Dear Unplggd,
I have recently begun to use a gorgeous imac at work and I LOVE the display and the keyboard. Unfortunately, I hate the mouse. it doesn't move smoothly - it's more like moving around a lead weight. The high number of misclicks is embarrassing and my arm is killing me. Is there a perfect mouse pad that will make moving the mouse more smooth, or is there a good alternative to the standard apple USB mouse?
Thanks for your help! bls
Thanks for the Question. We actually don't use a mousepad and find that any dark, smooth surface seems to work well for our optical mouse. For mouse alternatives, while we haven't used them personally, the 
I really like my Logitech MX Revolution. I have one at work and one at home. Cordless, optical, and can scroll sideways.
view Joan A.'s profile
There IS an alternative to the standard apple mouse (which is the most stupid thing anyone could've ever invented). THE APPLE MIGHTY MOUSE (the most awesome mouse in the universe!). Two clicker buttons instead of one, perfect tracking, awesome tracking ball which scrolls 360 degrees (for those annoying horizontal pages), responsive, reliable, easy to keep perfectly clean but (and this is a big but lol) it's not as pretty and high-end looking as the standard mouse. (bad mouse, bad bad mouse). I switched from a Logitec mouse on a PC to the standard for the iMac and went back to Logitec (Same model but white), then tried the mighty mouse and have used it for a year and a half. Best decision I could've ever made.
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I recommend the Wacom Bamboo for smooth wireless scrolling, with the option for a pen and tablet input. Actually, my absolute favourite is the Wacom Graphire tablet and mouse that I was afforded at work; smooth as butter and a lot of mousing space too.
view gregory's profile
btw, once you've traded your mouse (whichever you choose to get) go into the system preferences and toy with the mouse settings, (which might be responsible for your mouse feeling "lead-weight"-like, missclicks and having to pass the mouse all over the desk instead of a tiny move of the wrist.)
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I'll second the vote for a wacom. Give yourself a week (you'll have to unplug your mouse and really force yourself to get used to the tablet) and you'll never go back.
view munckee's profile
on the wireless mighty mouse debate, i have one, and if you would like to buy it from me, i'll sell it to you. they ship it with the super light e2 batteries, but then when you put normal batteries in, it feels like a brick it is so heavy. e2 batteries are way to pricey for batteries in my mind to replace. I did learn you can run it off of 1 battery, and the weight isn't too bad though.
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Check out Humanscale's new mouse design:
http://www.humanscale.com/products/switch_mouse.cfm?detail=features
It's not wireless, but it conforms more naturally to the shape and angle of your hand. It's the same company that makes the Liberty and Freedom chairs, and I've found all their ergonomic tools comfortable and really well designed.
view AmyV's profile
oh my god!
i totally agree with DJluckyonline - the MIGHTY MOUSE comes in a wireless model and it is the greatest mouse i have ever used. apple finally took the only saving grace of the PC world - the right click function, and added a trackball/slider thing that scrolls so fast, i can finally keep up with myself.
try it - you will love it.
it comes wired as well (you must have tried it if you really have a new IMAC)...
view sassy's profile
forgot to say the mighty mouse can also scroll sideways!!
although of course my imac screen is so wide i almost never use it!
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turn it upside down and clean the bottom. i just noticed mine today at work and it was fuzzy with gunk :)
view Joan in SB's profile