Apple Laptops / No Right-Click

AnthonyKinyon · Sep 5, 2006, 11:55 PM

Hi all,

I have really been wanting a Mac laptop since the Intel models came out, well even before that. One potential thing I don't like is the mouse. There is no right-click on the built-in buttons. I know you could plug-in a USB mouse and use that, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of having a laptop, especially when on-the-go? Other than that, I love the MacBook and MacBook Pro's I've seen and played around with.

Any thoughts/comments/suggestions? Anyone have a realistic workaround?

ITASOR · Sep 5, 2006, 11:57 PM

You put 2 fingers on the trackpad and click at the same time. That equals a right click on the MacBook Pro and MacBooks. It works quite good, I really like it.

AnthonyKinyon · Sep 5, 2006, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITASOR

You put 2 fingers on the trackpad and click at the same time. That equals a right click on the MacBook Pro and MacBooks. It works quite good, I really like it.

Well that seems pretty simple.

Thanks for the tip! Does same thing work in Windows (using Boot Camp) if anyone happens to know?

technicolor · Sep 6, 2006, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthonyKinyon

Well that seems pretty simple.

Thanks for the tip! Does same thing work in Windows (using Boot Camp) if anyone happens to know?

Not when I tried.

Xander562 · Sep 6, 2006, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITASOR

You put 2 fingers on the trackpad and click at the same time. That equals a right click on the MacBook Pro and MacBooks. It works quite good, I really like it.

i think it's only the 17" MBP that has that. I'm not sure about the Macbooks but my 15.4" MBP seems to lack this feature (i dont know why) so i always use CTRL+Click

AnthonyKinyon · Sep 6, 2006, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technicolor

Not when I tried.

Thanks for the update. I spend most of my time in OS X anyway but I do some gaming on Windows so that would not be good. I wonder if there is a solution to this that's free for Windows use. (Why can't Windows just be as intuitive as Mac OS X?

). Trick question.

AnthonyKinyon · Sep 6, 2006, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xander562

i think it's only the 17" MBP that has that. I'm not sure about the Macbooks but my 15.4" MBP seems to lack this feature (i dont know why)

I'm considering a Mac Book Pro for gaming but even a MacBook would be great for taking notes, doing things on the go and playing some non intensive games from time to time.

Xander562 · Sep 6, 2006, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthonyKinyon

Thanks for the update. I spend most of my time in OS X anyway but I do some gaming on Windows so that would not be good.

Wouldnt you use an external mouse for that anyway? I find it really hard to game on a track pad.

Chundles · Sep 6, 2006, 12:07 AM

All MacBooks use the two-finger tap on the trackpad as the right click in Mac OSX. In Windows, the most current release of Boot Camp included a driver that makes clicking whilst holding down the right-hand command key equal to right-click.

technicolor · Sep 6, 2006, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xander562

i think it's only the 17" MBP that has that. I'm not sure about the Macbooks but my 15.4" MBP seems to lack this feature (i dont know why) so i always use CTRL+Click

No it isnt, the feature was introduced to the 15s during an os update...even before then there was a hack.

AnthonyKinyon · Sep 6, 2006, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chundles

All MacBooks use the two-finger tap on the trackpad as the right click in Mac OSX. In Windows, the most current release of Boot Camp included a driver that makes clicking whilst holding down the right-hand command key equal to right-click.

Thank you, Chundles!

mduser63 · Sep 6, 2006, 12:50 AM

There are also some little third party utilities for Windows that will enable the same behavior IIRC. Can't remember the name(s) now, but a Google search should turn up results.

mox358 · Sep 6, 2006, 01:04 AM

This works on all Macbooks and MB Pro's, but you have to enable it in the System Preferences before it works. Similiar to tapping the trackpad for a click.

admanimal · Sep 6, 2006, 01:38 AM

Let's not forget the old reliable Control+Click which still works to achieve the same effect as a right-click.

M. Malone · Sep 6, 2006, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technicolor

No it isnt, the feature was introduced to the 15s during an os update...even before then there was a hack.

true, my 1Ghz PowerBook has this feature after I downloaded iScroll

GFLPraxis · Sep 6, 2006, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthonyKinyon

Hi all,

I have really been wanting a Mac laptop since the Intel models came out, well even before that. One potential thing I don't like is the mouse. There is no right-click on the built-in buttons. I know you could plug-in a USB mouse and use that, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of having a laptop, especially when on-the-go? Other than that, I love the MacBook and MacBook Pro's I've seen and played around with.

