Strange mouse issue when using external monitor (Mac)

[NAisBEST]

I've noticed in the last couple of months that no matter what, my mouse seems to lag when the cursor is on the external display as opposed to my MBP where it seems more accurate.

There seems to be a slight lag, especially when making bigger circles in a fast motion with the cursor. I've tried to use the Steermouse App with limited success. It's better, but not great. The mouse is a Logitech VX Revolution, and the display is an NEC LCD2490WUXi. I've also noticed the same issue when using an HP 24". It kind of makes editing a pain to be honest, especially with shaping masks and such.

Anyone have a similar issue or solution? I tried to hook up my girlfriends little tiny Microsoft USB corded notebook mouse, but the same thing occurs. At work we use a Mac Pro and a G5, both hooked up to 22"ish Dell displays using a corded Apple mouse, and there is no lag at all...dead accurate and a pleasure to work with. This is just....annoying to say the least!

I should also mention that I've tried multiple USB ports and locations for the reciever, all unobstructed and fresh batteries. Tried the MBP USB ports, the Belkin powered hub I use, and even the side of my Apple wired keyboard. All the same.

[Moppie]

What model MBP?

[NAisBEST]

What model MBP?

It's an early 2008 Penryn, 2.4gh 15.4".

[Moppie]

How much RAM, and which graphics chipset?

I've seen similar symptomns when the graphics card is simply not able to drive a high res screen.

I wouldn't have thought that would be a problem for a MBP though.

Do other programs, video etc, display ok on the external?

[NAisBEST]

Thanks for the quick replies!

It currently has the factory 2GB of RAM, and is running on the nVIDIA 8600GT. I'm aware that some MBP's have had issues with the 8600GT...but nothing this minor. Usually it's total loss of screen or scrambling. On the MBP display itself it looks normal and accurate. Everything else about the screen is 100% perfect. It's just that slight cursor lag. Programs display great, it's set at the proper resolution and everything else is on point.

[MaxxuM]

Thanks for the quick replies!

It currently has the factory 2GB of RAM, and is running on the nVIDIA 8600GT. I'm aware that some MBP's have had issues with the 8600GT...but nothing this minor. Usually it's total loss of screen or scrambling. On the MBP display itself it looks normal and accurate. Everything else about the screen is 100% perfect. It's just that slight cursor lag. Programs display great, it's set at the proper resolution and everything else is on point.

I have that exact same mouse and I use three different external monitors (Samsung, Dell & HP) and have never had that problem. It may be that the mouse is having an issue with that MBP. Have you tried using it on another Mac with secondary monitor? Our MBPs do have a problem video chipset, but it does not effect all MBPs and even if it does you'll have to be unlucky for it to happen.

Did you upgrade to 10.5.7? And if so, you did, did this still occure before and/or after the update?

[basroil]

Thanks for the quick replies!

It currently has the factory 2GB of RAM, and is running on the nVIDIA 8600GT. I'm aware that some MBP's have had issues with the 8600GT...but nothing this minor. Usually it's total loss of screen or scrambling. On the MBP display itself it looks normal and accurate. Everything else about the screen is 100% perfect. It's just that slight cursor lag. Programs display great, it's set at the proper resolution and everything else is on point.

This sounds like lag, not an actual problem. And nVidia did roll out a driver fix that corrected this exact problem. Has to do with digital outputs being delayed, and the easiest way to test for this problem is to watch a well sync'ed video. You should be able to see mouths move after sounds happen. Newest drivers should fix that.

EDIT: Now i don't know if the driver was specifically for 8600 models, but some of the 8XXX models were on the list.

[NAisBEST]

Bumping this up possibly? The issue does still exist, and I have a newer MBP now as well. Anyone with me?

[basroil]

Bumping this up possibly? The issue does still exist, and I have a newer MBP now as well. Anyone with me?

Did you try playing video like I mentioned? It's better to know if the lag is from the laptop to the display or the mouse to the laptop. If we don't know more about the situation, nobody can really help you without first hand experience, but that combo isn't too common you know ;)

[Kronie]

I have a 2009 17" MBP hooked up to a 22" monitor and I have a similar issue with a different logitech mouse. My issue is a little different because its intermittent. Most of the time its fine but sometimes there is a noticeable lag. Its quite annoying. Everything on my MBP is updated with no difference.

Do you have two graphics cards in the MBP? Same issue on both?

[MaxxuM]

9 time out of 10 it's the mouse that is having issues. If it's intermittent and the mouse is wireless then it's probably losing connection. If it's bluetooth there might be other devices in the house that are knocking it off. If its regular wireless then florescent lights and wireless phones can interfere with mice.

If it isn't intermittent then replace the mouse.

Debugging is simply replacing each device in turn ruling each out until the culprit is found. If all else has been changed then it must be what remains that is causing the problem.

[NAisBEST]

I see. Well, the thing is this is the 2nd mouse that has this issue. The first was the BT Mighty Mouse. I had actually returned it thinking that the mouse was laggy and no good. Went with the logitech and it's the same. Here's something that someone posted on a Mac forum....

" Have the same problem and my best bet is because the screen is too large vs. video memory. It isn't something serious and you won't really notice unless you really pay attention. Also, I won't be using my 46" LCD for tasks anyway, just videos. "

Is this possible?

