Um, why are we still using mouses?

[LiesForTheLiars]

Working with artwork and professional image editing with just a trackpad would make me jam forks into my eyes. An accurate mouse or an art tablet are still worlds better than a trackpad. That will never be a viable replacement. Sometimes just a pad and pencil are an option, but yeah. <.<

 

[motoleo]

I think you'd be right. It's not that mouses need to be reinvented, we just need better mouses.

What's the best mouse? Something, classic, plain black, and not too small.

 

[wordoflife]

Just because your mouse is a POS it doesn't mean all others are.

 

[EmbraceTheOne]

I only use a mouse when I'm playing a game. Such as Runescape, or Minecraft. Using a trackpad is a nightmare when a game rely's on constant clicking. I'm gonna look into the Mobile Mouse app.

 

[chrono1081]

Only a mouse for me. I don't want to ever have to select vertices in Maya with a touch pad

 

[Stella]

I don't find track pads particularly comfortable. A mouse is more precise and easier, i.e., copy and paste. This applies a hundred fold for games....

A few times I've given the remote iApp mouse a look, they seem quite interesting.

 

[motoleo]

I do want a top of the line mouse, I was going to maybe buy this:

But then I saw this:

-

I could use my iPhone for a good while though. I'll see if I get tired of it or not.

 

[VulchR]

I don't use a mouse...

 

[motoleo]

^ That's just plain ugly.

Let's look at some mouses...

Don't want the pattern. Or the side button.

Wrong.

Don't like the shape.

Why the silver?

Not dark enough. Hate the logo.

I am not pleased.

I will never use HP.

Kind of cool. But the blue ruins it.

This isn't real is it? I mean. Ugh.

I really like this one, but unfortunately- it's just tooo smaaallll!

 

[VulchR]

^ Ugh.

That the ugliest...mouse I've ever seen.

It looks like it was dropped in some radioactive waste.

It's a track ball. Because the ball is bigger than that of a mouse, it's a little easier to make fine movements than a mouse. Plus it has a stationary position on the desk. takes up very little space, doesn't collect crud for the surface of the desk so there is no need for a mouse mat or constant cleaning. Scoff if you wish, it is a very effective pointing device...

The next pointing devices will be based on measuring the user's eye movements.

 

[SuperCachetes]

Um, why are we still using mouses?

Um, I am still using mouses mostly because of the CADs and the BIMs...

 

[motoleo]

The next pointing devices will be based on measuring the user's eye movements.

I like this plan. I'm looking forward to this.

For now, however, I find this mouse to be the most aesthetically pleasing.

The Nexus Silent Click Mouse.

I'm just scared to buy it because- well, it's silent click, so will I be loosing the clicky feeling?

It's almost just right. No frills. No outlandish logos. No eccentrics. Very classy.

 

[JAT]

Then I tried using my iPhone as a wireless mouse. It works better than any mouse I've ever owned in my life.

This is because the trackpads on Win laptops have always, almost universally, sucked ass. The Apple ones, and the Magic Trackpad, are so much better as to be a completely different product that deserves a different name to differentiate in people's minds. I would be using a Trackpad at work if there were decent WinXP drivers for it. As it is, I use a Kensington Expert Mouse, which is a trackball.

 

[lordofthereef]

To the OP... 90% of your gripes seem to be aesthetics. Do you want the thing to be pretty, or functional? The razer lachesis mouse that you asked if it was real or not is fantastic for MMOs, especially PVP. It is not designed to be a web browsing mouse (although it feels great in the hand and can be used for that, but for JUST that task I would say you are overpaying - a bit like buying a convertible in a climate that gets hundreds of inches of rain per year). Tell you what. Let's PVP sometime. You play with your 3 button mouse, and I will play with my 18 button mouse. We will see who does better. You can even pick the game!

 

[boss.king]

I tried the mouse-replacement apps and came running back to a mouse pretty quickly. I'm just too used to having a mouse, so taking it away cripples me. Wacom tablets are pretty cool, they can replace my mouse.

 

[eljanitor]

I used to use a Microsoft Wireless Mouse 3500. It was small, it made an annoying clicking noise- why put up with that?

I couldn't find anything acceptable to replace it. I just wanted a plain black mouse. No frilly colors or designs.

Then I tried using my iPhone as a wireless mouse. It works better than any mouse I've ever owned in my life. And then the thought came to me. Why am I using an old fashioned mouse when the iPhone is so much better? It's feels so natural. It not only replaces the mouse, it also replaces the track pad. The precision is crazy! I can navigate around Windows 7 like never before.

You get all sorts of multitouch gestures- it's actually the best mouse I've ever owned.

It's effortless. It's one less thing I need to carry. It almost makes me feel like I'm using a touchscreen laptop.

And what's more- what mouse can play music???

