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November 9th, 2009, 11:41 GMT · By

Apple’s New Magic Mouse Continues to Spur Complaints

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Apple's new, Multi-Touch-capable Magic Mouse
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Apple’s Discussions support forums are getting filled with negative Magic Mouse posts, most of which appear to be complaints regarding the peripheral’s functionality, compatibility with older hardware, and even its shape and size. TUAW has shown that a simple keyword search on the forums pulls up countless threads singing pretty much the same tune - Magic Mouse is not so magic.

“Hi, Just bought the new iMac 27" everything was perfect till now,” one Apple Discussions 
user reports. “My magic mouse does not scroll anymore, all I can do is point and click. At first I [thought] its [sic] because I installed bootcamp with windows 7 but even when i delete bootcamp the mouse still does not work. Please Help.”

Although most people buying the Magic Mouse for older hardware (earlier Macs) are required to download and install a software update addressing compatibility issues, the same thing cannot be said about new-generation iMacs, which ship with the new Magic Mouse in the box, and should ensure perfect compatibility with the peripheral. For this particular user, the mouse may well be faulty.

Another “happy” owner of a Magic Mouse claims that, “besides the beauty not much else is there. [It’s] More like a regular mouse, not very comfortable to hold, I have big hands and the mouse seems to disappear under my palm.”

“...anyone else using the new magic mouse and feel that the slick silver material on the sides could be a little tackier?” another Discussions poster asks.

One user seems to have the typical compatibility-case on his hands: “I just bought a Magic Mouse for my MacBook. I got it connected and it is tracking great, but the multitouch surface doesn't seem to work. I can't scroll or swipe or anything on it. All I can do is point and click. What should I do?”

Just to be clear, in all cases, those who are not using one of the new iMacs introduced in October 2009 are required to download and install Wireless Mouse Software Update 1.0. You can learn more here.

“Hi, I was reading the support guide for the magic mouse and it says you need wireless mouse software update 1.0,” goes another post, whose author seems to be more in the loop, so to speak. Still, he not 100% up to speed, as his post continues to reveal: “Where do you get that update? Does it come with the mouse? I've tried to download it via SoftwareUpdate, but it says my software is updated. Is it possible I already have it?”

It is not clear exactly how many such Apple Discussions posts can really point the finger at Apple. The Magic Mouse has indeed received mixed reviews. Softpedia’s Mac editor is still waiting for the Magic Mouse shipping to arrive in this part of the world. As soon as we get our hands on it, we’ll be carrying out tests with it on at least three different Macs to see how it performs.

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READER COMMENTS:


Comment #1 by: Mike R. on 09 Nov 2009, 13:52 UTC reply to this comment

Works fine for me. And if someone can't figure out how to go to Apple's site and get a driver, which the manual that comes with it says on the first page, then they really ought to let their kids take care of their computer for them.

Comment #1.1 by: Brueck on 09 Nov 2009, 16:54 GMT

Works fine for me too...Actually it's the best mous i've ever used. I like everything about it so far. And it works much better than the wireless mighty mouse.


Comment #2 by: morcheeba on 09 Nov 2009, 16:28 UTC reply to this comment

I've had no problems; this is pretty simple - the mouse will only point & click until the drivers are installed. The multitouch processing happens in the computer, not the mouse, so that's why special drivers are needed.


Comment #3 by: Anton Boreas on 29 Nov 2009, 10:56 UTC reply to this comment

Not only does the mouse work perfectly, it is one of the best things I have ever laid my hand on. One reviewer went on about the 'styling' of the mouse. It is not styled, it is sculpted, not for looks but for tactile rightness. The weight is not a problem (2 AA batteries) if you think of it as a means to haptic precision. The scrolling is still surprisingly satisfying after 2 weeks of steady use with a new iMac.


Comment #4 by: Jeb on 17 Sep 2010, 14:37 UTC reply to this comment

Mine works beautifully and fits well under my hand. The PROBLEM is the wireless connection for both the keyboard and the mouse. They go out routinely after owning an iMac for only 2 weeks! Will they give me free help or replacement when I go in this weekend? I'll let you know.


Comment #5 by: Jimb on 02 Sep 2011, 19:57 UTC reply to this comment

This mouse sucks! Apple dropped the ball by claiming it worked with 10.5.8. I jumped through hoops this week trying anything & everything and the &^%$ing thing only moves on the screen and when passed over the RYG icons in the upper left of windows, will light up the icons. Didn't work for 2 days then all of a sudden I bumped it with with my elbow. Tried it and and it worked PERFECTLY for 4 hours. Logged off for lunch. When I logged back on, the freaking thing was dead again! Nothing anyone suggests (reset pram, restarting, reloading SW or deleting things worked). Was on the phone with Apple for 2 hours and they denied knowing there was an issue. "Hey * ... do an online search for MM problems ... thousands of people have the same problem with no solution!" I need a $70.00 paperweight like I need another hole in my head! I WANT A RESOLUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment #5.1 by: Idony on 05 Jan 2012, 23:22 GMT

Apple won't admit there's a problem; therefore, you're unlikely to get a resolution. Imagine the millions they'd lose if they admitted they manufactured and sold a faulty, environmentally-unsound product. They could easily afford it, but they're obviously quite greedy and obtuse. You're just another peasant to them - we all are.

A lot of people on the Apple Support site are talking about (sometimes) increasing the "Magic" Mouse's performances by sticking a piece of paper cut to specific parameters into the mouse. It wasn't worth the hassle to me, and I just went out and bought a wired mouse, but it might be something to look into.

If anyone hears of a class-action lawsuit about the failures of the "Magic" Mouse or about Apple refusing to honor service guarantees, please contact me (Scott Hill) at bookofspirals@gmail.com.


Comment #6 by: Idony on 05 Jan 2012, 23:12 UTC reply to this comment

I made my foray into the Mac world by purchasing an iMac this past September. The "Magic" Mouse that came with it disconnected all the time (especially when other wireless devices were in operation). It also requires dozens of batteries per years to operate, making it environmentally irresponsible even if it worked. I was under a 90-day service guarantee, but Apple ignored that when it came to the "Magic" Mouse and one other issue I was having. Of course, they made sure to send an email asking me to pay for more (non-existent) service at the end of the 90 days, but there wasn't a word about my problem being fixed. And, ever since I complained about the "Magic" Mouse being bad for the Earth, I was blocked from the Apple support site entirely (even though I'm still under a year's warranty which will, obviously, not be honored). I thought Apple had good customer service, and I signed on hoping to be an Apple guy for life. Now I just can't wait to bail out and go back to a company where the customer service is a breathtaking "below average" - because that's better than Apple will provide. -Scott Hill

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