The Magic Mouse has been around in various iterations for a number of years now, and it's more than you might think. The first Magic Mouse arrived in October of 2009 and has been roundly mocked ever since. But a new model might be on the horizon that will fix a huge issue that some people had with the Magic Mouse that's on sale today. The problem? It won't fix the problem that you're thinking about.

The Magic Mouse is of course Apple's first-party pointing device for those who prefer to use a mouser rather than a trackpad, something Apple also sells under the Magic Trackpad branding. But the Magic Mouse has its problems, including the fact that it's charged using a Lightning cable that plugs into a port on its belly. And yes, that means that you have to turn the whole thing over just to charge it. And yes, that means that you can't use the Magic Mouse while it charges. But that isn't even the biggest problem.

The biggest problem, for some at least, is that the Magic Mouse is one big button with touch-sensitive areas that act as areas designated for left and right mouse clicks. But the whole surface of the mouse moves when you click it, and people with meatier hands find that their skin gets caught every single time they click. And that sucks. But thankfully a patent might have the answer in the form of Force Touch.

Force Touch to the rescue

Force Touch is of course the feature that is already used on the Magic Trackpad and allows its surface to remain static when a click is performed. Instead, like the Magic Trackpad built into Apple's laptops, the force of a finger is registered and a click is performed. The 'click' that you feel is generated by a Taptic Engine, simulating the feel of a button moving. Notably, it's this same system that is expected to power the capacitive Action Button rumored for the iPhone 16 lineup.

Now, Patently Apple reports that Apple has updated its Force Touch patent to protect the feature's use on pointing devices like the Magic Mouse. It's also important to remember that Apple already has a similar Magic Mouse Force Touch patent from back in 2016, too. And while neither of these patents guarantees that a new Magic Mouse is on the way, they certainly don't disprove it, either. And being able to use a Magic Mouse without hurting myself each and every time I click sounds like a great improvement to me.

Magic Mouse changes are afoot regardless

Apple will have to update the Magic Mouse sooner rather than later anyway, even if it doesn't add Force Touch support this time around. Apple's move away from Lightning and towards USB-C is still underway, and it's racing against the EU's clock. Computer accessories like the Magic Mouse fall under the same common charger rules that meant the iPhone 15 switched to USB-C this year. And while Apple did release an updated M3 iMac recently, that too comes with Lightning-powered accessories.

It isn't yet clear when Apple will update its remaining Lightning accessories, but when it does we can only hope for two things; Force Touch coming to the Magic Mouse and the USB-C port being somewhere — anywhere — other than where the Lightning cable plugs in today.

I don't think either of those things is too much to ask, do you?

More from iMore

• iMac (M3,) review: An all-in-one all-rounder
• Apple's new M3 iMac is boring, and it feels like a rushed addition
• It's time to get over how the Magic Mouse charges

The Apple Magic Mouse 2 might be one of Apple’s most divisive products. While its minimalist design looks great on a desk, and its touch-sensitive surface is a cool way to trigger macOS gesture commands, it has a few problems.

We’re all by now well aware of its diabolical underside charging port. But a more stressful problem for long-term users might be its low-profile pebble shape. It’s not particularly ergonomic, requiring a user to contort and claw at the small input device.

There may be a solution though, and it’s a simple one. The MouseBase is a US-built shell for the Magic Mouse 2, designed to allow a user to better grip Apple’s device.

Ergonomic add-on

Cradling the mouse in a palm-fitting shell that requires no adhesive, it’s intended to make using the Magic Mouse 2 for many hours less of a strain on your hand thanks to its larger footprint and ergonomic curves. It sadly can’t fix that underside charging problem — regardless of where the cable goes in on the Magic Mouse 2, it switches off when connected to a power source. It only works with the second-generation Magic Mouse too, it’s worth noting, not supporting the battery-powered model.

With the Magic Mouse 2 raised and on a slight tilt when using the MouseBase, there’s a patented mirror technology inside to ensure the mouse tracks correctly — we’ll have to give it a test before passing final judgment on how accurate it is in motion. But it’s at the very least attempting to improve something Apple shows no recent sign of being interested in.

For now, only a Mac-matching light-grey color of the MouseBase is available, but the team intends to follow up with a dark grey version and a wider array of seven additional shades to match the full iMac line-up.

The MouseBase is available now from Amazon, and costs $29.99. If it's still not enough to fix your Magic Mouse woes, check out our top picks for the best Magic Mouse alternatives.

Finding the right mouse for your Mac can be one of the most important decisions you make when using an Apple computer. After all, you can end up using a mouse for long stretches of time, and getting it wrong is a fast road to wrist strain.

There’s a lot to consider, from size and weight to the number of buttons and extra features. Fortunately, our guide should help you out. We’ve reviewed a bunch of mice and found the best ones for different occasions, whether you want the perfect gaming partner or something that is the ultimate in wrist comfort. Read on to see what we’ve selected.

Quick list

Here are our top picks for Mac mice. To read more, just click any of them to jump down to our full write-ups.

Best wireless mouse for your Mac: in depth

The best all-rounder mouse for Mac

If you’re in the market for a new Mac mouse, chances are you’ve heard of Logitech’s MX Master line. This mouse has a real pedigree among Mac users, and the latest addition – the MX Master 3S for Mac – continues that tradition. Right from the off, it’s not hard to see why.

Let’s start with its design. The MX Master 3S for Mac adopts an ergonomic shape that is perfectly made for your hand. It’s extremely comfortable to use, even for long stretches at a time, and its buttons are well placed and easy to access.

While most mice come with a single scroll wheel, the MX Master 3S for Mac actually has two: one in the standard position between the left and right buttons, and one atop the thumb rest. This second wheel is for horizontal scrolling, while the main wheel can alternate between slow ratches and super-quick spinning depending on how fast you move it. Both are invaluable.

As well as that, there’s a clever button located at the bottom of the thumb rest. Hold it down and move the mouse around and you can perform gestures, just like how you would on a Magic Mouse. It’s an ingenious feature that is completely intuitive to use.

All in all, that means the Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac has a deserved reputation for quality. If you’re looking for a new mouse to pair up with your Mac, it’s the perfect partner.

The best Mac mouse for work and play

The Razer DeathAdder is one of the most popular mice around, and the latest addition to the roster – the Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed – takes things up a significant notch. Although it’s designed for gamers, it’s one of the best all-round mice you can buy for your Mac.

Part of what makes it so impressive is its astonishingly low weight. At just 54g, this thing practically floats off your desk, making using it as effortless as can be. It also zips around your mouse mat thanks to the large pads on its underside, an experience which adds to the satisfying feeling of using it.

Regardless of whether you’re gaming or just working, an accurate sensor is paramount. The DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed comes with the Focus X optical sensor with 26,000 DPI for super-accurate usage no matter what you’re doing. It’s backed up with optical switches under the buttons for top-of-the-range build quality and reliability.

As well as that, this mouse comes very close to the Razer Viper V3 Pro (discussed below), with many of the same or similar features, for a much lower price. If you don’t think you’ll need everything that the Viper V3 Pro offers – and let’s face it, most of us don’t – the DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed is a great option.

