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Groover · May 9, 2005, 04:30 PM

Hey I'm about to get a new mac and I will be using Maya and it requires a three button mouse. I also will be able to play a few games but mostly work. I was wondering since Apples mouse will be useless what do you recommend. It should have at least three buttons. Are there any laser mouse available for mac. Laser mouse are supposed to be more accurate and responsive than optical. Wireless seems like a nice feature but how is the responsiveness?

Oh and while I'm at it how about a backlit keyboard? I like Apples Bluetooth keyboard but it is a nice feature in the Powerbooks the backlit keyboards.

A little off topic but also has anyone sold there graphics card that came with the new powermacs and purchased the new X800XT.

knit wit · May 9, 2005, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by Groover

Hey I'm about to get a new mac and I will be using Maya and it requires a three button mouse. I also will be able to play a few games but mostly work. I was wondering since Apples mouse will be useless what do you recommend. It should have at least three buttons. Are there any laser mouse available for mac. Laser mouse are supposed to be more accurate and responsive than optical. Wireless seems like a nice feature but how is the responsiveness?

Oh and while I'm at it how about a backlit keyboard? I like Apples Bluetooth keyboard but it is a nice feature in the Powerbooks the backlit keyboards.

A little off topic but also has anyone sold there graphics card that came with the new powermacs and purchased the new X800XT.

I second this. I would also love some 3 button mouse recommendations. My new imac came with the yucky apple mouse (sorry apple- I love you, but the mice just do not work well for me). I would like one with a scroll wheel, and maybe up to 5 programmable buttons. I don't need it for games, just for regular computer use.

I would love to find a white one, to match my beautiful imac, but that's not all that is important.

isao bered · May 10, 2005, 01:10 AM

... hmmmmm...

... preferring a trackball...
... with buttons and a scoll...
(... the wrist after all...
... pays the mouse a toll...)
... programmable buttons and programmable chords...
... the expert mouse from kensington...
... maybe even wirless but mine has a cord...
... www.kensington.com...

... be well and be better...

Randman · May 10, 2005, 01:14 AM

I use a Logitech wireless Optical Trackman at home and work. It takes about 30 minutes to get used to it because you control the ball with your fingers rather than thumb in a normal trackball layout. Very comfortable, unless you're a lefty of have kid-sized hands. Plenty of configurable buttons and the batteries last me, on average, about 4 months.

Edit: I do page design and find it very comfortable with precise PhotoShop work, so much so that I almost never use my tablet anymore.

eggman · May 10, 2005, 02:05 AM

Another vote for a trackball. Unlike Randman, I prefer to control it with the thumb... it's saving my wrist from RSI.

Randman · May 10, 2005, 02:42 AM

The Trackman avoids rsi as well. I find it even more comfortable than a thumb-driven one.

rhogue islander · May 10, 2005, 09:27 AM

In a conventional mouse, almost anything that fits your hand comfortably will do. OS X (10.3 and newer) supports multi button mice without additional drivers.

The Logitech MX700 cordless is very nice as is the Intellimouse Explorer line from Microsoft

nickw311 · May 10, 2005, 10:23 AM

What mice have good responsiveness and acuracy? I have a Microsoft 2 button (plus scrollbar) laser mouse and it is horribly inaccurate in OS X. I didn't really have any problems in Windows with it... Are there any mice that are more accurate?

eggman · May 10, 2005, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Randman

The Trackman avoids rsi as well. I find it even more comfortable than a thumb-driven one.

Of course YMMV with regard to comfort.

Rev-O · May 11, 2005, 12:40 AM

My choice in mousing: Kensington Expert Mouse. I use the wired flavor. I likey.