DKR Computing

I've been using my Magic Mouse for several months now after an unfortunate tumble killed off my wireless Mighty Mouse. It fits well in my hand and the Multi-Touch functionality makes it hard to beat. The Multi-Touch interface is a bit too sensitive to use for serious gaming so I keep a wired USB mouse handy.

The only real issues I have with the Magic Mouse have to do with the batteries. First, this thing uses batteries faster than anything I've ever seen. I usually only get about three weeks out of a pair of alkaline batteries, if I'm lucky. The last time around I switched to Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries and they lasted about two months. Second, likely owing to Steve Jobs' insistence that Apple products look good, even on the inside, the engineers created a nice-looking battery compartment. The negative terminals are spring-loaded buttons rather than just springs and the positive terminals are recessed. The problem is that they are so recessed that not every battery has positive terminals long enough to reach the contacts in the recessed space. I bought some Rayovac alkalines since I didn't have any spare lithiums and the grocery store didn't stock lithiums. The Rayovacs couldn't reach the positive terminals! I had to resort to balling up some small pieces of aluminum foil to fit in the recesses in order for contact to be made.

Lesson learned? Always keep a spare set of lithium batteries handy that I know will fit.