Skip to main content

Blogs > Simon Jary

Shall I kill this damn mouse?

Fri, 03 Nov 2006

  • Email to a friend
  • Print this article
  • Bookmark this page
  • RSS feed

I've had an Apple Mighty Mouse since it was released in August 2005.

Now I think it's time to call in the exterminators. The thing is a health hazard, and requires frequent maintenance.

Its cute top-mounted scroll ball meant that I could give up my third-party mice and return to an all-Apple solution. I liked it, as you can scroll every which way without having to click keyboard keys or second buttons.

Like most Apple mice it had its drawbacks - noticeably the collection of dirt, hair and grime on its underside (quite hideous) and smeary mess around the ball. Not a prtty image, is it?

Indeed, it's this mess that has had me several times minutes away from throwing the mouse against a wall or at least in the direction of the bin.

Every now and again the ball stops working either up or down, and I have to blow on the ball or wet it and try to remove whatever bit of dirt is gamming it up.

Today, after more spit and blow than an hour on the adult channel, I reached the point where I thought "This mouse has had it".

Just as I was reaching for the (also filthy) USB cable and eyeing my dormant but gleaming Logitech multi-button scroller, the scroll ball spun back into half life.

Should I put it and me out of misery? You, loyal readers, have the power of life and death...

Posted by: Simon Jary

Email A Friend

Email this article to a friend or colleague:



PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story, and in case of transmission error. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.

<<newer entry  |  older entry>>

Question of the day!

Mark Hattersley
Editor in Chief

Do you share your creations online?

Question of the day!

Do you share your creations online?

% of Macworld readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

What do you create and how do you share it?

124 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @TabletChat

paintings & illustrations, mostly, which i upload to flickr.RT @fragmentedm

I draw manga/anime characters. I also do graphic design and photography.RT @spialelo

Yes. I usually put them up on my #deviantart account for feedback on how to improve.RT @spialelo

Comments received


Gary White said on Monday, 06 November 2006

I don't understand the problem. I have had a Mighty Mouse over the same period of time, and have never had a days trouble with the device.

I admit to cleaning it, but it is usually the rolling ball that causes any issues, otherwise it still runs strong and provides me excellent service.

Simon Jary said on Monday, 06 November 2006

It's the ball I'm complaining about. It is locking up increasingly frequently.

Simon Jary said on Monday, 06 November 2006

It's the ball I'm complaining about. It is locking up increasingly frequently.

nom said on Tuesday, 07 November 2006

I hate to say 'I told you so' (well, okay, I quite like it) butI questioned the validity of having a tiny ball on the top of the mouse when it was first announced

a friend had his seize up after a year or so, too

seems like a design that won't be going in Ive's portfolio

wonder why it's taking so long for Apple to get their patented mini touchpad version out?

Karl Foster said on Tuesday, 07 November 2006

My Mighty Mouse packed up in short order, too. A scroll ball on the top is a dumb idea - finger gunk and other glorp messes it up very quickly, unless you're an OCD-type hand-washing loon.
Get a mouse with a scroll wheel. You don't really need sideways scrolling and the wheel will operate for longer.

Mr_BAM said on Tuesday, 07 November 2006

You lot must be dirty as hell. I've had Mighty Mouse since it's introduction, best mouse ever. And it's as clean as they day I bought it. Use an old fashioned mouse mat, you'd be surprised how much less dirt the underside of the mouse picks up. As for the scroll ball, it's fine too. Don't eat food near your computer. And do wash your hands (before and) after eating. It's the best mouse, and I dumped all my 3rd party scrollers for it.

Mr_BAM said on Tuesday, 07 November 2006

You lot must be dirty as hell. I've had Mighty Mouse since it's introduction, best mouse ever. And it's as clean as they day I bought it. Use an old fashioned mouse mat, you'd be surprised how much less dirt the underside of the mouse picks up. As for the scroll ball, it's fine too. Don't eat food near your computer. And do wash your hands (before and) after eating. It's the best mouse, and I dumped all my 3rd party scrollers for it.

Mr_BAM said on Tuesday, 07 November 2006

double post! pressed refresh after posting to see if any new comments, and safari submitted the form again! duh!

Benjamin Warin said on Tuesday, 07 November 2006

Go dig out the Logitech. My Logitech MX700 had been attached to my Dell but its now back on my Mac. Much heavier and more comfortable to use and I don't miss the sideways scrolling at all. Certainly don't miss the jamming scrollball. Will Apple ever make a decent input device?

