Trackpad vs Mouse

[thedon1]

I've press much always used a mouse, both at work and at home. Some of the features that the trackpad gives, gestures, zooming etc, seem really useful and i'm considering getting one. I worry about losing the precision of the mouse though.

What reasons do you use the trackpad over the mouse, or vice versa?

 

[Thunderboltedge]

I personally believe they suit different type of activities.
I personally use the trackpad since I am not doing any precise activity with my mac, for browsing and moving around your machine all the gestures make the experience much more enjoyable.

If you have do work a lot with excel, or precise software rendering or modelling, I still believe mouse is preferable. It is really up to you what you do with the machine and what you need. For writing, mailing ect trackpad is the best.

 

[rgarjr]

I use both, the trackpad on the left side of keyboard, and mouse on the right side.

 

[Benjamin Frost]

Magic Trackpad, but I might get the mouse for my next iMac.

Just wish there was a wired one.

 

[ibarnett]

I was using both until I read:
https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT204895
3 fingers to drag & drop works well, so now using trackpad only.

 

[ardchoille50]

I use the Magic Trackpad, it just seems to provide more precision when I'm working with graphics.

 

[haruhiko]

I always liked the Trackpad since the release of the previous Magic Trackpad 1.

 

[Traverse]

Here a few existing threads on the topic of Magic Mouse vs Magic Trackpad, albeit for the older models.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/magic-mouse-vs-magic-trackpad-poll.1541802/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/magic-mouse-vs-magic-trackpad.1523366/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/magic-mouse-vs-magic-trackpad.1145550/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/magic-mouse-vs-magic-trackpad.1026740/

I am still surprised how much people love the trackpad. I bought one, but ultimately returned it because it was harder to quickly move around the screen and it hurt my wrist. I can rest my hand on or around the MM and just drag it around, but I had to hover my fingers above the trackpad or move my hand since I couldn't rest them on the device itself. It just wasn't at a good ergonomic level, but in this thread someone makes the argument that it's more ergonomic.

Magic Mouse + BetterTouchTool FTW!

 

[Traverse]

I personally believe they suit different type of activities.
I personally use the trackpad since I am not doing any precise activity with my mac, for browsing and moving around your machine all the gestures make the experience much more enjoyable.

If you have do work a lot with excel, or precise software rendering or modelling, I still believe mouse is preferable. It is really up to you what you do with the machine and what you need. For writing, mailing ect trackpad is the best.

I think this is key. I wouldn't mind having both: the MT to browse the web, utilize multitouch gestures (Launchpad & Mission Control), swipe between desktops, and zoom. The MM for precise text selection, graphics work, and excel work.

I work a lot with text and Excel. Clicking and dragging a mouse is infinitely faster and more precise at selecting text and cells or moving quickly to UI elements.

 

[scatter]

You should just go to your local apple store and try them both out. That's how I decided which one to get.

 

[takeshi74]

I am still surprised how much people love the trackpad.

Everyone is not the same. Is that really surprising?

 

[Traverse]

Everyone is not the same. Is that really surprising?

I said I was surprised at the number, not that people could like the trackpad.

 

[squirrrl]

I think this is key. I wouldn't mind having both: the MT to browse the web, utilize multitouch gestures (Launchpad & Mission Control), swipe between desktops, and zoom. The MM for precise text selection, graphics work, and excel work.

I work a lot with text and Excel. Clicking and dragging a mouse is infinitely faster and more precise at selecting text and cells or moving quickly to UI elements.

This.. I agree... maybe it's that I haven't had that much experience with a larger trackpad (though I have the rMB with force touch so I know what it can do) but I need a mouse for precision that I just can't get or am not used to with a trackpad.

In addition to excel, I also use illustrator to make and arrange figures and to label graphs for publications and it's just so much easier for me with a mouse. For web browsing and anything else that doesn't require precision, trackpad is the way to go.

 

[bootz]

I've press much always used a mouse, both at work and at home. Some of the features that the trackpad gives, gestures, zooming etc, seem really useful and i'm considering getting one. I worry about losing the precision of the mouse though.

What reasons do you use the trackpad over the mouse, or vice versa?

I only prefer using the trackpad built in to my mid-2012 rMBP. The positioning is perfect - I can access either the trackpad or keyboard without much motion. Using the Magic Trackpad just doesn't do it for me - if my pointing device is to the right of the keyboard, I prefer to use a mouse.

 

[iMas70]

I use the mouse most of the time and Trackpad for gestures. I find that my wrist gets tired if I just use the Trackpad.