Apple Magic Mouse (USB-C): An Objective Review of Apple's Computer Mouse

Classic Update: Magic Mouse with USB-C Port

Apple has finally updated its famous Magic Mouse, replacing the outdated Lightning port with a modern USB Type-C. Otherwise, the design remains the same — the same minimalist aluminum and plastic construction, a smooth top surface with numerous touch gestures, and the characteristic curve. This mouse is still an example of how Apple prioritizes aesthetics and design, sometimes at the expense of practicality.

Technical Specifications

The Magic Mouse (USB-C) retains most of the specifications of the previous model:

• Weight: 99 grams
• Dimensions: 113 × 57 × 22 mm
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
• Compatibility: macOS 11.0 and later, iPadOS 14.0 and later
• Charging port: USB Type-C
• Battery life: up to 1 month on a single charge
• Fast charging: 2 hours of use for 2 minutes of charging
• Built-in battery: lithium-ion

Design and Ergonomics

The design of the Magic Mouse has remained recognizable for years. The sleek body with a white touch surface and aluminum base looks elegant and modern. However, this same design is the source of the main complaints about the device:

The low profile of the mouse does not provide sufficient support for the hand, which can cause discomfort during prolonged use. The flat shape forces the hand to hold an unnatural position, which can lead to tension and fatigue.

But the most controversial decision remains the placement of the charging port on the bottom of the device. Even with the transition to USB-C, it is impossible to use the mouse while charging, as the port remained in the same place. This is especially surprising considering that Apple made this change in 2025, when competitors have long solved the problem of charging port placement.

Touch Control

A unique feature of the Magic Mouse remains the touch surface that recognizes various gestures:

• Scrolling with one or two fingers (vertically and horizontally)
• Swiping to switch between pages
• Double-tapping to call Mission Control
• Inertial scrolling

This is really convenient when working in macOS, especially for users who often work with large documents or design layouts. The touch surface accurately recognizes gestures and provides smooth scrolling, and the settings can be finely adjusted in the system settings menu.

Performance and Accuracy

The Magic Mouse is equipped with an optical sensor that provides accurate tracking of movements on most surfaces. For everyday work and basic tasks, the mouse's performance is quite sufficient.

However, the sensitivity and accuracy of the mouse do not reach the level of modern gaming or professional models. The sensor DPI is not adjustable and is around 1300, which is not impressive compared to competitors offering adjustable sensitivity up to 8000-16000 DPI.

The response time is also not optimized for tasks requiring high reaction speed, which makes the Magic Mouse unsuitable for gamers and some professional tasks, such as precise image editing at the pixel level.

Integration with the Apple Ecosystem

The main advantage of the Magic Mouse is its tight integration with the Apple ecosystem. The mouse instantly connects to Mac computers and supports seamless switching between multiple Apple devices. Setting up gestures and other parameters is intuitive through macOS system settings.

With the advent of iPad OS support, the mouse has become more versatile, allowing it to be used not only with Mac computers but also with iPad tablets. However, full functionality is only available within the Apple ecosystem — when used with Windows or other operating systems, many advantages are lost.

Autonomy

The battery life on a single charge is about a month with average use, which is a good indicator. Fast charging allows you to get enough charge for several hours of work in just a couple of minutes.

The USB-C port significantly simplified the charging process, as you can now use the same cable as for other modern Apple devices, including iPads, MacBooks, and the latest generation iPhones.

Comparison with Competitors

Compared to leading wireless mice from Logitech (MX Master 3S) or Microsoft (Surface Precision Mouse), the Magic Mouse loses in ergonomics, customizability, and performance:

• The Logitech MX Master 3S offers a more ergonomic design, an electromagnetic MagSpeed scroll wheel, customizable buttons, up to 8000 DPI, and can be used while charging
• The Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse has a more comfortable shape, three customizable buttons, and supports connecting up to three devices with different operating systems

However, none of the competitors offer the same smooth integration with macOS and the unique multi-touch gesture capabilities as the Magic Mouse.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Elegant minimalist design
• Universal USB-C port
• Intuitive multi-touch gestures
• Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem
• Long battery life
• High build quality

Cons:

• Inconvenient placement of the charging port on the bottom
• Poorly designed ergonomic shape
• Limited functionality outside the Apple ecosystem
• High price compared to competitors
• Lack of adjustable sensor sensitivity

Conclusion

The Apple Magic Mouse (USB-C) is a minor but long-awaited update to the iconic mouse. The transition to USB-C is a step in the right direction, but Apple missed the opportunity to address the device's long-standing ergonomic issues.

This mouse is ideal for users who value design and deep integration with the Apple ecosystem more than ergonomics and advanced functionality. For everyday work in macOS, the Magic Mouse offers a unique experience with multi-touch gestures that is difficult to obtain with other devices.

However, users who spend many hours at the computer, work with professional applications, or play games should pay attention to more ergonomic and functional alternatives from Logitech, Microsoft, or Razer.

Official Apple website: www.apple.com