From Clunky to Sleek: The Incredible History of the Apple Mouse

One of the most prolific electronic devices we use daily, the mouse, is a staple of the computing experience. It’s almost impossible to think of a time when computers didn’t have a mouse, but this was a reality until a company named Apple decided to change the computing world. 

While Apple didn’t invent the mouse, it was the first company to adopt this approach to computers, and the rest of the story is one you already know. With this in mind, let’s take a walk down memory lane and see the evolution of the Apple Mouse from clunky to sleek.  

1980s

The Lisa Mouse

In 1983, Apple introduced the Lisa mouse, a full year before the Macintosh was released. This introduction gave Apple’s customers a glimpse of the future. With the computer’s GUI, you could move around the screen with a cursor and a pointer device plugged into the computer. Sadly, Lisa was a failure. 

The Macintosh Mouse

The story of the 1984 Apple Mouse truly begins with the Macintosh Mouse. Known as Model M0100, the Macintosh is one of Apple’s best-known computers, and it’s the mouse that put this hardware component on the map. It used a rollerball to help move around a desk, offered a single rectangular button toward the top of the mouse, and was connected via a cable to the Macintosh computer. 

Apple Desktop Mouse

Fast-forward two years, and Apple reintroduced the mouse with the Apple Desktop Mouse. Arguably one of Apple’s best mouse designs in the early years of the hardware, this design has long been cited as one of Apple’s best, even though it still offered a corded solution and a single button. 

1990s

Apple Desktop Mouse II

The evolution of the Apple Mouse is fascinating, as is the case with the Desktop Mouse II in 1992. Instead of the rectangular design that had been an Apple staple, this mouse offered a smaller, more rounded design, and the singular button now encompassed the entire top third of the mouse. 

Apple USB Mouse

Better known as Apple’s hockey puck, the Apple USB Mouse was included as part of the original iMac, which was a watershed moment for the company. Not only did the 1998 iMac help save Apple soon after Steve Jobs returned to the company, but it was also the first to use a USB connection, which is still in use today. While reviews of the iMac were terrific, the mouse was considered uncomfortable. 

2000s

Apple Pro Mouse

As 2000 approached, the design of the Apple Mouse we know and use began to take shape. Best known as the Apple Pro Mouse, Model M5769 was the first optical mouse in Apple’s world, saying goodbye to the rollerball once and for all. It also offered zero buttons and registered a click by pushing down on the front of the mouse. 

The Mighty Mouse

Apple’s 2005 release of The Mighty Mouse was unique, breaking away from tradition. Whereas the company had long stuck to just one button for its mice, the Mighty Mouse offered two touch-sensitive buttons plus a rollerball on top that could be used in any direction. 

Wireless Mighty Mouse

Apple introduced a wireless version in 2006 using Bluetooth technology based on the original Mighty Mouse’s idea. It wasn’t much different from the original Mighty Mouse, outside of making it all one color as opposed to the white/gray combination of the 2005 model. 

The Magic Mouse

The 2009 release of the Magic Mouse offered an entire surface area that is touch-sensitive, which is very Apple-like. Using two fingers, you can scroll and perform a variety of gestures all across the mouse’s body. Suffice it to say, it’s considered one of the least comfortable mouse options Apple has ever released. 

Magic Trackpad

A personal favorite, the 2010 release of Apple’s Magic Trackpad was fantastic. Offering an area up to 75% larger than the current size of the trackpad on the MacBook Air, the trackpad supports four-finger gestures, while the Magic Mouse only supports two. There’s just something about all this surface area that is a blast to use. 

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Robert and Monika/Shutterstock.com.