Entered CNET Catalog: 10/22/2003
SKU: 0718908574997
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Manufacturer description
The Apple Wireless Mouse works with the Bluetooth option in your Mac to provide a cable-free way to interact with your system at a distance of up to 10 meters (33 feet). Bluetooth virtually eliminates interference with other wireless devices such as other keyboards and mice in an office setting or cordless phones and remote control toys that are found in the home environments. Apple is the first to deliver intelligent software to prevent interference with Airport wireless networks without any performance degradation. The sleek, easy-to-use design of the mouse fits most any size hand and is equally comfortable for both right and left handed users. A click tension adjustment accommodates both heavy-handed users as well as those with a light touch. The Wireless Mouse features an optical tracking engine that provides smooth accurate tracking on most surfaces. An advanced power management system automatically switches to low power modes during periods of inactivity. The off switch allows you to conserve power when you're away from your system or when you're traveling with your system. The optical mouse is an ideal input device to throw in your bag to use on the road with your PowerBook or iBook.Product summary
The good: Easy setup and Bluetooth configuration; attractive design.
The bad: Slight lag in mouse clicks; requires OS X version 10.2.6 or later; pricey.
The bottom line: If you have a Bluetooth-enabled Mac, Apples Wireless Mouse is the natural choice. Just make sure you have the right OS first.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 11/24/2003
Apple aims to dress up your desktop while eliminating pesky cord clutter with its sleek-looking Wireless Mouse--a natural complement to the Apple Wireless Keyboard. But, as is the way with most Apple products, high style and cable liberation don't come cheap: this mouse costs about $70. And it works with only Bluetooth-enabled Macs that are running OS X 10.2.6 or later, so Mac users with older versions of the operating system, all PC users, and those whose systems lack Bluetooth, will have to look elsewhere.
Based on Bluetooth technology, the mouse is a snap to set up. The included instructions are comprehensive and easy to understand, and it took us less than five minutes to install the software and successfully pair the mouse with our Bluetooth-enabled, 15-inch PowerBook G4.
In classic Apple style, the shiny, white Wireless Mouse sports a streamlined, ambidextrous, no-button design that feels comfortable in either hand; few other mice boast this unfailingly comprehensive design. The device moved as smoothly on a bare wood surface as it did on a mousepad, and the optical tracking engine provided accurate clicks from up to 30 feet away from the notebook. We did, however, notice a short lag time from click to action regardless of distance, a peculiarity that no other mouse we tested demonstrated.
The mouse employs Adoptive Frequency Hopping technology to eliminate interference between other Bluetooth peripherals and wireless networks and devices. And a power-management system on the mouse automatically switches to low-power mode when it's not in use and can be turned off to reserve battery power. Apple claims that you'll get up to three months of life (the standard for most wireless mice) out of the two regular AA batteries that power the Wireless Mouse.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36out of 36 user reviews
BETTER BUY PLENTY OF BATTERIES
Pros: The mouse works exceptionally well.
Cons: My computer is on for 4-6 hours a day. The batteries have to be replaced every 10 days to two weeks. I have used fresh Duracell and Energizer batteries and it made no difference.I bought a charger and rechargeable batteries, no difference.
out of 36 user reviews
Not good, don't buy
Pros: Only think good about it is it's wireless
Cons: Always loses connection, would like my money back!
out of 36 user reviews
Awful, awful awful
Pros: Good design, I guess? I would like to find a good wireless mouse for my mac. This isn't it.
Cons: This is the second 'mighty' mouse I have gone through in two years. It either loses its connection or, almost worse, it will still move around and you click or try to drag something but nothing happens.
out of 36 user reviews
Awful mouse
Pros: The only mouse that really looks decent next to my MacBook Pro.
Omnidirectional scrolling is nice.
Cons: Frequently confuses left and right clicks.
Does not recognise left and right buttons clicked together.
Laggy.
Scroll ball soon becomes unresponsive due to dirt, and is imposible to clean effectivly.
Apple make many beautiful products. Mice are not one of them.
Updated on Apr 23, 2009Grr.. and this site won't let me edit after posting, so I can't correct my spelling.
out of 36 user reviews
I hate it. I need fast mouse performance.
Pros: No wires. The tracking ball.
Cons: Sometimes I click multiple times and the mouse will have no effect. I wait a second or two, click again, and voila it works. Same with dragging windows; I attempt to grab the top of a window multiple times until the third or fourth time is the charm.
out of 36 user reviews
Second one no better than the first.....
Pros: Looks "Apple like". When functioning properly, it works - well, like a mouse.
