Bluetooth mouse for Powerbook?

Posted by: Top Cat on 21 October 2004

Hi everyone.

I'd quite like to add a bluetooth mouse to my Powerbook, and I'd like two buttons and a scroll wheel as I miss these from my PC days.

Any recommendations to something which will work with the PB? I have the integrated bluetooth module and I'd prefer a rechargeable optical mouse, but of course I wouldn't expect to be using it so far from the laptop so I expect battery life on regular AAs would be fine.

Any recommendations? Garyi? ANyone?

Ta,

John

PS. Also interested in a bluetooth keyboard, but I'm guessing that's a choice of one :-) This is not so important as I quite like the PB keyboard.

Posted on: 31 October 2004 by MarkEJ

Just for the record, OSX supports any standard USB mouse with up to two buttons and a scroll wheel, and requires no additional software in order to do this (it also supports tablets). However, the scroll wheel will not work in every application -- irritatingly, accounting software often seems to lack this as it is down to the developer to connect to the available hooks in the OS. This may improve if supplied OSX drivers are installed, but this is often not worth it (as anyone who has experience with Kensington MouseWorks will know).

RF mice are fine with PowerBooks, but require the RF emmitter to plugged into a USB socket, which is a bit of a pain as you can't just "close & go" without umplugging it. Bluetooth, being built in to the machine, would be a better bet for a wireless mouse as long you have the charging issue covered. Apple's own BT mouse just takes due Duracells every few weeks, like their BT keyboard. IMHO, Logitech make the world's best mice however.

Best;

Mark

Posted on: 01 November 2004 by Top Cat

Update: I went for a wired MX-510 in the end - and it's great. The wire isn't a problem as I normally sit pretty close to the laptop anyway, and the mouse has a beautiful action. No complaints, very much recommended.

John