Mice recommendations for a graphic designer?

[JohnApples]

Hello! Over the summer I ended up buying a brand new Mac Mini 2014 mid-range model (got it for over $100 off!). I love it! Not only does it work wonderfully, but it actually somehow outperforms my $1000 PC when it comes to graphic designing! I almost exclusively do my work on my Mac Mini now.

That said, I now need a new mouse. A friend gave me his old Mighty Mouse to use, but it's just awful and doesn't register a click-and-hold more than half the time. I could just use my decent PC mouse, but obviously it's not very convenient to unplug and replug it back and forth between the machines. So my question is, which mice would you guys/gals recommend for me?

It doesn't have to be some full-fledged multi-hundred dollar mouse, but I also don't want to cheap out and buy something that will die within a year or two. I need something that's good with the Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, etc). I've searched online to see what other designers are using, but I get so many mixed results. Some say that Apple's own Magic Mouse/Trackpad are great, some say they are horrible. I'm just interested in what designers here on MacRumors are using!

Thanks!

 

[jmiddel]

The magic trackpad is great, the magic mouse not. For what you do, a mouse may give better control over very fine adjustments, I recommend you try the trackpad to see whether it works for you, I sure love mine. In the past I used Macally mice, my wife still uses hers and it works just fine, has a scroll wheel and is on the small side, which makes it more easily maneuverable.

 

[JohnApples]

The magic trackpad is great, the magic mouse not. For what you do, a mouse may give better control over very fine adjustments, I recommend you try the trackpad to see whether it works for you, I sure love mine. In the past I used Macally mice, my wife still uses hers and it works just fine, has a scroll wheel and is on the small side, which makes it more easily maneuverable.

Interesting. I have played around with the Trackpad at the Apple Store a few times, and it's definitely very cool. I wish there was a way to test it out with the Adobe Suite though. But you would not recommend the Magic Mouse?

I'll take a look into Macally mice, though I do have rather large hands and using small mice typically feels uncomfortable and cramps up my hand after a while. Thank you!

 

[jmiddel]

I do not recommend the magic mouse, I tried it and found it laggy and not vey precise, as opposed to the trackpad. I understand about having big hands, mine are small to medium for a guy, so the Macally mice would not work for you. I've heard good things about Logitech mice, I think they are bigger and also precise.

 

[SamuraiArtGuy]

That said, I now need a new mouse. A friend gave me his old Mighty Mouse to use, but it's just awful and doesn't register a click-and-hold more than half the time. I could just use my decent PC mouse, but obviously it's not very convenient to unplug and replug it back and forth between the machines. So my question is, which mice would you guys/gals recommend for me?

It doesn't have to be some full-fledged multi-hundred dollar mouse, but I also don't want to cheap out and buy something that will die within a year or two. I need something that's good with the Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, etc). I've searched online to see what other designers are using, but I get so many mixed results. Some say that Apple's own Magic Mouse/Trackpad are great, some say they are horrible. I'm just interested in what designers here on MacRumors are using!

Thanks!

I didn't care much for the Mighty Mouse or the Magic Mouse - have "man hands." But I do think the mid-range logitec mice are perfectly fine. Go with a wired one over wireless if you're on a budget.

However, I am MUCH faster and precise using the Magic Trackpad. But if you can set the scratch aside, for serious design work, I love love love my Wacom Graphics Tablet. I have a mid-size older Intuos model that I am very fond of. I am even faster and more precise with it and it's stylus than I am with the trackpad. I have both and use them in tandem.

 

[Merackon]

The trackpad will allow for much finer adjustment: non-moving platform and accepts minute input, however a mouse might have functions that are appealing to your user case: customisable buttons, high ergonomic ratings. I personally would go with the trackpad, purely because jerky hands can cause problems when I am doing inputs in PS and Revit

 

[Jim Campbell]

The trackpad will allow for much finer adjustment: non-moving platform and accepts minute input

I spend all day, every day working in Illustrator and I can't comprehend any circumstances where I would willingly use a trackpad over a mouse. I find trackpads maddeningly imprecise and a mouse superior in almost every respect. FWIW, I use a Magic Mouse without any kind of issue, but I may be an outlier where mouses are concerned, given that I seem to be the only person on Earth who really didn't hate the 'hockey puck' mouse.

 

[citizenzen]

... But I do think the mid-range logitec mice are perfectly fine. ...

