Apple Updates Their iMac Peripherals
by Brandon Chester on October 13, 2015 10:57 AM EST
In addition to introducing a new 21.5" iMac with 4K Retina display and an upgraded 27" iMac with 5K Retina display, Apple also announced some interesting improvements to their computer peripherals that will begin shipping with the new iMac models.
First up is the Magic Mouse 2. There's not a ton of changes here, and as you can see from the image above the form factor of the mouse is relatively unchanged from the last model. It now comes with a built in battery which should last a month between charges, and can be recharged using the built in lightning port. Apple claims they have also improved the design of the feet so tracking with be smoother. The use of AA batteries in the old magic mouse was definitely the biggest annoyance, and although I'm not a fan of it for ergonomic reasons, the Magic Mouse 2 seems like a worthwhile upgrade to anyone who uses one often and has to keep replacing or recharging their batteries.
Next is the new Magic Trackpad 2. This is arguably the biggest improvement of the three updates, although one could argue that the Magic Keyboard 2 takes that title. I personally think the new trackpad is the biggest improvement because it includes the Force Touch technology from Apple's MacBook trackpads. Like the MacBook, the Magic Trackpad 2 uses force sensors and an electromagnet to simulate the feeling of a traditional trackpad. This allows you to click anywhere, which was a problem with the diving board design of the previous version. The new Magic Trackpad 2 also has a 30% larger touch surface than the last model, and like the Magic Mouse 2 it has a rechargeable internal battery which can be recharged via a lightning cable.
Last, but not least, is the the Magic Keyboard. For me the biggest upgrade here is actually an aesthetic one, as the previous keyboard was a strange marriage of aluminum and plastic along with a barrel running along one side to elevate it and fit in batteries. The new design with its internal rechargeable battery pack looks much nicer and fits well with the upgraded Magic Trackpad. Apple claims they've improved key stability by 33% via the use of a new scissor switch.
If you're not a Mac user you probably won't be any more interested in these new accessories than the last generation, but they all represent notable upgrades for users who do use any of the existing Magic accessories. The new Magic Keyboard will cost $99, while the Magic Trackpad 2 is $129 and the Magic Mouse 2 is $79. What's interesting is that the higher price of the Magic Trackpad 2 also means that swapping it in for the Magic Mouse 2 with the new iMacs requires a $50 fee, which used to be a free swap with the previous models.
Like the iMacs announced today, Apple's new peripherals are already available for sale on the Apple Online Store and will begin shipping this week.
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johnnycanadian - Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - link
With all due respect, "meh". Apple makes packages some nice hardware (and their own SoC designs are beyond reproach) but they've become so disgustingly sloppy with regard to software -- both OS X and Windows -- that I find it difficult to justify using & recommending it for beyond the most simple tasks. Add to that the fact that Win10 is a really great consumer OS and I gotta wonder who's actually buying Apple PCs these days.johnnycanadian - Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - link
"makes and/or packages", even. Proofreading is apparently not a forte of mine.smorebuds - Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - link
"not a forte of mine"Neither is your use of cliches.
dsumanik - Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - link
I been waiting for these updates for long time from apple, and im sorely disappointed. The new trackpad will definitely be the best one on the market for mac now, but id recommend to skip the other two as there are better options out there.Why?
Year old logitech gear is still far superior.
Logitech k811: has all the features of new mac keyboard, plus backlit keys and can switch between iphone, ipad and mac with a single keypress.
Logitech MX master, same thing u can switch between laptop/desktop quick, better tracking and infintely better ergonomics (if you are a righty), and still has basic gesture support, plus the uber scroll wheel.
"redesigned feet" pffffft
dsumanik - Thursday, October 15, 2015 - link
Also like to add, after further investigation the new improved magiuc mouse has its charging port on the BOTTOM of the mouse.. making it impossible to charge and use at the same time. Just wow, that is beyond stupidity. JOBS IS GONNA HULK SMASH FROM THE GRAVE LOL!!!Daniel Egger - Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - link
I have no idea what you're talking about, do you? I'd take OS X over Win10 any day; the only reason to use Windows here is the larger game selection. For anything else OS X is a much better OS, for beginners and pros alike. Actually the only thing I really mourn is that the hardware really is at best one step ahead if not even behind the competition; I do like light 17" notebooks with high-performance hardware and a non-glare display is a MUST so I'm going to use my MBP until it falls apart and then I'll probably go hackintosh if Apple doesn't get their act together.extide - Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - link
That's really a matter of opinion. I don't like OSX at all and there are plenty who agree, and that is our opinion too. It's nearly impossible to objectively say one is better than the other.shadarlo - Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - link
As someone who is forced to work with both at work and help other with both, I can say I dramatically prefer Windows. OSX is great until there is a problem, then it's a nightmare. Same for iOS. I have far fewer issues with my Android users than my iOS users and ever since Windows 10, I've spent less time per computer on windows machines than apple machines. The newest OS's from Apple are bogging down the machines more and more... machines that ran great on older OS's are getting to be extremely slow on the new OS's. The inverse is true of the Windows machines. Windows 10 has breathed new life into several borderline replacement worthy machines.Morawka - Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - link
for pro's? the file system is locked down, and you have to google all night to figure out how to access the bare directories. Simple things like "properties" are watered down. There is no BIOS or UEFI, there is no upgrade ability on 90% of the hardware, and there is no proper driver support.There is nothing pro about OSX. its specifically made for people who dont know much about computers. It's heavily watered down.
repoman27 - Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - link
Wow, so much wrong. OS X is UNIX, nothing about the filesystem is locked down, and all Intel Macs have EFI. The reduced upgradability is the inevitable result of tighter integration, and Apple is much further along in that regard than most other PC OEMs. I'd also argue that while OS X has a more limited gamut of hardware options, the driver situation for supported devices is better than on most other platforms.