Michal Ždanský Although I'm perfectly happy with the MacBook Pro's glass touchpad, there are situations when you just can't do without a mouse, for example when editing graphics or playing games. The first thoughts naturally went to the Magic Mouse from Apple, however, I was deterred from this purchase by both the high price and the not-so-ideal ergonomics. After a long search in online stores, I came across Microsoft Arc Mouse, which matched Apple's design beautifully, but didn't even cost half the price of the Magic Mouse.
The Arc Mouse is one of the better mice that Microsoft makes, and as you know, the Redmond company knows how to make mice. For a mouse for my laptop, I had these requirements - wireless connection, compactness and good ergonomics at the same time, and finally a nice design in white to make everything go together nicely. The mouse from Microsoft met all these requirements perfectly.
Arc Mouse has a very unique design. The mouse has the shape of an arc, so it does not touch the entire surface of the table, and it is also foldable. By folding down the back, the mouse shrinks by a third, making it the perfect candidate for a compact portable assistant. One might argue that the incorporeal body allows the mouse to break in the arc. Microsoft solved this very elegantly and reinforced it with steel. Thanks to it, the mouse should not break under normal circumstances.
On the lower part of the back third, you will also find a magnetically attached USB dongle, through which the mouse communicates with the computer. I found this solution very handy, because you don't have to carry each piece separately. You can then secure the dongle by folding the back third, so you don't have to worry about it falling out when you're carrying it. The mouse also comes with a nice suede case that protects the mouse from scratches when carrying it.
Arc Mouse has a total of 4 buttons, three classically on the front, one on the left side, and a scroll wheel. The clicking is not particularly loud and the buttons have a pleasant response. The biggest weakness is the scroll wheel, which is quite loud and looks very cheap on an otherwise elegant mouse. Additionally, the jumps between each scrolling step are quite large, so if you're used to a very fine scrolling motion, you'll find the wheel a big disappointment.
You will probably use the side wheel as a button Back, however, it doesn't work properly even with the included software, and you'll have to work around the program if you want it to work as you'd expect in the Finder or in a web browser. The button needs to be set to Handled by Mac OS and then assign the action using the program BetterTouchTool. You do this by associating keyboard shortcuts to a given button press (you can have a different action for each program). In the same way, you can set, for example, the middle button for Exposé. I will also mention that the side button has a slightly harder press than the three primary buttons and the response is not optimal, but you can get used to it.
The mouse has a laser sensor, which should be slightly better than classic optics, with a resolution of 1200 dpi. Wireless transmission takes place at a frequency of 2,4 MHz and provides a range of up to 9 meters. Arc Mouse is powered by two AAA batteries, the state of charge of which is shown in color by a diode located in the gap between the two main buttons every time you "open" the mouse. You can buy the Microsoft Arc Mouse in either white or black for a price between 700-800 CZK. So, if you are looking for a wireless alternative to the Magic Mouse and don't mind the absence of bluetooth transmission (and therefore one less free USB port), I can warmly recommend the Arc Mouse.
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I didn't even know the Arc Mouse existed, I was planning to buy an Arc Touch Mouse, but they say my hand hurts after working for a long time.
However, I have also heard this about the Magic Mouse, which the seller was not able to demonstrate to me in the store, so I only know how it scrolls without a wheel, otherwise I do not know how the mouse and its touch gestures work at all.
Magic Mouse is BT? The Arc Mouse you write about discourages me with the wrong wheel and side button, the compatibility is also solved much better with the Arc Touch Mouse - but the hand probably hurts from both mice when working for a long time, right?
I ordered a wireless imitation Apple Wired Mouse from DealExtreme, according to the great reviews it will probably last a while :)
The Arc Mouse just doesn't hurt my hand at all. After playing Torchlight for several hours I felt nothing, no pain in my wrist. With the wheel and the side button, it's not so bad, you can get used to it. And yes, the Magic Mouse is BT, no additional USB dongle needed.
Before purchasing the Magic Mouse, I thoroughly tested it, including tools like BetterTouchTool and MagicPrefs. Since I am left-handed, I have a specific mouse hold, and therefore the behavior of the buttons was important to me, and above all whether I would have to lift one finger when pressing the button, as I had to do with the mighty mouse.
