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Level 1

18 points

Magic Mouse Hurts My Fingers and Other Complaints -- Anyone Have Advice?

The Magic Mouse is a design and technological triumph for Jonathan Ive and team, but an absolute ergonomic disaster for a ton of unlucky users, including me. "Uncomfortable to use" is a nice way to put it. Google "Mighty Mouse hurts hand" or similar topics and you'll find a lot of users have the same reaction. The sharp edges of the plastic top look great but hurt the fingers.

I got a Magic Mouse with my 27-inch iMac on Oct. 22. Within a day, the pad of my right thumb and the inside of my ring finger near the first joint -- the areas that grip all recent Apple mice -- began to hurt. After a week or so of use, during which my fingers developed constant bone bruise-like pain, I tried to ameliorate the situation by filing the top's sharp edges in the grip zone to a rounder shape. That helped, but only a little.

A month after trying to adjust to the Magic Mouse, I've retired it to a little show-off pedestal where visitors can ooh and aah. I've returned to using the bluetooth Mighty Mouse that came with my mid-2007 20-inch iMac 2.4 GHz.

My other major complaint about the Magic Mouse has to do with the left and right click functions. There's no trackpea to keep my index finger from wandering past the divide between left and right click zones. So in my attempts to move the Magic Mouse about without pain, my index finger wanders into right click territory and I can't tell you how many times I inadvertently right clicked when I meant to left click.

The touchpad-like scrolling functions work OK, but trying to use the Magic Mouse to navigate through the electronic edition of USA Today is a nightmare of jumpy incompatibility between the newspaper's on-screen software and the mouse's firmware/software. I have resorted to using just a plain vanilla Apple bluetooth mouse.

I also don't like the low height, which makes it difficult to move the MM around without gripping it awkwardly so it doesn't slip around. That, and the sharp edges, are not very user-friendly.

My grandson and I have experimented with a Microsoft bluetooth mouse, but we can't get it to play nice with Apple's bluetooth, whether it's in a 27-inch iMac, a 2007 20-inch iMac or a late 2006 Mac Mini.

Of all the current/recent Apple mice, the one I am most comfortable with is the wireless/lbluetooth Mighty Mouse. Its shape fits my hand, I like the ability to use the right click/left click functions, and the trackpea works very, very well. I also like the trackpea's click function as a way to bring up Dashboard. I deactivate the little side tab/wings because they're too sensitive to my grip as I move the MM around. I initially had some trouble with the trackpea getting clogged with crud, but I disassembled mine, cleaned it, and now run the trackpea upside down across a microfiber cloth every now and then and it continues to perform perfectly.

I have several Mighty Mice with cords. All of my comments above apply to them, but they have one problem common to all Apple mice with that elongated oval shape: the cord tends to get caught under the front edge and prevent up and down clicking movement.

I haven't investigated third-party mice, but the Magic Mouse fiasco (from my perspective) has pretty much convinced me that Apple hasn't yet quite figured out how to do mice. If anyone has advice (AppleCare? Replace with more hand-friendly mouse?), I'd be glad to get it.

-- Jim Scott

27" iMac 3.06 GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.2), Bought 10/20/09, Received 10/22/09

Posted on Dec 10, 2009 3:54 PM

Best reply

Kenichi Watanabe

Level 8

41,572 points

Posted on Dec 10, 2009 4:11 PM

AppleCare won't replace your Apple mouse with a third-party mouse.

For third-party wireless mice, it is usually necessary to install their custom driver software.

For third-party wired mice that have extra buttons and other functions, you have to install their custom driver software to use those extra features.

For third-party wired mice that only have the basic, two buttons and a clickable scroll wheel, they will work fine with Apple's built-in USB mouse driver. That's the type I use (from Microsoft). Simple, sturdy, inexpensive, no batteries to replace. The mouse "tail" is no big deal with a desktop Mac.

A lot of people think the Magic Mouse is the best mouse ever. I'm not one of them. I use the mouse I want to use.

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32 replies

Feb 19, 2010 10:36 AM in response to Jim Scott

I have only one problem with the Magic Mouse, and since I haven't seen it posted anywhere yet I'll post it here:
I am constantly accidentally scrolling to the right, especially when I move the mouse to the right. My fingers don't seem to be touching the scroll surface but then whing! there it goes. I guess I am a klutz cuz the surface is way too sensitive for me. I have experimented with different ways of holding it and become a maniac about keeping my index and middle fingers away from the surface (uncomfortable) but I just can't stop this behavior.

