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2 Button Mouse?

post #1 of 44
12/2/01 at 6:50pm
Thread Starter 
Will Apple make one some day? OS X sure seems to like them (without a driver even)

I would love to see an optical 2 button mouse with wheel. Maybe wireless (with built-in antenna, or bluetooth?)

What do you think?

This is a valid issue I think!
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post #2 of 44
12/2/01 at 6:54pm
Well there's the rumor about a Bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse being introduced at MWSF. It sure would be nice if Apple added an extra button and scroll wheel, but somehow I doubt they will.

I don't understand why they are so stubborn on this. A single button mouse isn't any easier to use...I think it's actually harder because you need to remember more keyboard/mouse combos, and use two hands instead of one.

If the new wireless mouse had two buttons w/scroll wheel, I'd even buy one, and I already have a mouse that I'm happy with. Apple makes such cool mice, but as long as they're single button I have no use for them.
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post #3 of 44
12/2/01 at 6:58pm
no, what I want is the original rumor concept apple pro mouse. The one that "pivots" in all directions depending on how you twist your wrist.
Up/down - scroll up/down
left/right - left/right click
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post #4 of 44
12/2/01 at 7:03pm
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Five button mouse rules
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post #5 of 44
12/2/01 at 7:04pm
As someone who's still blissfully using the hockey puck, both at home AND at work, I should probably stay out of this.

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post #6 of 44
12/2/01 at 7:11pm
I doubt we'll see one any time soon. It's just so un-Apple.
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post #7 of 44
12/2/01 at 7:19pm
I would love it if Apple made one with 3 buttons actually but don't hold your breath. They have said before that a 1 button mouse is easier for the av user and keeps with the whole simplistic thing Apple is know for.
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post #8 of 44
12/2/01 at 7:26pm
[quote]I doubt we'll see one any time soon. It's just so un-Apple.<hr></blockquote>

The odd thing is, Steve Jobs insisted on having a 3-button mouse on the first Mac.

It was vetoed by the HI team.
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post #9 of 44
12/2/01 at 7:38pm
[quote]Originally posted by DoctorGonzo:
<strong>

The odd thing is, Steve Jobs insisted on having a 3-button mouse on the first Mac.

It was vetoed by the HI team.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Really? I didn't know that.
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post #10 of 44
12/2/01 at 7:39pm
[quote]Originally posted by DoctorGonzo:
<strong>

The odd thing is, Steve Jobs insisted on having a 3-button mouse on the first Mac.

It was vetoed by the HI team.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Truly? I wonder what the original Mac could have used three buttons forr... no contextual menus, no secondary fire triggers...
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post #11 of 44
12/2/01 at 8:31pm
although we have all heard stories of apple playing around with multi-button mice, I don't think they will ever introduce one unless they can get it to work well with users (user-friendly?) so many windows users don't understand how to really use a two button mouse. With apple's new os they might be able to pull off a multi button mouse for the less computer savvy with a little new tech and design which i'm sure apple must have at their disposal.
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post #12 of 44
12/2/01 at 8:42pm
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[quote]Originally posted by dstranathan:
<strong>I would love to see an optical 2 button mouse with wheel.</strong><hr></blockquote>

If I had to pick, I would choose the scrolling wheel over a second mouse button. I don't think there's anything unintuitive about a scrolling wheel. I would kill for an Apple optical mouse with wheel.

J.D. makes a good point that a single button mouse with keystrokes with the other hand is more difficult to use than a two button mouse.

IMHO, wireless is a joke (for now). There's too much lag in the signal, especially when there's a sleep mode to conserve battery life.

Gonzo: Where did you get the story about Jobs wanting a 3 button mouse on the original Mac? Sounds more like a piece of urban lore or fiction to me.

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post #13 of 44
12/3/01 at 12:54am
[quote]Originally posted by The Toolboi:
<strong>no, what I want is the original rumor concept apple pro mouse. The one that "pivots" in all directions depending on how you twist your wrist.
Up/down - scroll up/down
left/right - left/right click</strong><hr></blockquote>

This isn't quite what you are talking about but I think you will be quite interested to see this new mouse <a href="http://www.lindy.com" target="_blank">which was released by LINDY</a> just over a month ago.


As you can see, the mouse right and left clicks by way of a rocker. It also has a scroll wheel which, I believe, has a third button as well. It's optical and quite an attractive design to boot.

I'm not too sure how much I would like the rocker concept in action: I think I might get a tired wrist quite quickly. But it certainly allows for a contoured/sculpted design that you can imagine Apple having designed or at least dreamt up in their workshops.
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post #14 of 44
12/3/01 at 1:01am
That lindy mouse is awesome, I want one
I wish it was black and clear like the pro mouse though, I really like the Pro mouse design
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post #15 of 44
12/3/01 at 1:20am
[quote]Originally posted by Retrograde:
<strong>

This isn't quite what you are talking about but I think you will be quite interested to see this new mouse <a href="http://www.lindy.com" target="_blank">which was released by LINDY</a> just over a month ago.


