InsideMicrosoft

Mossberg: Microsoft Mice Better Than Apple Mighty Mouse

Walt Mossberg thinks Microsoft’s latest mouse (the magnifying Wireless Optical Mouse 5000) is better than Apple’s new Mighty Mouse. In fact, he seems to think that almost all other mice are still better than Apple’s new won’t-commit pointing device.

On Tuesday, Apple finally gave in — sort of. The company released an optional, add-on mouse called Mighty Mouse that allows right-clicking and scrolling. But in a stubborn homage to the old dogma, Apple designed the Mighty Mouse so it looks like, and can work like, a one-button mouse. Those clashing design goals make the Mighty Mouse harder to use than competing mice.

If you have Apple’s latest operating system, you can set up the Mighty Mouse so both sides act like a left mouse button, in effect turning it into a one-button mouse. Apple ships it that way so as not to shock one-button mouse lovers who have been living in a cave.

The scrolling function on the Apple mouse is also somewhat compromised in the name of design. Instead of the tried and tested scroll wheel, Apple embedded a tiny “scroll ball” in the top of the Mighty Mouse. It allows you to scroll vertically, horizontally and even diagonally. It looks cool, but I found it inferior to a scroll wheel and could never get it to work diagonally.

(via OS News > Findory)

What do I think? Sorry, you’ll never know:

Hi Nathan -

Thanks for your e-mail. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of requests we receive, we can’t accommodate them all. We appreciate your interest in reviewing the Mighty Mouse, but at this time will have to decline your request. If you have questions about the product that we can help answer, please let me know. Thanks!

Best,
*******

Sorry, AppleWatch.

They best review I can give without ever seeing the mouse: it seems like a better mouse, but unnecessary. One thing, though: I don’t use a mouse, haven’t used one regularly in almost three years. Laptops will do that to you.

August 5th, 2005 Posted by Nathan Weinberg | Apple, General | one comment