PC debate is one of the oldest in modern technology, and we're not going to pick a side here. But if you're of an open mind, not wedded to one or the other by years of habit, and are.
The Microsoft All-In-One Media Keyboard is a well-spaced keyboard with a large touchpad where the number pad usually is. Yes, the touchpad supports multi-touch gestures for Windows 10 18 Essential Touch Gestures in Windows 10 18 Essential Touch Gestures in Windows 10 Touch gestures are like keyboard shortcuts for your touchpad and touchscreen.
Available in a number of catchy colors — from basic black to cyan blue, red, pink, and purple — the Microsoft Wireless Mouse 1850 connects to a PC or Mac via a USB receiver, and it requires one AA battery. Best Mouse for Mac Apple Magic Mouse 2. Apple is the maker of Mac and hence they know the perfect peripherals to use with it. One of the best wireless mice for Mac is the Apple Magic Mouse 2. The sleek mouse comes with no buttons and the overall design is appealing.
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By William Gallagher Tuesday, November 20, 2018, 07:57 am PT (10:57 am ET)
This is surely the easiest part of buying a Mac: picking the mouse to go with it. Except there are also trackpads —and you won't believe the number of choices you've got. AppleInsider talks about what we've used and like, and how to narrow down your options to find the right mouse or trackpad for you.
Apple's Magic mouse, trackpad and keyboard
Apple is missing a trick here. When you order a new Mac mini from Apple's online store, the firm offers you upgrades to storage and processor plus it tries to tempt you with software like Final Cut Pro X. Yet it doesn't offer you a mouse or trackpad even though Apple sells them —and even though it will offer these when you're buying a Mac Pro. If it did include Apple's own devices in the list of possible Build to Order options it would be fine. If you separately choose to add them to your Shopping Basket, you won't regret it. You still have to choose between the mouse and the trackpad but both are good choices that you will be happy with. It's just that they are not the only options. Not by a very, very long way. And there has been at least since Apple's original iMac mouse came out and drove people to look for alternatives that were less uncomfortable.
Apple's infamous original mouse for the iMac
That old hockey puck mouse doesn't look great but you had to use it to realize just how dreadful a mouse can be. Comfort and functionality are the keys to a good experience. You might not imagine that there's a lot of functionality you can have in a mouse, but some are so feature-packed as to be ludicrous. And yet whatever you end up choosing to buy, the steps you take and the issues you need to work through are the same. Here's what you need to think about plus recommendations in every type of Mac pointing device.
Mouse or trackpad
You could always buy both and we're not saying to dodge the decision. Plenty of people have plenty of reasons to have both a mouse and a trackpad on their Mac mini. Broadly speaking, a trackpad is great for most uses. It's just the same as on a laptop, it's quick and easy, it's comfortable. Plus as well as moving your cursor around the screen, trackpads can have gestures. Swipe four fingers upwards to get macOS's Expose feature, for instance. A mouse, on the other hand, is far more precise. So a photographer, for example, might have a trackpad for moving quickly through hundreds of images but then a mouse for making precise Photoshop adjustments.
Trackpads are easy
Maybe we used to be split between those of us who preferred a mouse to a trackpad and vice versa, but then we found BetterTouchTool and became a little obsessed with it. It's software that gives your trackpad a just about infinite number of possible gestures. So as well as Apple's Expose trick, we can launch apps, change the Mac's brightness, switch between Desktops or put the computer to sleep with the right tap. That's tipped the balance for us. So much so that unless you have a specific need for a mouse, we're going to say that you'll find a trackpad to be better use and better value.
Apple Magic Trackpad 2
What's more, we're going to say buy Apple's Magic Trackpad 2. It's not cheap, it's around $125 on Amazon, but it is the best there is. You could look at the VicTsing Ultra-Slim Touchpad Keyboard which is a combination keyboard and built-in trackpad. It's perhaps convenient to have a single unit that does but you'd have to really want that convenience because this just is not our favorite keyboard. Curiously, Logitech has sold at least a couple of keyboards that have trackpads but many are discontinued. The only remaining ones on Logitech's own website are positioned as being solely for PC-connected TV sets. If you like the idea of a trackpad coupled to your keyboard and you buy the Apple Magic Trackpad 2, take a look at TwelveSouth's MagicBridge which costs around $35. This is a kind of low tray that holds that trackpad together with Apple's Magic Keyboard.
