The Magic Mouse is a multi-touch wireless 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] Taking after the iPhone, iPod Touch, and multi-touch MacBook trackpads, the Magic Mouse allows the use of multi-touch gestures and inertia scrolling across the surface of the mouse, designed for use with macOS.

Magic Mouse
White and silver Magic Mouse
ManufacturerApple Inc.
Foxconn (contract manufacturer)
TypeMulti-touch clear acrylic surface with laser tracking mouse
Release date
  • 1st gen: October 20, 2009; 15 years ago (2009-10-20)
  • 2nd gen: October 13, 2015; 9 years ago (2015-10-13)
Discontinued1st gen: October 13, 2015 (2015-10-13)
Operating system
Connectivity
Power
Dimensions
  • 2.16 cm × 5.71 cm × 11.35 cm
  • (0.85 in × 2.25 in × 4.47 in)
Mass
  • 1st gen: 0.23 lb (105 g; including batteries)
  • 2nd gen: 0.22 lb (99 g)
PredecessorMighty Mouse
RelatedApple Wireless Keyboard
Magic Keyboard
Magic Trackpad
WebsiteMagic Mouse

The second-generation Magic Mouse (initially marketed as Magic Mouse 2) was released on October 13, 2015, removing the use of AA batteries, instead including a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, and a Lightning port for charging and pairing, and was later made fully compatible with iPadOS. An October 2024 revision replaced the Lightning port with a USB-C port.[3]

Models

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1st generation (A1296)

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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 operates using a solid-state laser tracking sensor like the previous-generation wireless Mighty Mouse. Apple includes two non-rechargeable batteries in the box. Until 2016, Apple sold a battery charger that included two rechargeable NiMH AA batteries, designed for use with Mac peripherals.

Like its predecessor, the Mighty Mouse, the Magic Mouse includes support for 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, as well as being available as a standalone purchase.

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

2nd generation (A1657)

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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 was later made available as a standalone purchase.[7] iPadOS 13.4 introduced mouse support to iPads for the first time, 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] Additionally, standalone purchases include a USB-C to Lightning cable, instead of USB-A to Lightning. The space gray color was replaced by a black color with a silver aluminum finish in 2022, which was originally only available bundled with the third-generation Mac Pro.[9] All 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

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

This update is still identified as A1657.

Criticism

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1st generation

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Initial reception to the Magic Mouse was mixed, with reactions to its inability to trigger Exposé, Dashboard, or Spaces, as its predecessor could, or to middle click.[12] Later versions of Mac OS X include gestures to open Mission Control, which incorporates functionality from Exposé, Dashboard, and Spaces. Other issues included the mouse's unstable connection to the first and second-generation Mac Pro models, and its low-profile design being uncomfortable & unergonomic was causing palm-aches, and hand cramping for some users.[13][14]

2nd generation

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The Lightning charging port is located on the bottom of the mouse, rendering it unusable while charging. This was a design choice that was widely criticized by reviewers.[15][16][17] Critics have also noted the omission of Force Touch technology, compared to the second-generation Magic Trackpad.[15][16] When the Magic Mouse was refreshed in 2024, the USB-C charging port remains on the bottom, which has since sprawled criticism as the mouse hasn’t been updated in over 9 years.[18][19][20]

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See also

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References

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Citations

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

Sources

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