Key Specs
LaserWireless
None
Two AA batteries
Apple released its new Magic Mouse at the same time as its late-2009 line of iMac computers and included it with all of its new desktop models. That made a strong statement that this wasn’t a mouse meant to be a travel companion to a laptop, but one intended for use at home on your desktop. You don’t need to upgrade your desktop, however, to get your hands on one, as it's available separately from Apple for $69. But with a price like that, you're going to want to weigh the pros and cons of this device carefully. For Apple fans who appreciate the minimalist aesthetic of most of the company's products, the Magic Mouse will be a must-have. For others, though, we suggest you try before you buy. If you're wedded to standard mice with physical buttons and a scroll wheel, this mouse might go quickly from the desktop to the desk drawer. (And PC users need not bother lusting after this rodent; it only works on Macs.)
The Magic Mouse’s claim to fame is that it’s buttonless (or, depending on how you look at it, it’s one big button). It features multi-touch functionality on the entire body surface, much like the touch pads on Apple’s latest line of MacBook Pros. Because the Magic Mouse is buttonless and symmetrical, and you can click anywhere on it, you can use it right- or left-handed. (You can also change the configuration to make the Magic Mouse act like a traditional two-button mouse, and if you do, you also have the option of switching the right- and left-click buttons.) It connects to any Bluetooth-enabled Apple computer running Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later. (Those not using Snow Leopard will need to update to Wireless Mouse Software Update 1.0.)
