The
mouse that comes packaged with most of the
Macintosh iMac and
G3 computers is quite an odd one indeed. It is generally referred to as the
hockey puck, for it is round and its similar
diameter to the aforementioned sporting item.
Actually called the Apple
USB Mouse, the iMac mouse is
translucent blue/green and white plastic with a half blue, half white
mouse ball.
Though the USB interface is superior to that of
PS2 the length of the USB cable attached to the mouse is rather short (about only 2 feet) and is designed to be connected to the iMac
keyboard which has two USB ports on the sides of it. The short length of the cable is an inconvenience if one wishes to use the mouse on a machine that does not have a keyboard with USB ports.
In addition to a short cable, the iMac mouse also suffers from
orientation problems. Because of the round shape one can unintentionally rotate the mouse slightly while manuvering it. This makes the
cursor move (for example) NW when the mouse is moved N. Being that the machintosh is still known as the favored machine for artists, you would think that a superior mouse would be included with these machines.
This author reccomends a
Wacom pen tablet for anyone serious in
computer art.