Even the buttons feel superbly engineered, with satisfying clicks on the left and right buttons and a scroll wheel that is tactile and precise. It’s clear that Razer has put a lot of effort into this mouse, and you don’t need to be a hardcore gamer to appreciate everything it brings to the table.

The only disappointment is the lack of macOS compatibility for Razer’s Synapse app. This is used to change the mouse’s sensitivity, create macros and more, and without it, you’ll have to find a third-party alternative app that lets you adjust these features. But even considering that, the Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed is an excellent mouse for work and play.

The best affordable mouse for Mac

The more research you do into mice for your Mac, the more money you can end up spending. Yet saving cash doesn’t have to mean you’re getting a no-good product, as the Keychron M7 shows. While it may not be the most spectacular of options, it is a solid performer that is well-suited for most use cases without breaking the bank.

Its ergonomic shape fits neatly into your palm, giving you support for your thumb while contouring to the shape of your hand. If you find yourself at your desk for hours on end, it’s good to know that the Keychron M7 will be a comfortable way to carry out your work.

There are two side buttons, then at the far end of the thumb rest is a dedicated macro button. That puts quick multi-step controls at your fingertips, and you can set your own macros in Keychron’s companion app on your Mac.

Despite its affordable price, the Keychron M7 comes with an accurate PixArt 3395 sensor with a sensitivity rating of up to 26,000 DPI. No matter whether you want to use it for gaming or productivity, you’ll feel the benefit of that sensor every time you use it.

The best Mac mouse for gaming

The Razer Viper V3 Pro is one of the best gaming mice you can buy for your Mac. It’s an absolutely brilliant device, offering a comfortable shape, a featherlight design, a high-performance sensor and a rock-solid build.

Razer has managed to squash the weight down to a mere 55g, and that feels fantastic in use – the mouse skips lightly over your mouse mat, something that’s aided by the smooth pads adorning its underside. That’s not just ideal in fast-paced games, but in day-to-day tasks where you don’t want a bulky pointer weighing you down.

The sensitivity ramps all the way up to 35,000 DPI, while you can achieve a polling rate of 8,000Hz – both important settings for serious gamers. But even if you find yourself on the more casual end of the spectrum, the Viper V3 Pro’s optical button switches, reliable scroll wheel and comfy shape make it ideal.

The main drawback is that, as with the Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed, Razer’s Synapse doesn’t work in macOS. The app is used to control the Viper V3 Pro’s sensitivity, macros, advanced settings and more. If you want to access all that on your Mac, you’ll need a third-party app.

Still, if you like to indulge in some of the best Mac games during your down time, this mouse is a superb choice.

The best Mac mouse for ergonomics

Using a mouse for extended periods of time can lead to wrist strain, and that’s especially true for flat mice like Apple’s Magic Mouse. The solution is often to use an ergonomic mouse that puts your hand in an upright position, cutting down on the pressure that goes through your arm and hand.

If you’re in the market for this kind of mouse, the Logitech Lift for Mac is one of the best mice you can buy. Its build quality is absolutely top-notch, giving you the support you need to ensure wrist pain becomes a thing of the past.

But it’s not just about the new angle your hand adopts. Logitech has engineered the Lift’s buttons to be near-silent in use, helping to keep you focused on your work. Yet the buttons are still satisfying to press, being not too slack and not to stiff. It testifies to the build quality found in the Lift for Mac.

As well as that, the scroll wheel is imbued with Logitech’s SmartWheel tech. When you scroll slowly, the wheel ratchets into place like on other mice. But if you move it quickly, the wheel loosens up and spins rapidly, making it perfect for shooting down lengthy web pages and documents in a flash.

It all goes to show that you don’t have to miss out on quality when you get an ergonomic mouse. If you’ve been bedevilled by wrist pain and want a solution, it should be top of your list.

The best Mac mouse for AI

Logitech’s Signature AI Edition M750 mouse comes with something a little out of the ordinary: a dedicated AI button. But far from being a cheap gimmick, this feature comes packed with a bunch of interesting tools that could help make you more productive in your day-to-day work.

Press the AI button and up pops the Logi AI Prompt Builder. This mini app copies any text you have highlighted on a web page or in a document and pastes it into a text box, where the words can then be changed up with the help of ChatGPT. For instance, you can rephrase text, summarise it or draft an email from it. The Prompt Builder gives you options for the length of the response and its tone, further helping you refine it to perfection.

The secret is the Logi Options+ app. This app lets you browse existing AI prompts, modify those you’re already using, and even create your own from scratch. Once you’re finished, you’ll be able to adjust any copied text with just a press of the AI button.

The M750 isn’t limited to artificial intelligence. Aside from its AI capabilities, it has a comfy, curved shape that allows your fingers and thumb to rest in a natural position. Its button presses are soft and quiet, while its affordable price will make it a real bargain if you want to weave AI into your daily life.

How to choose the best mouse for your Mac

Deciding which mouse is best for you and your Mac depends on a number of factors. For instance, do you have a specific use or situation in mind? Do you want to prioritise price or performance? What size mouse do you need? All these aspects and more will affect the decision you make.

Let’s start with the price. It goes without saying that the higher price you’re willing to pay, the more features you often get from your mouse. That might mean better quality construction, more reliable sensors and button switches, or extra features that cheaper models go without. It’s not always the case that you should spend as much as you possibly can on a mouse – after all, there are some great bargains out there – but you should carefully weigh up what sort of performance you get for the price you’re being asked to pay.

Secondly, what about ergonomics? As we discussed earlier, using a mouse can lead to wrist strain. At the very least, you want a mouse that fits comfortably in your hand, perhaps even one that is sculpted to meet the contours of your palm. You should avoid flat, low-profile mice, as these don’t allow your hand to rest naturally on the mouse body, increasing fatigue over the course of the day. If you’re really having trouble with hand discomfort, an upright mouse like the Logitech Lift for Mac is worth considering.

In recent years, Macs have become a more attractive destination for gamers thanks to improved chip performance and a greater selection of top-tier games. If you enjoy playing games on your Mac, you might want a mouse that is tailor-made for this pastime. It’s worth looking for mice with high sensitivity settings, top-quality sensors, low-latency connections and perhaps even extra buttons that you can map gaming functions to.

Finally, while left-handed mice are rare, you do have options if you are a leftie. Aside from dedicated left-handed mice, you can also find ambidextrous mice that take a symmetrical shape that will work with either left or right hands. Just beware of ergonomically shaped mice that are designed for right hands, as well as buttons that only appear on one side of the mouse (usually the left-hand side, which makes them poorly positioned for your left thumb).

Apple's Magic Mouse isn't for everyone. It's got multi-touch gesture support and is rechargeable, but many people would still trade fancy features for a traditional mouse. A good mouse is nothing to scoff at — you use them every day, and you're going to want one that is comfortable and has all the features you want, whether you work from home or in the office. 

If you pick up one of the best Magic Mouse alternatives, you'll be able to truly turn your MacBook into the best MacBook it can be. So, if you don't like the Magic Mouse that came with your Mac, you can and should get something else. Here are the best Magic Mouse alternatives!

