Apple launches multi-touch 'Magic' mouse

Apple has launched a new mouse with multi-touch controls alongside an updated range of Mac computers.

Like its predecessor the new Magic Mouse has no obvious buttons but still 'clicks' when pressed. The top of the mouse has a multi-touch sensor of the type used in the company's iPhone and iPod Touch gadgets, and recognises finger gestures.

Presses on the left and right of the surface are recognised as left- and right-clicks, while pushing a finger up, down, left or right on the mouse surface will scroll around a document.

A two-fingered "swipe" from one side to the other can be used to advance through web pages or photographs.

The company also updated its iMac, Macbook and Mac Mini computers. The new iMac is available with 21.5in and 27in LED-backlit displays. The cheapest model, using a 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo processor, costs £949, with a 27in quad-core Core i5 version selling for £1,599 and two mid-range models in between.

The Mac Mini range was updated with a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo model now available for £499 and a 2.53GHz model with 4GB of memory and a 320GB hard disk costing £649.

The MacBook Pro notebook range was not updated, but the cheaper white Macbook has been replaced with a new model. It costs £799, uses a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo processor with 2GB of memory and a 250GB hard disk, and has a 13.3in LED-backlit display.