The Magic Mouse is a multi-touch wireless mouse sold by Apple Inc. and manufactured by Foxconn. The first-generation Magic Mouse was released on October 20, 2009, and introduced multi-touch functionality to a computer mouse.[1][2] Taking after the iPhone, iPod Touch, and multi-touch MacBooktrackpads, the Magic Mouse allows the use of multi-touch gestures and inertia scrolling across the surface of the mouse, designed for use with macOS.
The second-generation Magic Mouse (initially marketed as Magic Mouse 2) was released on October 13, 2015, removing the use of AA batteries, instead including a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, and a Lightning port for charging and pairing, and was later made fully compatible with iPadOS. An October 2024 revision replaced the Lightning port with a USB-C port.[3]
Models
1st generation (A1296)
The first generation Magic Mouse was released on October 20, 2009, and introduced multi-touch functionality. It connects wirelessly to a Mac computer via Bluetooth.[4] It is powered by two AA batteries, and operates using a solid-state laser tracking sensor like the previous-generation wireless Mighty Mouse. Apple includes two non-rechargeable batteries in the box. Until 2016, Apple sold a battery charger that included two rechargeable NiMH AA batteries, designed for use with Mac peripherals.
Like its predecessor, the Mighty Mouse, the Magic Mouse includes support for secondary click.[5] The Magic Mouse has been included with most desktop Mac computers since its introduction, including the iMac, iMac Pro, and third-generation Mac Pro, as well as being available as a standalone purchase.
The Magic Mouse borrows design elements from the preceding Apple Pro Mouse, notably its seamless "zero-button" design and translucent acrylic surface for 360-degree scrolling, replacing the rubber scroll ball on the Mighty Mouse. The mouse does not support left and right-clicking simultaneously, and also removes the ability to middle click without third-party software workarounds.[6]
2nd generation (A1657)
The second generation Magic Mouse was introduced in October 2015, alongside the Magic Keyboard and second-generation Magic Trackpad. A space gray color was introduced with the iMac Pro in 2017, and was later made available as a standalone purchase.[7] iPadOS 13.4 introduced mouse support to iPads for the first time, and supports all functionality of the second generation Magic Mouse.
A variety of pastel colors were introduced in 2021 to match the colors of the M1 iMac.[8] Additionally, standalone purchases include a USB-C to Lightning cable, instead of USB-A to Lightning. The space gray color was replaced by a black color with a silver aluminum finish in 2022, which was originally only available bundled with the third-generation Mac Pro.[9] All colors of the second-generation Magic Mouse have been introduced alongside matching colors for various Magic Keyboard models.[7][9]
2nd generation with USB-C (A3204)
On October 28, 2024, Apple released an updated Magic Mouse that replaces the Lightning charging port with a USB-C port.[10] It requires a Mac running macOS Sequoia or later to function properly.[11]
Criticism
1st generation
Initial reception to the Magic Mouse was mixed, with reactions to its inability to trigger Exposé, Dashboard, or Spaces, as its predecessor could, or to middle click.[12] Later versions of Mac OS X include gestures to open Mission Control, which incorporates functionality from Exposé, Dashboard, and Spaces. Other issues included the mouse's unstable connection to the first and second-generation Mac Pro models, and its low-profile design being uncomfortable & unergonomic was causing palm-aches, and hand cramping for some users.[13][14]
2nd generation
The Lightning charging port is located on the bottom of the mouse, rendering it unusable while charging. This was a design choice that was widely criticized by reviewers.[15][16][17] Critics have also noted the omission of Force Touch technology, compared to the second-generation Magic Trackpad.[15][16] When the Magic Mouse was refreshed in 2024, the USB-C charging port remains on the bottom, which has since sprawled criticism as the mouse hasn’t been updated in over 9 years.[18][19][20]
Gallery
The underside of the first-generation Magic Mouse, showing the battery cover
The charging port of the second-generation Magic Mouse is located on its underside, preventing the mouse from being used while charging.