To be fair, they left all the prices the same as the previous otherwise-identical lightning devices, as they did with the AirPods Max when they switched it to USB-C, so... what's the problem? It's just a tiiiiiiny update as far as consumer interest and relevance, not really worth having an actual "review" about. Apple didn't put out any marketing material that exaggerates any changes here, so while maybe some were disappointed with the lack of other changes, you can't say Apple promised something and then didn't deliver. No one who already has the lightning version of any of these is going to upgrade specifically get USB-C (if they have any sense), and lightning cables are going to be around from Apple or third party vendors until the end of the time itself, so nobody's getting screwed here.
Not to mention the plethora of Lightning cables most of us have lying around from years of previous Apple accessory purchases.
Absolutely overpriced to begin and, and it’s so ridiculous that they charge extra for a simple color change on top of that
You're right. I should probably buy something cheaper. Now, where can I get a wireless keyboard with secure Touch ID integration and a wireless trackpad that supports all of Apple's multitouch gestures?
I'd really like to place my order....
You’re right. Touch ID is why I prefer the Apple branded keyboards.
Another case where Apple leaves easy money on the table and I wonder why. Backlit keyboard + USB-C? Sure, I'll upgrade! Just USB-C? No thanks, i'll keep my Touch ID Lightning Keyboard. Same for Magic Mouse and Trackpad. Same for AirPods Max USB-C. All long in the tooth products more than ready for some kind of refresh, but Apple just swaps out the charging port and that's it. It's funny that they took this opportunity to remove the etched Apple logo on the bottom of Magic Mouse--would have loved to have been in the meeting where they discussed a long list of tweaks they could have made, but only removing the Apple logo made it through! What was THAT decision about? Did they save some fraction of a penny on a bottom plate with no etching? Well, at least Apple is saving me money!
Accessory sales of keyboards, mice and trackpads are nothing but a rounding error to Apple.
No backlight, no upgrade... and still no Touch ID for me.
Really? Why so set against Touch ID? On Apple's keyboard, it's an ease-of-use game changer when it comes to securely logging into your computer, password-required sites or online payments. I could never go back to a non-Touch ID keyboard.
To be fair, they left all the prices the same as the previous otherwise-identical lightning devices, as they did with the AirPods Max when they switched it to USB-C,
In the case of AirPods Max, what is "fair" about keeping a $549 price tag on 4-year-old headphone technology? Imagine if Apple were still selling the iPhone 12 at its original list price, which is the same as the current iPhone 16. The APM was expensive relative to its main competition when it first came out, but it was leading or at least competitive with best-in-class then, so you could make the case for its price tag. But four years later, the competition has passed it by (as has AirPods Pro 2 at half the price) and there's no longer any argument to be made for its $549 price tag.
Most of us here at AppleInsider are fairly agnostic on the placement of the charging port on the Magic Mouse. It charges very fast and never has been an issue.
I still use a Magic Mouse with two AA cells and have to change them (and charge them) every month or so like a caveman, so anyone who complains about the location of the charging port has my disdain and gets a big frown from me (but not AI, of course).
I bought my Magic Trackpad 2 so long ago, sometime around 2016, the rechargable battery is almost dead. I hoped Apple would ship a new USB-C model before mine died completely. That is a pretty darn good lifetime. As always, Apple products have a low TCO.
It's funny that they took this opportunity to remove the etched Apple logo on the bottom of Magic Mouse--would have loved to have been in the meeting where they discussed a long list of tweaks they could have made, but only removing the Apple logo made it through! What was THAT decision about? Did they save some fraction of a penny on a bottom plate with no etching? Well, at least Apple is saving me money!
I suspect the reason why Apple did this is because they moved – or are in the process of moving – towards having a single Apple logo per product. If you notice, the new Apple Silicon-based iMacs, very much unlike its Intel- and PowerPC-based predecessors (at least thee G3 and G4 models), no longer feature a logo on the front, only on the back, and it’s not surprising that the USB-C Magic Mouse 2, which also comes bundled with those, adheres to that scheme.
These devices are late to deliver USB-C, don't improve on the basics (backlight, charging, arrow keys,...), and they won't last due to new requirements from EU in 2027. Are these releases a "we don't care" or "we don't have the resources"?
The placement of the charge port aside, the biggest problem I have with accessories is their poor ergonomics. If Apple made a vertical version of the Magic Mouse, a wedge version of the trackpad, or a two-piece (split) version of the keyboard, I would buy it.
Comments
You’re right. Touch ID is why I prefer the Apple branded keyboards.
The globe button?
HUH?
In the case of AirPods Max, what is "fair" about keeping a $549 price tag on 4-year-old headphone technology? Imagine if Apple were still selling the iPhone 12 at its original list price, which is the same as the current iPhone 16. The APM was expensive relative to its main competition when it first came out, but it was leading or at least competitive with best-in-class then, so you could make the case for its price tag. But four years later, the competition has passed it by (as has AirPods Pro 2 at half the price) and there's no longer any argument to be made for its $549 price tag.
I still use a Magic Mouse with two AA cells and have to change them (and charge them) every month or so like a caveman, so anyone who complains about the location of the charging port has my disdain and gets a big frown from me (but not AI, of course).