Apr 7 2002
Macally USB Optical MicroMouse
If you read my review of the Swann Mac Opti-glo USB Mini Optical Scroll Mouse, much of this will be a refresher course. The Macally USB Optical MicroMouse is a 3 button, 1500os/p, scroll mouse. It has the same left click, right click and scroll wheel that doubles as a button but the unit has been compressed to go traveling with your iBook or to serve as a kids mouse.
No software is packaged with this mouse but the provided documentation will direct users to a download area on the Macally web site where the latest drivers can be obtained. While some may not like the practice of making the consumer track down driver software, in my humble opinion it is not too much to expect these days that a computer user have an internet connection and this method solves the problem of having outdated drivers packaged with an overstock of inventory at your Mac retailer. Having said this, my recommendation, as before, is that you download, register and use USB Overdrive for Mac OS 9 or X instead of the manufacturers own drivers. Also, under OS X you don’t really need any extra software as long as you are content to forgo the programmable button under the scroll wheel. But, read on and you’ll see why this might not be an issue in the case of this mouse.
In the Mac market, due to the failure of the iMac puck design, many users see the mini mice on store shelves and make the assumption that these, too, will be awkward and uncomfortable and an instant nuisance. I’m here as one who once thought that very same thing, that this is not the case with a well designed mini mouse. My first experience with one of this new breed was with the Swann Mac Opti-glo USB Mini Optical Scroll Mouse and my impression of that was so positive that I began to evangelize. I showed it to my roommate who then claimed it as her own. This review comes as a result of my fondness for the mini mouse and my need to replace the one that was absconded.
In my first mini mouse review I had only full sized mice with which to compare. In this review, Macally is in the unfortunate position of being measured up along side “my first love”, the aforementioned Swann. The Macally’s controls are equally responsive with the exception of the scroll wheel and the button beneath it. My beef with the scroll wheel is that it is rather hard and spurred. This, coupled with a button mechanism that is quite stiff, makes middle button use less than pleasant. You might just as well not use it. The button is so stiff, in fact, that I didn’t realize that it was a button until after reading the documentation.
The ergonomics are good and the mouse is comfortably held between my thumb and ring finger. Unlike the Swann, this mouse is not very deep (less than three quarters of an inch) and though it doesn’t offer the support it could, it does save space, which is the point of a mini mouse after all.
The mouse has been molded in a transparent plastic kidney shaped shell with long silver buttons and a clear plastic scroll wheel. There is plenty of cable (36″) so you shouldn’t require any extensions even to reach of an under-the-desk G4 tower.
The unit runs about $40 US and is available online from Macally and most other Mac dealers. The Macally USB Optical MicroMouse is a fine choice for anyone looking for a good portable mouse to take on the road with their iBook or even to attach to a desktop Mac where the user requires a full-featured 3 button optical mouse.
MacMerc’s Field Manual Breakdown:
Macally USB Optical MicroMouse
Price:
$40 US
Performance:
Comparable to full-sized 3 button optical scroll mice only in a much smaller size. Very nice.
Compatibility:
Requires software from Macally’s website to assign functions to scroll wheel and buttons under Mac OS 9. Compatibility is almost instantaneous under Mac OS X only the button under the scroll wheel requires software to assign it a function. This reviewer recommends USB Overdrive for both Mac OS 9 and X users but is not required.
Complaints:
Scroll wheel button not as comfortable or as responsive as others I’ve tried.
