RSI? Should I Move from Magic Mouse to Magic Trackpad?

Hello All,

I spend a lot of time in front of my iMac. I mean probably 12 hours a day recently. I do take breaks when I have to. I have started suffering from RSI on my right hand. It's mainly because I have my hand on my mouse most of the day. I haven't seen a doctor about it yet, but I started reading up on it, and found some good tips on a site about taking breaks and doing some hand exercises etc. Apparently it can become quite serious and painful. I am probably at the early stages.

I am right handed, and for the moment I am trying to use the mouse as a left handed to give my right hand a break. Probably not the best idea.

Anyway, I thought or kind of found that when I gave myself a break, and used my MacBook instead of my iMac, it gave my hand a bit of a break. I know this may not sound rational. Maybe because of different seating positing and the fact that I was on a sofa with the MacBook.

So, I was thinking of investing in a Trackpad for my iMac and using that and switching between trackpad and the mouse just to mix things up a bit. I know the sensible thing to do is to reduce my usage. However, I am in the middle of an important project.

Let me know your thoughts. If you think it's daft or a bad idea, let me know

Thank you all for your replies.

I have decided I will buy a Magic Trackpad. The reviews from all of you has been overwhelmingly positive.

To the person who mentioned the Logitech Mouse. I own one. They are brilliant. But I don't think this is to do with the brand of mouse whether it is Apple or Logitech. As far as I am concerned, this is to do with spending unhealthy amounts of time in front of the computer without taking breaks and having my hand on the mouse all the time. So I will now do hand exercises once every 30 minutes or half an hour, very short and quick ones, and give myself proper breaks. That was the good thing when I used to smoke. I used to give me self a cigaret break.

Although I believe I have a reasonably good seating position etc I think I need to look at it again, and reassess it.

I am writing this using my MacBook Air. And I believe with the TrackPad you get a bit more movement. With my iMac, I have a wrist rest for my keyboard and mouse. So my hand is in that position on top of the wrist rest most of the day. I don't think there is that much movement, and I think a few clicks would not be considered good movement for blood flow.

Lastly, Apple do charge way too much for some products like the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad. Thats my opinion. I will still buy one. But I do think it's just taking advantage a bit.

....a quick update for anyone else faced with a similar situation or dilemma to mine. The trackpad has helped me a lot in my wrist pain. It has almost stopped. I hardly use the mouse. Although the mouse is better for some applications so it is good to have both handy. The gestures are much easier and better with a trackpad.

inodes said:

Very glad to hear this Ryan.

I was one of the posters that recommended the Trackpad on the basis of using one with my Air and my old iMac.

I purchased a new iMac 2012 last week and did not hesitate is ticking the "Trackpad" instead of "Magic Mouse" button.

Click to expand...

Thanks Inodes. I hardly used the mouse now unless for certain applications. However, saying that most people when that are buying a new Mac will often have no experience of a trackpad and it would be quite alien to them. We were all more or less raised with mouses. And that's what most people know. And people are creatures of habit, so we stick to what we know....

Thank you for your help.