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Guys why is the mouse control so so bad?

S

Sonlc

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 29, 2022
4
1
I've been trying for about 8 months now to get to grips with this. Just about every app and terminal command I've came across. I've used multiple mice, both bluetooth and wired and it's the same across the board. Basically mouse movement just feels like the cursor is on ice. It's not precise and it's a headache to control. If I switch over to windows and use the same mouse, it's precise and perfect.

Everyone talks about this being a case of disabling mouse acceleration but all that does is make things slower whilst retaining the same effect.

Surely this isn't just how it is?
 
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Don't get me wrong, trackpad movement is perfect but there's no way I'd ever want to swap a mouse for that.
 
I've been using various versions of Apple's mice since 2005 (both wired and Bluetooth) with Macs with zero issues. I'm honestly not sure what you're talking about. To me it's no different than on Windows. What mouse are you using?
 
If you decrease or disable acceleration then you're generally also going to want to increase speed to compensate.

In my experience it's definitely possible to get mouse movement that feels similar or identical to Windows by using SteerMouse/CursorSense and some customisation of their settings. FWIW I always use generic USB mice and so never install some driver package from a manufacturer.
 
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Just my experience: Windows and Mac mouse control is not the same -- depends on what you are doing at the time.
I have been using a mouse on a Mac since 1992 (when a Mac mouse was just a cursor control with a single button).
Mouse use on a Mac has not always been a wonderful experience for me.
But, I don't experience what you describe (cursor on ice). I don't use any third-party apps or utilities, and simply make the "Tracking Speed" the 3rd or 4th click from "Slow". If that is too slow, make it one more click to the right.
It's not Windows - feels different, but if you make the tracking speed too high, you will get that "nervous" response.

Just a tip that I use as a tech (might help you - might not). Mouse control means (to me) a reliable/repeatable tracking surface. I don't necessarily mean a mouse pad, but simply a surface that I know will give a stable response. When I set up a new Mac, and there is a poor surface (translucent - one of those cheap white work tables is the worst - or even a glass table! I think I have seen them all) I just grab a clean sheet of copy paper, makes a responsive work surface for almost any mouse.
I do occasional work with SteerMouse. You don't really end up with a mouse that "feels" exactly like a mouse on Windows. Some would say that is a Good Thing™ :cool:
 
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I never experienced this issue but I use a Logitech wired mouse where I can set the DPI through G Hub. I can set it to be super slow or super fast (like the cursor is on ice like the OP said). So, maybe upgrading the mouse will yield dividends.
 
Here's a recent thread asking how to make the mouse behave more like Windows:
forums.macrumors.com

A way to make the mouse pointer feel like Windows?

As a lifelong Windows user, I'm struggling to get used to my new iMac because of the mouse pointer. I can't stand Apple's acceleration and how it constantly slows down. Is there any quick fix for this to make the mouse pointer behave like it would in Windows? I'm also struggling with the Magic...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com

It has several suggestions for apps that let you tailor mouse behavior.
 
usagora said:
I've been using various versions of Apple's mice since 2005 (both wired and Bluetooth) with Macs with zero issues. I'm honestly not sure what you're talking about. To me it's no different than on Windows. What mouse are you using?
Click to expand...
It's on various mice, two different Logitech mice (including the MX Master), a Razor mouse and a generic no brand one. All seem to have the same issue.

It's really hard to describe the experience but the best way I can put it across is if I trace out a figure 8 on the screen using the cursor, you can just feel the lag/delay in it as if it's sort of on ice.

I have a windows laptop connected to the same monitor and if I switch over to that using the same mouse its just instant with no issue at all.

chown33 said:
Here's a recent thread asking how to make the mouse behave more like Windows:
forums.macrumors.com

A way to make the mouse pointer feel like Windows?

As a lifelong Windows user, I'm struggling to get used to my new iMac because of the mouse pointer. I can't stand Apple's acceleration and how it constantly slows down. Is there any quick fix for this to make the mouse pointer behave like it would in Windows? I'm also struggling with the Magic...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com

It has several suggestions for apps that let you tailor mouse behavior.
Click to expand...
Thanks, but I've tried all those apps. The guy in that thread seems to have had an issue with the Magic Mouse specifically and believes his issue was resolved by switching to a different mouse.

I'd wager if he used his new mouse on a windows machine he'd soon realise his problem still exists.
 