Any thoughts/comments/suggestions? Anyone have a realistic workaround?

Two ways:

Holding down the Ctrl key when you click counts as a right click.

Putting two fingers on the trackpad will make your click count as a right click.

Richard Flynn · Sep 6, 2006, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthonyKinyon

Well that seems pretty simple.

Thanks for the tip! Does same thing work in Windows (using Boot Camp) if anyone happens to know?

Doesn't work in Boot Camp, as others have said, but it does work when running Windows in Parallels Desktop.

thebeephaha · Sep 6, 2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mduser63

There are also some little third party utilities for Windows that will enable the same behavior IIRC. Can't remember the name(s) now, but a Google search should turn up results.

Find these please??? I've got everything including the FN keys all working, iSight, KEYBOARD BACKLIGHT, sound driver issue (speakers + headphones always on), now all I need is the trackpad functionality!!!!!

RichP · Sep 6, 2006, 02:26 PM

With the latest bootcamp, I believe FN+Click is a right-click in windows. At least it is on my machine!

JMG · Sep 6, 2006, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xander562

i think it's only the 17" MBP that has that. I'm not sure about the Macbooks but my 15.4" MBP seems to lack this feature (i dont know why) so i always use CTRL+Click

you should update your software because my 15.4 MBP does it. it was in an update in the last few months.

Donz0r · Sep 6, 2006, 10:45 PM

the 2-Finger Right Click method is awesome! I like it a lot more than actually having a right mouse button, It's hard to imagine, just use a macbook or mbp with this feature and you'll love it

Sep 5, 2006, 11:55 PM	#1
AnthonyKinyon macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2006	Apple Laptops / No Right-Click Hi all, I have really been wanting a Mac laptop since the Intel models came out, well even before that. One potential thing I don't like is the mouse. There is no right-click on the built-in buttons. I know you could plug-in a USB mouse and use that, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of having a laptop, especially when on-the-go? Other than that, I love the MacBook and MacBook Pro's I've seen and played around with. Any thoughts/comments/suggestions? Anyone have a realistic workaround?

Sep 5, 2006, 11:57 PM	#2
ITASOR macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Oneida, NY	You put 2 fingers on the trackpad and click at the same time. That equals a right click on the MacBook Pro and MacBooks. It works quite good, I really like it. __________________ Alumium MacBook 2.0Ghz C2D \| 2GB RAM \| 320GB HD \| Snow Leopard

Sep 6, 2006, 12:07 AM	#9
Chundles macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Gong, Australia	All MacBooks use the two-finger tap on the trackpad as the right click in Mac OSX. In Windows, the most current release of Boot Camp included a driver that makes clicking whilst holding down the right-hand command key equal to right-click. __________________ This is going straight to the Pool Room

Sep 6, 2006, 12:50 AM	#12
mduser63 macrumors 68030 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Salt Lake City, UT	There are also some little third party utilities for Windows that will enable the same behavior IIRC. Can't remember the name(s) now, but a Google search should turn up results. __________________ 20" 2.0 GHz iMac Core Duo, 1.5 GB RAM 12" 1.33 GHz Superdrive PowerBook G4, 768 MB RAM 2.0 GHz Black Core 2 Duo MacBook, 1 GB RAM

Sep 6, 2006, 01:04 AM	#13
mox358 macrumors regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: Indiana	This works on all Macbooks and MB Pro's, but you have to enable it in the System Preferences before it works. Similiar to tapping the trackpad for a click. __________________ "If this is your first night at Fight Club, you have to fight" Macbook 2ghz, 1.5GB RAM, 100GB HD 5G 60GB Video iPod 2G iPhone 4GB

Sep 6, 2006, 01:38 AM	#14
admanimal macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2005	Let's not forget the old reliable Control+Click which still works to achieve the same effect as a right-click. __________________ Macbook Pro 15" 2.66GHz, 4GB, 320GB 24" LED Cinema Display Macbook Air 1.6GHz, 2GB, 80GB iPhone 3GS 16GB (White) iPod Touch 8GB

Sep 6, 2006, 02:26 PM	#19
RichP macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Motor City	With the latest bootcamp, I believe FN+Click is a right-click in windows. At least it is on my machine! __________________ "My ultimate vocation in life is to be an irritant" – Elvis Costello

Sep 6, 2006, 10:45 PM	#21
Donz0r macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2006	the 2-Finger Right Click method is awesome! I like it a lot more than actually having a right mouse button, It's hard to imagine, just use a macbook or mbp with this feature and you'll love it

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