This is my preference. I'm a 8am – 5pm, Monday thru Friday, professional mouse jockey, and I work with a Logitech M510. Besides being very modestly priced ($20–$30), it goes through far fewer batteries than Apple's Magic Mouse.

At home, just browsing the internet, I love my Apple trackpad. But for some reason it just doesn't perform well for me at work.

... I seem to be the only person on Earth who really didn't hate the 'hockey puck' mouse.

I don't hate the Magic Mouse ... but those things go through batteries at a much faster rate than Logitech's mice.

 

[SamuraiArtGuy]

At home, just browsing the internet, I love my Apple trackpad. But for some reason it just doesn't perform well for me at work...

The trackpad is tuned for Apples OS and Apps, so tends to be rather .. um... "broad" with gestures. Great for quick navigation, esp w multi-touch, but get down in Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesin... it's TOO broad and you skitter all over the place, the Wacom Tablet is WAY superior. I've got the tablet on the left (lefty) and the trackpad on the right.

 

[SamuraiArtGuy]

Interesting. I have played around with the Trackpad at the Apple Store a few times, and it's definitely very cool. I wish there was a way to test it out with the Adobe Suite though.

When you fall into an Apple Store, look around for the BIG iMac, Mac Pro, or Mac Book Pro - they are often set up with Adobe Apps. The more consumer aimed items will have iWorks items and stuff like Garage Band and iMovie...

 

[dacreativeguy]

I've always used the standard issue wired laser mice that come with Dell computers. Fits my hand well and using the scroll wheel doesn't give me carpal tunnel. Sometimes simple is better!

 

[definitive]

Currently using Logitech G402, and it's a nice upgrade from the previous MX518. Comes with native OSX drivers, and you can adjust some of the keys. There's also the slightly bigger G502 with a few more buttons, and a nicer scroll wheel (with sideways clicking). Lastly, the G602 is the wireless version of these two (no sideways wheel clicking). The other two Logitech mice are the MX series, which are also nice. These mice are mostly for right-handed users.

 

[960design]

Hello! Over the summer I ended up buying a brand new Mac Mini 2014 mid-range model (got it for over $100 off!). I love it! Not only does it work wonderfully, but it actually somehow outperforms my $1000 PC when it comes to graphic designing! I almost exclusively do my work on my Mac Mini now.

That said, I now need a new mouse. A friend gave me his old Mighty Mouse to use, but it's just awful and doesn't register a click-and-hold more than half the time. I could just use my decent PC mouse, but obviously it's not very convenient to unplug and replug it back and forth between the machines. So my question is, which mice would you guys/gals recommend for me?

It doesn't have to be some full-fledged multi-hundred dollar mouse, but I also don't want to cheap out and buy something that will die within a year or two. I need something that's good with the Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, etc). I've searched online to see what other designers are using, but I get so many mixed results. Some say that Apple's own Magic Mouse/Trackpad are great, some say they are horrible. I'm just interested in what designers here on MacRumors are using!

Thanks!

I use Intuos Pro Medium right now. About to purchase iPad Pro/Pencil to see if it improves workflow.

 

[JohnApples]

I just wanna say thanks to everyone who gave suggestions! I've wrote down each suggestion and have been going back and forth weighing the pros and cons of each one, haha.

I can only comment for the Magic Trackpad: when I use it all day, every day, my wrist feel pain. It's far from an ideal solution.

I briefly used the Magic Mouse, but for my big hands it was too small.

I used (long enough) a Logitech Bluetooth V470, but every time I went to move the mouse after some seconds of inactivity, the mouse needed some tenths of a second to react. It was driving me crazy (as a side note: I knew of the issue when I ordered the mouse, but I thought: Meh, *******, it will not be so bad.)

Therefore I would suggests the Razer Orochi (Bluetooth, as you requested). The mouse is incredibly accurate and has the possibility to be used wired as well.

The Orochi looks like it may be perfect for me! Having a wireless AND wired option is a huge plus. And I know Razer is high quality. My only question is, how comfortable is it? Again, I do have pretty big hands!

 

[Ant3000]

Having used and discarded several kinds of Apple mouse I am now pretty happy with a Logitech Performance MX. Not cheap, but nice controls and good feel. I have two of these and had one replaced under warranty as the scroll button went a bit weird - but good service form Logitech. Gave up on the Apple mouse as I was fed up with having to cut them open to clean out the mini scroll ball on the top every few months. Also, bluetooth on my Mac Pro was very intermittent - the Logitech dongle thing has been very reliable with no lag or drop-out. You can also charge while still using it.

