Apr 7 2002
Swann Mac Opti-glo USB Mini Optical Scroll Mouse
The Swann Mac Opti-glo USB Mini Optical Scroll Mouse is everything you would expect from a 3 button, 1500os/p, scroll mouse. Left click, right click and a scroll wheel that doubles as a button — just as any other but compressed into a tiny little unit designed to go traveling with your iBook or to serve as a kids mouse. As an added extra, the mouse illuminates when active and offers the fun and function that other controllers have tried and failed to combine.
MousePower software for Mac OS 9 comes as part of the package from the manufacturer, but my unsolicited recommendation is that you download, register and use USB Overdrive for Mac OS 9 or X instead. Under OS X you don’t even really need any extra software as long as you are content to forgo the programmable button under the scroll wheel (but I like to assign an Option-click to that button for easy application hiding).
Now to the real question: what is it like to use this thing? I thought, as I’m sure many of you have also, that a 3 button mini scroll mouse would only be a slight step up from the frustrating experience of using the old iMac puck. I fully expected it to be awkward and uncomfortable and an instant nuisance — I was wrong. Your adaptation time my vary but for me, after using the mini-mouse for just a few minutes, I was won over and going back to use my full-sized mouse again seemed more like I was shifting a brick around the top of my desk than using an input device.
The controls, as they say, were responsive and the ergonomics were surprisingly good as I slid the mouse around my desk surface between my thumb and ring finger. Swann has made the mouse small but has not disregarded function in the process. I appreciate the fact that they maintained a bit of height to the unit since this adds support and substance to an otherwise light and economical design.
The plastic mouse has been detailed in metallic silver and the reassuring glow of the optical mechanism is conducted through a translucent base with additional illumination under the “electric blue” scroll wheel — very attractive to anyone who, like myself, is attracted to twinkly lights and shiny things. The cable is more than long enough at 54″ and shouldn’t require any extensions even to reach of an under-the-desk G4 tower.
The unit runs about $30 US and is available online from Dr. Bott and other sources. I highly recommend it to iBook toting road warriors and desktop Mac users alike as it is a full-featured 3 button optical mouse that should have no trouble competing with its oversized cousins. Test drive one today.
MacMerc’s Field Manual Breakdown:
Swann Mac Opti-glo USB Mini Optical Scroll Mouse
Price:
$30 US
Performance:
Comparable to full-sized 3 button optical scroll mice. Very nice.
Compatibility:
Requires software (provided) 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:
I’m not a big fan of the silver look but otherwise it might be too sexy to be left unattended. I especially like the illuminated blue scroll wheel.
