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

Switching from Magic Mouse to Magic Trackpad

-BigMac-

-BigMac-

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Apr 15, 2011
2,492
2,859
Melbourne, Australia
Hi Guys.

Can I get some of your opinions on this switch please?
I have the new Magic Mouse and was wondering for those of you who have made the switch, how was it changing to the Magic Trackpad 2?

Maybe what you like/dislike about the switch?

Thanks so much!
 
I switched years ago to Magic Trackpad and lately to Magic Trackpad 2. The trackpad is more comfortable to use on day-day basis. On the other hand the mouse is more precise for stuff like photo editing. I still prefer the trackpad though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iMi and -BigMac-
I had the Magic mouse pretty much from day 1 until late 2012 when I upgraded my iMac and got a trackpad. I prefer the trackpad - loved the mouse (unlike a lot of people round here), but the trackpad has more scope for gestures, works better on a cramped desk and I think the batteries last longer. Haven't used the force touch pad, but I haven't seen much on OS/X that would send me down force-touch route.
 
  • Like
Reactions: -BigMac-
I have both on my 27" 5K iMac. I previously had a MM2 and the iMac came with the Magic Trackpad2. Both are connected to my iMac, but I find myself using the trackpad more. Of course, the MM2 is right there, serving as a security blanked.

BTW, my biggest issue with the Magic Trackpad 2 and El Capitan was the apparent removal of the 3-finger drag gesture. Turns out that Apple moved it from the Trackpad preferences to the Accessibility/Trackpad preferences. Whew!
 
  • Like
Reactions: -BigMac-
Thanks so much for the replies guys! On a similar topic then, do you know if it's possible to 'trade in' a Magic Mouse for a Magic Trackpad? Maybe to get a store credit? I received the Magic Mouse with the iMac 5k..

Thanks so much :D
 
Trackpad is $50 extra when ordered with iMac. Mouse is free. Not sure if you can return just the mouse. It is best if you call them. I would be surprised if they give you any credit for accessory that gets free...
 
-BigMac- said:
Thanks so much for the replies guys! On a similar topic then, do you know if it's possible to 'trade in' a Magic Mouse for a Magic Trackpad? Maybe to get a store credit? I received the Magic Mouse with the iMac 5k..

Thanks so much :D
Click to expand...

Not normally.

Trackpad is a Build to Order option, available only when you order from Apple.com or over the phone from Apple. There's no mouse/trackpad option when you buy an iMac in a retail store (any retail store) - if you want a trackpad under those conditions, it's an additional purchase, not a swap-out option. But maybe a salesman might do it, as long as they could take the pristine, plastic-wrapped mouse out of the box. It's the kind of thing retailers might do to close a sale.

But would a retailer take a used mouse and give you a credit towards the purchase of a new trackpad? I have very strong doubts. What would the store do with a used mouse? It'd have to be tested, cleaned/sanitized, and repackaged before it could be given to another customer as a replacement part. They certainly don't sell refurbished mice. The clean-up/refurb process makes sense for an item worth hundreds or thousands of dollars... but most likely, a used mouse would just be sent to the recycler. What kind of credit, then, might a retailer offer?
 
ApfelKuchen said:
Not normally.

Trackpad is a Build to Order option, available only when you order from Apple.com or over the phone from Apple. There's no mouse/trackpad option when you buy an iMac in a retail store (any retail store) - if you want a trackpad under those conditions, it's an additional purchase, not a swap-out option. But maybe a salesman might do it, as long as they could take the pristine, plastic-wrapped mouse out of the box. It's the kind of thing retailers might do to close a sale.
Click to expand...

The issue with this from the retailer's POV is what to do with the mouse... there's no box, so there's no official "new" packaging for use with the resale... when packaged with the iMac, the mouse and keyboard are wrapped in plastic and placed in a cardboard "tray" type box together.
 
dwfaust said:
The issue with this from the retailer's POV is what to do with the mouse... there's no box, so there's no official "new" packaging for use with the resale... when packaged with the iMac, the mouse and keyboard are wrapped in plastic and placed in a cardboard "tray" type box together.
Click to expand...

Right. It's kind of a last-ditch thing. "OK, you don't want to pay for a mouse you're not going to use. Fine, we'll keep the mouse, and take $30 off the price of the trackpad. Deal?" The point I was really trying to make is that, if factory-wrapped, the store might consider taking it - every so often they need to replace demo units, or cover a "missing/broken out-of-box" situation. Once it's been used, forget about it!
 
Thanks heaps for the replies guys!

The Sales Assistant actually gave me credit for my magic mouse as i said I wasn't offered the Trackpad at point of sale, and knowing that there was a choice I would have taken the Trackpad.. bit shifty of me, but he let me trade it in for the Magic Trackpad 2.

This is why Apple is number one. Customer service and flexibility :apple:
 
  • Like
Reactions: AZhappyjack
I've used both versions of the Magic Trackpad as well as the Magic Mouse and defiantly prefer the trackpad. Its super comfortable and the force touch features are nice to have. Also I like the ability to have it wired as I have the 2011 Macbook Pro with the famous Bluetooth interference issues.
 
i used my macbook pro's track pad and hated it. i like a mouse even for a laptop i find a track pad the worst thing ever if u want do exact pointing and i find gestures to be a gimick and pointless
 
I have both. The mouse is in my desk drawer and the trackpad is on my desk. Once I started using the trackpad, it became my primary pointing device. Just so much easier to use and more natural use for the hand gestures.
 
I have both, but prefer the trackpad. Gesture control is the biggest advantages and I use it a lot.
 
I use both the magic trackpad 2 and the magic mouse. I have found a workflow for myself that involves both of them. And I love it that way, I get the best of both of them. For this reason I think you should consider trying to use both the magic mouse and the trackpad at the same time instead of looking at it as you have to use one and only one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: -BigMac-
I don't mean to hijack this thread by any means, but I'm curious if anyone here with both the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad happened to order both as a BTO when purchasing an iMac from Apple's site? And if so, did both of them come packaged inside the iMac box or did one of the peripherals ship separately?
 
Just curious, but how exactly do you folks use the Magic Trackpad? The angle just seems a little off to me and I feel like I'm straining my hand.
 
I just switched from the trackpad on my MacBook to the magic Mouse. For me, I wanted something different, and since my MacBook had the trackpad, the mouse was perfect. I actually like it a lot better! My only complaint is that there isn't a ton of surface area for gestures.
 
Harmonious Zen said:
Just curious, but how exactly do you folks use the Magic Trackpad? The angle just seems a little off to me and I feel like I'm straining my hand.
Click to expand...
I don't, I couldn't get used too it. I prefer a mouse and I never really connected with the trackpad.
 
When I switched to Mac in 2006, and after using mostly a mouse for the past 20 years I stopped using it and never looked back. Trackpad of any Mac and especially the Magic Trackpad is a far superior UI than any mouse. As for the comment of @Harmonious Zen yes, the Magic Trackpad needs an adjustment period because of its angle but it took me less than a couple of days to get adjusted. If you keep drifting back to using a mouse, the adjustment period will be longer.

I cringe to see people carrying and using a mouse with their MacBooks, totally missing the advantages (gestures) offered by the trackpad.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back