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Fixing the mouse speed on Mac OSX

09/16/07

English (US) Fixing the mouse speed on Mac OSX

Permalink 11:23:43 pm, by Francois Planque Email , Categories: Mac stuff

Ok, I've been annoyed by this since the very first day I've been using my Mac Mini: the mouse feels weird, very weird. Broken actually!

Part of my problem was the Bluetooth operating range, which I could only fix by moving the mac nearer to where I usually use my mouse in my living room.

However, the core problem is still the acceleration curve. When you move the mouse on OSX, it first moves verrrry slowly, so you move it faster and when you reach a certain speed the mouse suddenly accelerates like crazy.

This is not controllable through the "tracking speed" slider in the control panel. The tracking speed is only the fastest the mouse will go. (And you can actually make it go even faster!) But my problem is not with how fast it would eventually get. My problem is with how freaking slow it initially starts (even at max traking speed).

Solutions

Apple's been stubbornly unresponsive to this problem, as they always are, especially when the mouse is at stake (took them 10 years to aknowlege the need for a right button... good luck with acceleration!)

Fortunately, since the last time I checked (errr... 2005 :roll:), third party fixes now work well on intel Macs.

Check these out:

  • USB Overdrive (no bluetooth support, but you can try it as long as you need)
  • SteerMouse (15 days trial only but it can handle the bluetooth Mighty mouse)

Since I'm trying to do some desk work right now and have a wired mouse, I'm currently and happily using USB Overdrive with these settings:

  • Speed: 120 dpi (feels like Windows fast ;))
  • Acceleration: 50% (no longer feels like sticking to the mouse pad ;))

I'll try SteerMouse when I go back to "Media Player" configuration...

8 comments

Comment from: Ruben [Visitor] Email
RubenUSB Overdrive now supports bluetooth. It works perfectly with my mighty mouse.
11/12/07 @ 09:54
Comment from: FredB [Visitor] Email
FredBYou should take a look at ControllerMate[1] too. Although a bit daunting at first, this apps is much more powerful than the other two and at $15 it's a real bargain.

[1]http://www.orderedbytes.com/controllermate/
11/21/07 @ 13:02
Comment from: andy moon [Visitor]
andy moonoh my god! thank you very much for this spot! Cos I feel this problem as well and if I am telling this to somebody, they dont understand what I mean, but you have the same feeling

great
07/23/08 @ 19:41
Comment from: Kentor [Visitor]
Kentorit would be cool if we could find out how many dpi is 6/11 in windows and how many % the acceleration is when enhance pointer precision is on.

i am trying to play starcraft on mac and i am just so used to this mouse setting. i guess 200 dpi with 50% acceleration is pretty close to the good old windows settings, but it would be cool if we knew 100%.
08/22/08 @ 13:15
Comment from: miq [Visitor]
miqthanks for the info, it's really useful! At least I can take crappy mouse support off my pet peeve list for Macs ;)
08/05/09 @ 01:32
Comment from: number1pete [Visitor]
number1peteOkay after tons of research I have figured out how to fix the apple mac scrolling acceleration problem. Non of the programs mentioned work for me. They just lessen the serverity of the algorithm. I wrote up a deal on how to fix it completely so you can scroll like you did in windows and linux. Here is the link:

http://www.l337tech.com/tips-and-tricks/fix-mac-mouse-acceleration-and-scrolling-speed/
03/08/10 @ 02:50
Comment from: sushi [Visitor]
sushiHow to do it with Magic Mouse? :/
There is no separate drivers for that (or I can't find)
05/26/10 @ 22:54
Comment from: Daheib [Visitor]
Daheibdude thank you ....

You expressed the exact feelings and needs i was feeling with my new 27 imac, .... and every mouse i tried on it ...

Your Help was amazing ...

Keep up the good work ....

Greetings from Greece...
06/01/10 @ 11:56

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