Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

ProQuiz

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 15, 2009
320
143
Considering how good the trackpad is on MacBooks, I wanted to know how many of you use a mouse with your MacBook? Based on what I've seen/read, the trackpad is actually better than using a mouse (for daily usage and obviously not gaming).
 
  • Like
Reactions: orbital~debris
For work, I always use a keyboard and mouse and external monitor with my MBP 16 with M1 Pro. It's way easier to navigate and more comfortable to type on. I'm using Logitech MX Master 3S and a custom mechanical keyboard.
 
Never have used a meese with Mac laptops... since (Pismo plastic) PowerBook G3 and (silver metal) G4 15" days on up til MBP's of today.

I do use a mouse with the horrid Dell Latitudes at work!
 
Last edited:
I've never got on with trackpads. Despite them being pretty excellent in their own ways. Maybe if I persisted long enough?, but I've never found sufficient patience.

I use a Logitech Pebble which is neat enough to carry around. And a little bit of plywood as my mouse pad.

And use another of the same with my Mac mini.

Adding:

Realised I think I first used a mouse attached to an Apple (IIc?) display model in a local shop - which would have been around 1984. So coming up to forty years ago.

Adding a bit more:

I have my mouse set up with pretty high acceleration. Therefore, the actual horizontal distance I move it is not much more than two inches to get from left to right on a 27" screen at default resolution. When anyone else ever tries to use my mouse, they simply can't! But that makes it very different to people who prefer no or little acceleration.

Adding still more:

As it wouldn't be obvious to anyone not familiar with Pebbles, they are Bluetooth and USB. From my point of view, Bluetooth is essential to avoid having a USB dongle - both cluttering/using up a port and sticking out. Have previously had a USB dongle on a laptop and was always worried about it. I never use the USB option.
 
Last edited:
Was using an old Kensington trackball I've had since about 2007 until the left-click contact switch called it a day. Might get another, but I've been getting by just fine with the trackpad for a while now so maybe not..

Normal push around mice are horrible...RSI waiting to happen IMO.
 
I do with laptops that have tiny trackpads, like my awful work laptop, or when plugged into some monitors. But my Macbook trackpad is big enough that it's more than useable on its own, and it's hard to give up gestures
 
Considering how good the trackpad is on MacBooks, I wanted to know how many of you use a mouse with your MacBook? Based on what I've seen/read, the trackpad is actually better than using a mouse (for daily usage and obviously not gaming).
Never. MBP trackpad, Magic Trackpad in desktop mode, and trackball or Wacom tablet for precise image editing. Never, ever a mouse in this century.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AeroSatan
Any mouse recommendations for the MacBook Pro 14"? Is the Magic Mouse any good? Looking at its shape and profile, it seems it would be a bit uncomfortable to use?
 
I use the Black Magic Mouse when I use Logic or the Beatbuddy Manager. A couple commands are not available on the trackpad.
 
Trackpad exclusively, even for some graphics.
On my iPad Pro, I do use a mouse. External trackpads are pricey.
 
I used a mouse with my 2015 MacBook Pro most of the time unless it wasn't possible. I seldom use a mouse with the 2021 MacBook Pro unless I'm on a trip and I'm doing fine work and I will be at a place long enough to where it's worthwhile to set it up. The trackpad on the 16 is really great.
 
At home, my M1 MBA sits on a laptop stand and is connected to an external display, wired mouse and keyboard (and other peripherals) via a Thunderbolt dock; when I’m out and about, it‘s just the MacBook and an external wireless mouse.
 
I use both the trackpad and a Magic Mouse on my 16" M1 Max MBP particularly for CAD when working at a desk.
I do run at native resolution (5120x2880) on the 5K LG upper screen and 3456x2880 on the 16" screen so the icons (which are always as small as I can make them) are very small and require precision.
Some actions I only use the trackpad like swiping across workspaces (± 5 on 5K screen and ±15 on the lower 16" MBP screen). For others I use the mouse particularly where you need precise picking but use both for many actions.
When I go to site I generally only use the trackpad.
Black Magic Mouse is a little slow especially when the battery is below 50%. 16" MBP trackpad is wonderful, even for a Mac, especially for my workflow.
On my M1 13" MBA I only use the trackpad as it is mainly used for content consumption.
 
I use both the trackpad and a Magic Mouse on my 16" M1 Max MBP particularly for CAD when working at a desk.
I do run at native resolution (5120x2880) on the 5K LG upper screen and 3456x2880 on the 16" screen so the icons (which are always as small as I can make them) are very small and require precision.
Some actions I only use the trackpad like swiping across workspaces (± 5 on 5K screen and ±15 on the lower 16" MBP screen). For others I use the mouse particularly where you need precise picking but use both for many actions.
When I go to site I generally only use the trackpad.
Black Magic Mouse is a little slow especially when the battery is below 50%. 16" MBP trackpad is wonderful, even for a Mac, especially for my workflow.
On my M1 13" MBA I only use the trackpad as it is mainly used for content consumption.

I don't know a lot of people that do native resolution that but I run native on Dell Ultrasharp 4k 27 inch displays and sometimes run native on my MBP 16. More often 2624x1696 or 2992x1934. I am considering an external portable 4k 17.3 inch monitor so that I could run native on that and run my MacBook Pro at one of the built-in resolutions when on the road.
 
When programming I use an MX Master 3S for Mac as I find it easier to position elements on forms. At all other times, and always on my MB Air 15, I use the trackpad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tagbert
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.