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Am I screwed if I hate trackpads?
- Thread starter amazingdm
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No reason you couldn't use a 3rd party mouse. Unless civilization decides trackpads are the way to go.
It's not like Apple makes usable input devices anyways. That's what USB, Logitech and Microsoft are for. My Microsoft keyboard and Logitech mouse work great with my Macbook.
Regular laptop trackpads do not equal Apple trackpads. 
Two-finger scrolling for the win.. As a matter of fact, multi-touch gestures for the win!
Two-finger scrolling for the win.. As a matter of fact, multi-touch gestures for the win!
Regular laptop trackpads do not equal Apple trackpads.
Two-finger scrolling for the win.. As a matter of fact, multi-touch gestures for the win!
With mouse, I can scroll using just one finger. You guys waste a lot of energy using trackpads.
I just wanted to add a couple of points:
1. Give it a chance before you decide. I hated touchpads, and it took me a little bit to get used to the multi-touch, but now I absolutely LOVE it. I'm so used to using it now and it makes my web browsing (and other tasks) really fast.
2. If you decide you just can't stand it (or even if you just don't prefer it), you can still get a mouse to use with the Mac as others have pointed out.
1. Give it a chance before you decide. I hated touchpads, and it took me a little bit to get used to the multi-touch, but now I absolutely LOVE it. I'm so used to using it now and it makes my web browsing (and other tasks) really fast.
2. If you decide you just can't stand it (or even if you just don't prefer it), you can still get a mouse to use with the Mac as others have pointed out.
Regular laptop trackpads do not equal Apple trackpads.
Two-finger scrolling for the win.. As a matter of fact, multi-touch gestures for the win!
two finger scrolling is like meth, once you use it, your hooked for life
Because you can move the mouse to move the cursor, but the trackpad needs a way to distinguish cursor movement (one finger) from scrolling (two fingers).
I love the MBP trackpad. When I use my HP notebook I am like "What the heck, I have to click one of these 2 buttons and no gestures!!!! omg! "
"Trackpads are the future.
If you haven't used a MacBook's trackpad, youre missing out seriously. Mac trackpads are NOTHING like the trackpads on PC laptops. I've fallen in love with my Mac's trackpad to the point that I prefer it over a mouse.
Try that on a PC, and it's impossible.
Mac trackpads rock. PC trackpads suck.
If you haven't used a MacBook's trackpad, youre missing out seriously. Mac trackpads are NOTHING like the trackpads on PC laptops. I've fallen in love with my Mac's trackpad to the point that I prefer it over a mouse.
Try that on a PC, and it's impossible.
Mac trackpads rock. PC trackpads suck.
"Trackpads are the future"
I certainly hope not.
Try using a trackpad for precision editing of either digital images or working within a digital audio app. There is no way that a fingertip can compare to the precision of a good mouse pointer where "pixel-to-pixel" requirements are involved.
That said, I will confess that I, too, am "trackpad/trackball-phobic". I've always just struggled with them, while with a good mouse (I said a "good" mouse, not an Apple one!) I just zip along.
I did buy one of the new MacBook Pros, and find that the multi-touch trackpads actually approach being usable (grin). For extended use when the laptop is on a flat surface, however, I'll _still_ use a mouse of some sort. But they are getting a bit better at it.
Now don't get me started on Apple keyboards, either....
I certainly hope not.
Try using a trackpad for precision editing of either digital images or working within a digital audio app. There is no way that a fingertip can compare to the precision of a good mouse pointer where "pixel-to-pixel" requirements are involved.
That said, I will confess that I, too, am "trackpad/trackball-phobic". I've always just struggled with them, while with a good mouse (I said a "good" mouse, not an Apple one!) I just zip along.
I did buy one of the new MacBook Pros, and find that the multi-touch trackpads actually approach being usable (grin). For extended use when the laptop is on a flat surface, however, I'll _still_ use a mouse of some sort. But they are getting a bit better at it.
Now don't get me started on Apple keyboards, either....
Using my Logitech mouse, I can run circles around any trackpad user. A mouse is simply faster and more accurate. I doubt mice are going to disappear from the peripheral landscape anytime soon, and certainly not in favor of trackpads. While many may prefer trackpads, but there are still millions of mouse users who won't switch.
Speed and accuracy of pointer movement, right-click menus, drag and drop, text selection, etc. Pretty much anything that's done on a trackpad can be done significantly faster and with more precision, using a mouse.
Well, what do you guys suggest as I replacement for the Trackpad? A Trackball? TrackPoint?
If you never used a MacBook Trackpad, have yourself a getaway to the Apple Store and try it. If you tried it and don't like it, then don't use it. You are free to carry a mouse around.
Until you don't come up with something different, wait until OCZ makes you free of any movement of anything. I don't really like the idea of having my brainwaves hooked up to an internet-connected Windows PC myself, but if you don't like trackpads, there you go.
If you never used a MacBook Trackpad, have yourself a getaway to the Apple Store and try it. If you tried it and don't like it, then don't use it. You are free to carry a mouse around.
Until you don't come up with something different, wait until OCZ makes you free of any movement of anything. I don't really like the idea of having my brainwaves hooked up to an internet-connected Windows PC myself, but if you don't like trackpads, there you go.
Wow, and here I thought I was the only one who didn't like trackpads, even if they are magical and revolutionary. I like big mice with lots of buttons. I like being able to program those buttons to do things with one click.
Thankfully, you can get some good mice (I love Logitech) and good software like Steermouse and be ok.
Thankfully, you can get some good mice (I love Logitech) and good software like Steermouse and be ok.
Yeah, they are nothing like PC trackpads. They suck a bit less.
Two-fingered scrolling, and even more importantly, two-fingered tap clicking make the trackpad hugely more usable when you don't have any other options, but when you have a desk, a mouse will always work far better.
Amen, man. My Logitch laser mouse is so much better than any trackpad can be.
Agreed.
I wouldn't say they're the future, because I think they lack the precision that gaming and photo editing call for. However compared to most multi touch trackpads in Windows environments, OS X(don't forget that OS X is optimized to operate with the trackpad as opposed to XP/7) + trackpad is a force to be reckoned with. Combined with something like Quicksilver, I've become much quicker than I ever was with a trackpoint or mouse on my previous laptops. I don't even count Apple's gimmicky gestures. Simple two finger right clicks and inertial scrolling without keeping my right hand far from the home row is godsend. Taking your hand off the home row to move your mouse or its scroll bar can take more time than moving two fingers a shorter distance.
I think the uproar is coming from people who never really used the MacBook's trackpad and think Apple is trying to force their touch interface on everyone. Fact of the matter is MacBooks have been doing this successfully long before the iPhone/iPod Touch got popular. If anything, the MacBook's trackpad probably influenced the navigation experience on the iPhone. I'm just surprised it took Apple this long to offer it for their desktop experience.
But everyone should really give their MacBook's trackpad a chance. It's pretty awesome, and is one of the operating system's better selling points.