I'm experiencing the weirdest thing when using Magic Mouse with my MBP and Cinema HD 30" (or a Cinema 23" for that matter). The problem is that the tracking becomes very erratic when the Cinema display is connected to the MBP.
When using the Magic Mouse with the Cinema disconnected the mouse works just fine.
Obviously there's nothing wrong with the Magic Mouse or the bluetooth signal. What could cause this behaviour?
Amp... I'm having the same problem and coming on here to post. I just bought the 24" ACD. My mouse lags, jerks, stops... then catches up. I was able to restart, and it seemed like it was fixed, but it's back. I also bought the wireless Apple keyboard, and I don't know if there is a BT conflict or something.
@DaddyPaycheck, unfortunately there is no grounded outlet where I'm at right now. Is it critical not using grounded outlet? By disconnecting the display's USB-hub, do you mean disconnecting the USB-cable from the MBP?
Bryan, I'm surprised to learn that also the new 24" ACD is interfering with the BT-signal. I think I'm going to give Apple some feedback on this matter. Seems like this is worthy their attention - I hope.
Yes, disconnect the USB cable that goes to the monitor. I suspect that you have a grounding and/or neutral issue with the AC supply. In order to test this you really do need to have a grounded outlet available for both the MBP and the monitor.
Mouse works fine (BT and corded) when my MBP lid is open. I don't know if it's the computer or the display, but it's too much trouble to worry about. I'll just keep my lid open, it will give me a place to put my email window anyway.
@DaddyPayCheck, yes I see what you mean. That sounds logical. I will definitely try this but it might take some time. I have to drill holes and stuff to get to where my setup is with a new grounded outlet. I will post whether or not this did the trick.
@Bryan, if I remember correctly I believe the lid on the MBP should be open when using BT. What I do when I am working on my desk with the ACD connected is to put the MBP to sleep, then do a wakeup-call with the lid closed (essential that you have an external keyboard/mouse here). Once logged in again I open the MBP lid. That way I only have the ACD as the active display.
@Bryan, if I remember correctly I believe the lid on the MBP should be open when using BT.
If true, that would be less than ideal. However, I
can use the BT mouse and keyboard with my lid closed and the BT signal never dies, it's just that the mouse stuttering makes me pull my hair out. I even went to Best Buy to get a wired Apple Mouse... the stuttering is still there, so that leads me to believe it's some other issue.
Anyway, I now will keep my 15" MBP open and I'm using that to my left as my iTunes window, or will keep it for email when I'm working. I usually don't like to give up on an issue, but the time it would take to see if I could even find out... and I'm not lugging my ACD to the Apple Store and try to tell them my mouse is jerky, when they could say it's fine for them...
So I'll get an extra 15 inches of real estate out of the deal. I did order the Magic Trackpad... will see if that has the same issues when the MBP is closed. If I had to guess, I'd say no, as it's using totally different technology to track the pointer. Who knows, I might get proficient with the trackpad, and use my mouse less and less.
I have now all my equipment on a grounded outlet. Unfortunately it didn't make a bit of difference - Magic Mouse still acting crazy when the display is connected.
The thing is that I've tested the mouse on four different Cinema HD displays; three 23" and one 30". It's the same with every single one of them. As soon as a Cinema HD display is connected to my MBP Magic Mouse goes haywire.
I have also had the mouse checked by an authorized Apple reseller. They of course did not find anything wrong. They claim to have tested the mouse with a Cinema HD display, but I seriously doubt that. Unless there's some evil spell over my powergrid, the conclusion is obvious; four Cinema displays causing Magic Mouse to behave erratic, or as Bryan so eloquently put it; "it lags, jerks, stop, then catches up". It's got to be the display.
The above taken in account pluss a clean install of SL and the fact that when a Cinema display is not connected Magic Mouse behavior is flawless, the verdict must be that a Cinema HD display is not compatible with Magic Mouse.
I'm off to the Apple Premium Reseller claiming a refund!
Amp- I've done about as much testing as I can... USB in, out, MBP open/shut, wireless mouse/wired. All extra apps not needed closed. I've spent more time than a person should trying to figure out a problem that shouldn't exist.
I have one more test... my Magic Trackpad should be here in about 10 days. I will lastly try closing my MBP and using the trackpad to see if my pointer is also jerky/sluggish. I have a strange feeling the trackpad will work fine. As to why the mouse issues, no idea.
Since it happens to my wired Apple mouse, I've ruled out my issue being a BlueTooth problem. My wired mouse stutters as much when my MBP lid is closed. It's either my MBP or the display.