TwelveSouth MagicBridge
Mice are harder
Crack your knuckles and prepare for a far more involved search for the right mouse for you and your new Mac mini. There must be a hundred different Mac-specific mice available and since they connect to your machine via USB, you've also got the choice of most PC mice too. It's true that you can plug a PC mouse into a Mac and it's also true that the sheer volume of options this gives you is a cacophony. Yet as far as the manufacturers are concerned, we're a happy coincidence, a lucky extra market that they get through no effort. That means many or even most therefore don't put any effort in to the Mac at all so you end up with a mouse that comes with features and buttons that do absolutely nothing unless you're on a PC. So before you buy a mouse, check that it is called Mac compatible and exactly what that means: Amazon and manufacturer listings should say if there are limitations. Make that your last check, though, your last consideration. Before then you need to look at what you're actually going to use the mouse for.
Types of work
Some mice are better made than others but they're all the same when it comes to how precisely you can move your cursor around on the screen. So that's not the issue: the issue is what you're pointing that cursor at and how long you intend to do it. If you're really more of a keyboard user —you're a writer in Word, you're an accountant in Excel —then any mouse will do. If you're going to be spending your entire day making selections and adjustments to images or video, though, you need to think slightly less about the mouse and quite a bit more about your hand. You need to find a mouse you can use comfortably and perhaps intensely for very many hours at a time. You will go through few different possibilities before you find the right one for you.
Apple
Apple's Magic Mouse 2 is low-slung, sleek and has no tiny buttons to reach for. It has no buttons at all and is really as much of a trackpad in mice form as it is a mouse.
Apple Magic Mouse 2
Unless you find it too low on your hand, unless you find that you're scrunching up your grip to swipe trackpad-like gestures on it, Apple's mouse is a good choice.
The sole criticism you'll hear about it is that, being wireless, you have to recharge it and the Lightning port is on the bottom of the mouse. Apple has been ridiculed for putting it there and yet in real-life use, it's a shrug. Sure, you can't use your mouse while it's charging so in theory you could be on an important deadline when you run out of battery power. Either pay more attention to the Low Battery warnings your Mac mini gives you or just take a two-minute comfort break. By the time you've done your hand exercises, the mouse will have had enough power to let you get on with the job. Then when you've hit your deadline, leave it charging overnight and forget about it for another few weeks. We like the precision and the low-slung feel of Apple's mouse. We like the idea of the trackpad-style features more than we actually use them. And, we admit it, we think this is the best-looking mouse there is. It just might not be the most ergonomic.
Ergonomics
If you already have issues with your hands or you know you will be using a mouse so much that you're at risk of RSI, look to the Logitech MX Ergo Wireless.
Logitech MX Ergo Wireless
It looks like a baseball mitt but it's small enough to sit comfortably under your hand. It's also one where you won't have to move that hand very much: it has a trackball so that you can control your cursor with a flick of your thumb. This is still really a traditional mouse in how it rests under your hands and maybe that's not the right position for you. Take a look at Anker's vertical mouse instead. It's a startlingly different look for a mouse but we do know users who find a vertical one to be much better on their hands. Note that Anker's vertical mouse has media control buttons that do not work on Mac.
Anker vertical mouse
Demanding use
Just as with keyboards, easily the most demanding users are gamers. They need speed, precision and caffeine. The Razer Naga Trinity mouse is so replete with functions that we wouldn't be surprised if it handled coffee too.
Razer Naga Trinity mouse with optional 12-button side panel inserted
You can use this as a regular mouse but the more you get into games, the more you may want to take advantage of its extra options. You can swap out the normal two-button mouse control and instead slot in a 12-button version. So while you move and point the cursor just as you would with any mouse, right under your thumb there can be up to a dozen more controls. If they just added a few more, you wouldn't need a keyboard.
