have to mess with a silly base unit like the other wireless mice that aren't bluetooth.

-b

Axo1ot1 · Sep 22, 2003, 10:21 AM

sucker.

Cadaver · Sep 25, 2003, 03:20 PM

While I'm not sure how the Apple wireless mouse does on batteries, I've read that the Apple wireless keyboard will last around 9 months of "typical" usage on one set of batteries. Whether you believe this or not, I know my old Logitech wireless keyboard on a PC (neither of which I have any longer) would last a solid 4-5 months on a single set of AA's (three, I think).

Kissargi · Sep 25, 2003, 06:43 PM

9 months use on the kb from one set! thats pretty damn good id say.

Chemmy · Sep 25, 2003, 07:48 PM

The mouse makes a ton of sense for the new Powerbooks.

The keyboard? Not so much.