Apple Magic Mouse gets USB-C, but still plugs in the bottom. Buy this instead

Jason Hiner/ZDNET

It's often two steps forward and one step back when it comes to Apple products. The tech giant will create something that pushes the envelope of what's possible with personal computers, but at the same time, it will kneecap its efforts with strange, unpopular design choices.

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Recently, Apple announced it is revamping its iMac and MacBook lines by equipping them with the brand's new M4 processor, which is said to deliver "next-generation performance." In addition to the chipset, the company also launched color-matching accessories that, after years of begging, finally have USB-C ports. The series consists of three Magic Keyboards, a refreshed Magic Trackpad, and a new Magic Mouse.

That means you no longer have to rummage through your junk drawer for that old Lightning cable to charge your devices. Everything works on the universal USB-C standard, and that's a major win for consumers.

Despite this progressive move (for Apple, anyway), the company didn't think it was necessary to update the appearance of its accessories, meaning the Magic Mouse's charging port is still on the bottom. This design choice has frustrated Mac owners for years. If the mouse's battery dies, you must flip it upside down, plug in the USB-C cable, and wait for it to charge. You can't use the mouse while recharging because the cable gets in the way.

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The original Magic Mouse from 2015 had the same port location, which has since become a living meme in the tech community. You'd think that after 10 years, Apple would eventually realize that it would not install the input in a location that ruins the device's basic function, and yet here we are, in late 2024, dealing with the same issue. Considering how much the company probably saves with the reduced design efforts in the supply chain, this shouldn't come as a surprise.

Photo by Phil Barker/Future Publishing via Getty Images

I don't know why Apple is so adamant about sticking to this particular design. The tech giant may be so committed to having a specific aesthetic that it's willing to forgo functionality and comfort. Something I've neglected to mention is the Magic Mouse still has poor ergonomics.

The flat shape forces your hand to grab it with a claw-like grip, causing discomfort. This is another long-standing issue. You can find old Reddit posts from eight years ago of people complaining about the Magic Mouse's lack of ergonomic support. Just earlier this month, the company's CEO, Tim Cook, even mentioned to WSJ that he uses the Logitech MX Master 3 as his main mouse.

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And if that isn't enough, the 2024 Magic Mouse in black is $20 more expensive than the white model. The former is $100 while the latter is $80. As far as I can tell, the two are exactly the same since the black mouse doesn't possess any extra features.

If you want an alternative to the 2024 Magic Mouse, I recommend following Tim Cook's steps and purchase the Logitech MX Master 3S. It features a unique shape that slightly twists your hand placing it "into a natural-feeling position... to reduce wrist strain." Logitech's mouse is also bulky, perfect for people with large hands. The company took advantage of the extra size by installing seven programmable buttons, which you can change to your liking. They're within reach of your thumb, index, and middle finger.

On the bottom of the Master 3S is an 8,000 DPI optical sensor enabling fast yet accurate cursor movement. Unlike the Magic Mouse, the USB-C port is at the front, allowing users to actually use Logitech's device while it's charging.