Best Wireless Mouse For Mac And Pc
Making your choice
This is going to be a bit like a bad murder mystery story where the killer is a character who isn't introduced until the end. For while we've talked about ergonomics and gamers as well as regular mouse users, there is one mouse that sneaks in under the radar because it's good for just about everyone. We still think that Apple Magic Mouse 2 is a fine choice but if you don't like it or you need a slightly cheaper option, there is the $99 Logitech MX Master 2S.
Logitech MX Master 2S mouse
It's just a solid mouse. It isn't flashy, not over-loaded with features, yet well made and a good option for anyone. For all that we can tell you what's possible in mice and trackpads, for all that we can caution you what to look out for, it's still a deeply personal choice. So alongside thinking about your ergonomics, thinking about what you'll use the mouse for and seeing if it's Mac-compatible, we have one last thing for you to check —the returns policy. Keep up with AppleInsider by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos.
Pointing the Way: How to Buy the Right Mouse
In its most basic form, a computer mouse is simple hardware—a sensor on the bottom, two buttons and a scroll wheel on top—that lets you interact with programs as though they were extensions of your own hand. But while a mouse is simple in concept, the market for them is a scattered mess of types, prices, and designs. You need to know a little about the landscape when you go shopping for a new model.
Over time, distinct classes of mice have evolved, each made for different computing situations. The most common of these is the mainstream desktop mouse, designed for use with a desktop or laptop PC at a desk or table. Aside from the inevitable right and left mouse buttons, the usual features are a clickable scroll wheel and, in some cases, additional thumb buttons that let you navigate forward and back in your Web browser.
Travel mice (or 'mobile mice') offer many of these same features but come in a smaller size. They're designed to fit easily into the pocket of a backpack or laptop bag.
For this same reason, however, travel mice tend to be small for most hands—you can use them just fine for short stints, but they become uncomfortable over long periods due to the unnatural grip required. Generally speaking, travel mice are wireless and battery-powered, so you may want to bring along a spare set of AA or AAA batteries.
The Right Mouse for Gaming
Apple Mouse On Pc
Gaming mice amplify every element of the basic mouse concept to the extreme: more buttons, higher tracking resolutions, curvier curves.
Some gaming mice are general gaming models, while others are designed for specific game genres. In the latter case, depending upon the style of the game that the mouse is intended for (first-person shooter, real-time strategy game, MMO title), you may see a variety of specialized features.
What most gaming mice have in common, though, is a combination of high-performance parts—laser sensors, featherlight click buttons, gold-plated USB connectors—and customization features, such as programmable macro commands and on-the-fly resolution switching. Gaming mice also stand apart in that the better ones tend to feature vendor-supplied software for setting up these custom features and shortcuts, defined sometimes on a per-game basis via profiles. The software's quality and functionality can vary wildly from vendor to vendor; that's where our reviews come in. Certain utilities are easier to pick up than others.
For maximum comfort, some gaming mice let you customize the body of the mouse itself. Removable weights are common, letting you tweak the total heft of the mouse one way or the other. Some models take this even further, letting you shift the center of balance, or adjust the height and pitch of the palm rest. For non-gamers, these features are overkill; for dedicated gamers, they provide a competitive edge.
Finding the ideal gaming mouse for you comes down to knowing your preferred style of game, determining whether or not you will take advantage of any of a mouse's more complex functions (it's easy to overspend on a gaming mouse), and then tweaking your choice to your specific tastes.
What's the Best Ergonomic Mouse?
Ergonomics-first designs put all of the typical mouse functions into a form factor that places your hand in a neutral position. Designed to reduce the stresses that can lead to carpal tunnel and repetitive strain injury, ergonomic mice may look unusual and take some getting used to, but they do alleviate some very real problems. Some have a vertical design; others may have one-off sculpts.
Whether you're looking at a specialized ergonomic mouse or ergonomics are simply a concern in a more ordinary one, pay attention to the size of your mouse. (Make sure that it's not too big or too small for your hand.) Weight is also a consideration. Some people prefer a heavier mouse that anchors the hand, while others, especially players of MOBA games, want something light that furnishes little resistance to flicking and clicking. As a rule of thumb, a heavier mouse requires more effort to move, and even though the difference may not seem like much, over time it can mount.
