Magic Mouse

Models

1st generation (A1296)

The first generation Magic Mouse was released on October 20, 2009, and introduced multi-touch functionality. It connects wirelessly to a Mac computer via Bluetooth. It is powered by two AA batteries, and operates using a solid-state laser tracking sensor like the previous-generation wireless Mighty Mouse. Apple includes two non-rechargeable batteries in the box. Until 2016, Apple sold a battery charger that included two rechargeable NiMH AA batteries, designed for use with Mac peripherals.

Like its predecessor, the Mighty Mouse, the Magic Mouse includes support for secondary click. The Magic Mouse has been included with most desktop Mac computers since its introduction, including the iMac, iMac Pro, and third-generation Mac Pro, as well as being available as a standalone purchase.

The Magic Mouse borrows design elements from the preceding Apple Pro Mouse, notably its seamless "zero-button" design and translucent acrylic surface for 360-degree scrolling, replacing the rubber scroll ball on the Mighty Mouse. The mouse does not support left and right-clicking simultaneously, and also removes the ability to middle click without third-party software workarounds.

2nd generation (A1657)

The second generation Magic Mouse was introduced in October 2015, alongside the Magic Keyboard and second-generation Magic Trackpad. A space gray color was introduced with the iMac Pro in 2017, and was later made available as a standalone purchase. iPadOS 13.4 introduced mouse support to iPads for the first time, and supports all functionality of the second generation Magic Mouse.

A variety of pastel colors were introduced in 2021 to match the colors of the M1 iMac. Additionally, standalone purchases include a USB-C to Lightning cable, instead of USB-A to Lightning. The space gray color was replaced by a black color with a silver aluminum finish in 2022, which was originally only available bundled with the third-generation Mac Pro. All colors of the second-generation Magic Mouse have been introduced alongside matching colors for various Magic Keyboard models.

2nd generation with USB-C (A3204)

On October 28, 2024, Apple released an updated Magic Mouse that replaces the Lightning charging port with a USB-C port. It requires a Mac running macOS Sequoia or later to function properly.

Criticism

1st generation

Initial reception to the Magic Mouse was mixed, with reactions to its inability to trigger Exposé, Dashboard, or Spaces, as its predecessor could, or to middle click. Later versions of Mac OS X include gestures to open Mission Control, which incorporates functionality from Exposé, Dashboard, and Spaces. Other issues included the mouse's unstable connection to the first and second-generation Mac Pro models, and its low-profile design being uncomfortable & unergonomic was causing palm-aches, and hand cramping for some users.

2nd generation

When the second-generation Magic Mouse was released in 2015, Apple’s design choice to put the Lightning charging port on the bottom of the mouse, rendering it unusable while charging, was widely criticized by reviewers. Critics also noted the omission of Force Touch technology, which was included in the second-generation Magic Trackpad.

When the Magic Mouse was refreshed in 2024, charged using USB-C rather than Lightning, the ports remained on the bottom, renewing criticism which noted that the switch to USB-C was the only change to the mouse in 9 years.

Gallery

|File:Magic Mouse 02 Pengo.jpg |The underside of the first-generation Magic Mouse, showing the battery cover |File:Bad design - Apple Magic Mouse 2, unusable when charging 2.jpg |The charging port of the second-generation Magic Mouse is located on its underside, preventing the mouse from being used while charging.

References

Citations

| access-date = October 25, 2009 | archive-date = October 19, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111019193541/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/20/apples-magic-mouse-multitouch-gestures-bluetooth-four-month | url-status = live | access-date=8 October 2014 | archive-date=July 11, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711143401/http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/peripherals/input-devices/mice-and-trackballs/apple-magic-mouse-644831/review#null | url-status=live

Sources

References

1. "Magic Mouse 1 will not scroll on l… {{!}} Apple Developer Forums".
2. "How to enable "middle" click of Apple's Magic Mouse?".
3. "Apple Now Selling Standalone Space Gray Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2".
4. "Apple Starts Selling New iMac Accessories Separately".
5. (9 March 2022). "Apple launched a new Magic Mouse, and yes, it still charges from the bottom".
6. "Apple’s new Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad have USB-C".
7. (2024-10-31). "PSA: Apple's New USB-C Accessories Require macOS Sequoia, Don't Work Properly With macOS 15.2 Beta".
8. Loyola, Roman. (October 21, 2009). "First Look: Apple Magic Mouse".
9. "Bugs & Fixes: Magic Mouse Loses Its Way".
10. "Has anyone experienced ergonomic problems with the Magic Mouse?".
11. "Review: Apple's Magic Trackpad 2 and Magic Mouse 2 open new doors for Mac".
12. "Apple Magic Mouse 2 review: Mouse unable to conjure up any innovation".
13. "The Sad Reality of the Magic Mouse 2".
14. Espósito, Filipe. (2024-10-28). "New USB-C Magic Mouse still has the charging port on the bottom".
15. Peters, Jay. (2024-10-28). "Apple put the Magic Mouse’s charging port on the bottom again".
16. "Apple's New Magic Mouse, Keyboard and Trackpad Get USB-C, but Still Seem to Have Same Quirks".
17. "Magic Mouse". Apple.