Thread: Advice for Apple

The Mighty Mouse has some nice features, most of which have already been covered in this thread, but it also has some cons. Most notably, the mouse differentiates left and right clicks based on touch because it doesn't have separate left and right buttons internally. This means that you are forced to lift your index finger from the mouse every time you right-click---a real annoyance and slight productivity detractor when using certain programs, particularly games or graphics editors. Another not-so-great thing about the Mighty Mouse is that the middle button, although useful for scrolling, is not as easy to click as the middle button is on a simple 3 button mouse (especially the UNIX/X11-specific kind with a regular middle button as opposed to a scroller). With those cons aside, however, the Mighty Mouse is an attractive mouse, especially for daily computer use.

Since we're on the subject of Apple pointing devices, I feel compelled to point (no pun was originally intended) out that the the two-finger scrolling mechanism on the more recent Apple trackpads (those found on MacBook and MacBook Pro models) is much more practical and ergonomic than any other scrolling mechanism I've ever seen on a mouse or trackpad. Of course, the most productive option would be not to use a mouse at all, but I'm sure most people here, myself included, would find it awkward to adjust to a fully keyboard-controlled environment (although mind isn't that far from one...).

Originally Posted by dsr

The Mighty Mouse has some nice features, most of which have already been covered in this thread, but it also has some cons. Most notably, the mouse differentiates left and right clicks based on touch because it doesn't have separate left and right buttons internally. This means that you are forced to lift your index finger from the mouse every time you right-click---a real annoyance and slight productivity detractor when using certain programs, particularly games or graphics editors. Another not-so-great thing about the Mighty Mouse is that the middle button, although useful for scrolling, is not as easy to click as the middle button is on a simple 3 button mouse (especially the UNIX/X11-specific kind with a regular middle button as opposed to a scroller). With those cons aside, however, the Mighty Mouse is an attractive mouse, especially for daily computer use.

Since we're on the subject of Apple pointing devices, I feel compelled to point (no pun was originally intended) out that the the two-finger scrolling mechanism on the more recent Apple trackpads (those found on MacBook and MacBook Pro models) is much more practical and ergonomic than any other scrolling mechanism I've ever seen on a mouse or trackpad. Of course, the most productive option would be not to use a mouse at all, but I'm sure most people here, myself included, would find it awkward to adjust to a fully keyboard-controlled environment (although mind isn't that far from one...).

I have to say that its funny as hell to watch someone get on my Mac and try to get used to the pressure sensitive mouse buttons. However, it is not a disadvantage. It takes about an hour to get used to it and then you never notice it again. And speaking of games requiring right and left click, I learned to play Star Craft on PC, switched to Mac 6 months ago, and my game hasn't slowed down one bit. I cant think of any other game that is more right-left click intensive than SC or any RTS.

Okay, I take your word for it. I was posting my first impressions of the mouse from the Apple store awhile ago, and since I myself don't use a Mighty Mouse, nor do I play computer games, you would know much better than I would if lifting the index finger actually impedes productivity. That narrows my qualms with the Mighty Mouse down to one.

Oh, a note to the original poster: please don't start a thread attacking a company's products before doing your research. Apple's current mice have (and have had for over two years) the ability to right-click. And if you prefer a different mouse from the one that comes with your computer, you can always unplug one and plug in the other.