Summary: Magic Mouse with purely system settings would not satisfy me, but thanks to the mentioned utilities I am satisfied, I mapped the zones according to my needs, my hand does not hurt even during long-term work. The ergonomics are, let's say, strange, but I don't have a problem with them - the hand is basically naturally placed on the table, the mouse is basically not hugged.
It looks very good, even for the price, but even when folded it seems quite large to me, for carrying in a small bag with a 13″ MBP, the Arc Touch Mouse will probably be better, actually only that one, probably no other mouse can be folded so nicely, but it shows on ergonomics.
In that case, the best solution will probably be to take the Arc Touch Mouse for portability, where the touchpad is not enough... and some wireless set from Logitech (I saw somewhere a wireless keyboard + mouse + laptop stand) for home use.
When assembled, it measures 7,5 cm in length and 2,75 cm in height.
ad photos: well, those photos didn't do you much good, did they? wouldn't it be better to take a picture of it properly focused ;-)
And taking a photo of her on the parquet floor, where you can see some of that guy in the background, doesn't really seem very professional to me...
It was taken in a hurry, I'll probably take another photo.
I have both mice at home, and they hurt my wrists after prolonged work, both with one mouse and the other.
The only thing I don't like about the Arc Touch Mouse is the side button, otherwise I'm satisfied..
Ps next to the Magic Mouse the Arc Touch Mouse looks like a poor little brother..
I made a mistake, I should only have Arc Mouse there.. :-)
Happy April! (give up gestures on the magic mouse and replace it with an MS mouse, which is EVEN worse to hold, in addition at a time when there is an arc touch mouse, where the folding of the mouse is solved much more elegantly).
Just a note - everything that is white matches the apple design :) In addition, I tried this monster on in the store and I don't even think that it fits very well in my hand.
If it was April, then a nice article :)
The arc is too subtle and it hurts my hand in almost a few minutes. I'm very disappointed with it, luckily I don't have to use it so I'm happy to stick with the good old Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 8000.
I have the Arc Touch and it's the bomb. Again, Gates is one step away..
Thinking of going one step further to a usable mouse?
PLEASE, GIVE ME AN ADVICE. I'm planning to buy an Air for Christmas, but of course I'll put Win7 in it. Do you think it is possible to order a free dos so that Apple does not record anything new there at all and the ntb is "clean"
I don't have, I don't know and I don't want an Apple OS. Please don't force it on me - don't convince me. Apple os will always be the second system, but on the other hand, I think that apple os in mobile will survive until the iPhone is free to implement win in itself. The iPhone is already on the system and the battery is holding up perfectly.
Boy, April Fool's Day was yesterday.. If you're serious, call me when you're sure you'll get it under the tree from your parents. You would get a fart from me with such a stupid opinion.
You really are a fighter. ;-))
I have never read a dumber opinion here! I have to put a link to your contribution on Fsb so that my friends will have a good time too... Contribute something again sometime, smartass :-D
I was wondering, Horst, where are you? There was spam, there were other jerks, but you were nowhere.
I will answer you truthfully - even though you are not interested in any facts or test results. Or maybe you are trying to make a cheerful post???
All Apple computers, phones and tablets always come with an operating system. Apple's new bare-bones computer you don't buy. If you want to install any Linux or Windows operating system of your choice - you can. But it's like saying when ordering from Mercedes that you want their wheels, body, but not their engine. Because you happen to have a Trabant engine and you just put it in there. Give, it's your choice.
I heartily and wholeheartedly approve of your idea of testing Windows on an Apple Air notebook. Everyone, even the unbelieving Host Fuchs, simply has to go through it. You will certainly be pleased with half the battery life and the slow awakening of a sleeping laptop with Windows installed compared to Mac OS X. But please direct your complaints to the engine manufacturer - Trabant or Microsoft.
And that Apple hasn't been doing so well since it switched to Intel, right? You are a joker, really :)
:D good joke
The mouse looks interesting, but to be honest - I'd rather buy the apple one. It appeals more to me in basically everything and it will also be better for portability. In addition, the use of gestures, BT transmission, etc.