It's not just weight and size that are important. The sculpting of the mouse can also lead to unnecessary strain on (or conversely, extra support for) your hand and wrist. The most comfortable mice will fit the contour of your hand, rather than having a flat, shallow shape.Some mice have a thumb rest, providing a resting spot from which the finger can rise as needed to activate controls.
Not Just USB: Mouse Connectivity
The simplest way to hook up a mouse to your PC is through a wired USB connection. Computer mice are usually plug-and-play devices, with no additional software to install (with the exception of higher-end gaming mice), meaning that plugging in the cable is all the setup you'll need to deal with. Unlike wireless alternatives, a wired device will draw its power over USB, so there are no batteries to worry about. Wired connections are also preferable for serious gaming or esports use (no battery to conk out in the midst of a match), though some high-end wireless mice are indistinguishable, from a response-time perspective, from wired ones.
If you want more freedom and less cable clutter on your desk, however, it's hard to beat a wireless mouse. Instead of a wired connection, wireless mice transmit data to your PC through one of two primary means: an RF connection to a USB receiver, or via Bluetooth. Both have their pros and cons, but if you want to reduce the number of cables on your desk and gain the flexibility to use your mouse unhindered—or even from across the room—wireless is the way to go.
Most wireless mice connect to the host computer via the same 2.4GHz wireless frequency used by cordless phones and some Wi-Fi Internet bands. A dime-size USB dongle—small enough to plug in and forget about—provides the link to your PC. Know, however, that only in some isolated cases (such as with Logitech's Unifying-branded gear) can a single USB dongle provide connectivity to more than one device. That means that unless the vendor specifically notes otherwise, you can't use the same adapter for your wireless mouse and keyboard. You may need to devote two USB ports to separate mouse and keyboard USB dongles.
Bluetooth options, in contrast, don't monopolize a USB port, and the stable, easy-to-manage connections are ideal for use with mobile devices, such as ultraportables, tablet PCs, and 2-in-1s. In regular use, a Bluetooth connection gives you roughly 30 feet of wireless range, but a Bluetooth mouse may not match the battery life offered by devices with an RF-based USB dongle. New innovations, such as motion sensors tied to power and connection management, can improve the battery life versus older Bluetooth devices, which maintained an always-on link that drained battery relatively quickly. But you'll want to look at the vendors' estimated battery life on a charge (as well as whether the mouse uses an internal battery you recharge, or disposables).
Sensors and Sensitivity
Most of today's mice use one of two types of light-based motion sensor: optical/LED, or laser. Unlike mechanical tracking options of yore, light-based sensors have fewer issues with dust and dirt, and the absence of moving parts means fewer failures.
Optical sensors pair a glowing LED beam—often red, blue, or infrared—with a small photo sensor, tracking movement by repeatedly imaging the surface below the mouse, translating any movement of the mouse into cursor movement. (The frequency of this imaging is called the 'polling rate,' expressed as hertz, or hundreds of instances per second.) Because of the imaging sensor used, optical mice are a little less prone to problems caused by lifting the mouse when in use or by mousing on an uneven surface.
Laser mice operate in a similar way, but they use an infrared laser diode instead of an LED. This allows, in some cases, for greater potential sensitivity (measured in dots per inch, or dpi) and polling rates. The one drawback is that they can be finicky about the surfaces on which they are used. Premium gaming mice generally use laser sensors, and they tend to work better with opaque mouse-pad surfaces meant for mousing; LEDs can be more forgiving. But this is not an absolute, and frankly, if you're concerned at all about mousing precision, a basic mouse pad will solve all ails.
To offer the higher sensitivity of a laser sensor and the versatility of an optical mouse, a few isolated mice use both in tandem. Most gaming mice also offer sensitivity adjustment, letting you shift from a precision setting for tight cursor-control circumstances (such as lining up a sniper's shot) to a broader-sweep one for melee combat and run-and-gun situations. This may be via dedicated-purpose button, or you may be able to program one of the mouse's buttons or toggles to execute resolution/sensitivity changes on the fly.
