Using Apple Mice with Windows
7th October 2005
Before the introduction of the Mighty Mouse, Apple made no mention of the PC/Windows compatibility of their mice. In fact, all Apple mice with a USB connection or Bluetooth (wireless) interface will work to some extent. Here are the details:
Mighty Mouse
USB, optical sensor, scroll ball
- Does it work with Windows?
- Yes, it even says so on Apple’s site. At last they’ve acknowledged that PC users want to use Apple hardware as well!
- Advantages
- First Apple mouse you could seriously consider using with Windows every day.
- Compromises
- None, unless you count the fact that some people find it hard to adjust to the touch sensitive left and right clicks. But even using it with a Mac won’t get round that one!
- Solutions
- None needed - just plug it in and it will work.
Apple Wireless Mouse
Bluetooth, optical sensor, white only
- Does it work with Windows?
- Not tested, but expected to work with major limitations. If your computer does not have built-in Bluetooth, use the USB adaptor recommended by Apple, the D-Link DBT-120.
- Advantages
- Minimalist design may appeal to some people, higher quality finishes and construction than most PC mice.
- Compromises
- Only one button, no scroll wheel. Battery level monitoring unlikely to be available under Windows.
- Solutions
- Hmmm…
Apple Pro Mouse
USB, optical sensor, black or white
- Does it work with Windows?
- Yes, but there are major limitations.
- Advantages
- Minimalist design may appeal to some people, higher quality finishes and construction than most PC mice. No extra Windows driver required for full functionality, though that functionality is quite basic because there’s just one button.
- Compromises
- Only one button, no scroll wheel. Short lead, so best connected to USB keyboard
- Solutions
- Nothing can be done to improve compatibility with Windows, because all limitations are due to the design of the hardware. However, similar looking mouse (”The Mouse“) with two buttons and scroll wheel is available from DVForge.
Apple USB Mouse
USB, “Hockey Puck” design, Bondi Blue, Graphite and “Fruity” colours
- Does it work with Windows?
- Yes, but there are major limitations.
- Advantages
- No obvious advantages!
- Compromises
- Only one button, no scroll wheel, questionable ergonomics (though not as bad as you think after using it for a while). Short lead, so best connected to USB keyboard.
- Solutions
- Nothing can be done to improve compatibility with Windows, because all limitations are due to the design of the hardware. Surely one of the most criticised pieces of Apple hardware, many Mac users replaced their “hockey pucks” with more useable mice, so it’s unlikely that there’s much demand from PC users to get them working with Windows.