[basroil]

I see. Well, the thing is this is the 2nd mouse that has this issue. The first was the BT Mighty Mouse. I had actually returned it thinking that the mouse was laggy and no good. Went with the logitech and it's the same. Here's something that someone posted on a Mac forum....

" Have the same problem and my best bet is because the screen is too large vs. video memory. It isn't something serious and you won't really notice unless you really pay attention. Also, I won't be using my 46" LCD for tasks anyway, just videos. "

Is this possible?


Please read my post(s) again... usually has nothing to do with video memory, but does have to do with graphics card...

[NAisBEST]

Well, the old MBP has an Nvidia 8600 and the new MBP has an Nvidia 9400. Problem appears on both. It is worth noting that when the cursor is on the MBP LCD, it's superb. No lag. It only happens when the cursor is on the external display. It doesn't seem like anything else is lagging, but I'll check again tonight. I'll play a video on the external or something along those lines.

Of all the times I've watched videos though, I've never noticed a lag. It's just the bothersome cursor that gets on my nerves. It's just irritating when trying to navigate quickly or precisely, or when drawing masks and such in PS.

If it is a drivers issue, I wouldn't know the first thing about fixing it on a Mac. Could you maybe point me in a somewhat good direction? Usually things like this would be fixed in an Apple SW or FW update, no?

However, it does seem exactly as you put it. Delay through digital output.

[MaxxuM]

Well, the old MBP has an Nvidia 8600 and the new MBP has an Nvidia 9400. Problem appears on both. It is worth noting that when the cursor is on the MBP LCD, it's superb. No lag. It only happens when the cursor is on the external display. It doesn't seem like anything else is lagging, but I'll check again tonight. I'll play a video on the external or something along those lines.

Of all the times I've watched videos though, I've never noticed a lag. It's just the bothersome cursor that gets on my nerves. It's just irritating when trying to navigate quickly or precisely, or when drawing masks and such in PS.

If it is a drivers issue, I wouldn't know the first thing about fixing it on a Mac. Could you maybe point me in a somewhat good direction? Usually things like this would be fixed in an Apple SW or FW update, no?

However, it does seem exactly as you put it. Delay through digital output.

Interesting. I just tried my 08 MBP on my 47" Samsung LCD screen and didn't see any issues with my Logitech mouse though. What connection type were you using for the connection? DVI or RGB?

[NAisBEST]

I'm using a DVI to MiniDisplay Port adapter into the MBP. I was previously using a straight DVI cable right into the MBP when I used my last generation computer.

[NAisBEST]

CONFIRMED:

There is a lag on the audio from video when iTunes is on the NEC display. The audio is from the MBP speakers. So the video is oh so slightly behind the audio. It's the exact same time interval as the cursor lag is, so I would assume the 2 are related.

What would this possibly hint towards?

[basroil]

Means your dvi adaptor or graphics card is slow. Try running the external monitor without the mac monitor on, and try several resolutions. If it's not hardware issue, it's OSX screwing things up again

[MaxxuM]

CONFIRMED:

There is a lag on the audio from video when iTunes is on the NEC display. The audio is from the MBP speakers. So the video is oh so slightly behind the audio. It's the exact same time interval as the cursor lag is, so I would assume the 2 are related.

What would this possibly hint towards?

Go ahead and turn off your Mac, make sure your external monitor is hooked up, press the power button then immediately close your laptop. You should have the NEC as the primary monitor now. Start using it and play some videos and see if this lag happens again. If it does, try lowering the resolution a little and test again.

If the problem dissipated but did not go away in either case I would start looking at tech support. If it goes away completely then it may be that IPS monitors require just a tad more processing power to push than regular screens. I believe the 24" screen is at the max recommended for the 08 MBP's. I doubt it's OS X itself though. Get back to us when you can with your results.

BTW, this is not a new issue. Others have discribed the same thing with larger 24"+ screens at max resolution so you might want to do a search in Apple's support forum too.

[basroil]

Go ahead and turn off your Mac, make sure your external monitor is hooked up, press the power button then immediately close your laptop. You should have the NEC as the primary monitor now. Start using it and play some videos and see if this lag happens again. If it does, try lowering the resolution a little and test again.

If the problem dissipated but did not go away in either case I would start looking at tech support. If it goes away completely then it may be that IPS monitors require just a tad more processing power to push than regular screens. I believe the 24" screen is at the max recommended for the 08 MBP's. I doubt it's OS X itself though. Get back to us when you can with your results.

BTW, this is not a new issue. Others have discribed the same thing with larger 24"+ screens at max resolution so you might want to do a search in Apple's support forum too.

Why should it be different between a 23" and 27" monitor if all are 1920x1200? Those video cables (and the protocols that drive them) are dependent only on resolution, not size, and IPS or not, an 8bit monitor is 8bit, 10bit is 10bit. And the graphics card is rated (by nvidia on windows based laptops) to support up to 2560x1600 without problems, and even my old 7400go laptop graphics card ran 1920x1200+1280x800 without problems (but don't ask it to upscale to 1080p, video was at most 720p resolution on either monitor, but worked fine on either)