Mouse compatibility

[auburn84]

Hey, all:

My setup at home is that I have an external monitor that I sometimes use my Windows laptop with and sometimes use my Macbook pro. I'm using a Dell mouse that works with both, but it is acting hinky, and I'm going to replace it. I'm just not sure what I'm looking for when it comes to one mouse that can serve two systems.

Can I use one mouse for both?

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Hey, all:

My setup at home is that I have an external monitor that I sometimes use my Windows laptop with and sometimes use my Macbook pro. I'm using a Dell mouse that works with both, but it is acting hinky, and I'm going to replace it. I'm just not sure what I'm looking for when it comes to one mouse that can serve two systems.

Can I use one mouse for both?

Pretty much any mouse works with macOS and Windows. I use a Logitech mouse (Mx Master) that can be paired to as many as 3 computers by Bluetooth or with their USB dongle. You switch between them by pressing a button on the bottom of the mouse. Something like this would be a great option for your setup.

 

[auburn84]

And it could be the mouse is acting "hinky" because it's not fully compatible with the MAC. The cursor is hanging up a bit, not moving smoothly.

 

[auburn84]

Pretty much any mouse works with macOS and Windows. I use a Logitech mouse (Mx Master) that can be paired to as many as 3 computers by Bluetooth or with their USB dongle. You switch between them by pressing a button on the bottom of the mouse. Something like this would be a great option for your setup.

Yes. That sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you!

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Yes. That sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you!

No prob. While yer at it... I absolutely do not recommend installing Logitech's Options software to manage your mouse settings. There have been many reports of buggy behavior from it. Instead, I recommend SteerMouse. I've been using it for several years to tweak my mouse functionality and it's quite excellent. It's not free, but if you want to get more usability of all your mouse buttons, it's a great tool.

 

[auburn84]

No prob. While yer at it... I absolutely do not recommend installing Logitech's Options software to manage your mouse settings. There have been many reports of buggy behavior from it. Instead, I recommend SteerMouse. I've been using it for several years to tweak my mouse functionality and it's quite excellent. It's not free, but if you want to get more usability of all your mouse buttons, it's a great tool.

lol. I've never thought of managing mouse settings. I've just plugged 'em in and used 'em. I'll have to check out SteerMouse.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

And it could be the mouse is acting "hinky" because it's not fully compatible with the MAC. The cursor is hanging up a bit, not moving smoothly.

No, a mouse not being fully Macintosh compatible really isn't a thing. Usually when I've seen what you are describing the cause is either that your mouse is too far away from your computer (signal loss, usually made worse by something existing in between the two), or there is some sort of interference from something like a florescent desk lamp, cordless telephone, or some other appliance.

You will have to pay attention to this, because it might present a problem with *any* wireless mouse you buy.

By and large, if any mouse is going to be problematic, it's going to be a Bluetooth mouse. I tend not to recommend them. I usually recommend Logitech mice, specifically the ones with an "RF" wireless interface rather than Bluetooth. RF requires that you take up a USB port with a beaver-tooth dongle, but the vastly increased reliability is worth it.

One's choice of mouse is very personal, but I tend to love this model:

Logitech M310 wireless, optical, ergonomic mouse
$20 from:
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Mouse-M310-Flame/dp/B004ZEZB88/ref=sr_1_7

Oh, just another data point, but I have never had any problems with Logitech's optional mouse software. You really don't even need it if you don't want to change any of the standard features of the mouse, but I personally love to tweet my mice to suit me. There IS a problem in that Logitech makes many different versions of their free mouse software available for download, and you have to get the exact right version for it to work perfectly with the mouse you get. Once you get the right version, the software is very powerful!

 

[Slydude]

@auburn84

When the mouse starts acting hinky are you experiencing other signs of slowdown such as repeated beach balling? I was experiencing similar mouse behaviorly with a new-to-me Mac Mini recently and the apparent cause was a new SSD with less than stellar performance. Changing that seems to have resolved both the beach balling and mouse issues. The mouse behavior seemed to be secondary to the beach balling.

 

[krs]

When I need a new mouse, I go to a store like Staples where they have all the mice they sell on an open display where one can use each one to see how it feels in YOUR hands.
To me, that's the most important aspect.
I have never had a mouse (or even heard of any) that wasn't 100% compatible with the Mac.

 

[IWT]

Everybody's experience is different and I'm NOT disagreeing with Randy or the many others who comment/complain about Apple's Magic Mouse. I'm sure you are right - BUT - I honestly have to say that I've never had trouble with any Magic Mouse.

On average, I get a good five+ years out of the Mouse and then get a new one along with a new iMac. I then keep the last Mouse as a BU.

(I also have a wired Mouse and Keyboard - old stock now - as a BU).

