The duo of MacBook Pros launched last year solved a lot of the problems of its predecessors.
The butterfly switches, for example, were exchanged for the old but reliable scissor switches for the keyboards.
The new 16-inch screen with a 3,072 x 1,920 screen resolution is also a nice touch for multitaskers and for anyone who’s just been clamoring for something bigger.
The improvements, in a way, make them better desktop replacements than ever.
Needless to say, I don’t think anyone would mind getting stuck working long hours on these beautiful machines.
And with the social distancing policies in effect, I’m pretty sure that quite a few 2019 MacBook Pro owners are already reaping the benefits of their new devices.
But don’t get me wrong, it’s not a perfect device. The laptop form-factor, after all, is a compromise in and of itself.
The trackpad is one of the most obvious compromises in a laptop form-factor.
While MacBook Pro trackpads are consistently rated as one of the best on any laptop, it’s still no match compared to a good mouse.
Trackpads just don’t have the precision that a high CPI mouse has or the comfort of a properly designed ergonomic mouse.
If you’re in a hurry, I recommend the the MX Master 2S (Amazon, #CommissionsEarned) for excellent ergonomics, enabling you to use it comfortably all day.
Sensitivity in CPI (Counts Per Inch)
Perhaps one of the most sought after features in a mouse that a lot of buyers look at is the CPI. This determines the mouse’s precision.
CPI or Counter Per Inch pertains to the number of points that the mouse detects and uses when you move it an inch in any direction.
This means the higher the number, the more precise the mouse is.
CPI is particularly important if you intend to play FPS games on your MacBook.
In some situations, minute movements of the mouse can be all it takes to hit or miss your target.
For graphic designers and visual arts professionals, this is also something that needs to be considered.
Much like a painter’s hand as he moves his brush through the canvas, the precision of his tool determines whether he colors within the right lines.
The hardware that determines CPI is the sensor. As such, it’s the heart and soul of the mouse.
There is some confusion when talking about this particular feature.
The term is sometimes interchanged with DPI which means Dots Per Inch which pertains to the number of pixels per inch rather than the reference points for your mouse pointers.
In this sense, DPI is more appropriate when printing. But alas, DPI has become synonymous with CPI in marketing speak for mice.
Design & Ergonomics
When it comes to working or playing long hours on your computer, mouse design is king.
It’s the computer hardware that you physically interact with the most other than the keyboard. This is why the size and shape of the mouse are also important to consider when buying one.
Ergonomics is a complicated design feature that is also a prime driver of buying decisions when it comes to computer mice.
Its success is dependent on variables such as hand size and specific use. This demand for variety is what makes the mouse market particularly robust and competitive.
Generally, manufacturers market two different sizes – the travel-size and the full-size.
But don’t let the name fool you.
Travel-size doesn’t have to mean you use only when you’re traveling. It all depends on your personal preference and comfort.
This feature pertains mainly to the comfortability of use of the mouse and this isn’t solely determined by the mouse size.
More often, the shape of the mouse itself is what makes it comfortable to use.
Lately, there have been new mouse designs coming out that are more avant-garde in shape.
They’re called vertical mice.
They are shaped in a way that your hand doesn’t have to contort itself far from its neutral position when you’re sitting down.
This should eliminate wrist pain when using the mouse for long periods.
Workflow Enhancement Features
Mouse technology has come a long way since it was first introduced in 1964.
Not only are the ergonomics and sensors being constantly updated and upgraded, but so are the peripheral functions.
From scroll wheels to middle buttons, manufacturers and designers have begun introducing more functions to the humble mouse.
Price Point
Your MacBook Pro is already a pretty expensive piece of hardware so buying expensive peripherals can be prohibitive for some of us.
Luckily, the great everyday use-case mouse doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.
There are plenty of great mice to choose from in the sub-$100 price range.
It’s the perfect price point because, at this level, the products are usually premium enough to have a good quality build.
Apple Magic Mouse 2
When it comes to the best mouse for any MacBook device, Apple’s own Magic Mouse 2 (Amazon, #CommissionsEarned) is a no-brainer.
These things are specifically built for Apple’s own computers, which means they should be aesthetically and functionally consistent with the MacBook Pro.