Edit: I also have a Wacom tablet and a trackpad - they are all useful for different things. I did like the Apple Mighty Mouse but the fact the small scroll ball wasn't easy to clean without cutting the mouse open was a crazy design and after the third one failed (even after cleaning) the Logitech Performance MX has been a far better replacement.

 

[vitalion]

Hello! Over the summer I ended up buying a brand new Mac Mini 2014 mid-range model (got it for over $100 off!). I love it! Not only does it work wonderfully, but it actually somehow outperforms my $1000 PC when it comes to graphic designing! I almost exclusively do my work on my Mac Mini now.

That said, I now need a new mouse. A friend gave me his old Mighty Mouse to use, but it's just awful and doesn't register a click-and-hold more than half the time. I could just use my decent PC mouse, but obviously it's not very convenient to unplug and replug it back and forth between the machines. So my question is, which mice would you guys/gals recommend for me?

It doesn't have to be some full-fledged multi-hundred dollar mouse, but I also don't want to cheap out and buy something that will die within a year or two. I need something that's good with the Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, etc). I've searched online to see what other designers are using, but I get so many mixed results. Some say that Apple's own Magic Mouse/Trackpad are great, some say they are horrible. I'm just interested in what designers here on MacRumors are using!

Thanks!

Magic mouse does the trick for me. A good alternative is the Logitech Performance Mouse MX (90-100 USD)
But for any design stuff or photo editing go with Wacom Tablets. At the beginning I though that is a waste of space and money but after a short period of use is a must have tool. Especially if you are into photo editing / retouching or digital drawing! Intuos and Intuos Pro are very good models. occasionaly they do some kind of sale so you can get them cheaper with super fast delivery. I got no connection with the company its just my opinion btw You can find tons of reviews and videos online for both models.

 

[bhtwo]

I enjoy my single button apple clear mouse (white). Very smooth.

 

[Starfia]

I have to say, I settled on the Magic Mouse after going through several other wireless mice, including (I think) a lovely Logitech MX 1100 with so many wonderful buttons and a four-direction scroll wheel. I'd do a lot of video and Logic editing, so it was great to move around the timeline quickly while moving regions around and stuff. I also do some digital art stuff, but I do most of the drawing-related stuff with some kind of tablet.

Anyway, I ended up just buying a used Magic Mouse and I have to say it's my favourite overall. Simple, at least as easy to scroll around with while still working, and rechargeable. (And yay for the new, improved one.)

So… I'm going to say the Magic Mouse is a preference thing. It seems like some other people here don't prefer it, which I guess I can understand.

 

[hardy02]

I use gaming mice for design. The extra buttons on the thumb side can come in really useful when you set up macro shortcuts. Things like delete and pen tool are bound to my mouse so I don't have to move my left hand from the left side of the keyboard as often.
Currently using the Corsair M65, but I have a couple of friends who use the m95 foir design and that seems like it's great too!
I've also heard great things about logitech, but have no experience with those.
Good luck choosing one!

 

[heehee]

I still use a wired Magic Mouse, I prefer it so much to the Mighty Mouse I bought a few of it so when one dies, I'll just open up a new one without worrying where I can find another one.

I've used a Logitech performance MX mouse before and while I loved it on the Windows side, something seems off when used in OSX.

 

[Jon Rowlison]

I'd used mice on my PC but on the MacBook I got used to the multi-touch trackpad. When at my desk in clamshell mode, I picked up the Wacom USB pen and touch pad (works pretty much like the MBP trackpad and has an embedded pen that you can use.)

After using the small trackpad for a bit, I picked up a new Intuos Pro medium tablet... This thing is incredible. I can't imagine going back to drawing with a round-ish brick (mouse) anymore after using the touch and pen tablet. There are several sizes depending on your desk space and can be used either USB or wireless. I've found designing and editing much more natural on the Wacom tablet. In fact, I can't think of too many graphic designers that use only a mouse.

 

[phrehdd]

Everybody has something different that works for them. With that being said, this is what I found works for me -

Intuos (medium) plus a trackball (Kensington). The problem I find with use of a mouse is that your hand/wrist/arm have to at times travel too much. At first this might not bother some but serious long hours will tire one out. The Intuos is for serious detail and the trackball for gross (less detailed) work. I might also add that I am left handed and use mice, trackball etc. with my RIGHT hand and that leaves my left hand available for engaging a stylus with the Intuos.