Going Wireless
I’ve always used a wired Apple Keyboard and Mouse since switching to the Mac. The wires, if I’m honest, never bothered me. The wire on the Mighty Mouse is quite short and just plugs into the USB port on the side of my keyboard, so is quite unobtrusive. However, since my workspace is really minimal now the long thin wire from the keyboard to the iMac is bothering me quite a bit. It just looks wrong.
After tweeting my desire to buy a wireless Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse this afternoon, I’ve received a lot of replies recommending that I stay clear of the wireless MM as many have gone through up to 6 replacements before switching or find that it keeps jumping around. Because of my eye for form aswell as function, I wanted everything to match – everything to be Apple.
So, I’m still looking to get the wireless Apple Keyboard (the lack of number pad isn’t an issue for me), but I’ve had enough tweets from others this afternoon to make me re-think the wireless Mighty Mouse as an idea. So, what (Mac compatible) wireless mouse do you use and what would you recommend? If you are a wireless MM user, what are your thoughts? I would like to keep the cost under £50 as I think that’s pretty steep for a mouse, to be honest. My requirements are quite simple: a scroll wheel, left and right click. As far as function goes that’s where I’m at. Form, however, is a different matter. iMac matching would be good.
I’d have loved Apple to release more options in the keyboard and mouse department. Black keys on aluminum for the keyboard, silver and black for the mouse would be great options and perfect for those of us with the iMac and now of course the new MacBook and MacBook Pro. I’d probably have no issue with the wired keyboard if it were backlit, either 
One of the recommendations to come through from my friend Khalid is the Logitech MX Revolution. The charging dock is a nice feature, but is a little more expensive than I was preparing to spend.
About the author
I'm a thirty-something Geordie Lass with a passion for Macs. I love playing with new gadgets, Mac software and iPhone/iPad apps.
| Print article | This entry was posted by Sam on February 9, 2009 at 4:21 pm, and is filed under Apple, Hardware. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Gone Wireless
about 1 year ago - 15 comments
Around 24 hours after posing this question (and some great consideration based on feedback here and on Twitter) I purchased the wireless Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse. They are be-aut-iful.
I’m surprised that I didn’t need to make any finger adjustments to using the wireless keyboard given that some keys are in slightly different places –
about 1 year ago
With the wireless Mighty Mouse, yes, I’ve had to have mine replaced. But it took two years for it to malfunction. And Apple covered it under my AppleCare warranty on my previous MacBook (even though they weren’t bought together).
My suggestion: get the Mighty Mouse. There isn’t another mouse out there with the style, or that luscious little scroll ball (I love ((LOVE!)) 360° scrolling). Chances are yours will be fine. Remember, things usually work, except for the vocal minority.
about 1 year ago
Oh gosh, I forgot about the 360 degree scroll ball on the MM. I don’t think I could live without that!
I know what you mean, Chris, about things working and sometimes only hearing negative about products as the satisfied ones don’t have anything to say. This was true before buying my iMac. I scoured the Apple Discussion forums and saw lots of negatives regarding the screen on the 20inch, like it was washed out. It made me hesitate buying a few times until someone pointed out that there was no balance in negs/pos because the satisfied buyers had no need to go to forums and say anything, whereas you’re always going to hear from those who aren’t happy.
about 1 year ago
I have been using the wireless Mighty Mouse since Summer 2006. It’s a perfect match for my iMac.
Yes, I did get mine replaced numerous times under AppleCare. Other than that, I have no problem with it. Since you’re already a Mighty Mouse user, I think moving to the wireless version seems logical. The MM also takes full advantage of the iMac built-in bluetooth, so no more USB dongle.
Logitech is famous for its mice, but the MX Revolution is on the expensive side and it comes in black.
We have several 20-inch aluminum iMacs at work. Compared to my own 24-inch iMac at home, they do look differently. However, I think it’s perfectly fine for home/office use.
The Kensington SlimBlade Media Mouse looks very similar to the Apple wireless Mighty Mouse IMHO.
about 1 year ago
Personally, for what they cost, I would never invest in an Apple wireless keyboard/mouse. I don’t really see the point of going wireless unless I would be working away from my computer as to require no wires – perhaps with a projector set up?
But, as you say the wires are unsightly. It’s just a matter of whether paying the price of a wireless desktop can trump having a couple of wires on your desk. For me, it doesn’t.
However, I have heard good things about the Logitiech MX Revolution and bad about the wireless MM.
about 1 year ago
Thanks for your thoughts, Kenneth and Andrew.
That (black) Kensington SlimBlade Media Mouse looks nice and would match the iMac quite well, but not hugely available in the UK it seems.
The built-in bluetooth on the iMac for the MM is an advantage over the USB dongle.
Some of the yay/nay balance has been restored via a couple more @replies and DM’s on Twitter, in favour of the wireless MM of which the users have had no problems.
about 1 year ago
I’ve had my Wireless MM for my MacBook for well over a year now. The only problem I’ve ever had with it is crud and dust getting lodged in the scroll ball but that’s easily sorted with an old toothbrush and some elbow grease. I’ve never had any issues with the connection and think it would look lovely with your pretty new minimalist office!
about 1 year ago
my thoughts are
Definitely YES for the wireless apple keyboard.
Definitely NO for wireless MM.
You have the wired one already. I have wireless MM and it’s not so good as I want. When I’ll buy iMac Ill have the same problem.
If MM would be accurate like many logitechs would be nice, but unfortunately it seems this is not. And mouse is a very fundamental part of the working space.
I can say this due to my experience on logitechs mouses on pc, but naturally on Macs is different (I know).
But , considering you have already a MM, I really don’t see the value on buying a wireless MM.
Just my two cents Sam. Bye
about 1 year ago
Thanks for your thoughts, Jonathan
I think it’ll look great in here too.
Oscar, I can’t keep the wired MM with the wireless keyboard as the wire isn’t long enough to reach the iMac. And then again it would just be defeating the purpose of going wireless – I’d like to cut all visible ties on the desk
about 1 year ago
oh I thought wireless kb would have a usb port but I was wrong
Anyway let’s keep we in touch ’bout your wireless dilemma 
have a nice day