Magical iMacs

With the recent release of new iMacs, Apple has added something interesting to the mix. They are now giving you a choice of input devices. This is new for Apple and an interesting indicator of how important gestures are becoming to Mac OS, especially with Lion, OS X 10.7, coming in the next few months.

If you purchase a new iMac from the online Apple Store you go through a list of options to create your iMac. Not too long ago, Apple switched from a wired USB keyboard and mouse combo to Bluetooth wireless models. It was a nice premium to get wireless input devices at no additional charge. With this latest update of the iMac, you can now choose from either a Bluetooth wireless Magic Mouse or the Bluetooth wireless Magic Trackpad. Since both these items are priced the same, there is no monetary loss or gain in your choice. It's just nice to see that Apple had thought to make this option available at time of purchase.

Having a Magic Trackpad myself, I can say that I like it over the Magic Mouse, but then I haven't liked an Apple mouse since back in the 80's (the one I loved either came with the Apple IIgs or Mac IIci, I don't remember which). Don't even get me started on the color G3 iMac 'hockey puck' mouse. The only mouse I even remotely liked after the 80's was the Mighty Mouse, which I could tolerate but not prefer. Give me a Microsoft Intellimouse any day, wireless or wired.

But back to the Magic Trackpad. A trackpad will not appeal to everyone, but I like using it for most of my work. It can do pretty much everything a mouse can do, but there are a few things that a mouse can do more naturally.

Now that gesturing looks to become a big part of running a Mac, I would much rather use the trackpad than the top surface of a moving mouse.