Quick List

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Q & A

When it comes down to which mouse is the best, it depends on personal preferences. Some people love Apple's Magic Mouse, but lots of people don't. The main thing is you get a mouse that has all the features you want and is compatible with your best Mac.

We love the Logitech M720 because it's so versatile. The ability to have three connections simultaneously allows you to use it with multiple devices without worrying about pairing it each time.

If you're looking for a similar look and feel to the Magic Mouse, the Logitech Pebble is probably the closest I have ever tried. It may not be a touch device, but the low profile and flat top make it easy to use for left or right-handed people to use, and it has a super quiet click mechanism, so it never gets annoying.

Lastly, if you like to game at all, the SteelSeries Rival 650 is a great gaming mouse that doesn't cost hundreds of dollars. It has very low input lag and incredible accuracy, making it perfect for clicking heads in your favorite shooter or commanding troops, or the latest RTS game.

You may have noticed an increase in Magic Mouse slander recently, and like me, you may wonder why a product that came out six years ago is getting this much attention again. Well, you can blame the new Mac Studio.

When Apple released the Mac Studio, it also released a black version of its Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse, and because of that, people seem to want to dredge up old issues. I have even seen a TikTok creator go as far as to say that Apple's "new" mouse was problematic. So let's get things clear; the Magic Mouse hasn't been changed since the Magic Mouse 2 came out in 2015. We've seen some new colors, but not a new mouse.

Many people will tell you that the Magic Mouse sucks, and they will always point to the way the mouse charges as their reasoning. However, I think the Magic Mouse gets a lousy rap unnecessarily.

The charging issue is overblown

Yes, you can't charge the Magic Mouse and use it simultaneously. The Lightning port is located on the bottom of the mouse, meaning when you want to charge it, you have to turn it over and plug it in, leaving it in a position somewhat reminiscent of a turtle that is down on its luck. Heck, we just found out that even if you find a way to charge the mouse and use it simultaneously, it still doesn't work.

Is that the most optimal design? No. Does it make the Magic Mouse unusable? No!

The battery, on a full charge, will last several weeks. The Magic Mouse is the only mouse I use with my M1 iMac, and I consistently get anywhere from 6-8 weeks on a full charge. That's using the mouse 40-50 hours each week for work, plus other fun activities in the evenings like gaming, photo editing, etc.

"But it takes so long to charge," you might say. Charging your Magic Mouse from 0-100% does indeed take about 2 hours, but can you not find two hours in over a month to charge up your mouse in the grand scheme of things? Plus, that doesn't consider that nothing stops you from charging your mouse for, say, two minutes if you need a little more juice to finish your workday or your current task. Only a couple of minutes of charging should give you eight-to-nine hours of battery life. So close your Apple Watch stand ring, get another cup of coffee, or whatever suits you. Then plug it in when you're done for the day, and a full charge will keep you rolling for another month or more.

I understand that if you're in the middle of the workday, and your mouse dies on you, rendering it useless, that will suck. However, macOS Monterey will warn you when the device is getting low. Plus, by looking at your Bluetooth connections, you can see the current battery percentage of your Magic Mouse at any time with one click of the menu bar. Getting caught off guard with a Magic Mouse that's completely dead is very easy to avoid.

I'm not saying the Magic Mouse couldn't be improved, or that should Apple ever release a third version, the charging solution shouldn't be better. But, the "charging problem" is not really that much of an issue for the amount of flak the Magic Mouse receives.

Its useability outweighs its downsides

The gestures on the Magic Mouse have me zipping through macOS so seamlessly — particularly the side-scrolling — that the charging woes people express very quickly fall by the wayside.

Slide a single finger to scroll in any direction, swipe a single finger sideways to gesture forward or backward inside apps, double-tap to zoom, double-tap with two fingers for Mission Control — the functionality easily outweighs any negatives.

Don't like the Magic Mouse; plenty of other options

There are plenty of other reasons to hate on the Magic Mouse because ultimately, what mouse you like to use comes down to personal preference.

Suppose you don't like the Magic Mouse because it's not the most ergonomic design, or there are no customizable buttons. In that case, there are many great alternatives to the Magic Mouse that offer a different experience.

But, to say the Magic Mouse is bad because of how it charges is a cop-out. It's been this way for six years; no one getting a Magic Mouse in 2022 is surprised by how it charges.

It's a good mouse with a sub-optimal design, and that's okay.

What you need to know

• The Lightning port for charging the Magic Mouse is on the bottom because Jony Ive.
• Someone created a contraption that allows a cable to be connected to the Magic Mouse while maintaining its usability.
• It turns out you can't charge and use a Magic Mouse at the same time no matter how hard you try.

Apple's Magic Mouse is popular among everyone who uses it and while its low profile feel might not be for everyone, others swear by it. But it has a problem — you have to turn the thing on its side to charge it which is maddening. Unless you follow this fix, that is.

The fix comes courtesy of YouTube channel Unncesessary Inventions and involves 3D printing a mount that sits beneath the Magic Mouse itself and raises it off the desk. That then gives you room to connect a right-angled Lightning cable and still use your Magic Mouse while it charges. It's genius in its simplicity and you can see how it all goes down on YouTube right now.

But alas, there's a problem. While the Magic Mouse continues to function when in the mount and you can indeed charge it, you can't do both at the same time. For reasons known only to Apple, plugging the Magic Mouse into a power source stops its sensor from working, making all of this a bit of a waste of time. It turns out the Magic Mouse won't function when plugged in. Why, Apple? Why?!

If this bothers you as much as it does me, there are plenty of other Magic Mouse anternatives that you can buy instead. And you can charge them all at your leisure, too!

What you need to know

• Apple hosted its "Peek Performance" event earlier today.
• The company revealed the Mac Studio and Studio Display at the event.
• It is releasing new color options for the Magic Keyboard, Mouse, and Trackpad to complement the display.

Earlier today, Apple hosted its "Peek Performance" special event. At the event, the company announced new generations of the iPhone SE and iPad Air as well as introduced the new Mac Studio and Studio Display.

The new Studio Display features an all-aluminum design with a black border and, in order to complement the design, Apple has announced new color options for your Mac accessories.

The Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse will now come in both a Silver and Silver/Black color option so you can match your accessories with your Studio Display the way that you want.

The Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse in the new Silver/Black color option are available to order today and are currently showing delivery dates as early as March 11.

You can actually preorder the Mac Studio and Studio Display already with both new products launching next Friday, March 18. Shipping dates are already starting to slip on both devices.

What you need to know

• Apple is discontinuing its Space Gray Magic accessories for the Mac.
• The change is occurring due to the company discontinuing the iMac Pro back in March.

Apple is wiping Space Gray Macs from the earth.

As reported by MacRumors, Apple is discontinuing its Space Gray Magic Keyboard, Mouse, and Trackpad. The accessories launched in tandem back with the iMac Pro, which the company discontinued back in March. Now, Apple seems to be discontinuing all of the accessories that were made for it as well.

Apple did also release a Space Gray Mac mini, but the only one available now is an Intel version. The latest version of the Mac mini, which includes the company's new M1 processor, only comes in Silver.