Not everybody can afford an iPhone that ranges from $199.00 with a service plan to $699.00 outright.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=pcat17410&type=page&qp=cabcat0800000~~cpcmcat209400050001~~q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031~~nf953||4170706c65&list=y&nrp=15&sc=phoneOfficeSP&sp=-bestsellingsort+skuid&usc=abcat0800000&removeLinkFacet=Carrier%24Contract+Options&remove_facetId=1004&ref=30&loc=KW-1951&s_kwcid=TC|8065|iPhone||S|e|8508031215

But you could get an Apple Magic mouse or Magic Trackpad for $69.00 that offer all those gestures as well if you really didn't want to buy an iPhone. If you were on a budget like most people are.

 

[Apple OC]

Also, the iPhone is flat, so when you're scrolling, it kind of feels like your touching the webpage, which I like.

When will we be able to do away with the mouse for good?

Image

try using Photoshop or Illustrator without a mouse ... your question of "why are we still using mice"? will be answered ... you don't need a mouse to surf the web

 

[lordofthereef]

try using Photoshop or Illustrator without a mouse ... your question of "why are we still using mice"? will be answered ... you don't need a mouse to surf the web

Don't most people who are very serious with either program use one of those wacom tablets? I don't know... that's why i ask.

 

[motoleo]

This is because the trackpads on Win laptops have always, almost universally, sucked ass. The Apple ones, and the Magic Trackpad, are so much better as to be a completely different product that deserves a different name to differentiate in people's minds. I would be using a Trackpad at work if there were decent WinXP drivers for it. As it is, I use a Kensington Expert Mouse, which is a trackball.

I do believe that the Magic Mouse is the mouse I've been searching for. I mean, just look at it.

It's the best mouse I've ever seen. Guess I'll be adding that to my list of reasons I should just get a Mac. (That list is getting long.)

I tried the mouse-replacement apps and came running back to a mouse pretty quickly. I'm just too used to having a mouse, so taking it away cripples me. Wacom tablets are pretty cool, they can replace my mouse.

That's what happened to me. I wanted to go a week, but I could only go for a few hours. The problem with the iPhone as a mouse is that your fingers have to do too much work. So, yes, I need a mouse.

You could get an Apple Magic mouse or Magic Trackpad for $69.00 that offer all those gestures as well if you really didn't want to buy an iPhone. If you were on a budget like most people are.

Will we ever see a day when your phone is also your mouse? Not a mouse, but a tool that is connected with your laptop? It would be perfect harmony, phone, laptop, tablet interconnected. Probably not.

 

[lordofthereef]

I do believe that the Magic Mouse is the mouse I've been searching for. I mean, just look at it.
.

Again, what are you basing this on? I am not saying you are wrong in thinking the magic mouse is the best thing since sliced bread (I would disagree with you, but these things are largely preference), but it sounds like you are just browsing the net for pictures of mice.

 

[Bobby Corwen]

You mad I use MobileMouse on my iPhone to control my 130 inch projector?

So essentially I am using my phone to control the desktop on my wall...

Use trackpad + Lion for web browsing and most things.

Magic mouse for using things like Logic Pro or Final Cut. (sometimes you can use both the mouse to move and the track pad for zooming, timeline navigation)

For FPS gaming I plug in a Razor HD USB mouse.

Different tools for different scenarios.

I only use Mobile Mouse if people are over to show off though...

 

[JAT]

Will we ever see a day when your phone is also your mouse? Not a mouse, but a tool that is connected with your laptop? It would be perfect harmony, phone, laptop, tablet interconnected. Probably not.

Too much use goes into a phone. You don't want to keep it with your computer 100% of the time. And despite the thought that "my phone is always with me", it will become inconvenient.

 

[motoleo]

Too much use goes into a phone. You don't want to keep it with your computer 100% of the time. And despite the thought that "my phone is always with me", it will become inconvenient.

You have a point. Although, I do always have my iPhone with me. It can't take over to be a mouse. I mean, what if you're doing something else with it, like Facetiming or taking a picture, or watching a video, or even entering information? Or, heck, talking to somebody? Now that I think about it, the very thought of an iPhone, or any phone, as a mouse as one of it's main purposes is ridiculous.

I take back everything I said.

Again, what are you basing this on? I am not saying you are wrong in thinking the magic mouse is the best thing since sliced bread (I would disagree with you, but these things are largely preference), but it sounds like you are just browsing the net for pictures of mice.

You're right. I have no experience with the Magic Mouse. It does look like something I would use though. It is a little flat don't you think?

But I would guess that it's what I'm looking for, I'm getting tired of Window's mice.

 

[JAT]

I suppose a $200 Touch would be similar if you REALLY like that software. That could be dedicated to it. Pricey, though.

 

[lordofthereef]

You're right. I have no experience with the Magic Mouse. It does look like something I would use though. It is a little flat don't you think?

But I would guess that it's what I'm looking for, I'm getting tired of Window's mice.

Honestly, it is the most uncomfortable and impractical mouse I have ever used (well, that's a lie, I have used worse, but there are tons of very inexpensive mice that I find to be better). I liked Apple's older mice better too, and I didn't really like those a whole lot either. BUT (and this is a HUGE BUT) if you are not gaming, using CAD programs, etc. you will likely be equally happy with a track pad (and it sounds like you already pretty much are).