USB mouse for Mac

3

I'm looking to buy a relatively cheap, but decent USB mouse for my Mac laptop. If I just buy a random one, what are the chances that it'll "just work" on the Mac. I guess I'm trying to work out whether I'll have to do heaps of research into what will and will not work, or whether I can just assume it'll be fine.

Smashery

Posted 2009-10-13T03:17:00.830

Reputation: 269

Answers

8

You can pretty much assume it'll be fine. Most cheap USB mice implement the HID (human interface device) protocol that's defined along with the USB standard itself, so unless you're getting some kind of super-intense twenty-button mouse with context-sensitive options and its own special drivers, you should be OK.

Tim

Posted 2009-10-13T03:17:00.830

Reputation: 522

I like Logitech mice for compatibility with Apple machines. Other then that, most everything will work. – Josh K – 2009-10-13T04:09:24.500

I use a Microsoft mouse and really like it. The drivers for Mac OS X are nearly identical to the ones for Windows. – alex – 2009-10-13T11:59:00.260

I've not found any mouse that doesn't work. Same for keyboards. – Rich Bradshaw – 2009-10-13T13:13:09.627

1

99.9% for basic mice. Ones with multiple buttons and special features may need special drivers but ordinary mice are very standard.

Chris Nava

Posted 2009-10-13T03:17:00.830

Reputation: 7 009

0

As everyone else said: Any mouse will work.

That being said: If you don't mind splurging a little, the Apple "Magic Mouse" is really really nice. I have bad, stiff, sore hands and it's wonderful to use. Clicking takes very little effort and the scrolling is great.

The little stupid wheels on other mice takes way too much fine motor control; but on the magic mouse I can just scroll in whatever way my hand feels like it today.

If you are a more sophisticated mouse-user than me you'll also appreciate the various pinch effects, multi-finger tools etc etc.

Ask Bjørn Hansen

Posted 2009-10-13T03:17:00.830

Reputation: 391

0

Any usb mouse will work, but some of the advanced features, may require drivers for the advanced functionality.

Benjamin Schollnick

Posted 2009-10-13T03:17:00.830

Reputation: 4 313