Actually, I think I'm going to prove once and for all if it's my computer or my display... My friend has the latest MBP 17". I will try her's and see if same happens. Maybe I'll be bringing my MBP in for a checkup rather than the display...
By any chance.. do any of you have TextExpander installed? Funny thing, when I installed Magic Prefs, it said there was software that may interfere with it, and it listed TextExpander. So I just turned off TextExpander (I had it launch on OS load). And I'm not experiencing that jittery mouse any longer.
Right now, my lid is closed on my MBP, and I'm using the mouse without any problems at all. I'm going to see how long this will last, but this is the longest I've gone without issues. I hope I found the problem. I only use TE twice per week, so I would only run it then. If that is the issue, I'll let them know about it.
OK. I finally pin-pointed the exact problem. After blaming TextExpander, and other software, and essentially pulling out my hair, I've found the reason my mouse is stuttering across my screen. I know how it's happening, but I don't know why.
So I solved my issue by... moving my MBP closer to my mouse. My issues started when I move my MBP just 12 inches back, and 12 inches down, to rest on the seat of the booth (table) I use as my desk in my kitchen. For whatever reason, moving it back and down caused issues with my mouse. The table is wood, so there doesn't seem to be an issue with BT signal going through an object, and I thought BT was good for 30 feet anyway, and is not line of sight.
So for fun, last night I closed my lid, and put the MBP on the table, just under my display, and less than 2 feet from my magic mouse. Instantly my mouse was moving perfect. Then, I said, why don't I move my MBP back down where it was and try again... stuttering, jerky mouse. Moved the MBP back, good as gold. Why this is happening is troubleshooting nightmare I don't even want to think about. So although I can keep my MBP right there, I think I'm gonna buy the BookArc, made by Twelve South. This way I can vertically stand up my MBP and put it behind my display out of the way, and have easier access to my cables.
I've owned Macs since '05, and this is by far the strangest thing I've ever encountered. Maybe my BT antenna is weak? Maybe the table blocks the signal? Who knows, but I've spent probably 20 hours of my time trying to figure what the problem could be.
I don't know if this would work for others, but this is a 100% solution for me. I again have a precision pointing device. It only cost me a Magic Trackpad and a wired Apple mouse to figure it out:( But I can't wait to try the Magic Trackpad... and probably going to return the wired mouse to Best Buy.
If
anything crazy happens again, and this solution stops working... I'll be back, as some actor turned governor said.
Hey Bryan, you are persistent, that's for sure. Thank's for hanging in there for all the rest of us. I've almost given up on this weird, wacky issue. I'm starting to believe that the actual problem is the BT.
The thing is that when I have tested the mouse without the display the MBP, running on battery, was placed right in front of me beside the mouse. It would take to much time to rip up my cable setup just to have the MBP connected side by side with the display. Anyways, as you too experiences the mouse works just fine when operating real close to the MBP.
I think I will have the MBP checked for BT faulty by an Apple tech.
I will get back when I have the result.
I'm back... and that can only mean one thing.... sighs... it's finally over.
Ok, so my last happiness was short-lived. But this was like a comedy/tragedy of errors, and let me briefly summarize my pain, in trying to solve the mouse issue, here is what it cost me:
1. Spent $800.00 on ACD
I wanted to increase my screen real estate when working at home
2. Spent $70 on wireless keyboard
At this point, BT magic mouse was stuttering/jerky
3. Spent $50 on wired mouse
At this point, wired mouse was stuttering/jerky
4. Spent $70 on magic trackpad
At this point, I needed to get rid of mice and try the trackpad
5: Spent $50 on BookArc stand
Figured I'd keep it in closed-lid mode since my problems seemed to be over
6. Hours and hours and hours of my time $500.00 (estimated)
I also bought the Elgato eyetv thinking it would be nice to watch TV on the larger screen....
So where do I stand now...
1. The ACD is going back for a refund
2. The wireless keyboard is going back for a refund
3. The wired mouse
went back for a refund
4. The trackpad is going back for a refund
5. The stand is going back for a refund
6. I'm sending an invoice for my time to Steve Jobs
This has to be the worst weekend in my life!!! I was so excited to get up and running and have the flexibility of the large display at home and the MBP on the road. The money I ended up spending, I could have just bought the low-end iMac. What the heck was I thinking?
I don't even know what the issue could be.. most likely my computer, but trying to lug all that stuff to Apple and explain things.... no thank you. I'd sooner sell my 15" on eBay and get the 17"... which is still a possibility, now that I'm getting all that cash back.
Or maybe I should leave well enough alone.
Signed,
Severely beat down by technology
PS The eyetv is going back too... I'd be laughing if I weren't crying:|