Workflow
It has unparalleled compatibility with Apple’s own computers.
There are, for example, some nifty gestures like sliding two fingers to either scroll up or down.
You can also swipe either left or right to switch between apps.
Basically, it’s a mouse with some trackpad functionality that should satisfy the most hardened MacOS user.
Like any Apple-made device, it looks like some sort of sculpture on top of your desk.
At the bottom, there’s beautifully machined aluminum while the top surface is made of glass.
Design & Ergonomics
It’s also got portability going for it.
It connects to your computer via Bluetooth so there’s no need for dongles or receivers.
Its battery also lasts for four months so there’ll be no need for constant charging.
This is good because Apple put the charging port directly underneath the device making it impossible to use it while it’s on charge.
It’s thin enough to fit inside your bag or even inside your MacBook Pro’s sleeve if it’s loose enough.
However, its portability comes with a price.
Because it’s so thin, it can be unwieldy to use it for long sessions.
Gaming, therefore, isn’t much of an option for this mouse. But gaming isn’t what it’s made for so there shouldn’t be a problem on that end.
Sensitivity
Another unfortunate con for the Apple Magic Mouse 2 is that it has a relatively small CPI at 1300.
If you’re looking for a precise mouse, then Apple’s ain’t it, chief.
Otherwise, if you’re just in the market for an everyday web browsing and light editing mouse, then this should be more than enough.
Price
Considering that this is an Apple product, the Magic Mouse 2 seems fairly priced for what it offers.
The trackpad capabilities are excellent add-ons to the supreme build quality.
If you’re already immersed in the Apple ecosystem, navigating the OS through this mouse is definitely going to feel just like home.
Click here (#CommissionsEarned) to go to Amazon to get the latest price.
MX Master 2S
If there’s one mouse to rule the roost when it comes to everyday use, it’s probably going to be the MX Master 2S (Amazon, #CommissionsEarned).
While it’s not as well-built and symmetrical as Apple Magic Mouse 2, it’s definitely a lot more versatile.
Workflow
It doesn’t have the same compatibility with your MacBook Pro as a Magic Mouse 2 does but it does have a ton of programmable buttons that make your workflow orders of magnitude more efficient.
Programmable Buttons
While the scroll wheel has become a mainstay feature in modern mice, the MX Master 2S has a second thumb-accessible scroll wheel that should prove useful for video editors tracking through their timelines.
Other than that, it has a button in between the left and right-click, two more thumb-accessible buttons on right beside the second scroll wheel and a squeeze function.
All of these additional buttons are programmable through the MX Master software that you can download through the manufacturer’s website.
Logitech Flow
There’s also additional software that the MX Master 2S can take advantage of that can take your productivity to another level.
It’s called Logitech Flow.
It allows you to use the mouse on three different machines simultaneously and transfer files via Wi-Fi seamlessly.
While that, in itself, is already amazing, Logitech goes even further by making it cross-platform compatible.
This means the mouse can be paired both a Windows device and MacBook Pro at the same time with full functionality.
Design & Ergonomics
The most obvious thing first, the MX Master 2S is not the most portable mouse there is.
It’s quite a large mouse that couldn’t possibly fit inside a laptop sleeve or bag intended for the MacBook Pro.
Its heft, however, comes with a huge benefit.
Because there is so much material to work with, Logitech was able to mold it in a way that is comfortable to your hand’s natural curvature.
The build quality of the MX Master 2S is also top-notch. It’s mainly built with some sort of strong plastic.
It does not, however, have that cheap plasticky feel.
Another thing worth noting is that it’s relatively heavier than a lot of the other items on this list.
But weight, like texture, is another one of those features that are subjective when it comes to choosing a mouse.
Lastly, if you’re a left-handed mouse user, then you’re basically excluded by Logitech from enjoying the MX Master 2s.
In the name of ergonomics, the shape of the mouse is made in such a way that it would be impossible to use with your left hand.
Sensitivity
Because it was designed specifically with productivity in mind, Logitech made the mouse quite sensitive at a maximum CPI of 4000.
This should be enough for some competitive FPS gaming if you choose to play using it or for precise tracking if you’re editing media.
