Magic Mouse
Multi-touch clear acrylic surface with laser tracking mouse
ManufacturerApple Inc.
Foxconn (contract manufacturer)
Release date
  • 1st gen: October 20, 2009 (age 16)
  • 2nd gen: October 13, 2015 (age 10)
Discontinued1st gen: October 13, 2015
Connectivity
Dimensions
  • 2.16 cm × 5.71 cm × 11.35 cm
  • (0.85 in × 2.25 in × 4.47 in)
Os
Weight
  • 1st gen: 0.23 lb (105 g; including batteries)
  • 2nd gen: 0.22 lb (99 g)
Power
PredecessorMighty Mouse
RelatedApple Wireless Keyboard
Magic Keyboard
Magic Trackpad
WebsiteMagic Mouse

The Magic Mouse is a multi-touch wireless computer mouse sold by Apple Inc. and manufactured by Foxconn. The first-generation Magic Mouse was released on October 20, 2009, and introduced multi-touch functionality to a computer mouse.[1][2] Following the iPhone, iPod Touch, and multi-touch MacBook touchpads, the Magic Mouse supports multi-touch gestures and inertia scrolling across the surface of the mouse. It is designed for use with macOS.

The second-generation Magic Mouse, initially marketed as the Magic Mouse 2, was released on October 13, 2015. It uses a non-removable lithium-ion rechargeable battery and originally included a Lightning port for charging and pairing. It was later made fully compatible with iPadOS. An October 2024 revision replaced the Lightning port with a USB-C port.[3]

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.[4] It is powered by two AA batteries and uses a solid-state laser tracking sensor, similar to the previous-generation wireless Mighty Mouse. Apple included two non-rechargeable batteries in the box. Until 2016, Apple sold an Apple Battery Charger with two rechargeable NiMH AA batteries designed for use with Mac peripherals.

Like its predecessor, the Mighty Mouse, the Magic Mouse supports secondary click.[5] The Magic Mouse has been included with most desktop Mac computers since its introduction, including the iMac, iMac Pro, and third-generation Mac Pro, and has also been sold separately.

The Magic Mouse borrows design elements from the preceding Apple Pro Mouse, including its seamless "zero-button" design and translucent acrylic surface. Its multi-touch surface enables 360-degree scrolling, replacing the rubber scroll ball used on the Mighty Mouse. The mouse does not support left- and right-clicking simultaneously and does not support middle click without third-party software workarounds.[6]

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 later became available as a standalone purchase.[7] iPadOS 13.4 introduced mouse support to iPads 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.[8] Standalone purchases included a USB-C to Lightning cable instead of a USB-A to Lightning cable. In 2022, the space gray color was replaced by a black color with a silver aluminum finish, which was originally available only with the third-generation Mac Pro.[9] Colors of the second-generation Magic Mouse have been introduced alongside matching colors for various Magic Keyboard models.[7][9]

2nd generation with USB-C (A3204)

On October 28, 2024, Apple released an updated Magic Mouse that replaced the Lightning charging port with a USB-C port.[10] It requires a Mac running macOS Sequoia or later to function properly.[11]

Criticism

1st generation

Initial reception to the Magic Mouse was mixed. Reviewers criticized its inability to trigger Exposé, Dashboard, or Spaces, as its predecessor could, and its lack of native middle-click support.[12] Later versions of Mac OS X added gestures for opening Mission Control, which incorporates functionality from Exposé, Dashboard, and Spaces. Other reported issues included unstable connections with first- and second-generation Mac Pro models and a low-profile design that some users found uncomfortable or unergonomic, causing palm aches or hand cramping.[13][14]

2nd generation

When the second-generation Magic Mouse was released in 2015, Apple’s decision to place the Lightning charging port on the underside of the mouse, making it unusable while charging, was widely criticized by reviewers.[15][16][17] Critics also noted the omission of Force Touch technology, which was included in the second-generation Magic Trackpad.[15][16]

When Apple refreshed the Magic Mouse in 2024 with USB-C charging, the port remained on the underside of the mouse, renewing criticism of the design. Some reviewers also noted that the switch from Lightning to USB-C was the only substantial change to the mouse in nine years.[18][19][20]

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ "Magic Mouse". Apple. Archived October 6, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
  2. ^ Topolsky, Joshua (October 20, 2009). "Apple's Magic Mouse: One Button, Multitouch Gestures, Bluetooth, Four-Month Battery Life". Engadget. Archived October 19, 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
  3. ^ "Review: Apple's Magic Keyboard + Magic Trackpad 2 add precision and power, lose compatibility". Archived October 21, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  4. ^ "Magic Mouse 1 will not scroll on l… | Apple Developer Forums". developer.apple.com. Archived July 20, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Apple Magic Mouse review – the cleverest mouse yet?". techradar.com. October 27, 2009. Archived July 11, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  6. ^ "How to enable "middle" click of Apple's Magic Mouse?". Ask Different. Archived September 30, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Apple Now Selling Standalone Space Gray Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2". MacRumors. Archived May 19, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  8. ^ "Apple Starts Selling New iMac Accessories Separately". PCMAG. Archived August 4, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-09-26.
  9. ^ SEA, Mashable (9 March 2022). "Apple launched a new Magic Mouse, and yes, it still charges from the bottom" (in en-sg). Mashable SEA. Archived July 1, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Apple’s new Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad have USB-C". TheVerge. Archived October 28, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  11. ^ "PSA: Apple's New USB-C Accessories Require macOS Sequoia, Don't Work Properly With macOS 15.2 Beta". MacRumors. 2024-10-31. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  12. ^ Loyola, Roman (October 21, 2009). "First Look: Apple Magic Mouse". Macworld. Archived March 6, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
  13. ^ "Bugs & Fixes: Magic Mouse Loses Its Way". Archived March 8, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
  14. ^ "Has anyone experienced ergonomic problems with the Magic Mouse?". Ask Different. Archived July 29, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Review: Apple's Magic Trackpad 2 and Magic Mouse 2 open new doors for Mac". AppleInsider. Archived December 12, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
  16. ^ "Apple Magic Mouse 2 review: Mouse unable to conjure up any innovation". Macworld. Archived December 17, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
  17. ^ "The Sad Reality of the Magic Mouse 2". Gizmodo. Archived August 24, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
  18. ^ Espósito, Filipe (2024-10-28). "New USB-C Magic Mouse still has the charging port on the bottom". 9to5Mac. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  19. ^ Peters, Jay (2024-10-28). "Apple put the Magic Mouse’s charging port on the bottom again". The Verge. Archived October 28, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  20. ^ "Apple's New Magic Mouse, Keyboard and Trackpad Get USB-C, but Still Seem to Have Same Quirks". CNET. Retrieved 2024-10-28.

Sources