What input device for a Powerbook

[Ignacio Azpiazu]

I am feeling this urge to get a 17" Powerbook on which I would spend a lot of time using ArchiCAD and Artlantis. Most of the time I would use it in office-like environments, but I would also spend quite a few hours a month working on airplanes, trains, and such.

I use a mouse on my desktop and have never tried any other device for serious-like work on CAD.

Any recommendation will be very highly appreciated.

[__archiben]

ignacio

i don't have the luxury of a 17" powerbook, but i do use a 15" powerbook 'on-the-road' for CAD work and take a 'macally' ICEMOUSE with me. not only does it feel great to hold, but the three buttons/scroll wheel are ideal, (and IMHO necessary) to work efficiently with archiCAD.

i am waiting for them to bring out a bluetooth version of the same (i was informed my the macally rep at mac-expo in london at the end of last year that it was in the works . . .

website:
http://www.macally.com/spec/usb/input_device/icemouse.html

HTH
~/archiben

[Dave Jochum]

I think within the next few months we will have many bluetooth choices. Companies held off committing development dollars to bluetooth, but have finally decided that it is here to "stay"--at least long enough to get a return on the investment.

[Ignacio Azpiazu]

First of all thanks everybody for the information and insight. Huge value.

A rather off-topic doubt:

James Murray commented that the 17" will not support OS 9 and that OS X "will practically force me to upgrade to AC 8.1". I rushed to the 7.0 Getting Started guide (2001) which reads "Note for MacOS X users: ArchiCAD 7.0 will also run in native mode on MacOS X when it is officially released".

I am anxious to upgrade to AC 8.1 but will also need to keep on working on AC 7 files for quite a while. Please James or somebody pull me out of the impending depression by assuring me that, while the enthusiasm for OS X -AC 8.1 is amply justified, the 17" with Panther will still be OK for opening/modifying/saving AC 7 files. [/img]

[Anonymous]

AC7 runs fine on Mac OSX including Panther.

[Ignacio Azpiazu]

Matthew wrote:
AC7 runs fine on Mac OSX including Panther.

Phew! Thank you very much again.

[Dave Jochum]

I received a reply from the MacMice folks today. They are planning on releasing a bluetooth version of their MouseAL (see http://www.macmice.com/themouseal.html ) June 1st, called The Mouse BT (Bluetooth)
Specs:
On-off switch
Alkaline battery
Same size and look as The Mouse USB
White, silver ("aluminum"), and black versions
MSRP $69.99

Looks to be a good option for Powerbook users.