Andy Williams said on Wednesday, 08 November 2006

Yep my scroll button gets stuck too - ususally I can't scroll up, but down & sideways (usefull - not) work fine! Tend to use it now as ordinary mouse & use scroll bars for navigation on a page. Bit of a waste of money.

Sergey Ivaschuck said on Wednesday, 08 November 2006

I do clean my mouse regularly, because the dirt DOES build up on the undersides, but i like the scrollwheel, which was one of the reasons why i bought it.

Adam Juniper said on Thursday, 09 November 2006

At work I take what I can get, which means a dell screen and a Microsoft mouse. The screen was a lot cheaper than the Apple equivalent, and, to be honest seems pretty good. The mouse is faultless; fits my hand nicely, lovely scroll wheel, handy extra buttons. Actually the "white"* keyboard is the thing that looks out of place... hmmm...

*Well, except of 4 years worth of dirt and hair that won't come out. And I do wash my hands after eating Mr_BAM!

kernelpanic said on Tuesday, 14 November 2006

I miss the nipple as soon as I touch another mouse, IMHO it's the best mouse Apple have made, as for your collection of gunk under your mouse, try dusting your desk every so often!, and the nipple doesn't get stuck if you wash your hands every now and again!

JJones said on Wednesday, 15 November 2006

Put it out of its misery! I gave up on my Mighty Mouse just a couple of months after having it. Yep, it gets too dirty but the scroll button is such a pain too (quite literally. Did my wrist in!) I went back to my old Apple mouse and am patiently (very, very patiently) waiting for Apple to release a 'proper' mouse.

John Dutch said on Friday, 17 November 2006

Nothing wrong with the design, although I would have liked a larger "nipple". Main problem in my opinion is lack of programmability. My old Logitech mouse was programmed with right-click : close current window in Finder, go back a window in Safari, turn photo clockwise in iPhoto etc. Different functions in different apps. Shame that Apple could not provide programmability instead of some simple presets. Maybe in 10.5 ?

Mike Green said on Monday, 20 November 2006

Yup, damn thing needs a clean.

The scroll ball locked up completely last week, and wouldn't respond to the clean water treatment I usually apply. then I tried some of my speccy cleaner spray (from Boots), and it ungummed beautifully.

I'm still going to eye up Logitech products next time I'm in a 'puter shop, though

Marinus said on Tuesday, 21 November 2006

I totally agree: the mighty mouse sucks (and not only dirt)! And it's not really easy to clean the ball, I even had mine replaced once because the scrollball did not scroll in any direction any more, but meanwhile the new one reached the same state! So I'm using the scrollbars again. (And for the record: I do wash my hands regularly)

Moses said on Tuesday, 21 November 2006

The ball on my mighty mouse stopped working 2 weeks after I got it, no amount of cleaning / blowing has got it going again so far.

I still use the mouse sans-ball, the right click and squeeze for exposé are useful so I vote for its life.

Keith Dixon said on Tuesday, 21 November 2006

Try washing your hands and keeping your desktop cleaner. I'm serious! I've had mine six months, use it with my MacBook Pro when travelling, and apart from a damp tissue wipe it's fine. Disable the lateral press buttons - too sensitive - dashboard is intrusive. No ball lock-ups.

Rev James Liddle said on Wednesday, 22 November 2006

I too have come to the end of the road with the Mighty Mouse, it stops and starts. It won't scroll and then it will scroll. There are even times when the cursor shoots across the screen as the speed of sound, and at the most inconvenient time. I am coming through the temptation of laying hands on the Mighty Mouse and giving it an Almight Send off the the waste bin.

mbridgwater said on Wednesday, 22 November 2006

I also have nearly thrown away my super mouse for the same reasons. ANy suggestions for how to get into the case to clean it. there must be a better way tha squirting lens cleaner round the scroll ball!

m bridgwater said on Friday, 24 November 2006

After a long struggle against grungein my "supermouse" I have given it best and reverted to a wacom mouse which feels much better. Apple need to look at the invisible design and make the mouse readily cleanable
Mike

rong1611 said on Monday, 27 November 2006

I have the same problem. Bought two for the kids. Took one back to the Apple store they made me feel like i was a dirty slob and reluctantly replaced the "mighty mouse". I may switch back to a 3rd party scrolling mouse (or trackball)

Kidson said on Saturday, 02 December 2006

I have an Apple wirelss Keyboard and Apple wireless Mouse. Accidentally damaged Mouse - my fault.

Do I replace with an Apple Mighty Mouse or go for the Logitech Cordless Desktop S 530 Laser keyboard and their high-performance laser mouse?

Disclaimer
Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Macworld. Macworld accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content.
Click here to read the house rules.