Is there any way for me to use the original Mac Plus or Mac 128k mouse with a modern Macbook Pro?

Solution 1:

As far as I know, the old mac mice used a DE-9 connector, but this isn't RS-232-compatible. If it was, you could have used an adaptor from RS-232 to PS/2 and then a standard ps/2-usb-converter (both must be active converters).

If you get an ADB-mouse you will be able to use them as there are adaptors for these.

If you're into electronics and programming, you could build your own converter eg. using a teensy-board for few bucks. It shouldn't be too hard as the old apple mouse just sends quadrature signals which should easily be translated into pointer movements.

Solution 2:

Ancient thread - but I was searching for the same thought

It's possible to use an arduino/teensy with HID capability to covert the quadrature to be used on a USB device.

The DE9 pinout (with arduino pins for code below) is:

DB9     Pro Micro
    1       GND
    2       VCC
    3       GND
    4       D0      (pin 3)
    5       D1      (pin 2)
    6       -       (not connected)
    7       B3      (pin 14)
    8       D3      (pin TXO)
    9       D2      (pin RXI)

And some sample code originally from GuilleAcoustic and modified by Johan Berglund:

/* ================================================================================
   Author  : GuilleAcoustic
   Date    : 2015-05-22
   Revision: V1.0
   Purpose : Opto-mechanical trackball firmware
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Wiring informations: Sparkfun Pro micro (Atmega32u4)
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     - Red    : Gnd                          |   Pin: Gnd
     - Orange : Vcc (+5V)                    |   Pin: Vcc
     - Yellow : X axis encoder / channel A   |   Pin: PD3 - (INT0)
     - Green  : X axis encoder / channel B   |   Pin: PD2 - (INT1)
     - Blue   : Y axis encoder / channel A   |   Pin: PD0 - (INT2)
     - Violet : Y axis encoder / channel B   |   Pin: PD1 - (INT3)
     - Grey   : Switch 1                     |   Pin: PB3
     - White  : Switch 2                     |   Pin: PB2
     - Black  : Switch 3                     |   Pin: PB1

   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Modified for use with Apple M0100 mouse
   By Johan Berglund, 2015-08-10

   Changes in code:
   - Internal pullup set for pin 14 (B3)
   - State check for right and middle buttons commented out

   Connection to DB9:

   DB9     Pro Micro
    1       GND
    2       VCC
    3       GND
    4       D0      (pin 3)
    5       D1      (pin 2)
    6       -       (not connected)
    7       B3      (pin 14)
    8       D3      (pin TXO)
    9       D2      (pin RXI)

   ================================================================================ */

// =================================================================================
// Type definition
// =================================================================================
typedef struct
{
  int8_t  coordinate = 0;
  uint8_t index      = 0;
} ENCODER_;

// =================================================================================
// Constant definition
// =================================================================================
const int8_t lookupTable[] = {0, 1, -1, 0, -1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, -1, 0, -1,  1,  0};

// =================================================================================
// Volatile variables
// =================================================================================
volatile ENCODER_ xAxis;
volatile ENCODER_ yAxis;

// =================================================================================
// Setup function
// =================================================================================
void setup()
{

  // Set pull-up for mouse switch on M0100
  pinMode(14, INPUT_PULLUP);

  // Attach interruption to encoders channels
  attachInterrupt(0, ISR_HANDLER_X, CHANGE);
  attachInterrupt(1, ISR_HANDLER_X, CHANGE);
  attachInterrupt(2, ISR_HANDLER_Y, CHANGE);
  attachInterrupt(3, ISR_HANDLER_Y, CHANGE);

  // Start the mouse function
  Mouse.begin();
}

// =================================================================================
// Main program loop
// =================================================================================
void loop()
{
  // Update mouse coordinates
  if (xAxis.coordinate != 0 || yAxis.coordinate != 0)
  {
    Mouse.move(xAxis.coordinate, yAxis.coordinate);
    xAxis.coordinate = 0;
    yAxis.coordinate = 0;
  }

  // Update buttons state
  !(PINB & 0b1000) ? Mouse.press(MOUSE_LEFT)   : Mouse.release(MOUSE_LEFT);
  // !(PINB & 0b0100) ? Mouse.press(MOUSE_RIGHT)  : Mouse.release(MOUSE_RIGHT);
  // !(PINB & 0b0010) ? Mouse.press(MOUSE_MIDDLE) : Mouse.release(MOUSE_MIDDLE);


  // Wait a little before next update
  delay(10);
}

// =================================================================================
// Interrupt handlers
// =================================================================================
void ISR_HANDLER_X()
{
  // Build the LUT index from previous and new data
  xAxis.index       = (xAxis.index << 2) | ((PIND & 0b0011) >> 0);
  xAxis.coordinate += lookupTable[xAxis.index & 0b1111];
}

void ISR_HANDLER_Y()
{
  // Build the LUT index from previous and new data
  yAxis.index       = (yAxis.index << 2) | ((PIND & 0b1100) >> 2);
  yAxis.coordinate += lookupTable[yAxis.index & 0b1111];
}

Original from: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=74340.0