Ready for Our Recommendations?
Below is a rundown of the current top-rated computer mice we've run across in our testing. (Click through to read the full reviews.) We've tested a wide array of models across the categories of gaming, productivity, and specialized ergonomic mice.
Best Mice Featured in This Roundup:
Logitech MX Master 2S Review
MSRP: $99.99
Pros: Comfortable. Switches automatically between devices. Cross-platform copy and paste. Works on all surfaces. Long-lasting battery.
Cons: Gesture buttons and motions can be unintuitive at first.
Bottom Line: The Logitech MX Master 2S is the ultimate wireless multitasking mouse, especially if you have a Mac and a Windows PC on the same desk.
Read Review
Logitech G903 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse and Powerplay Charging Mat Review
MSRP: $249.98
Pros: Light, ergonomic, and functional. When paired with the Powerplay mat, mouse offers a truly wireless gaming experience.
Cons: Expensive. Few RGB lighting options.
Bottom Line: The Logitech G903 Lightspeed wireless gaming mouse brings together a remarkably light and reliable peripheral with virtually limitless battery life, at a premium price.
Read Review
Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Review
MSRP: $79.99
Pros: Super-portable design. Tracks on virtually any surface, including glass. Robust customization software with useful Flow continuity feature. Long battery life. Works with Windows or Mac.
Cons: Might be too small for some users. Somewhat pricey.
Bottom Line: The Logitech MX Anywhere 2 is a well-built, versatile mouse that lives up to its name with a travel-friendly design and a sensor that works on nearly every surface.
Read Review
Corsair Dark Core RGB SE Review
MSRP: $89.99
Pros: Competitively priced. Solid and attractive form factor.
Cons: Large, heavy frame may not appeal to everyone. Can't be used while wirelessly charging.
Bottom Line: The affordable Corsair Dark Core RGB SE is a rock-solid entry in the realm of wireless gaming mice.
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Corsair Ironclaw RGB Wireless Review
MSRP: $79.99
Pros: Snappy wireless, via 2.4GHz adapter or Bluetooth. Hand-pleasing shape for big paws. Highly configurable resolution settings.
Cons: Indifferent RGB placement. Can't configure while using Bluetooth. No wireless charging.
Cons: Only lighting feature is hidden by hand during play. No left-handed variant. $20 price drop means lower-endurance switches.
Bottom Line: Razer's Basilisk Essential scales down one of our favorite gaming mice while keeping most of its best features intact.
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Roccat Kova Aimo Review
MSRP: $49.99
Pros: Ambidextrous design lets you customize right- and left-handed buttons. 'Taillight' RGB and Aimo light system add a novel approach to mouse lighting. Inexpensive.
Cons: Sensor offers low maximum DPI compared with high-end mice. Ability to use off-side buttons leads to some weird finger reaches. Aimo adds some aggressive marketing hooks.
Bottom Line: Roccat's Kova Aimo is a solid, affordable, ambidextrous gaming mouse, not just for lefties and claw players but for anyone who wants to experiment with new grip styles.
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SteelSeries Rival 650 Review
MSRP: $119.99
Pros: High durability. Excellent performance. No perceptible jitter. Can operate wirelessly or wired. Weight-adjustable.
Cons: Price a bit high. No storage niche for USB dongle.
Bottom Line: Able to operate wired or wirelessly, and packing removable weights and strong software, the SteelSeries Rival 650 is a highly flexible mouse for power gamers looking for an all-occasions device.
Read Review
SteelSeries Rival 710 Review
MSRP: $99.99
Pros: Accurate proprietary sensor. OLED display, customizable haptic feedback are fun for tinkerers. Body is customizable via swappable sensor, side panels.
Cons: Display and haptic feedback lack deep integration with many games. Pricey for a wired mouse.
Bottom Line: Like its predecessor the Rival 700, the SteelSeries Rival 710 is a solid, pricey gaming mouse, with unique features (such as an on-body screen) that are more fun and flashy than technically useful.