Apple Magic Mouse 2

I own a magic mouse 2. Honestly the charge port is the least of its problems. Apple does not like to put a second switch in their mice, so right clicking is done entirely in software and touch. The problem with this approach is that it's not possible to click both buttons at the same time, it also makes it harder to trigger because there's only 1 switch and it's on the left side. Plus it's just uncomfortable and has these plastic rails that make horizontal movement harder on some surfaces. It's just all around an awful mouse. Apple has frequently ignored how it works for looks and still do. They would for the longest time stick all the USB ports on the left hand side of the laptop very close together such that a larger USB stick or a 3G dongle or whatever would block your only other port. They do things like awkwardly hide the power button on the back of iMacs, no fronting facing or side mounted ports, etc.

The charging port at the bottom was a minor issue for me, but I experienced constant lag and random disconnects. Magic Mouse was beautiful, but flawed in many ways. I use MX now, it just works and don't cause any distractions.

I have one and my hand cramps after 10 min of use. The click requires too much force, I’d strongly prefer to tap instead. Is this possible to set up? Like with trackpads? Sliding my finger on the surface is much worse than using a mouse wheel.

Some people seems to love it, the mouse being "flat", while I cant stand it and prefer something from Logitech and Microsoft which has more height. It is the same with butterfly keyboard. Some claims it is the best keyboard ever. While others hated it because it gives zero typing feedback and Key travel distance. Even on the new Magic Keyboard on 2021 MacBook still sucks for me. Adding a keyboard typing case / mat seems to help a bit. But 2015 MBP scissors keyboard is still so much better.

In this specific context, the keyboard is fine — it has a sensible charging port at the back and you can carry on using it when it's charging. IMO, the magic keyboard and mouse are both great in all respects other than this issue with the mouse's charging port.

I had the displeasure of using a magic mouse for 10 mins at an apple store once. I had to stop using it because my hand started cramping really bad because of the super weird ergonomics of the mouse. I'm a big fan of apple products but the magic mouse is one of the worst.

Which is funny because Apple often does design fails with regards to how stuff works. The obvious Magic Mouse 2 charging port, their mices continued insistence that there be only one physical click button so it's literally impossible to right and left click at the same time despite games and other software occasionally needing that, being maybe the only monitor manufacturer in the world to still ship a monitor with a single input, the Mac Mini constantly being plagued by Bluetooth/Wifi issues because of its chassis design etc.

The main difference is that every supermarket and convenience store sells replacement batteries for the original, but when the battery in the Magic Mouse 2 is something you need an iFixit guide and a specialist retailer (and the knowledge of how to avoid chinesium fakes) to replace when it inevitably goes all puffy and fire-hazard-y.

Let’s be fair: Apple has had sufficient time to revise all of these post-Jobs Ive-era designs. Ive himself was still in charge when the trash can hit the bin, and they’ve more or less fixed the port situation on most of their models (I still have disagreements with some of their choices but we can at least say they’re debatable now). But they just released a revision of the 13” MacBook Pro with the touchbar. And while I know they have a hard time course-correcting bad design choices on their biggest product lines, there’s no excuse for not having revised the Magic Mouse 2 by this point. Also while this discussion has been mostly focused on hardware, let’s not forget that Apple is selling 6K displays while displaying all the signs and symptoms of an organization absolutely allergic to on-screen chrome in every release of Mac OS X for the past few years as well as the next major revision they just announced. I’ll put a lot at Ive’s feet, but only for the time he was actually there and in charge of design.

Jony Ive‘s „design is everything, function is last“ approach. I think Apple „grew up“ a little bit in the last years and realized, that they can not deliver any more or such substandard products. - Like the Mac Pro (2013) which was thermal limited even with the launch configuration and could not be refreshed because more power would mean less power through throttling - Magic Mouse 2 which well u could not use while charging - Macbook Pro Touchbar which is there because there was nothing else to „innovate“ - MacBook Pro Keyboard which is so thin and lookin good that the owner has to replace it every 6 month

But if it works, well its better than Jony Ive‘s „design is everything, function is last“ approach. - Like the Mac Pro (2013) which was thermal limited even with the launch configuration and could not be refreshed because more power would mean less power through throttling - Magic Mouse 2 which well u could not use while charging - Macbook Pro Touchbar which is there because there was nothing else to „inovate“ - MacBook Pro Keyboard which is so thin and lookin good that the owner has to replace it every 6 month

I think the main issue with the magic mouse 2 is that over time, as the batteries wear out, the effective life of the mouse risks dropping so much that you may eventually be unable to use it for a full work-day, whereas the previous solution of AA batteries had 'infinite' longevity - while it wouldn't be too much of an issue when new, it harms the resale value

I generally like Apple products but agree that their keyboard and mouse are very bad. There must be a way to make a great looking keyboard and mouse without it being a pain to use.

I think it's because it was the easiest way for them to add a charging port with very little redesign of the mouse. They could reuse the top part and not need to modify the profile. They saved a ton of money on retooling the production line, and all it costs is the clunky charging situation (and also the public ridicule). Who know, they might have had a warehouse of magic mouse 1 parts that they refused for ver 2.

Absolutely agree with you 100% on the mouse situation, they are, and have always been, horrible. But my favourite keyboard of all time is actually the aluminium chicklet Apple keyboard. It’s just so satisfying to type on to me. Mechanical keys have always had too much travel for my tastes.

I've learned to use my phone as a mirror -- I place it below the monitor with the selfie camera, and I can see what I'm doing well enough. It's still a bad design, though.

And yet they let you use the Magic Trackpad and keyboard while plugged in just fine. IIRC they even run wired if plugged in too. I think they just wanted to recycle the chassis of the original Magic Mouse to save on tooling and parts but that design doesn't allow for a plug in the front so they came up with this turd of a design.

I genuinely despise the modern chicklet wireless keyboards they make, but I agree that they've made some good keyboards in the past. The G3 iMac had phenomenal keyboards, arguably one of the best layouts of it's time. It didn't even feel like something Apple would make, it closer resembled an IBM peripheral... I'll agree that Apple still completely misunderstands what people want from a mouse, but their history with keyboards is a lot less shaky.