
The Apple Magic Mouse is a lightweight, wireless mouse that stands out due to its unconventional design. Known for its infamous charging port placement on the underside, the mouse cannot be used while charging. However, with an advertised month-long battery life per charge, this oddity is less of a day-to-day issue, though still an inconvenient and peculiar design choice.
The Magic Mouse features a smooth, buttonless top surface designed to support pre-set gestures, such as swiping between web pages and scrolling through documents. It’s akin to a hybrid of a touchpad and a traditional mouse, making it unique in its operation. Weighing 100 g, it may not be the lightest mouse available, but its slim design enhances its portability. It’s easy to pack alongside a laptop, making it ideal for hybrid or mobile professionals. Labs tested the MXK63AM-A model in black, which is priced at $99 USD and available in black and white colorways exclusively through Apple’s webstore.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
THE GOOD
- Portability
The mouse has a compact design and sturdy build, making it a good choice for users who frequently travel and require a mouse for productivity on the go.
- Ambidextrous
Designed with symmetry on all sides, the Magic Mouse offers a true ambidextrous experience.
THE BAD
- Latency
In testing it demonstrated significantly high latency, making it unsuitable for fast-paced gaming or tasks requiring rapid precision. It will perform adequately for casual productivity tasks like browsing or document editing.
- Lack of Customization
Users cannot program additional buttons, adjust DPI settings, create macros, or save profiles tailored to specific tasks.
THE REST
- Overall
It’s definitely one of the mice out there on the market. At its price point of $99 USD, it struggles to justify its value compared to competitors. With its unconventional charging port, and single-button, it appeals primarily to devoted Apple fans.
The Magic Mouse's packaging includes the device itself, a 1-meter USB-C to USB-C charging cable, and user documentation. Built on a durable aluminum chassis with an acrylic shroud, the mouse boasts a solid and premium construction. Its design shows no sign of flex or rattle, contributing to its reputation for build quality.
The included charging cable is both flexible and sufficiently long for most setups. However, the placement of the charging port on the bottom of the mouse prevents its use during charging, a design flaw that has sparked widespread criticism. Despite this drawback, the overall construction and materials reflect Apple's commitment to quality and aesthetics.
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Front of the box.
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The bottom of the mouse.
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Side profile of the mouse.
The Magic Mouse is devoid of software-driven customization, a significant limitation for users seeking tailored functionality. It is designed to work seamlessly with macOS systems, integrating well into the Apple ecosystem. However, its compatibility with Windows is limited, and many of the gesture-based controls that enhance its macOS functionality are unavailable on Windows systems.
While its gesture-based interface is intuitive and aligns with Apple's focus on simplicity, the lack of software options for programming buttons, adjusting sensitivity, or creating custom profiles diminishes its appeal for users outside of the macOS environment. The absence of these features restricts its versatility and positions it as a niche product for Apple users.
Equipped with a laser sensor, the Magic Mouse lacks adjustable DPI settings, which limits its adaptability for different tasks. Testing revealed high latency in Bluetooth mode. While this performance level is unsuitable for gaming or tasks requiring rapid response times, the mouse is responsive enough for casual productivity tasks such as web browsing and document management.
The tactile feel of the clicks is minimal, aligning with the mouse's sleek and minimalistic design. This may appeal to users who prefer a quieter, less intrusive clicking experience. However, the high latency and lack of sensor customization highlight its limitations, particularly for advanced users or gamers.
Please note, due to the slim profile of this mouse, we could not retrieve DPI test results.
The Magic Mouse's sturdy feet are well-suited for smooth, hard surfaces but may not perform as effectively on mouse pads. Its symmetrical design ensures true ambidextrous use, accommodating both left-and right-handed users with ease.
The absence of a scroll wheel and additional buttons limits its functionality for power users, but its slim profile and unique touch-based interface provide a distinct experience. Best suited for users with small-to-medium-sized hands, the Magic Mouse's ergonomic design prioritizes portability and simplicity over advanced features. This makes it an intriguing choice for hybrid users who value a minimalist aesthetic.
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Left side of the mouse.