I would like to see Apple rewrite the Magic Mouse driver software to give users the option of mapping areas of the surface to different functions so we could control where the scrolling function starts and ends. Such great functionality is normally found only in third-party mice and trackballs. Come on, Apple, finish the paradigm!

Feb 22, 2010 9:25 AM in response to Patrick Mullen

I found an answer, for me anyway: MagicPrefs! Using MP I simply disabled one-finger scrolling. That took care of 90% of the problem.

Just thought I'd post back in case someone else had this problem.

May 8, 2010 12:56 PM in response to lakeshore

I love my MagicMouse but the outside edges are so sharp that I have had to retire it from use because it was causing me so much pain and discomfort that I just couldn't take any longer. Maybe a note to the product design team that razor sharp edges are not always the best when dealing with something that many of us use for 10-12 hrs. a day. Same is true of my MacBook Pro's hard on the wrists. Any ideas or solutions would be appreciated.

Jim Scott Author

Level 1

18 points

May 8, 2010 3:10 PM in response to Dr. Scott W Martin

About the only thing that will help -- and it's not that much -- is to use a file to round off the sharp edge. I've done that several times, being careful to tape the joint so filing debris doesn't get inside the Magic Mouse. The rounder edge helps, but the pain and discomfort you and I both have noted comes back within a day or so of use. Then it's back to the Mighty Mouse until I get brave again.

Despite what others have said about my gripping the Magic Mouse too tightly, which is absolutely wrong and shows they didn't read my posts, for me there is no way to grip it satisfactorily. The truth of the matter is that the inward slope along the sides reduces the amount of surface to "grip" or "cradle" between thumb, ring finger and little finger. Too tight a grip, as when lifting the Magic Mouse to move the cursor from corner to corner of my 27" iMac, and the MM pops up and hits my palm. Too loose and navigation gets sloppy. This forces me to grip the MM in that narrow band of more-or-less vertical area near the top, which puts my fingers on the "sharp" edge, etc., as well as forcing my hand to float above the surface unnaturally.

(With the Mighty Mouse my fingertips lightly touch the desktop which puts my fingers in exactly the right position on the MM's sides to move it around and control it precisely.)

Jonathan Ive and team must have been eating bad pizza and listening to numbingly loud music when the Magic Mouse's sharp-edged design was approved. Let's hope they hear our complaints about the ergonomically disastrous Magic Mouse design.

On the other hand, I bought a Unibody aluminum MacBook the first day and have no complaints about the edges being too sharp, except at those two very sharp points on the top case on either side of the hinge opening. OTOH, I use my MacBook much, much less than I do my desktop iMac 27".

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

May 8, 2010 4:11 PM in response to Jim Scott

I've never cared for any Apple mouse - none of their designs fit my hand and/or hurt, so I've always used a third party mouse. Here are three ideas you might want to check into:

1. The Rocketfish Bluetooth laser mouse (a "housebrand" at Best Buy),
2. a Macally mouse (I'm still using one of their old one button mice, but I also have a couple others incl. the Ice Mouse which, IMHO, is well designed ergonomically, and
3. I also use - when possible - a Wacom Bamboo Pen & Touch tablet - it's great; works with either their pen (which is far more comfortable to use than any mouse), or touch.

Wacom: http://www.wacom.com/bamboo/bamboopentouch.php

Macally: http://www.macally.com/EN/Product/inputkeymouse.asp

May 10, 2010 4:24 PM in response to Jim Scott

I would need to try for myself. I do have a tendency of resting my hand over the mouse so I don't know how the Magic Mouse would work once I get one. You see in the demos that everyone has their hands crawled over even to click which does seem uncomfortable.

Though, I never had much luck with Apple Mice. The Mouse that came with my Original Mac Mini G4 had no Scroll wheel nor right click options which I just could'nt get used to for long.