The MX Master 2S allows for dynamic sensitivity which means you can set that CPI lower if you prefer a less sensitive mouse experience.
As I said before, the mouse is a versatile little beast.
Price
Since the MX Master 3 has already been released, I expect this to be on sale for the majority of this year.
The MX Master 2S constantly tops other people’s lists of the best overall mice for good reason.
It’s one of the most comfortable and most versatile hardware your money could buy.
It also feels a lot more premium than its price even if it is made of plastic and other inexpensive materials.
Again, click here (#CommissionsEarned) to go to Amazon for the latest prices.
Razer Naga Trinity
Just because something is marketed as a gaming mouse doesn’t mean you can only use it for gaming.
This is exactly the case for the Razer Naga Trinity (Amazon, #CommissionsEarned) which is a modular mouse meant for gaming but has become an editor’s best friend.
It’s important to note, however, this one, unlike the first two items on this list, is a wired mouse with a USB Type-A cord.
It is, however, highly compatible with MacBook Pros once you find a suitable adapter.
This is a huge drawback but the pros can potentially outweigh the cons for the right market.
Workflow
The Razer Naga Trinity is quite possibly the most versatile mouse out in the market today.
It’s one of the few modular mice in existence and it’s the only one that comes from a company with a bit of clout in the technology scene.
You can customize your mouse to either be a 9-button, 14-button, or a whopping 19-button monster of a mouse through the modular side buttons.
The icing on the cake is that they’re all customizable so you can key bind to your heart’s content.
While the modularity is marketed for the gaming community, it also gives the mouse the unintended benefit of giving a lot of key binding options for automating work-related tasks.
If you’re a photo editor who always has to key in your often-used sequences, you can quite easily do that with the click of a side button.
Ergonomics
There’s not much to be said about the Razer Naga Trinity in terms of ergonomics.
It’s a full-sized mouse that’s designed to be used for gaming so it has a good balance between comfort and ease of use.
It is, after all, designed with intense gamers in mind.
It doesn’t feel premium, but it does feel like Razer was thinking of the occasional rage quitters while designing this.
As such, Razer built the mouse to withstand quite a bit of beating.
It’s mainly built with plastic but there’s rarely any flex even when gripped tightly.
As for the modular side buttons, you can barely feel where the two plates meet which is a testament to the mouse’s excellent craftsmanship.
The braided cable is also a nice touch.
It feels like it can also get thrown around and not break so easily.
However, your desk can look a little cluttered because of it as opposed to the other mice on this list.
Sensitivity
Because it’s a gaming-oriented mouse, the sensitivity is also top-notch on the Razer Naga Trinity.
It’s a 16,000 CPI mouse that should also be an excellent tool for scrubbing through media.
Price
Like the MX Master 2S, the Razer Naga Trinity is priced under $100, but it’s also often on sale especially now that it’s already a couple of years old.
For the technical specs that it has, even if it is a wired mouse, that is definitely a bargain.
Just imagine how much time you’re going to save with that massive arsenal of key bindings available literally at your fingertips.
Click here (#CommissionsEarned) which will take you to Amazon to get the latest prices.
The Best Mouse for the MacBook Pro Award Goes To…
If, like a lot of the rest of the world, you also have to go through social distancing, working long hours at home may be the norm for the foreseeable future.
Getting a mouse that doesn’t hurt your wrist can be a huge step forward towards making this set up more bearable.
Apple’s own Magic Mouse 2 (Amazon, #CommissionsEarned), the MX Master 2S (Amazon, #CommissionsEarned), and the Razer Naga Trinity (Amazon, #CommissionsEarned) are currently the top dogs when it comes to productivity mice.
Each has its own strengths and weaknesses but only one can be crowned the best.
The Magic Mouse 2 definitely has its minimalist charms and the Naga Trinity has some really sick productivity functions but, overall, the best mouse is the MX Master 2S (Amazon, #CommissionsEarned).
It’s a great mouse that has excellent ergonomics that you can use all day while you’re cooped up in your home.
It has a decent CPI that makes it a versatile mouse that you can use to either work of play.
And lastly, the massive selection of buttons can make any amount of work you throw at it seem like a piece of cake.