Cons: Scroll ball stops working in one direction..... Battery hog.
out of 36 user reviews
Very Poor Ergonomics
Pros: Wireless/blue tooth
Easy to set up
Looks cool I guess
Cons: Ergonomics are horrible (wrist hurt after a couple days, forearm too eventually)
"Right" click button feature worked inconsistently at best
out of 36 user reviews
Expensive to replace; and you will have to
Pros: This is a great mouse in every way when it is functioning properly
Cons: Many times the right-click doesn't work, and the scroll ball becomes very finicky and eventually stops working
out of 36 user reviews
rough as guts
Pros: sleek aesthetics, nice ideas
Cons: performance.
works beautifully with expose/virtual desktops/multiple application env.
however, it's performance and lack of stability let it down.
slow to wake up.
i'm also on my 2nd replacement due to faults (faulty laser, faulty scroll ball).
also a bit of click lag.
hey it looks pretty tho.
out of 36 user reviews
Needs design improvements
Pros: Scroll ball is the best I've used
Cons: One-piece cover is unnecessary and works poorly
About 80 percent of the time the right-click worked fine. But about 20 percent of the time it didn't work, acting as a left-click. Also, side buttons had to be squeezed so hard that they were impractical to actually use (I'm a big strong guy too... not a petite user).
Smooth finish feel more slippery than other mice I've used. I'd like a little texture.
Bottom line... Apple should keep it's awesome scroll ball, and adopt the rest of the Microsoft mouse: textured molding, and separate buttons. THAT would be an awesome mouse.
out of 36 user reviews
i'm looking for a new mouse because i'm very disappointed
Pros: its weight makes it feel substantive
Cons: no scroller or extra buttons
out of 36 user reviews
Horrible mouse! VERY SAD Apple.
Pros: design and look
Cons: operation lag time AND NO SCOLL
I mean, Bluetooth, but NO SCOLL ... what where they thinking - not about the user for sure ...
out of 36 user reviews
could be better
Pros: simple, uncluttered, matches apple products
Cons: no multi-function, price
I've had lithiums in mine and it's been nearly two months with daily use and it's still going. There's also an off switch that helps you conserve battery life.
I've never had a problem with bluetooth and I'm using a usb dongle.
If you need more buttons/functions/scroll wheel than look elsewhere. Don't buy a single button battery powered mouse and complain about lack of buttons and battery changing.
out of 36 user reviews
good looking, easy set up
Pros: looks good, great tracking
Cons: a little heavy, some people say it has a lag when you click, never noticed it
you wont regret buying this mouse.
out of 36 user reviews
Its an apple
Pros: Just works
Cons: Maybe too simple.... almost boring
out of 36 user reviews
Kind of nice but not worth the price
Pros: bluetooth, easy setup
Cons: lag, battery issue, recognition error, inaccurate
Setup is nice as no software is needed, simply plug & play. It is also refreshing to not have to deal with cords. Those are the only highlights of the mouth unfortunately.
The mouse often lags. Say for example you are scrolling accross the screen. Mouse will pause at times and then jump a good four inches. If you were trying to do any kind of graphic work this would be a serious problem.
Batteries will die after time regardless of the item you purchase so I'm not complaining about the fact that the batteries die. I just feel that it should come with rechargable batteries. Unless you want to spend $100+ a year in batteries you will be required to buy at least 4 recharagable batteries (two to use in unit, two to have ready for when it dies). This makes it at least a $79 item. For the $59 you pay you could've found a better unit with a rechargable battery and multiple buttons.
The mouse often goes unrecognized by the computer at startup. Keep in mind I keep it about 8 inches away from the computer so it's not due to distance. You then have to set it up again which takes about 30 seconds. This happens probably 15% of the time during startup. Definitely reoccuring.
Sadly the original wired mouse that comes with the Mac functions 10x better then the wireless mouse.
Bottom line: If you want to go with the Mac look and don't care about performance, this is the mouse for you. If you want to get an item just because it blends with your computer you'd be better off just sitting a bar of soap next to your computer. That would actually be better because at least you could use the soap for something. If you're serious about performance look elsewhere. This mouse is not worth it.
out of 36 user reviews
Expensive to use. Pickey about mouse pad.
Pros: Looks good, If that counts
Cons: Devours batteries, can't scroll, need solid colour mouse pad
out of 36 user reviews
Acaba con las pilas
Pros: el sistema wireless
Cons: Acaba muy rapido con las pilas, y es muy pesado
out of 36 user reviews
very poor performance
Pros: noting significant
Cons: slow to wake up, needs new battery every 3 weeks
When i wake up my G5, the screen comes up immediately, the keyboard works instantly too but the mouse often takes 30 seconds or more to wake up and register my mouse moves or clicks. This is extremely annoying.
For a Mouse purchased with a new compputer in 2005 this performance is unacceptable for me, which triggered me to write this review. If your lifelihood depends on your mac, don't roll with the apple wireless mouse.
out of 36 user reviews
Simply elegant!
Pros: The device loaded in seconds without any software.
Cons: None as of yet
out of 36 user reviews
Although expensive, battiers will cost you more.
Pros: Great looking mouse, very stylish in the Apple tradition of simplicity. Wireless is a real pleasure after dragging the mouse cord around.