Of course, Apple will continue to sell silver versions of the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad to take care of existing iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Pro users.

While some Magic accessories are going away, an entire wave is about to hit with Apple's new M1 iMac. All of Magic Keyboards, Magic Mice, and Magic Trackpads have been color-matched to all seven of the new iMac's colors.

The new iMac is available for preorder now with shipments expected to begin to reach customers on May 21.

Both of Apple's branded computer navigation devices feature multi-touch gesture support. Both move the pointer around on your Mac, allow you to swipe up, down, left, and right, and have customizable settings to perfect your personal experience. The Magic Mouse is better for small spaces, while the Magic Trackpad is better for full gesture movement.

Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad: What are the differences?

The most obvious difference between the Magic Mouse and the Magic Trackpad is ... well ... one is a mouse, and the other is a trackpad. With the mouse, you rest your hand on the curved surface and move your arm around to move the pointer up, down, to the left, and to the right. With the Magic Trackpad, you move the pointer around by swiping with one finger on the surface.

When considering which pointer peripheral you should have for your computing needs, think about how much space you have. Do you have room for a trackpad that is about 6 inches wide by 4.5 inches deep? If not, the Magic Mouse is better. Do you suffer from finger cramping when using a mouse, especially the pinky finger? A trackpad solves that stationary finger issue.

Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad: Arm saving vs. space saving

If your desktop has room for a trackpad measuring about 6 x 4.5 inches, I highly recommend the Magic Trackpad. Personally, I find it the be more comfortable from an ergonomic standpoint. You don't keep your hand resting in the same place for long periods like you do on a mouse, which is overall better on your hands unless you're specifically using an ergonomic mouse. You don't have to move your whole arm around to move the pointer. With a mouse, your desk's surface (or a mouse pad) is what you use to move around on the screen. With a trackpad, your finger does the walking.

If you're limited by space, the Magic Trackpad may be too big for you if your desktop area is small. Sure, you need space to move the Magic Mouse around on, but there's a level of flexibility that doesn't exist with the Magic Trackpad. If you're using the Magic Keyboard with Number Pad, for example, on a keyboard tray, there may not be enough room on that tray for the keyboard and trackpad, but you could make it work with a mouse.

Plus, the Magic Mouse is more portable. You can lift it with the same hand you navigate, move it to a different surface, and continue clicking without missing a beat. You can shove it in your back pocket and take it with you on the go. The Magic Trackpad is a little too big to lift with one hand easily, and it definitely doesn't fit in your back pocket.

Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad: Gestures vs. Force Touch

The Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad support almost all of the same gestures, like swiping between pages and full apps, scrolling with one finger, and double-tapping to access Mission Control.

The Magic Trackpad, however, has a couple more cool gestures, like pinch-to-zoom and image rotating.

The Magic Trackpad also supports Force Touch, which is sort of like 3D Touch on an iPhone. You click on the trackpad surface and then press down. You'll feel a second sort of click when it's been triggered.

Force Touch only accesses Quick Look and Look Up, which are nice additions but not overly helpful on Mac. Again, like 3D Touch on the Home screen, it's nice, but not anything that totally changes the way you use your Mac.

Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad: Price

If you're buying a desktop Mac, and price matters the most, the Magic Mouse is a no-brainer. It comes with every Mac desktop. A Magic Trackpad will cost an additional $50. If you want both the Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse, you'll pay a total of $129 for both. That's if you're buying a new Mac desktop.

If you're buying a Mac laptop or already have a desktop, the price of both goes up, but the Magic Trackpad is still more expensive than the Magic Mouse, and getting either in Space Gray will set you back an additional $20.

If your wallet is thin and saving money is your top priority, the Magic Mouse is the better priced of the two, especially if you're buying a Mac desktop because the price is zero extra dollars.

Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad: Charging while working

With the Magic Mouse 2, Apple did this unusual thing and put the charging port on the bottom. This was likely the only place they could put the port and still keep the iconic low-profile design. It is, however, inconvenient, at best.

You can't use the Magic Mouse 2 while it's charging. You have to wait at least 15 minutes for it to juice up enough for you to finish your current project, and then you can plug it in for the night.

On the other hand, the Magic Trackpad can still be used while charging, so you never lose productivity while in the middle of something important.

Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad: Bottom line

The Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad are ideal on Mac because they support certain gestures that no other mouse or trackpad support. Either one is going to make you happy.

If I were to recommend one over the other, however, I prefer the Magic Trackpad. I have both and use them both interchangeably at my desk. I find the Magic Trackpad to be more comfortable, and the pinch-to-zoom gesture works with my personal workflow.

If you've just switched to the Mac, you may find yourself a bit confused by how the Mac's mice and trackpad work.

The Mac famously doesn't come with a mouse or trackpad that has a distinct right mouse button, but that doesn't mean you can't right-click on the Mac. Whether you use the built-in trackpad on your Mac laptop, a Magic Trackpad, a Magic Mouse, or a third-party mouse that has a distinct right button (such as the Logitech MX Master 3), here's how to enable right-click menus on your Mac.

How to right click on Mac

Regardless of how your Mac is set up, holding down the control key on the keyboard and pressing your primary mouse or trackpad button will open a shortcut or contextual menu, providing the same functionality that most Windows switchers are accustomed to seeing from a right-click.

If you have a third-party mouse that has a right physical button, macOS should recognize the button and map it accordingly after you plug in the mouse. If you like having a different button as your right-click, you can customize which button is primary — left or right — in the Mouse system preference pane.

You may also want to check your third-party mouse maker's website for Mac drivers. Some of the better ones, like Logitech, offer very sophisticated tools for programming not only buttons, but other great functionality like optic tracking speed and acceleration, scroll wheel motion, chording, and more.

How to turn right click on for a Magic Trackpad or MacBook trackpad

1. Launch System Preferences from the Dock or by clicking the Apple button in the top left corner and clicking System Preferences.
2. Click on the Trackpad icon.

3. Select the Point and Click tab.
4. Choose the checkbox next to Secondary click.

Once it's activated, you'll be able to right-click by tapping the trackpad with two fingers simultaneously. You can change the preference to click in the bottom left or right corners if you prefer.

How to turn right click on for a Magic Mouse

1. Launch System Preferences from the Dock or by clicking the Apple button in the top left corner and clicking System Preferences.
2. Click on Mouse.

3. Click the checkbox next to Secondary click, and choose either "click on the right side" or "click on the left side", depending on your preference.

In the market?

There are lots of awesome MacBooks available now! Check out our favorite models of the year.

Can't live without right click on Mac?

Do you prefer using a trackpad when you're on your MacBook, or do you opt for the Magic Mouse? Let us know in the comments below!

Updated November 2020: Updated for macOS Big Sur.

The Magic Mouse 2 is a nifty tool in Apple's arsenal that allows for easy, multi-touch gestures so you can navigate your Mac with ease. Whether you are swiping or scrolling, this sleek little device adds a touch of efficiency with its internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This new version of the Magic tosses out those old AA batteries and can go up to a month between charges. It uses a Lightning port to refresh; the only downside of the design is that you can't use it and restore your battery simultaneously. Add on a quick charge - as little as 2 hours for a complete charge - and you have yourself an incredibly useful tool. If you have a Mac not running Windows 10, that is.

