Magic Mouse or Touch Mouse?

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Level 1

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Magic Mouse or Touch Mouse?

I bought my new MBA last week which I'm using for both OSX (Lion) and Windows 7 (as necessitated by the work I do). My question is, would I be happier with the Magic Mouse - which will work great (I assume) in OSX but only basic mouse functionality in Win7 - or one Microsoft's three Touch Mouse models - which would probably maximize the functionality in Win7, but may underperform in OSX. The real question is does anyone know how well any of these options work with the "other" OS?

1) Apple Magic Mouse

2) Microsoft Touch Mouse

3) Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse

4) Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse

I probably use windows more, so that might skew my choice. I also WON'T carry both, because that's stupid 🙂

Thanks,

Guy

Posted on Oct 1, 2011 7:33 PM

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Answer 1

X423424X

Level 6

14,271 points

Oct 1, 2011 9:00 PM in response to 4ThisGuy

For which mac model is this for? I ask this because on mac pro's there are many who have bluetooth problems with the MM. For example see this discussion:

Poor Bluetooth reception and jerky mouse

And IMO, if you use a wire-less mouse (bluetooth or wireless) it's good to keep a wired mouse available in case of bluetooth or wireless problems. So it is not "stupid" to have both if one of those mice is wired.

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Answer 2

4ThisGuy Author

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Oct 2, 2011 4:46 PM in response to X423424X

I have a "new" MacBook air. I switch between OSX and Win7 using bootcamp.

Also, i was sort of joking, but buying both wireless mice that are supposed to have similar functionality but don't work with the other OS is annoying. And I bought an Air so that I could easily travel with it. Carrying extra peripherals isn't really a good option.

Thanks...would appreciate any thoughts you have.

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Answer 3

4ThisGuy Author

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Oct 2, 2011 7:22 PM in response to 4ThisGuy

One other related question. How has Apple's tracking technology changed between the old mighty mouse and the newer magic mouse? I ask because I have a mighty mouse I use on a different computer that tracks very poorly on the fabric of my couch. I have an old microsoft intellimouse optical mouse that works flawlessly. I assume the "better", more precise nature of the newer technology is actually working against me here. I'm wondering the the magic mouse's "laser" technology will perform well.

Thanks,

Guy

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Answer 4

X423424X

Level 6

14,271 points

Oct 2, 2011 7:41 PM in response to 4ThisGuy

I have a "new" MacBook air.

Ah, missed that in your first post.

Carrying extra peripherals isn't really a good option.

Yup, my first reply was not assuming a portable.

One other related question. How has Apple's tracking technology changed between the old mighty mouse and the newer magic mouse? I ask because I have a mighty mouse I use on a different computer that tracks very poorly on the fabric of my couch. I have an old microsoft intellimouse optical mouse that works flawlessly. I assume the "better", more precise nature of the newer technology is actually working against me here. I'm wondering the the magic mouse's "laser" technology will perform well.

I am not familiar with the Mighty Mouse other than I read stories about the little scroll ball getting clogged with dirt. I believe the Magic Mouse must have a very high DPI because I do keep a wired Logitech mouse plugged in along with my magic mouse. Setting the tracking speed for the MM makes the tracking speed for the Logitech mouse impossibly fast because of its smaller DPI tracking.

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Answer 5

4ThisGuy Author

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Oct 4, 2011 3:14 PM in response to X423424X

For what it's worth, I bought the Magic Mouse today and have just installed it. It is working on both win7 (including scrolling) and OSX 10.7. I was pleasantly surprised that it worked with both as I switched back and forth. It occured to me as I was on my way home that bluetooth mice don't work with two seperate computers, without being unpaired from the first computer before pairing to the second. I suppose, however, since this is a duel boot situation the mouse is actually connecting to the same bluetooth adaptor, so it might seem the same to the mouse.

We'll see if I like it, have 14 days to return.

Thanks,

Guy

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