Re: Apple's Mice

[shack@deimos.frii.com (Randy Shackelford)]

In article <pdueck-0308971103160001@dial1.pli.mb.ca>,
Perry Dueck <pdueck@pli.mb.ca> wrote:
>I was wondering how many different models of mice has Apple Computer Inc.
>released over the years (including ADB and non-ADB mouse models).
>
>The only two ADB models that I know of from Apple are:
>
>Apple Desktop Bus Mouse
>Apple Desktop Bus Mouse II

One thing to note about mouse IIs is that they are made in three countries,
and vary in quality correspondingly. I have one of each, and I'd call the
made in China version the best, then Taiwan, and Malaysia the worst.

>(Both of the above came only in the platinum-grey color scheme to the best
>of my knowledge).

Yep the platinum era started the same time as the appearance of ADB.

>How about the non-ADB mice (before the IIgs came out)?
>
>Was there just one model (with the DB9 connector) but in different color
>schemes? I have a DB9 connector Apple Mouse which came with a manual which
>calls it the "Apple Mouse //c" (the sticker on the bottom of the mouse is
>missing so I can't tell which model number it is.

The original Applemouse //e and //c are different from Mac mise of the era.
The button is a different shape and is the same color as the rest of the
mouse. The difference between //e and //c is, of course, the //e one came
with the card and the //c did not.

>Now, my Apple //c is the ROM version 0 model, so it has the "snow white"
>color scheme, but the mouse is not "snow white", instead, it is the same
>color as my //c's keycaps and disk drive door latch (sort of greyish, but
>NOT platinum grey). I have some B&W pictures of old Mac's which use the
>exact same type of mouse, except their color scheme for the mice is a bit
>different (mouse button is a different color). If I remember correctly
>from seeing those mice in person from years ago, those Mac mice had a
>beige case, different from my Mouse //c....

The original Applemouse IIs were regular ol' beige. Yours might have faded
over the years. Pre ADB Macs had a compatible mouse, but with a smaller
button which is a darker color than the rest. These came in both beige and
grey. Around the time the grey //e and //c plus debuted, this type replaced
the old Applemouse II. 

I own examples of every type of DB9 mouse, and ADB for that matter. I got my
Applemouse II early in '84, probably one of the first ever sold where I got
it. I prefer a beige Mac Plus style so that's what I use on my //e instead
these days.
-- 
Randy Shackelford                                 
shack@frii.com