The Magic Mouse 2 wasn't designed to work with anything but Mac. However, with the right steps, you can successfully use it with Windows 10 on Mac or PC. If you installed Windows 10 on your Mac using Boot Camp, or you just want to use it with your PC, all you need is the right software and Bluetooth compatibility. If you want to get the most out of your Magic Mouse 2, you're going to need the Magic Mouse Utilities software.

This software grants users access to all the features the Magic Mouse has to offer. Download the Magic Mouse Utilities software program and follow through the prompts. This software is compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10 - as well as BootCamp. Downloading Magic Mouse Utilities will have you scrolling free in no time. If you don't want to spend the money on the software before testing it out, don't worry - there's a month trial you can access. The mouse will work without the software, but you won't have access to the multi-touch features.

With Magic Mouse Utilities and a Bluetooth connection, Windows 10 owners can use the Magic Mouse 2 on their desktop or laptop. If you wanted to give it a go without the software, the mouse will still work for the PC, but it won't have the amazing features! Either way - to successfully pair this accessory, you still need Bluetooth.

If you don't have Bluetooth built-in to your device, it's easy to find an adapter. A good choice that works with Windows, Vista, Linux, and Mac is the Kinivo BTD-400. To add the device, make sure the mouse is turned on. Next, simply click into your start button and choose Setting. From there click Devices, then Bluetooth and pair the device.

It may take a few tries, but once your device is linked, you'll be good to go - but only with scrolling. Once you pair the two, you might be missing other features - particularly if you do it without the software. After a bit of trial and error, you can successfully pair your Magic Mouse 2.

Apple's Magic Mouse looks amazing and has some great features, but it's not the most ergonomic design around. Here's how you can make it a little more comfortable to use.

• The mouse: Apple Magic Mouse 2 ($79)
• Grip it good: Elevation Lab Magic Grips ($15)

How to make the Apple Magic Mouse more comfortable to use

We're using the Apple Magic Mouse 2 here, but the Elevation Lab Magic Grips kit is also compatible with the original Magic Mouse that takes removable batteries if you still use that one.

1. Flip the Magic Mouse over.
2. Using the included alcohol wipe, clean the underside of the mouse.
3. Ensure the underside of the mouse is dry.
4. Before adhering, line each grip up in the middle of the mouse and make sure you're happy with the position.
5. Remove the adhesive strips and firmly press each grip to the underside of the mouse.

6. Flip the mouse over and push down firmly for about 30 seconds.

The Magic Grips add a sidewall to the Magic Mouse and make it much easier to hold. They're such a simple accessory but completely transform the Magic Mouse.

In the kit, you get an additional, larger grip for your thumb if you'd like something a bit higher. It's down to personal preference, but for such an affordable price it's nice to have options.

Our top equipment picks

This incredibly simple, very affordable accessory makes the Apple Magic Mouse completely different to use. For the better.

The Magic Mouse is very pretty to look at, and its touch-enabled top is certainly innovative, but it's not particularly ergonomic. Adding these grips makes a big improvement on that front, and will help your wrists feel less strained at the end of the day.

The Magic Grips work on either generation Magic Mouse, but if you're in the market for a new one you'll be getting the Magic Mouse 2.

Apple Magic Mouse 2 ($79 at Amazon)

A gorgeous design and innovative touch-enabled top combine with Lightning charging in Apple's latest generation Magic Mouse.

Apple makes a series of accessories for the Mac that includes the Magic Keyboard and second editions of both the Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse. They were last updated last year, the big new feature being built-in lithium-ion batteries and, for the keyboard and trackpad, new wedge-shaped designs. That meant they could be charged and re-charged over USB to Lightning cables all while sitting flush on your desk. Well, except for the Magic Mouse, whose old design prevented use while charging...

So, if Apple came to you and asked what you wanted to see from their Magic accessories in 2017, what would you tell them?

1. Redesign the Magic Mouse so it can be used while charging.
2. Add Force Touch and Force Click to Magic Mouse.
3. Add Touch Bar and Touch ID to Magic Keyboard.
4. Split/ergonomic version for Magic Keyboard.
5. Retro deep travel clickety-clackity version of Magic Keyboard.
6. Magic Number Pad (or extended option) for Magic Keyboard.
7. Space Gray option on all Magic accessories.
8. Ahem. Black, jet black, gold, and rose gold options on all Magic accessories.
9. Switch from Lightning to USB-C connectors on all Magic accessories.
10. Extra USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 connector for daisy chaining additional accessories.

Those are just a few ideas — what are yours? What would you like to see in the next generation of Apple Magic accessories for Mac? (And, of course, the next generation of iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Pro that go with them!)

The new Magic Mouse 2 has one significant difference from the previous Magic Mouse: It now packs a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Because of that change, though, it's now lighter and has new "feet" that allow it to glide smoother than ever.

I'll get this out of the way immediately, though: I'm not a fan of mouses in general nor Apple mouses in specific. I liked the mouse on the Lisa and the original Mac because they were new and wondrous at the time, but when it came to the hockey puck mouse, the mighty mouse, or the previous Magic Mouse—not a fan.

For the last few days, though, I've put my biases aside and been using the Magic Mouse 2 like my computing life depended on it. While there's no chance of it winning me back from the Magic Trackpad 2, I gave it every chance it to impress me in its own right. So, did it?

• An Apple mouse
• Multitouch gesture support
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery

• An inexpensive mouse
• A gaming mouse
• Any color but white

Bottom Line

The Magic Mouse 2 is identical to the original Magic Mouse in every major way but one—it now has a built-in, rechargeable, lithium-ion battery. Though you can't charge it while using it. It's not inexpensive and it's not ideal for gaming. So, the Magic Mouse 2 is best suited for those who want multitouch gesture support, and want it from Apple.

$79 - Buy now from Apple

Magic Mouse 2 Table of Contents

• Magic Mouse 2 design
• Magic Mouse 2 functionality
• Magic Mouse 2 conclusion

Magic Mouse 2 Design

Sitting on a desk, side-by-side, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the Magic Mouse 2 from the original Magic Mouse that debuted in 2009 (same year as the iPhone 3GS). The internals have all changed, and some of the externals have changed to support them. But on the desk, side-by-side, they're all but indistinguishable. The size is the same: 0.85 inches (216 mm) high, 4.47 inches (1135 mm) deep, 2.25 inches (571 mm) wide. The weight, however, has been reduced to 0.22 pounds (0.099 kg).

It's when you turn the Magic Mouse 2 that the changes—and the source of the weight-loss—become apparent. It's not the now black Apple logo or the new "feet" that, Apple says, makes for a smoother glide. It's the lack of the compartment that used to take AA batteries. And its place rechargeable lithium-ion battery fed by a Lightning port that's taken its place.

Yes, the port is on the bottom and not on the back the way it is on the Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2. But then the Magic Mouse 2 doesn't have a back. At least not a flat plane of a back suited for a Lightning port. And the alternative—excavating a port—would not be pretty.

See the mockup immediately to the right for an idea of just how not pretty.

