Using a tablet instead of a mouse

Discussion in 'Mac Basics and Help' started by messedkid, Jul 21, 2008.

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  1. messedkid, Jul 21, 2008

    messedkid macrumors 6502

    messedkid

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    #1
    Does anybody do it?

    I got a tablet + pen (Wacom Bamboo). I used it at my buddies house and it was alot of fun to edit photos with.

    Does anyone use a pen, instead of a mouse to do other things? ie. navigate normal day to day stuff on your computer? I tried, and it does take some time to get used to. Especially not having to drag anything (hovering the pen over the tablet is enough. pressing down simulates a CLICK). But it is pretty fun.

    Is it more productive?

    Just wanted other peoples thoughts. :)
     
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  2. cyclingplatypus, Jul 22, 2008

    cyclingplatypus macrumors 6502a

    cyclingplatypus

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    #2
    I tried it for a week, didn't seem to be any more productive but it was fun, in the end for me though it was easier to use the mouse everyday, but, I did find that my tablet usage went up since then, I use it quite a bit just not as the primary input device.
     
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  3. tsvb, Jul 22, 2008

    tsvb macrumors 6502

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    #3
    put me in the tried and didn't like it much group.
     
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  4. Insulin Junkie, Jul 22, 2008

    Insulin Junkie macrumors 65816

    Insulin Junkie

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    #4
    I used to use the mouse that came with my Wacom tablet sometimes, but usually only for the programs that I needed the tablet for anyway.
    Since I bought a mighty mouse I use that instead, now my Wacom mouse is lying around somewhere collecting dust.
     
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  5. agentphish, Jul 22, 2008

    agentphish macrumors 65816

    agentphish

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    #5
    My fiancee does it. She likes it. I can't stand it. Then again I don't like using the tablet for any of my design work. MIGHTY MOUSE all the way for me.

    I bought 3 of them on ebay for our 2 powerbooks and one G5.

    No new intel boxes for me yet...
     
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  6. chaosbunny, Jul 22, 2008

    chaosbunny macrumors 68000

    chaosbunny

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    #6
    I use my wacom intuos A4 tablet and its stylus for pretty much everything. Except for occasional gaming, I need a mouse for that (except strategy games). But the wacom mouse in enough for that.
     
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  7. munckee, Jul 22, 2008

    munckee macrumors 65816

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    #7
    I use a Wacom Intuos for everything. Have one at work and one at home. Editing photos is definitely nicer with it.
     
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  8. messedkid, Jul 22, 2008

    messedkid thread starter macrumors 6502

    messedkid

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    #8
    Nice input so far. :)


    I have the Bluetooth Might Mouse..and liked it until the clitball stopped working. It just stopped wanting to scroll down, so it would scroll right (if possible) instead.
    Got pretty frustrating during some World of Warcraft PVP, when you can only zoom in..and not out. You're eventually in first-person view trying to pull off a mangle + shred combo..with no success.

    It's been shelved since then.

    I then got a Razer Copperhead (for christmas) and loved it for gaming, but have since then had to do alot of travelling and carrying around a mousepad (not required, but meh, it helps) and mouse when I have a perfectly good trackpad. :)

    Stopped gaming since then..and just been trackpaddin' it up since then.


    Anyway..keep the opinions coming. Would love to hear/read more of 'em. :)

    So far the hovering the pen over the pad is somewhat frustrating at times. Never realized how much more effort it actually takes to keep it elevated for extended periods of time, over using a mouse where your hand just "rests" on it.
     
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  9. PDE, Aug 4, 2008

    PDE macrumors 68020

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    #9
    Because of repetitive stress, I alternate between different input devices: mighty mouse, Air0bic mouse, wacom tablet, Penclick mouse. Using the wacom pen is by far the most comfortable for me, even though it's a little slower and a little more awkward than the mighty mouse. For people with hand RSI issues, I would definitely recommend wacom, and for those who don't have problems, I'd recommend it even more so that they don't get problems.
     
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  10. munckee, Aug 4, 2008

    munckee macrumors 65816

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    #10
    One more thought:

    A lot of people try to switch by plugging in the tablet in addition to their mouse and sorta "swapping" between the two. Doesn't work, IMO. Only way to really, really get used to a tablet is to put the mouse away for a week or two. Once you get really comfortable with the tablet, you should be able to use the two interchangeably with no problems.
     
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