Experience varies as I said.

Ian

 

[Randy B. Singer]

Everybody's experience is different and I'm NOT disagreeing with Randy or the many others who comment/complain about Apple's Magic Mouse. I'm sure you are right - BUT - I honestly have to say that I've never had trouble with any Magic Mouse.

I've never personally had any problems with an Apple Magic Mouse either. But I tend not to use them very long because they hurt my wrist. However, I've heard from a surprising number of users who have found them to be unreliable.

(I also have a wired Mouse and Keyboard - old stock now - as a BU).

That's an exceptionally good idea, because a wired keyboard and mouse let you troubleshoot any problems caused by a wireless keyboard and/or mouse, but also because some functions, such as booting into Verbose Mode or Safe Mode either are much harder with a wireless keyboard, or are simply not possible.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

That's an exceptionally good idea, because a wired keyboard and mouse let you troubleshoot any problems caused by a wireless keyboard and/or mouse, but also because some functions, such as booting into Verbose Mode or Safe Mode either are much harder with a wireless keyboard, or are simply not possible.

I had a problem with a Mac mini where I had enabled FileVault and could not log in with the 3rd party bluetooth keyboard because it wasn't allowed to connect until after logging in! Only Apple's bluetooth keyboard could. Solution? I switched to using a Logitech keyboard with the USB dongle. The Mac treats it like a connected USB keyboard and all was well in the world again.

 

[IWT]

The Mac treats it like a connected USB keyboard and all was well in the world again.

You make a very valid point especially when trying to Boot into Safe Mode or in your case FV. Randy also commented on the wisdom of having a wired KB.

I perhaps should remind Apple users with a recent KB, that if you attach the KB to the Mac - as you do to recharge the battery - it then functions as a Wired Device and it certainly allows me to Boot into Safe Mode and, I presume, any other function that requires a wired device.

Ian

 

[Pasquanel]

Everybody's experience is different and I'm NOT disagreeing with Randy or the many others who comment/complain about Apple's Magic Mouse. I'm sure you are right - BUT - I honestly have to say that I've never had trouble with any Magic Mouse.

On average, I get a good five+ years out of the Mouse and then get a new one along with a new iMac. I then keep the last Mouse as a BU.

(I also have a wired Mouse and Keyboard - old stock now - as a BU).

Experience varies as I said.

Ian

I'm with Ian on this, I bought a Mac mini in late 2012 and replaced the spinner with an OWC extreme, and maxed out the ram. I have had zero issues with the mini the magic keyboard or mouse. I replaced it with an M1 in Nov of last year along with the mouse and keyboard. All of the original devices still work and I keep them as a backup.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

Mice and keyboards are incredibly individual things. You can feel great using one mouse or keyboard, and the next person will get Repetitive Stress using it. So...use what's best for you.

However, I often hear from folks having Bluetooth problems with their Bluetooth keyboard or mouse. Not everyone, not most people, but from enough people that when it comes to a replacement, I simply don't recommend Bluetooth versions. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

Speaking of Repetitive Stress...my wife has it. This ergonomic mouse does an excellent job of holding it at bay, and it's cheap!

VELNUT Wireless Mouse, 2.4G Wireless Vertical Mouse
$11
https://www.amazon.com/VELNUT-Wireless-Ergonomic-Adjustable-Compatible/dp/B0BX716D8V/ref=sr_1_9

 

[pm-r]

Not everyone, not most people, but from enough people that when it comes to a replacement, I simply don't recommend Bluetooth versions.

+1. Add me and several other local Mac users to that list, and personally, I make a point of avoiding anything Bluetooth if it's all possible. Getting it to work can be just a real PITA, and when it does possibly start working, it does so in fits and starts and often long lags before it wakes up, and sometimes it can't even do that.
The theory is great, but putting it into actual practice usage is atrociously poor for far too many users.



- Patrick
=======

 

[MacInWin]

I, on the other hand, love my BT Magic Mouse. Never lags, doesn't disconnect, easy to use. I have no idea why people bad mouth them. I've had two, and both work(ed) flawlessly.

 

[IWT]

I, on the other hand, love my BT Magic Mouse. Never lags, doesn't disconnect, easy to use. I have no idea why people bad mouth them. I've had two, and both work(ed) flawlessly.

Just as I said in post #10; but I acknowledge that there are a lot of people out there who clearly have had problems.

Ian

 

[Jimmysb]

I preperation for buying my Mac, and not fully understanding the difference (or lack of) between Microsoft and Apple keyboards and mice, I bought logitech BT keyboard and mouse, and I have not really had any issues with them. Though, through reading this forum realise that I will need a wired keyboard if I need to carry out anything at start-up, i.e. boot menu, but I also know that my old MS keyboard will work there.