The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    USB Nano or Bluetooth mouse for MPB?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by MacAddict2011, May 31, 2011.

  1. MacAddict2011

    MacAddict2011 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    35
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    What is the better wireless mouse to use on a MBP? Is the USB Nano type better and if so what ones do you recommend? Or is the Bluetooth type better?

    I am currently using a Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 6000 Nano USB mouse. I really like it, but I am having a problem. The Nano Receiver plugs in on the left side of the MBP and if I have the mouse more then a foot away from the right side of the MBP then the Mouse Cursor starts to jump and skip around on the screen and is very annoying. I do have the latest InteliPoint Drivers for Mac OS X installed.

    So basically I am looking for a better mouse that is in the same price range or less then what I paid for the Mobile 6000 Mouse.
     
    MacAddict2011, May 31, 2011
    #1
  2. kornchild2002

    kornchild2002 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,007
    Messages:
    1,925
    Likes Received:
    32
    Trophy Points:
    66
    I recommend Bluetooth simply because the MBP line (2010/2011) only has two USB ports and Bluetooth tends to offer a better wireless range.
     
    kornchild2002, Jun 1, 2011
    #2
  3. cardriver

    cardriver Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    22
    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I think you should look into that mouse not working after a foot of distance. I have the same mouse and it works up to about 10 to 12 feet for me.
     
    cardriver, Jun 1, 2011
    #3
  4. MacAddict2011

    MacAddict2011 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    35
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    any ideas?
     
    MacAddict2011, Jun 1, 2011
    #4
  5. ClearSkies

    ClearSkies Well no, I'm still here..

    Reputations:
    1,059
    Messages:
    2,633
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I've had perfect success with the Logitech Nano line, no skips or anything else.

    Still has the micro-receiver, and generally costs less than BT mice.
     
    ClearSkies, Jun 2, 2011
    #5
  6. taelrak

    taelrak Lost

    Reputations:
    860
    Messages:
    2,979
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I generally prefer the Logitech wireless mice. However, given the very limited number of USB ports you have, might be worth investing in a Bluetooth mouse if you feel there is any chance you will need more than 2 USB devices on the go.
     
    taelrak, Jun 2, 2011
    #6
  7. TwiztidKidd

    TwiztidKidd Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    372
    Messages:
    484
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I have the same mouse. The only solution is to use a USB extension cable for the nano receiver and the mouse range improves considerably. I'm using the mouse from 12ft away without any skipping. The nano receiver uses the USB extension cable as an antenna. The USB extension cable could be anywhere from 4" to 12" or 18". It's probably because the mouse only takes one AA battery so the nano receiver needs a bit of help to receive the signal sent by the mouse.
     
    TwiztidKidd, Jun 2, 2011
    #7
  8. MacAddict2011

    MacAddict2011 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    35
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    just never had any problems before with the mouse 6000 with my AW M11x or my ASUS G51J
     
    MacAddict2011, Jun 2, 2011
    #8
  9. TwiztidKidd

    TwiztidKidd Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    372
    Messages:
    484
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I don't have a Mac, I have a Sony VPC-Z1290X but the problem is still there. Some wireless mouse manufacturers provide a 12" USB extension along with their nano receiver to fix this problem. It could be an RF interference between your Mac and the nano receiver but the extension should take care of it.
     
    TwiztidKidd, Jun 2, 2011
    #9
  10. MacAddict2011

    MacAddict2011 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    35
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    hmmm... could the bluetooth be interfering with the USB?
     
    MacAddict2011, Jun 2, 2011
    #10
  11. TwiztidKidd

    TwiztidKidd Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    372
    Messages:
    484
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I highly doubt it I had a bluetooh MS mouse before and its range was even worse. I would never go back to bluetooth. Try the USB extension, it does help. The MS mobile 6000 mouse is nice except this problem and the scroll wheel problem under some programs but not all, I'd rate it as a 9 out of 10.

    Here's my older thread on this issue I never got around to finish it because I'm fine with the extension:

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/accessories/547889-usb-nano-mouse-receiver-extension-inside-laptop-lid.html
     
    TwiztidKidd, Jun 2, 2011
    #11
  12. MacAddict2011

    MacAddict2011 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    35
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    ok thanks for the input. I really dont want to take a extension cable with me everywhere I go. I like to leave the nano receiver plugged in. I have the white MS Mouse 6000 and I like it alot up until I got my MBP 13" I was looking at Logitecs M305, M505 and M705 mouse yesterday. Anyone have any experience on these?
     
    MacAddict2011, Jun 2, 2011
    #12
  13. kornchild2002

    kornchild2002 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,007
    Messages:
    1,925
    Likes Received:
    32
    Trophy Points:
    66
    I haven't had any experience with those but I can tell you that the Apple Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, and wireless keyboard (which all use bluetooth) easily have about a 30 ft wireless range with my MBP's built-in bluetooth receiver. I haven't tried any other bluetooth devices but Apple's products have a long bluetooth wireless range.
     
    kornchild2002, Jun 2, 2011
    #13
  14. MacAddict2011

    MacAddict2011 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    35
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Well I just picked up a Logitech Marathon Mouse M705. So far I like it a lot better then the MS Mobile 6000 mouse. I do have to say I like the design of the white MS Mobile 6000. Its a classier look, but the Logitech M705 fits my hand a lot better and I like the location of the extra buttons also.

    Just I am going to sell my 1 week old MS Mobile 6000 mouse
     
    MacAddict2011, Jun 2, 2011
    #14
  15. mmoy

    mmoy Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    144
    Messages:
    775
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    31
    My complaint about Bluetooth is pairing between Windows and Mac OS X so I use the Microsoft Arc Mouse but I have a 17 inch MBP with USB ports on both sides.

    I've had the problem that you describe and I think that it's more common with NiMH batteries compared to Alkaline batteries.

    I use an ArcMouse on my home desktop and had to get an extension cable for it.

    BlueTooth with the Magic Mouse works fine for me on Mac OS X.
     
    mmoy, Jun 3, 2011
    #15