As you can see, the mouse right and left clicks by way of a rocker. It also has a scroll wheel which, I believe, has a third button as well. It's optical and quite an attractive design to boot.

</strong><hr></blockquote>

That would look sweet with my iBook
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post #16 of 44
12/3/01 at 1:43am
Yes, I have to admit KidRed the Lindy mouse would look particularly gorgeous with the new white iBook or with a Snow iMac. :cool:
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post #17 of 44
12/3/01 at 3:34am
Wow, that mousse is pretty cool looking.
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post #18 of 44
12/3/01 at 3:55am
[quote]Originally posted by EmAn:
<strong>Wow, that mousse is pretty cool looking.</strong><hr></blockquote>

mmmmmmmmm.... mousse
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post #19 of 44
12/3/01 at 5:19am
[quote]Originally posted by The Toolboi:
<strong>no, what I want is the original rumor concept apple pro mouse. The one that "pivots" in all directions depending on how you twist your wrist.
Up/down - scroll up/down
left/right - left/right click</strong><hr></blockquote>


Ah the wrist cramp nightmares that would cause.
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post #20 of 44
12/3/01 at 5:21am
Who cares what a mouse looks like with your computer.. it's a mouse. Your hand will be covering it.
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post #21 of 44
12/3/01 at 6:35am
Thread Starter 
I just ordered a LINDY mouse. Lindy is in the UK. I live in the USA, and I wonder if they will ship from the UK. The website is a bit confusing as far as shipping restrictions are concerned...

Anyone have a Lindy?

What do you think?
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post #22 of 44
12/3/01 at 7:01am
[quote]Originally posted by dstranathan:
<strong>I just ordered a LINDY mouse. Lindy is in the UK. I live in the USA, and I wonder if they will ship from the UK. The website is a bit confusing as far as shipping restrictions are concerned...

Anyone have a Lindy?

What do you think?</strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't have a Lindy and have never seen one in a store to test (the mouse is after all only a month old). But there was a review of mice in the past edition of the UK magazine MacFormat which had a review of this Lindy mouse (the one I pictured above) and they gave it a 4 out of 5 rating. Their only complaint from what I recall was that the scroll wheel detracted from the beauty of the mouse!! Personally I thought it looked quite good in the picture.

From what I remember MacFormat do not post their reviews on the web but you might try emailing one of their editors to see if they would email you the review (seeing as you live in the US and MacFormat is not regularly stocked there). The web address is <a href="http://www.macformat.co.uk" target="_blank">MacFormat</a>.

When you get it be sure to let us all know what you think!

[ 12-03-2001: Message edited by: Retrograde ]</p>
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post #23 of 44
12/3/01 at 9:31am
Pigs will fly at light-speed before Apple releases a 2-button mouse.

Scroll wheel? Pigs will have evolved to a higher plain of existance by then ... I'm talking inter-dimensionalism here, folks.
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post #24 of 44
12/3/01 at 9:38am
[quote]Originally posted by Leonis:
<strong>Five button mouse rules </strong><hr></blockquote>

I second that.
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post #25 of 44
12/3/01 at 9:42am
I don't know what all the big fuss is about. I use a 2 button optical mouse (with scroll wheel) by Macally. And it matches my computer!

Andrew
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post #26 of 44
12/3/01 at 3:18pm
[quote]Originally posted by neovirusnine:
<strong>... so many windows users don't understand how to really use a two button mouse.</strong><hr></blockquote>

This is *so* true.

It is just amazing what the average windows user *doesn't* know.

I also know several Mac people who don't know much either: but they like their experience better.
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post #27 of 44
12/3/01 at 3:37pm
Guys, the "lindy" mouse has been around in Japan and Asia for months. It comes with another color scheme similar to Apple;s Pro mouse - clear and black. The UK company basically just slapped the name "lindy" onto it .. it is just another OEM product. I'd rather get the one without the "lindy" name on it. I've used it and does not feel as sturdy as the Apple's pro mouse, but undoubtedly, it is cool in its own ways.
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post #28 of 44
12/3/01 at 3:59pm
[quote]Originally posted by Retrograde:
<strong>

mmmmmmmmm.... mousse </strong><hr></blockquote>

Oops, mouse
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post #29 of 44
12/3/01 at 4:08pm
I guess the Lindy is okay but man, I can not tell you how annoying that would be to use in Unreal Tournament.
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post #30 of 44
12/3/01 at 10:10pm
Oh my, I must get a lindy...
Where do they sell 'em?

Ah the wrist cramp nightmares that would cause.