And not only would it be aesthetically displeasing, if not downright distasteful, it would be uncomfortable. Instead of your fingers moving smoothly across the surface, they'd forever be caught by the edges.

That's because, unlike a trackpad where your hand can angle up, a mouse works best when your fingers angle down. A small, embedded power cord at the base won't get in anyone's way, but a larger cable and connector likely would.

Making an unobtrusive place for a Lightning port on the back would be better, absolutely. But it would also require a complete redesign, and that's not what Apple was prepared to do this year. This year, the company wanted the same design—a mouse that's completely dominated by a large, uninterrupted, multitouch surface.

Rather, a large, uninterrupted, multitouch surface that's all in white. Though, for some reason, the white of the Magic Mouse doesn't stand out at me as much as the white of the Magic Keyboard or Magic Trackpad 2. Perhaps it's because mouses have historically been beige or white, or because there's no black or aluminum equivalent to the mouse on MacBooks.

Not that the idea of a silver, space gray, gold, or rose gold Magic Mouse doesn't hold some appeal...

Magic Mouse 2 Functionality

With the old Magic Mouse, you had to pair it by Bluetooth and if the power level grew too low, you had to scramble for AA batteries and hope it didn't die or lose the connection. With the new Magic Mouse, you simply plug in the included Lightning cable to pair it.

If the Magic Mouse 2 ever gets low, you simply plug it back in and top it off. And since the port is on the bottom, and you can't use it while charging, you use the two minutes it takes to give it roughly a 9-hour day's worth of charge to get up and earn your Apple Watch stand points. Or get another cup of coffee. Whatever suits you. Then you plug it in when you're done for the day, and a full charge will last you another month or more.

Because the Magic Mouse 2 is so narrow, and because of how you grip and otherwise move it to control the pointer position, it's not as easy as using a full-on trackpad. Likewise, there's no Force Touch or Force Click the way there is on the new Magic Trackpad 2.

What you do have is the same gesture support as the original: slide a single finger to scroll in any direction, swipe a single finger sideways to gesture forward or backward inside apps, double tap to zoom, and double tap with two fingers for OS X El Capitan's new Mission Control.

Magic Mouse 2 Bottom Line

The Magic Mouse 2 is identical to the original Magic Mouse in every major way but one—it now has a built-in, rechargeable, lithium-ion battery. That Apple didn't change it more is either reassuring or maddening, depending on your feelings towards the original.

If you really want a mouse, and really want a mouse that supports multitouch gestures, the Magic Mouse 2 is it. Likewise if you really want a mouse from Apple.

If you have an original Magic Mouse, you won't see any difference unless the ability to recharge over Lightning is compelling to you. If it is, the inability to recharge while plugged in is a minor monthly inconvenience at best.

If you don't care about multitouch gestures and, for example, want a great mouse to game with, the Magic Mouse 2 doesn't change anything for you. Likewise if you just want a super-cheap travel mouse. That's why Apple supports the USB and Bluetooth standards, though: you can use any modern mouse you want.

Personally, I'll be sticking with the Magic Trackpad 2, and enjoying the new Force Touch and Force Click support. The consistency between MacBook and iMac is just too much of a benefit, and my lack of appreciation for mouses too ingrained, for the Magic Mouse 2 to overcome.

Even though I'm not a fan, I recognize my personal tastes and needs are different from the tastes and needs of others. If you love the Magic Mouse then the ability to recharge it over Lightning is definitely an improvement. Just how much of on, you'll have to tell me.

$79 - Buy now from Apple

If you really want to know what's inside the newly released Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad 2 and Magic Keyboard, the iFixit team has you covered. The iFixit crew has performed its usual, and highly extensive, teardowns of all three products to see what's really inside.

As you might expect, all three accessories share some similarities, including the new lithium-ion batteries that ditch the AA batteries found in the older versions of these devices. Specifically, the Magic Trackpad 2 has a 2024 mAh battery, and the one in the Magic Mouse 2 is 1986 mAh They also all share the same Broadcom BCM20733 Bluetooth 3.0 chip.

Everything you need to know about the new Magic accessories for the Mac

• $99 - Magic Keyboard
• $79 - Magic Mouse 2
• $129 - Magic Trackpad 2

Source: iFixit (Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad 2, Magic Keyboard)

Apple's new 21.5 inch Retina 4K iMac and 27-inch Retina 5K iMac come with new accessories. Magic accessories. The Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and optional Magic Trackpad 2 to be specific. And yes, the Magic Trackpad 2 has Force Touch! Here's everything you need to know about Apple's new accessories.

• $99 - Magic Keyboard
• $79 - Magic Mouse 2
• $129 - Magic Trackpad 2

What makes these magic accessories so new?

The Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2 have been redesigned: They're now slimmer, sleeker, and more comfortable to use than ever.

They're also now fully rechargeable, with built-in lithium-ion batteries, so say goodbye to having to swap disposable AA cells.

How do they recharge?

A Lightning cable! Just like the iPhone, iPad, and new Apple TV controller, the company's new Magic accessories all come with a Lightning-to-USB cable. Plug the Lightning end into the Magic accessory and the USB end into your Mac or an optional USB adapter, and charge away.

How often do I have to charge them? What's the battery life like?

Apple says the new Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2 should last you about a month or more on a single charge.

They're still wireless and use Bluetooth, though, right?

Yes, the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2 work over Bluetooth on any Bluetooth-capable Mac running OS X 10.11 El Capitan or later. The Magic Trackpad 2 works over Bluetooth on any Bluetooth 4.0-capable Mac running OS X 10.11 El Capitan or later.

They'll come pre-paired with any new Mac that includes them; if bought separately, the accessories pair instantly when you plug the Lightning cable in to your Mac for the first time.

Okay, tell me about the Magic Keyboard?

The new Magic Keyboard isn't just a new version of the old Apple Wireless Keyboard: It's a complete redesign that takes up 13 percent less space.

The Magic Keyboard is still full sized, along with full-sized function keys, and uses a new scissor mechanism that provides 33% more key stability.

The keyboard now sports a new, lower profile, and is built like a solid wedge. Apple says it's been engineered for comfort and precision, and the Lightning port is located on the rear edge—so even when you have to recharge, you never have to stop typing.

What about the Magic Mouse 2?

The new Magic Mouse 2 is lighter and sturdier than the original. It also has newly redesigned feet for a smoother, more precise glide. It doesn't offer Force Touch, but remains multitouch, so you can swipe with one or multiple fingers, click, or double-click.

The Lightning plug is on the bottom, but 2 minutes of charging will give you a typical 9 hour day of use, so you can quickly top up if you have to and then finish charging when you're done for the day.

Okay, I'm ready. Hit me with the Magic Trackpad 2!

Right?! Physically, the Magic Trackpad 2 still has a glass surface, but it's now 29 percent larger, and sports the same lower profile as the new Magic Keyboard. They pair exceptionally well together.

Internally, the new Magic Trackpad 2 is like the Force Touch trackpads that ship in the MacBook and MacBooks Pro. There are four force sensors in the trackpad that detect how hard you push and where, along with a Taptic Engine that provides tactile, haptic feedback—including the simulation of a click and deeper force click.

