Using a mouse on a Mac is disappointing

I know exactly what you're talking about. Trackballs are great, though. But, my Logitech is pretty nice, the way the driver works is noticeably different when I'm using the mouse in plugnplay mode on a mac other than my own and a computer with Logitech Control Center installed. I just can't put my finger on how it's different. I like it a lot. It's a VX Nano for my 13" Macbook.

 

installing the mouse drivers sure helps. I am new to mac too and I found some mice suck and some are fine. but having the drivers installed helped quite a bit.

 

Nah, it's not a flaw, it's just different. Mac OS handles tracking differently than Windows since forever. Just because you don't like it doesn't make it a flaw.

 

you did play with the settings in the logitech app right? I have used three mice so far and one really sucked and two act just like in windows. but the sucky one was a pretty old wireless mouse and I don't know how it worked in windows.

 

How do you think graphics people do work on a Mac?

Mac tracking = more ACCURATE
PC tracking = faster, less precise

Just because you are used to something doesn't mean it's better. (For example, hitting start to shut down in windows)

 

Mousing in Windows, moving the mouse a certain distance will move the cursor a proportionate amount on the screen. On a Mac, how quickly you move the mouse affects how much it moves. The cursor moves less when you move slowly and more when you move quickly. This means that it's possible to achieve fine precision without a significant mousing surface just to get across the monitor.

It's not broken, just different. It definitely does take some getting used to, though. Personally, when I use Windows, the cursor feels clunky.

 

Yes, there is a difference between how windows and the Mac track. I've noticed it as well, personally I think that it is much more accurate on the Mac. Windows feels way too jumpy and not accurate IMO, although that is because I am so used to it. Although you could try this though, I've used it in the past for when I've worked on large monitors and it works well.

 

Joe wrote:
{{ THANK YOU, first of all for admitting that it is different, I'm tired of hearing people say, "I have no problems", etc.}}

Let me offer you a 180-degree perspective:

I've been a Mac user exclusively since 1987.

When I've tried using Windows, one of the first things I notice is that "the mouse doesn't work right." It seems all jumpy, rather than the smooth tracking I'm used to on the Mac.

So your sensibilities are correct - mouse tracking on the Mac DOES seem different than it does on the PC.

My guess is that you'll just have to grow comfortable with those differences. I'm guessing you can tweak things, as you've already done. But you probably can't get things to feel exactly the way they do on a Windows machine....

- John

 

Since I'm a Mac user ... anytime I have to use a Windows machine the way Windows handles mouse tracking is flawed.

 

I totally agree with the original poster, I hate the way OSX handles the mouse and it is NOT something I get used to. I've been using only macs for over 3 years now and it still annoys me. it's not nearly as fast and accurate as on pc.
I've tried installing drivers, changing the mouse speed and acceleration etc, nothing helps.
On the plus side I love the mac trackpads, so I use the trackpad on my mbp all the time now even when I have a mouse nearby.

 

I've always found my PC mouse to be choppy, or jumpy if you will. My mac mouse is always smooth in comparison. I use a cheap Microsoft wireless mouse (with a usb dongle) on my Mac. No drivers installed. It works the same as my Apple mouse.

 

The way Macs track the mouse is not a flaw. The way Windows tracks a mouse is not a flaw. Or maybe they both are flawed. "Flaw" is not a universally defined word, it's almost always a matter of preference.

No matter what you think has a flaw, someone is always going to disagree with you, and no one is right or wrong in the matter.

 

Of course it's not a flaw, it's just that microsoft and apple have a different view on how mouse acceleration should work and I happen to prefer the way microsoft does it.
In an ideal world there would be an easy setting in the mouse menu where you can switch between common mouse acceleration settings.

 

They are different for sure, but the Mac method is far more precise.

 

For graphic design the Mac mouse is far superior to a PC. Just my personal opinion.

 

Nah, Mac tracking is faster and more accurate, due to the almost instantaneous deceleration, and precise movements that can be had by moving slowly. Despite saying this, I still prefer Windows mouse movement, even though I believe Mac movement to be technically superior. Windows movement just seems more natural.

 

This is funny, because I've always been acutely aware of how different the default acceleration curve and tracking speed is on Windows vs the MacOS. The difference is that I HATED the old default Windows curve--drastically too twitchy for me to do anything functional in, and it made me cringe every second I sat in front of a Windows box.

The modern default XP/Vista acceleration curve seems to have been changed to the point it doesn't bother me nearly as much, but the first thing I do when I install LCC on the Mac is still screw with the tracking and acceleration speed until it feels right.

And I will agree that whatever your preference is, it's inefficient and annoying to use something even a little different. The trick is finding the optimal balance of speed vs. acceleration in the driver of your mouse.

I'll also agree that, depending on the DPI, many 3rd party mice are nearly unusable without drivers, because they're just too slow. Certainly I wouldn't wish my preferred mice, Logitech MX Revolution and 1000, on anyone without Logitech's drivers balancing the curve. Of course, Logitech's crappy drivers are a whole different matter, and they can't currently handle Expose stuff on 10.6 yet, either...