As the name “Triathlon” implies, this mouse can maintain connections to up to three different devices, either using the Bluetooth LE capabilities available on all recent Macs, or Logitech’s USB Unifying Receiver. There’s a slot inside to store the USB receiver, so you can easily take it with you and not risk losing the small USB dongle. Three backlight numbers on the top also let you quickly see which device you’re controlling. This means you can use the Triathlon with your iMac when you’re at your desk, and then just as easily toss it in your bag for use with your MacBook on the go. The battery will last up to two years, so you can use the mouse for some time before needing to swap the battery. The bad news is Apple placed the charging port on the bottom, meaning you won’t be able to leave it plugged in while you’re using it. Luckily, it doesn’t need to be recharged all that often. The multi-touch surface is incredibly intuitive. You can use simple gestures to do things like swipe through pages or scroll. In System Preferences, you can adjust your touch settings, enabling for right-clicks as well as additional gestures, including those found on an ordinary MacBook trackpad such as pinch-to-zoom. Plus, since it was made by Apple, there’s no extra software to install on your Mac—everything to support the Magic Mouse is built right in. The MX Ergo has everything you’d expect from a Logitech pointing device, with a whole suite of buttons you can customize in Logitech’s Options software. The ability to pair with two different devices over Bluetooth (or the included Logitech USB Unifying receiver) comes in handy. Plus, at the quick tap of a button located above the trackball, you can switch the MX Ergo into “precision mode,” which dramatically slows down the cursor to better navigate a smaller area of the screen. Combine all of this with a fast-charging rechargeable battery that lasts for up to four months before needing a charge, and you’ve got an exceptional ergonomic mouse. For those trackball fans who have never quite adjusted to life with mice and trackpads, Logitech’s MX Ergo could be the pointing device for you. With 15 completely programmable controls (including six thumb buttons), you can customize individual profiles for specific games using Logitech’s G Hub software. Despite its less-than-inspired design, it’s understated enough to pass as a traditional working mouse, perfect for gaming at the office (on your lunch break, of course). One included AA battery will give you 240 hours of gaming, and you can connect to your Mac using the USB receiver or via Bluetooth. In Bluetooth mode, you can get up to 5.5 months of battery life with standard use. In terms of performance, the G604 features Logitech’s Hero 16k Sensor. It boasts up to 16,000 CPI, though you can dial it down to as low as 100. Logitech clearly put a lot of thought into button placement, as all buttons are easily accessible. Its 1,000Hz polling rate means tracking information refreshes on your Mac up to 1,000 times per second (or every millisecond). As a result, there’s virtually no noticeable lag. This is one of the more efficient and accurate gaming mice in its price range. Although this mouse is targeted primarily at Windows users, Razer’s Synapse app (for configuring the Trinity Naga) is available for macOS. It works well on Mac, providing the ability to fully customize the huge array of buttons found on the side of the mouse. This allows you to trigger key sequences from apps like Adobe Premiere, Illustrator, or Photoshop that you would otherwise have to punch in on your keyboard, dramatically speeding up your workflow if your job (or hobby) keeps you in apps like these all day. The Synapse app also lets you have multiple profiles linked to the various apps you use on an everyday basis, so you can tailor the buttons to perform different actions in Premiere or Illustrator, and you can flip between profiles when working in different modes. For example, you might want to use one set of key assignments when assembling and editing in Premiere, but have them mapped differently when you’re laying down effects. This mouse can handle all of these tasks and more. In fact, the trackpad 2 even includes Apple’s Force Touch, meaning it can detect the amount of pressure you apply and trigger different actions. With that, you can do things like automatically look up words, preview links, add items to your calendar, and perform even more advanced functions in apps like iMovie and GarageBand, where you can press down harder to rapidly scrub through a track. Like the Magic Mouse, the Magic Trackpad houses a rechargeable battery and can be recharged from your Mac’s USB port with a standard USB to Lightning cable. You can control up to three different devices with the MX Master 3, and you can go back and forth between a Windows PC and a Mac by connecting the USB receiver or connecting via Bluetooth. The customizable mouse lets you configure each button for each application you use. You can also take advantage of predefined customizations that are already optimized for a number of applications, including Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Word, Excel, and more. The MX Master 3 has a thumb wheel and even a gesture button you can hold down as you move the mouse to use gesture commands. The MX Master 3 boasts Logitech Darkfield Tracking, which lets you track on almost any surface and get up to 4,000 CPI precision. You can adjust the CPI in increments of 50 to as low as 200. Even on glass, this mouse is exceptionally precise. The rechargeable mouse stays charged for up to 70 days, and has a USB-C connection and included USB-C charging cable to recharge the device. One minute of quick charging will power the device for up to three hours of use. The SteelSeries Rival 650 has fast charging, with 15 minutes of charging providing at least 10 hours of gameplay. With at least 24 hours of constant gameplay on a full charge, you won’t run out of battery in the middle of use. The mouse offers lag-free 1000Hz (1ms) gaming, with two sensors for increased precision. It has a primary TrueMove 3 Optical Gaming Sensor and a secondary Depth Sensing Linear Optical Detection sensor, which allow for true 1 to 1 tracking precision and a CPI range of between 100 and 12,000. The Rival 650 has eight independently controlled RGB zones, so it does look like a gaming mouse. However, it’s fully customizable using SteelSeries Engine Software, so you can make the lighting effects look the way you want. It even has a 32-bit ARM processor for saving CPI settings, button remappings, and lighting effects at LAN events and tournaments when the software isn’t easily accessible. If you’re looking for a precise, high quality mouse you can customize, this is a solid option. Jesse Hollington currently works as a Senior Writer for iDropNews.com, where he writes about what’s happening in the world of Apple, and previously served as the Senior Editor for iLounge.com for over 10 years, where he reviewed a wide array of iPhone and iPad accessories and apps along with providing help and assistance through technical articles, tutorials, and a reader Q&A column; he is also the author of iPod & iTunes Portable Genius.
What to Look for in a Mouse for your Mac
Comfort and grip style- Are you right handed or left handed? Do you prefer a claw grip mouse, a palm grip, or a top grip? Make sure the mouse you choose has a comfortable style, especially if you plan on using it during every eight hour work day. Compatibility and connectivity- Most modern mice are compatible with MacOS, but it’s best to make sure before you make a selection. You’ll also want to check out the mouse’s connectivity. Is it wired or wireless? If it’s wireless, does it connect using a USB receiver, Bluetooth, or both? Can you connect the mouse to more than one device, and can you switch back and forth between a Windows and Mac device? Sensors and CPI- A mouse’s sensor works like a camera to detect light reflection and track movement. Mice with higher-level sensors are more accurate and precise than those with lower level sensors. That’s why you’ll often hear about gaming mice having special sensor technology, like the Hero 16K sensor in the Logitech G604 gaming mouse. CPI (counts per inch) measures a mouse’s sensitivity. This determines how fast your cursor will move on the screen when you move your mouse. If your mouse has a CPI of 1,000, your mouse will move 1,000 pixels when you move it one inch. You don’t necessarily want to set this on the highest settings, as you may end up with an overly sensitive mouse. However, some people want a higher CPI for slower, controlled applications where they require complete precision. CPI is sometimes labeled as DPI (by manufacturers and in general).