I have had the same mouse for my laptop for several years, at that time the apple mouse was both expensive and unfortunately inconvenient to use. Maybe the reality is different, one day I will swing and make an exchange, but now I have been using a Logitech V470 mouse in white color (with a silver border around the perimeter) for a long time. It was one of the few BT mice back then, so I really welcome a free USB port. The design really suits Apple, the adjustability of the control is also rich, the tilting wheel, battery life of about half a year (or more), I can recommend it.
Here's how to buy Air:
I have the chassis, engine and interior of a Mercedes s at home, but I don't have the body. And I found out that the air body fits the Mercedes and what's more, it's aluminum - it doesn't have much aerodynamics, but the design is great - it costs x times but I'll go for it because Mercedes approved it, that it can be used.
To the article:
About 1/2 year ago, I posted a link here about Comrade Gates inventing a new Arc Touch cape. You will come after half a day with a review of the pre-skinny Arc - yes, this white mouse you are writing about is an oldtimer. But Arc Touch is really a revolutionary mouse, but the fact is that I can't compare it with Apple because I don't have an Apple mouse and those who have it don't have Arc Touch. Just for fun - it's a cape that you break and give it shape - until then it's an unusable flat piece. Unfortunately, there is no white color in cr.
Those who think I'm a stinker, whose parents promise air under the tree, I have to disappoint you. I have an HP about 3/4 years old for 30.000 and even though I can buy the air now, I want to hold on to the HP so that I have something to look forward to - I have no other reason.
Why win and not apple? Because I don't like the iPhone, I need this:
An article will appear on the list and there is a video for it, but iphone……. I can't. I use the computer 95% for work and I'm not interested in voices that my browser doesn't support. do you want more proof? here is:
Our company uses 5 Internet banks that I am in charge of and I list below for each browser, how many banks can be controlled by individual browsers - I personally tried it:
i.e. 8 - 4x
ie 9 -all, so 5
Chrome – 2
Opera 1
Safari 4 (can't work at all, e.g. with an internet casino, etc.)
So why install apple os. I put win 7(8) to it ie9 (which has the lowest energy consumption) and I have peace of mind. Of course, the half-life of the battery bothers me, but I will save a huge amount of time by the fact that ALL APPLICATIONS WILL WORK IMMEDIATELY.
Sir, even if jobs gave air for free with the fact that apple os will be fixed there, win will never really beat it anyway. If it weren't for iphone, I don't even care about apple - really. It is a fact that if Gates did his best, his iPhone display and processing quality would not be surpassed either….
Eyrie
Horst, you made a little mistake. Not every body from Mercedes fits a collection of different parts from different Trabants...
Playing a Flash video or program on a desktop or laptop computer IT IS NOT no problem. If you happen to follow things around Apple a little, you will know that Flash is officially not supported only on iOS devices, on Mac OS X it is, you install a plug-in in your browser (just like on a PC).
Which internet banks DO NOT WORK on MAC OS X? Write the names of these institutes and also the dysfunctional casino, I would be very interested in that. And you forgot Firefox.
I was amused by your mention of the lowest browser consumption. What good is it if Windows eats up your battery 2x faster? I will answer for you. You're going to be totally screwed.
You'll save a lot of time when you get a functional solution (and it doesn't matter if it's PC or Mac or LINUX). Installing and operating a PC and fine-tuning the details will definitely take more time than setting up an already installed Mac OS X. What you want is more of a mutated cat.
You're writing complete nonsense :D It's not worth it for me to even bother writing a larger response to your post, because that would obviously be throwing peas at the wall...
But I have to write that you're a complete mino and that you amused me :-)
I also do graphics, especially vector graphics, and I use the Magic Mouse, it's just a matter of habit and then it works fine. But I definitely don't like this hybrid from Mrkvosoft :D it looks like a vacuum cleaner, like the standing one with a handle, and in my opinion, when it comes to ergonomics, this mouse is not very ergonomic in my opinion. But otherwise nothing against…. it wouldn't be my choice though….