[GuB-42]

The mouse sells for $79, it is a rather expensive mouse, and the Macs that come bundled with that mouse are really expensive computers.

Also that's Apple we are talking about, they are huge and can use manufacturing processes no one else can afford to use. And if it can improve their design even a tiny bit, they do. For example, when designing injection molded plastic parts, most designers feature what is called a draft angle, which mean the walls are not straight and parallel but at an angle, this is to help the part come out of the mold easily. Not Apple. Apple want its walls straight because they think it looks better, and they do what it takes to do it, even if it is much harder and expensive.

So, no, I don't believe Apple will compromise its design for technical details like swapping tooling and retraining staff, especially considering that the product has been out in its current form for more than a decade. They have more than enough resources to do exactly the mouse they want.

I also don't believe the "it comes for free with an iMac so no one cares" argument. Again, Apple attention to details is legendary and people pay good money for that, and it is not like they are bundling a cheap plastic mouse like most manufacturers, it is one of the most premium looking mouse on the market, with unique features.

All that to say that it has to be a deliberate choice, not a quirk of the manufacturing process.

[goosedragons]

Really? Apple recycles designs ALL the time. And they will compromise design to do it. Look at the SE iPhones, low-end iPads, etc.

It's the Tim Cook playbook. FFS they regularly sell years old computers.