You've got all the multitouch gestures you expect, including tap, swipe, pinch, for single and multiple fingers. But you've now got the multidimensional Force Touch interactions as well.

What can I do with Force Touch on the Magic Trackpad 2?

Same kinds of things you can do with it on the MacBook or MacBooks Pro:

• Force Click on a Dock icon to Expose the app's windows, a file icon to Quick Look it, or a file name to edit it.
• Force Click on a word to look it up in Dictionary or Wikipedia, an address to get a Maps preview, or a location to drop a pin.
• Force Click on a date to add it to Calendar, an event to see details, and an invitee to preview their contact card.
• Force Click on a link to preview a website, an image or PDF to invoke Markup, or an iMessage conversation to see details.
• Force Press in QuickTime to fast forward and rewind quicker.
• Force Press in Maps to Zoom.

And a variety of apps will provide haptic feedback when you slide or rotate to certain points as well.

What does this Magic cost and when and where can I get some?

The new iMacs ship with the new Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2, and the Magic Trackpad 2 can be substituted instead (you simply pay the $50 difference). You can also buy them separately through Apple.com, Apple Retail, or authorized resellers.

• $99 - Magic Keyboard
• $79 - Magic Mouse 2
• $129 - Magic Trackpad 2

Apple has just announced a new 21.5-inch Retina 4K iMac and an updated 27-inch Retina 5K iMac with better color gamut, Intel Broadwell and Skylake chipsets, a lower priced Fusion Drive options, and new Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2—which Force Touch!—accessories.

• Read our 21.5-inch 4K iMac and 27-inch 5K iMac FAQ
• Read our Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2 FAQ

The new 21.5-inch Retina 4K iMac starts at $1499 for a 4096 x 2304 display, 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz), Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200, 8GB of 1867MHz LPDDR3 memory, and 1TB 5400-rpm hard drive. Build-to-order (BTO) options include 3.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz), 16 GB of memory, Fusion Drive from 1 TB to 2 TB, or flash drive from 256 GB to 512 GB.

The updated 27-inch Retina 5K iMac starts at $1799 for a 5120 x 2880, 3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz), AMD Radeon R9 M380 with 2GB GDDR5, 8GB (2x4GB) of 1867MHz DDR3 memory, and 1TB 7200-rpm hard drive. Build-to-order (BTO) options max out at 4.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz), AMD Radeon R9 M395X with 4GB GDDR5, 32 GB of memory, 3 TB Fusion Drive, or 1 TB flash drive.

Both come with redesigned and rechargeable—via Lighning-to-USB cable—Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2, with optional Magic Trackpad 2. Separately, Magic Keyboard costs $99, Magic Mouse 2 costs $79 and Magic Trackpad 2 (with Force Touch) costs $129.

The new iMacs and Magic Accessories are available at Apple.com, Apple Retail, and authorized resellers. If you're thinking of picking any of it up, let me know in the comments!

New Wireless Accessories Bring Force Touch to the Desktop

CUPERTINO, California — October 13, 2015 — Apple® today updated the entire iMac® family, bringing a stunning new Retina® 4K display to the 21.5-inch iMac for the first time and the Retina 5K display to every 27-inch iMac. The new Retina displays make photos and videos more immersive and true-to-life thanks to a wider color gamut and spectacular image quality. The updated iMacs also feature more powerful processors and graphics, two Thunderbolt® 2 ports and new storage options that make the high-performance Fusion Drive even more affordable.

Apple today also introduced a new lineup of wireless accessories including the all-new Magic Keyboard™, Magic Mouse® 2 and Magic Trackpad® 2. The Magic devices have been redesigned to feel more comfortable than ever, and feature rechargeable batteries that completely eliminate the need for disposable batteries. The new Magic Trackpad 2 also brings Apple's revolutionary Force Touch interface to the desktop, adding a new dimension to the iMac experience.

"From the first iMac to today, the spirit of iMac has never wavered — deliver the ultimate desktop experience with the latest technologies, gorgeous displays and cutting-edge designs," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "These are the most stunning iMacs we've ever made. With our gorgeous new Retina displays, more powerful processors and graphics and all-new Magic accessories, the new iMac continues to redefine the ultimate desktop experience."

With Retina display, text appears sharper than ever, videos are unbelievably lifelike and you can see new levels of detail in your photos. The 21.5-inch iMac is available with the all-new Retina 4K display featuring an amazing 4096 x 2304 resolution and 9.4 million pixels, 4.5 times more than the standard 21.5-inch iMac display. Every 27-inch iMac features a Retina 5K display, the world's highest resolution all-in-one display with a stunning 14.7 million pixels, 7 times more pixels than an HD display. With a Retina display now on the 21.5-inch iMac and every 27-inch iMac, iMac with Retina display is more affordable than ever.

The new Retina displays feature a wider color gamut that brings more brilliant and true-to-life colors to your desktop. With standard sRGB-based displays, many of the colors you see in real life never make it to your screen. The new Retina 5K and 4K displays feature a wider P3-based color gamut that provides a 25 percent larger color space, and with more available colors, images are more vivid, reveal even greater detail and appear more lifelike than ever.

Faster and more powerful than ever, the new 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display now comes with sixth-generation Intel Core processors and the latest AMD high-performance graphics that deliver up to 3.7 teraflops of compute power. The new 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K display features a fifth-generation Intel Core processor and enhanced Intel Iris Pro Graphics. Two Thunderbolt 2 ports now come standard on all iMacs and deliver up to 20Gbps data transfer speeds for external drives and high-performance peripherals. And three stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi allows iMac to support up to 1.3Gbps wireless networking.*

Fusion Drive combines the large storage capacity of a hard drive with the high performance of flash to deliver shorter boot times and faster access to apps and files. Fusion Drive works in conjunction with OS X® to adapt to the way you use your iMac and automatically moves the files and apps you use most often to flash storage. The incredible performance of Fusion Drive is now more affordable with a new, lower-priced configuration that pairs a 1TB hard drive with 24GB of fast flash. Fusion Drive is also available with 2TB and 3TB configurations with 128GB of fast flash for more demanding workloads. For the ultimate in storage performance, optional all flash storage is available up to 1TB and is now up to 2.5 times faster.**

The all-new Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Trackpad 2 are more comfortable, capable and environmentally friendly. Designed around a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, all three accessories eliminate the need for disposable batteries and feature a noticeably more solid internal structure and quality feel. The new Magic Keyboard features a full-size keyboard in a sleek new design that takes up 13 percent less space on your desktop. With a new scissor mechanism and lower profile, the Magic Keyboard provides an incredibly stable, precise and comfortable typing experience. The new Magic Mouse 2 is lighter, sturdier and features an optimized foot design for a smoother glide. The new Magic Trackpad 2 features a 29 percent larger surface and brings Force Touch to the desktop for the first time. Force Touch enables a range of new ways to interact with your Mac®, including the new Force click to quickly look up a word, preview a file or bring up a map from an address. The new Magic devices pair instantly with your Mac as soon as they are plugged in via the Lightning®-to-USB charging cable, and can last about a month or more on a full charge.***

Every new Mac comes with OS X El Capitan, the latest version of OS X that refines the Mac experience and improves system performance. El Capitan builds on the groundbreaking features and beautiful design of OS X Yosemite, with updates to window management, built-in apps and Spotlight® search, and performance improvements to make everyday activities — like launching and switching apps, opening PDFs and accessing email — faster and more responsive. El Capitan was specifically designed for the Retina display and features a new system font called San Francisco that has been fine-tuned for optimal readability on a Retina display.

iMovie®, GarageBand® and the suite of iWork® apps come free with every new iMac. iMovie, updated today to support 4K video, lets you easily create beautiful movies, and you can use GarageBand to make new music or learn to play piano or guitar. The iWork suite of Pages®, Numbers® and Keynote® makes it easy to create, edit and share stunning documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Pages, Numbers and Keynote for iCloud® let you create a document on iPhone® or iPad®, edit it on your Mac and collaborate with friends, even if they are on a PC.

