Targus Bluetooth Laser Mouse for Mac
Starting at: $29.95
CNET Editors' Review
CNET Editors' Rating
- Reviewed by: Dan Ackerman
- Released on:
- Reviewed on:
The good: Mac-like design stands out from the crowd; optical sensor instead of scroll wheel is an interesting innovation; curved, ergonomic shape.
The bad: A bit big for mobile MacBook users; optical scroll sensor isn't the best for super-accurate scrolling.
The bottom line: Targus' new Bluetooth Laser Mouse for Mac replaces the scroll wheels and trackballs found on other mice with a clever optical sensor. It takes some getting used to, but is great for four-way scrolling.
MacBook users (and desktop Mac users as well) are often as enamored of their hardware's look as its performance, so a healthy side industry has popped up for accessories that share Apple's basic design cues. Accessory maker Targus has a new line of Mac-flavored devices, including this one, called simply the Bluetooth Laser Mouse for Mac.
This $69 mouse has a white body on a gray base, and even though the latest MacBooks are all aluminum, white is still the universal Mac color in many minds. There are large left and right mouse buttons, plus two small programmable ... Expand full review
MacBook users (and desktop Mac users as well) are often as enamored of their hardware's look as its performance, so a healthy side industry has popped up for accessories that share Apple's basic design cues. Accessory maker Targus has a new line of Mac-flavored devices, including this one, called simply the Bluetooth Laser Mouse for Mac.
This $69 mouse has a white body on a gray base, and even though the latest MacBooks are all aluminum, white is still the universal Mac color in many minds. There are large left and right mouse buttons, plus two small programmable thumb buttons on the left side of the base. The mouse is powered by two AA batteries, and since it's a Bluetooth device, it doesn't require a USB dongle.
At 4.6 inches by 2.5 inches by 1.5 inches (at its highest point), it's a bit big for travel, although the body design, which curves up in the middle and tapers at either end, is comfortable even for long stretches.
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New York native Dan Ackerman, a former radio DJ turned journalist, has written about technology and music for publications including Spin, Blender, The Hollywood Reporter, and Men's Journal. He hosts the weekly CNET Labscast show (Mondays at 2pm ET) and his most recent album, Tales Out of Night School, is available now.
User Reviews
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Most recent user reviews
Showing 3 of 15 reviews
"not the best" By blairmclachlan
Pros: Easy to connect and set up. Tracks ok.
Buttons have good pressure sensitivity, clean and positive clicks and easy to use.
Cons: I found the optical scroll very jerky and disappointing. I set the scroll preferences to the lowest available setting, which toned it down a little, and just makes it just usable but still not easy. The scale settings above minimum seem just impossibly su
Summary: I will still use it rather than the track pad or my wired mouse, but the optical scroll really needs some more work.
"Gotta offset the glowing editor review" By mealworm
Pros: OK Tracking, not bad connectivity, novel idea
Cons: Precision scrolling is next to impossible, making this mouse next to useless if you use scrolling to zoom in/out in PS, AE, Maya, etc. Often find myself scrolling w/out even touching the sensor since it can "see" my finger when it's hovering over it.
Summary: A good idea poorly implemented makes for a bad product. Swing and a miss.
Specifications
See full specsQuick Specs
- Compatibility: Mac
- Interface required: None
- Movement Detection Technology:Movement Resolution: 1200 dpi