Sonlc said:
I've been trying for about 8 months now to get to grips with this. Just about every app and terminal command I've came across. I've used multiple mice, both bluetooth and wired and it's the same across the board. Basically mouse movement just feels like the cursor is on ice. It's not precise and it's a headache to control. If I switch over to windows and use the same mouse, it's precise and perfect.

Everyone talks about this being a case of disabling mouse acceleration but all that does is make things slower whilst retaining the same effect.

Surely this isn't just how it is?
Click to expand...
I think it’s you. I don’t have any issues with the mouse. Maybe you need too stop changing everything and just stick with someone so you can get used to it
 
The only other thing that comes to mind is interference with the mouse's wireless signal (Bluetooth or otherwise).

A wifi router can cause Bluetooth interference. Proximity and transmit power are the main factors. How far away is each piece of your equipment from one another?
 
Sonlc said:
the best way I can put it across is if I trace out a figure 8 on the screen using the cursor, you can just feel the lag/delay in it as if it's sort of on ice.
Click to expand...

I just tried that and still have no idea what you're talking about, sorry. But it might just be that some people are more sensitive to this than others.

Have been using Macs since 1985 and never experienced anything like this. I have also used CAD and graphics software heavily for many years and never had any complaints about mouse response. Am running Windows 10 in a virtual machine for some GIS software (for making maps) and no problems there. I used a "real" Windows PC for that until two years ago and never really noticed a difference between the way a mouse feels on the PC or Mac.

Now, I'm using wired USB mice, so if you're using bluetooth that could be an issue. Got a Magic Mouse a couple years ago and never learned to like it. Put it on my media server where it doesn't get much use. After using a lot of different mice, my favorite is a cheap $15 Targus laptop mouse that I got at the drugstore. :)
 
Shy question to the OP:
Do you have a high-res (i.e. 4K) screen attached to your Mac via HDMI1.x port?
(There is a huge lag of a couple of ms then, not Mac or macOS related but fundamentally unavoidable, feels like
what you described).
 
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Man, I felt the same way as someone who was a semi-professional FPS gamer in Windows for a decade. I know what precise mouse control is, and MacOS does not have it by default. I literally could not use MacOS if it wasn't for Cursorsense.

CursorSense

plentycom.jp plentycom.jp

This is the ONLY thing that let me truly disable mouse acceleration and had it feel just as precise as windows. I absolutely love MacOS but the built in cursor control is just awful compared to windows. Cursorsense is the first thing I install on every new Mac, and I would pay $1000 for it if neccessary.
 
Probably you are using a 4k screen over HDMI which is limiting you to 30 Hz. You can confirm by checking the Refresh Rate in the Displays control panel. Switch to a DisplayPort connection or HDMI 2.0.
 
Peter0 said:
Probably you are using a 4k screen over HDMI which is limiting you to 30 Hz. You can confirm by checking the Refresh Rate in the Displays control panel. Switch to a DisplayPort connection or HDMI 2.0.
Click to expand...
Nope. Even on a 1080p resolution there is that lag with HDMI1.x (and 30Hz is totally unusable!)
Connect one screen to a display port, a second one to HDMI. Move mouse cursor on both to see the difference.
Even harsher: Move a window up/down when it covers both screens. Pudding on HDMI, nearly no lag on DP.
And even better (and the solution here in my office): When you convert HDMI to DP and connect two screens, both are lawlessly driven by the GPU.
 
I'm using the MX Master 3 with my MacBook Pro from 2018. I must say, it's not so good when I use bluetooth, but it's perfect if I use the USB connector. With bluetooth it can be jittery and sluggish if my mouse is not right next to the laptop.
 
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MauiPa said:
Mouse? Haven't used one of those antiques since I discovered the trackpad. I do see people using them, must be a choice thing
Click to expand...
Just checked the CursorSense tool on M1 and a 2011 MBP.
Works (wonders) for trackpads, too.
And I see what the OP meant, but have to admit it must be muscle memory training that made me not notice the "slippery feel" with cursor movement that macOS, OS X and MacOS had since ages. ;-)
 
Larsvonhier said:
Just checked the CursorSense tool on M1 and a 2011 MBP.
Works (wonders) for trackpads, too.
And I see what the OP meant, but have to admit it must be muscle memory training that made me not notice the "slippery feel" with cursor movement that macOS, OS X and MacOS had since ages. ;-)
Click to expand...
I tweaked my trackpad to the way I like it in settings, works awesome, no complaints at all
 
I also recommend reinstalling macOS. If it were a hardware issue, I think you'd be having problems with all bluetooth devices.
 
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