Pricing & Availability

The 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display is available today at Apple.com, Apple's retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. The 27-inch iMac comes in three models starting at $1,799 (US), $1,999 (US) and $2,299 (US). Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/imac.

The 21.5-inch iMac is available today at Apple.com, Apple's retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. The 21.5-inch iMac is available in three models starting at $1,099 (US) and $1,299 (US) and with a Retina 4K display starting at $1,499 (US). Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/imac.

Every new iMac comes standard with the new Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2, and customers can order the new Magic Trackpad 2 as an option. The new Magic accessories are also available at Apple.com, Apple's retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. Magic Keyboard is available starting today for $99 (US). Magic Mouse 2 is available starting today for $79 (US). And the Magic Trackpad 2 is available starting today for $129 (US).

*Actual speed will vary based on range, connection rate, site conditions, size of network and other factors.

**Testing conducted by Apple in September 2015 using preproduction and shipping 27-inch iMac configurations. For more information visit www.apple.com/imac/features.

***Testing conducted by Apple in September 2015 using preproduction Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Trackpad 2 devices, firmware and software with shipping iMac systems.

Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, the Mac and Apple Watch. Apple's three software platforms — iOS, OS X and watchOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple's 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

• More on the 21.5-inch 4K iMac and 27-inch 5K iMac
• More on the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2

Apple's Magic Mouse, introduced via simple press release on October 20, is the latest point-and-click peripheral for the Mac, and the latest showcase for Apple's multi-touch technology, first introduced in the iPhone and later the iPod touch. While the iPhone is still the premiere multi-touch experience in consumer electronics, however, Apple's modern history of mice has been... poor to mediocre. The hockey puck that shipped with the original iMac was goofy, the one-button Mighty Mouse hard to second-click with and prone to gunked up scroll balls.

Does the Magic Mouse work an iPhone-level spell, or is it just more of the middling? TiPb takes a look after the break!

Apple once again shows that their attention to detail and customer experience doesn't end with the device, it starts with the packaging. The Magic Mouse comes in small plastic box that shows it off similar to how the iPod touch is displayed in its packaging. Once open, you find the mouse and not much more, only some paper, and that's pro forma.

Magic Mouse connects to a MacBook or Mac desktop via Bluetooth, once again showing Apple's move towards fewer wires and farther range. It's not rechargeable, but comes with a battery already in place, ready to use with a flip of the power switch.

If you've got the Bluetooth icon in your menu bar, click on it and choose Setup Bluetooth Device... The Bluetooth Assistant will launch, it will detect your Magic Mouse, and as soon as it does, you can choose it and pair it. (If you don't have the BT icon in your menu, just launch System Preferences, choose Bluetooth, and hit the + icon at the bottom left to launch the BT Assistant).

It took me all of a minute or so to get up and running. Kudos to "just works". Or at least it does once you launch Software Update, download, and install Apple's Magic Mouse Software. This comes pre-installed with the new iMacs and Mac Minis, and will no doubt be integrated into Mac OS X 10.6.2 when it's made available, but for now it's an extra step and requires a restart. Apple must be patching something core, and that in and of itself is interesting.

Compared to the previous Mighty Mouse (a name which is now trademarked by another company), the Magic Mouse feels about the same on the table. It's alright, but it's not the smoothest experience. The weight feels good but the profile isn't as high. The angle of the edges feels great in the hand, but the lack of a higher, rounder top leaves your palm kind of empty. No doubt that's to make space for the multi-touch gestures, but it will take some getting used to.

Like the Mighty Mouse, the entire upper shell is one giant button (with an Apple logo on it this time), but the Magic Mouse's "click" feels much better and more satisfying. When setup to do so in System Preferences, it also detects the right (or left if you're right handed) second mouse click much, much better than the Mighty Mouse ever did (no doubt because the capacitive technology "knows" where you're clicking). From that purely old-school point-and-click perspective, Magic Mouse is a big improvement.

The bottom has a second Apple logo, along the laser and an on/off switch you can toggle to save battery power if you're going to be away for a long time.

Okay, on to the gestures. Those that are included so far work... from very well, and just okay. To back up a moment, like the iPhone, the surface of the Magic Mouse is capacitive (see the teardown for details) so it can detect multiple finger actions and execute whatever behavior those actions represent.

The scrolling, where you move a single finger around to pan left-to-right, up-and-down, and basically any direction is great. Say goodbye gunked-up physical scroll wheel or ball, evolution has selected you for extinction. In an especially nice touch, System Preferences lets you turn on (or off) momentum based scrolling, similar to how the iPhone flicks fast at the beginning, then slows to a stop. Sadly, there's no elastic banding like the iPhone in Mac OS X. Yet.

The "just okay" defines the two-finger sideways swipe, currently only implemented in Safari to go back and forth within a tabs history (I'd prefer switching tabs), and iPhoto to cycle through images. I have no problem with doing it (mad iPhone-derived skillz, yo!) but a friend who tried it with me found it difficult to annoying.

I mentioned so far, above, because I have a suspicion Apple is doing what they did with iMovie '08 here -- introducing something new and deliberately keeping it simple to start. The multi-touch trackpads in the MacBooks are another example. At first they introduced the second finger for left click, and the double-finger for scrolling. When the MacBook Air debuted, they added three-finger swiping and four-finger tabbing and Expose. Apple could easily be making the same play here, scrolling and swiping at first, Expose and tabbing (or other added functionality) in a future software update.

That might help allay those like Dieter, who miss the side buttons on the old Might Mouse, or a third button or other assorted mechanical doodads.

I'd still prefer an Apple-produced iPhone or iPod touch app that exactly duplicates the functionality of the current MacBook (Air/Pro) trackpads. Absent that, the Magic Mouse is the best mouse Apple has made in a long time (I supposed in the same way, post Vista, many proclaim Windows 7 the best OS Microsoft has shipped). If you're a fan of the iPhone's multi-touch, like trying new, ambitious technology, or just want to stick completely within the Apple ecosystem (and don't mind paying $69 for the privilege!), this is the mouse for you. If you're not sold yet, head on over to your local Apple Retail Store and give it a test drive.

If you prefer clickety-clackety multi-button mega-mice, we've heard Logitech might be a better choice for you.