Then the Mighty Mouse ( Apple Mouse ) that came with my iMac worked great for a year. Then the Scroll Ball got filled with crud afterwards. I cleaned it and it worked fine for another 2 Months until the scroll ball stopped working again. Cleaned it again but ended up Warping the bottom part which made it unusable. I then ended up buying a $9 Black Logitech Full size Optical mouse which I have been using for over 2 years Flawlessly. It's Ugly as Heck but it works.

sjam

Level 1

16 points

May 10, 2010 5:55 PM in response to Jim Scott

I also agree that the new Magic Mouse is terrible. Its a great concept but its not ergonomic enough and your hand doesn't rest on it properly. It way too flat so your hand never relaxes. I really want to use it especially that they cost $70 and its a waste to just sit in the box but its not good. It also doesn't slide well, its on skis and I scratched my desk with it. I'm still using my Logitech MX which plays very well with Mac. Its still USB but the plug is super small. I love apple but sometimes think they want WOW and don't think about reality. Careful Apple...!

May 23, 2010 9:31 PM in response to Jim Scott

You know, I just got a new iMac and I guess I know what you mean.

1st few days, my hand did begin feel strained after keeping it hovered over for a while. And it's not comfortable to rest the hand upon it but the scrolling feature still works even if I do.

But after some getting used to, it actually grew on me. Scrolling by touch felt awkward at first but at the end, it makes sense. I scroll around much quicker and my fingers don't feel strained as they do on a regular mouse using a scroll wheel.

U begin to kick the habit of keeping your hand over the mouse. I gesture over the mouse surface or click around when I need to. I not feeling the hand strain as much as I felt on the first day.

This is my first time using a bluetooth mouse and it's impressive so far. Overall, I think it would've been more comfortable for me had it of been raised a bit higher.

Message was edited by: Christian Rosario

Message was edited by: Christian Rosario

Topcow

Level 1

0 points

Jun 20, 2010 8:34 PM in response to Jim Scott

Have you tried taking a look at this add-on for the magic mouse: www. mmfixed .com

Jim Scott Author

Level 1

18 points

Jun 21, 2010 7:36 PM in response to Topcow

Your link didn't work because you put a space before and after mmfixed. It should be: www.mmfixed.com.

Interesting idea, however it may well cause wrist pain because it forces the hand to be higher than the wrist, an unnatural position.

And mmfixed doesn't answer my primary complaint, which is that the "sharp" edges of the Magic Mouse hurt my fingers, causing bone bruise-like pain.

As far as I am concerned, kludge-like fixes such as mmfixed are proof positive that the Magic Mouse is a seriously flawed design where ergonomics is concerned.

ifergal

Level 1

0 points

Jul 9, 2010 5:52 AM in response to Jim Scott

Magic Mouse gives me cramp, pins & needles & a buuzzing feeling in my hand. It was so bad last night that my arm was numb from the elbow down for about an hour after I was forced to stop using it. I have feeling this is more than just a problem with ergonomics. Bluetooth is a form of radiation after all & I wonder if the aluminium bottom case of Magic Mouse is reflecting back a lot more of that radiation up & through the hand? I never had this problem with the all plastic Mighty Mouse. I'm gonna ask for an exchange at my Apple store.

Jul 10, 2010 10:32 PM in response to Jim Scott

dude I just bought a new imac and this little mouse is the best one I have ever owned. Just the ability to scroll with one finger is awesome.

Djf0057

Level 1

4 points

Aug 15, 2010 6:20 PM in response to Jim Scott

I love the mouse but it destroys my finger as well I just put a piece of tape on my index finger were it tends to hurt and it doesn't bother me any more. It's pretty inconvenient but once I started using the magic mouse I couldn't go back.

Djf0057

Level 1

4 points

Aug 15, 2010 6:28 PM in response to Djf0057

Also I found if you turn up the tracking speed and try to use the mouse while facing the computer straight on rather than at an angle it tends to put less pressure on the edges and reduces irritation.

Oct 14, 2010 6:29 AM in response to Rick Lang

I've been looking for Apple software that eliminates the painful need for clicking. GentleMouse is a Windows version but doesn't work with Apple. It makes squares around the cursor that you can click: Left CLick, Right Click, Double click, Hold, Release.

Is there any software that can do this for the iMac?

DB

Magic Mouse Hurts My Fingers and Other Complaints -- Anyone Have Advice?