Not at al, you would never use your wrist for it, just your fingers... well maybe your wrist for scrolling down...
Seriously, who keep their whole hand on their mouse...
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post #31 of 44
12/4/01 at 12:16am
Still waitin' for the long awaited AI forum shoe-mouse seen in years past...
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post #32 of 44
12/7/01 at 1:18am
if apple released a 2 button and scroll wheel wireless optical mouse with the sweet stylings of the apple pro mouse who would buy kensington or macally? apple doesnt want to step on any toes. <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />
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post #33 of 44
12/8/01 at 4:05am
Guys, don't just order one of these "Lindy" mouses without trying it.

I tried one in Japan a few months back (it was in the pro colours). The left/right rocking motion did not feel natural. It was awkward to use...very awkward. It all sounds cool, and it looks great, but it doesn't feel it...
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post #34 of 44
12/8/01 at 5:54am
That lindy design looks like it might not be all that great unless the resistance is very carefully worked out. With it rocking on two axes there's no where to grip it without clicking one button or the other. Logitech has a very nice 2-button with scroll wheel optical mouse, that looks like it has a brushed metal surface. And it's gotten good reviews too.
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post #35 of 44
12/8/01 at 6:21am
I sure hope Apple doesn't release a two button mouse.

If you want one, buy a third-party one.

The only thing I would like, is a scroll wheel, but I would have to be placed on the side of the mouse, where my thumb rests.

I don't know how you all use your mouses, but I use my pro mouse and my hockey puck (damn that was a fine mouse, absolutely brilliant), by just resting the palm of my hand on top of them, and slowly moving my hand, so the mouse automatically follows. To clikc (and double-click), I just mov my fingers down a bit. My thumb just sits unused next to the mouse, so a scroll wheel would fit there.

It's unbelievable how many people I see that actually really can't use a mouse the way it's intnded to be.

(as an aside, I also have a three button mouse + scrollwheel from my graphics tablet, and a five button + scroll wheel, and I like them both quite a lot, but only for specific apps like Photoshop and such, where I can really use the functionality. Otherwise I like the single button mose first. But I really hate scroll wheels on top of the mouse. That is really really bad for the joints and whatever it's called inside your fingers and hands).
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post #36 of 44
12/8/01 at 6:40am
I must agree, it looks the part but I too am unsure about the side to side clicking action. Also I want a smaller more portable mouse to go with the iBook.

This is why I plan to go with Contour Design's MiniPro optical mouse. If you are interested in that mouse I started a thread about it in the Current Hardware forum. Also I put a picture in that thread of a soon to be released Mini Mouse that MacAlly are about to release: I saw a prototype of it at the London MacExpo last month.

The link to the other thread is <a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000013" target="_blank">here.</a>
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post #37 of 44
12/8/01 at 8:37am
Don't they have to release a one button mouse first?

Seriously, the pro mouse is nice. Wireless keyboard and mouse would be very nice though. And I wouldn't mind a scroll wheel either..
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post #38 of 44
12/8/01 at 8:43am
[quote]Originally posted by SDW2001:
<strong>Don't they have to release a one button mouse first?

Seriously, the pro mouse is nice. Wireless keyboard and mouse would be very nice though. And I wouldn't mind a scroll wheel either..</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'm using the Pro Mouse now at the Apple Store and I've got to admit it is great.(This is the first time I've used one for more than a minutes per time) Now if only it had at least a scroll wheel.
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post #39 of 44
12/9/01 at 4:11am
I prefer to move my hand from mouse to keyboard.
Since I gave away my MS intellimouse and went back to the Apple Pro mouse, I didn't have any more cramps in my arm.

If you have more buttons on the mouse you can do certain tasks quicker, but do you need that fraction of a second?

For design works I use a pen.
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post #40 of 44
12/9/01 at 8:12pm
[quote] I sure hope Apple doesn't release a two button mouse.

If you want one, buy a third-party one. <hr></blockquote>

Fu[k that BS. For the price that Macs go for, I shouldn't have to throw out the mouse they come with and buy a new one just so I can have a functional mouse.

I use a pro-mouse all the time at work, and it sucks ass. One button is so archaic! Two buttons means I don't have to remember all the modifier keys, I just right click and it gets done. It shouldn't take two hands to pull down a contextual menu! That's poor HI design, it makes everything much more complicated.

A scroll wheel is just common sense...they rock, and all mice should have them. The wheel can double as a third button, which is also nice.

Apple should not only make a two button/scroll wheel mouse standard, but they should have a control panel for it that allows one to customize the second and third buttons, and also the scrolling speed. In OS X, scrolling support is pretty bad since windows scroll too damn slow. USB overdrive scrolling would be a good model for OS X, if Apple ever pulls their head outta their ass and gives us a decent mouse.

Considering how long we were stuck with the puck mouse, I'm not holding my breath for Apple to make a real mouse.
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