Cons: It requires either rechargeable batteries or Lithium. Alkaline last a week or two. When the Bluetooh connection is lost, you have to manually go in and re-establish. Seems silly in the days of computerization. Would like a dock for recharging and a m
out of 36 user reviews
Well designed mouse
Pros: It's a really stylish mouse, but I prefer to call it my soap bar. There is little to no lag time in my experiences, and the introduction of grip tabs at the side of the mouse really solves the problem of the mouse only having one button.
Cons: I find that the battery life kind of drains far too quickly, but like someone said it lasts about a month. In my opinion that isn't long enough, but it could be that I'm just used to wired mices. Also the bluetooth connection period is sometimes a little
out of 36 user reviews
Great device with ease of use
Pros: Nice one click design which seems to have no delay. Easy operation and setup.
Cons: A bit heavy whci puts strain on your wrist after prolonged use. I am also having a ough time finding a surface where it will slide smoothly. Any recommendations are welcomed.
out of 36 user reviews
Paying too much for slim features
Pros: simple design that is the best looking on the market. Durable and portable
Cons: after using a 2 button mouse for years it is frustrating to use, even for a die hard Mac user
out of 36 user reviews
Go tailless?
Pros: Feels solid. Has a two-position click firmness adjustment. Driver well integrated with Panther. Behaves just like the standard Apple USB mouse. Same, easy-to-use one-button design.
Cons: Same, limited one-button design. Be sure to download the latest Bluetooth firmware from Apple to avoid having to Pair the mouse each time you wake from sleep. Consider using AAs NiMH rechargables.
out of 36 user reviews
Apple style and substance...without the wires!!!
Pros: easy set up, substantial feel. Doesn't look as cheap or tacky as a logitech wireless (but I guess those PC people wouldn't know class if it punched them in the teeth and hit on thier wife). feels smooth. did I mention it was a breeze to set up? is a g
Cons: price (its still well worth the money)
out of 36 user reviews
Great mouse! but...
Pros: Awesome design and easy setup and use. When I first installed it, I had to reconnect it each time my PB went to sleep but now it finds the mouse automatically -- maybe it was a system update or firmware update?
Cons: As much as I love apply, I got used to a two button mouse with a scroll wheel and now can't live without it. The mouse is a bit heavy and it's not that durable -- my daughter dropped it one too many times on the floor and now it doesn't work. So now I'm o
out of 36 user reviews
Good mouse, costs a bit, but a good mouse
Pros: +Easy to setup. For me it was simply enabling bluetooth, going into the wizard, and it detects and setups for me. +Fast response time (was fast for me, I didn't notice any lag) +Easy to enable even after sleep (I just held my mouse at a 45 degree angle,
Cons: -Costs a lot -Heavy, the batteries really make this bugger a weight in the bag, but it's not that bad. -One button, doesn't bother me so much, but it does bother others
out of 36 user reviews
Don't only go for the looks.
Pros: Looks great, bluetooth, mice visual compliments
Cons: Does not fit the hand like most of the new mice these days, does have a lag time, very picky about what it want requirement wise. Also, only one button! This is the problem with all Apple mice! Also, very very pricy for a mouse like that!
out of 36 user reviews
Good, but Expensive
Pros: High quality mouse, fantastic design, comfortable, included batteries, and of course, no cords!
Cons: A little on the expensive side
out of 36 user reviews
Undependable on a New Powerbook G4
Pros: Nice to use when it works.
Cons: I am using a new Powerbook G4 15" with Superdrive. This mouse eats up batteries like they were going out of style. It often gets disconnnected from the Powerbook which forces the user to reboot. There's only one mouse button. I had a problem where it was
out of 36 user reviews
The best mouse ever!
Pros: ease of use, click tension selectability, and wonderful reactivity. Simply the best mouse I have ever bought, and its price tag is not bad at all since it's bluetooth. Highly reccommended
Cons: nothing
out of 36 user reviews
Performed better than expected
Pros: Great design, ease of setup, nice preference panels,no interference with Aiport or wireless keyboard. I did NOT experience a noticable delay from mouse click to action, even while playing online games such as Spear Head.
Cons: price
out of 36 user reviews
Works fine most of the time
Pros: Reduces the cable clutter, great to use on the road with a PowerBook but...
Cons: Needs to be enabled through blue tooth set-up panel each time to computer goes to sleep - which is frequently if you're using a power book. If anyone has a work-around, let me know, please. There's a virtual beer for whoever has the solution :)
out of 36 user reviews
GREAT mouse
Pros: Flawless connection - even works from 30 feet away! Very responsive - CNET's report of a click delay didn't happen to me. Pretty!
Cons: Could use a 2-button version, but Apple will never make a 2-button mouse. If you're going to use this as your primary mouse, you will need rechargeable batteries, and these are not included with the mouse.
out of 36 user reviews
Awesome and an eye-catcher.
Pros: highly portable. No additional adapters needed.
Cons: slightly on the heeavy side.
