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A way to make the mouse pointer feel like Windows?

N

no0nefamous

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 11, 2021
237
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As a lifelong Windows user, I'm struggling to get used to my new iMac because of the mouse pointer. I can't stand Apple's acceleration and how it constantly slows down. Is there any quick fix for this to make the mouse pointer behave like it would in Windows?

I'm also struggling with the Magic Mouse. I thought mine was defective until I tried store models and realized they're the same - they don't seem precise at all.

I've already increased the tracking speed as high as possible.
 
Hi,

I'm an Apple user for more than 2 decades , so I'm not sure what you refer to as "the Windows feel".
Nevertheless I hope to answer your concerns.

Although running a Mac OS I've never used an Apple mouse (never could get used to it).
Some quality mouses come with a software package to tweak and adjust the mouse preferences.

For the last 6 years I'm using a Razer Abyssus mouse for example and I'm very happy with it.
Razer offers software to download .

TLDR: I'd try a 3rd party "normal" mouse with software package for Mac OS to set your preferences.
 
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steve217 said:
Way back at the dawn of this thread, before it drifted in various discussions, @no0nefamous, we floated the idea of the base MM for video editing.

The $589 basic model is back in the refurbished store if you're still interested.
Click to expand...

KeesMacPro said:
Hi,

I'm an Apple user for more than 2 decades , so I'm not sure what you refer to as "the Windows feel".
Nevertheless I hope to answer your concerns.
Click to expand...
The best I can describe it is: in Windows, if you, say, snap the mouse pointer somewhere fast and then slow down to hit your target, it maintains the same sensitivity and feels natural. In macOS, doing the same motion will also cause the sensitivity to lower. The result is the pointer slows down and stops before reaching what felt like it's natural stopping point.

frou said:
Yep MacOS has a very heavy mouse acceleration curve.

I use the application SteerMouse to disable acceleration completely (among other things) but apparently it doesn't support Magic Mouse. There are also smaller (some free) applications e.g. https://www.plentycom.jp/en/cursorsense/index.html and https://linearmouse.org, and several others I've seen over the years.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll give these a shot.
 
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I had the same issues with the Magic Mouse, the pointer movement just didn't feel right. I believe that you can force the pointer acceleration to a higher value than the dialog slider by using the terminal. I fuddled along using "default write -g com.apple.scaling 8.0" for a while.

Then I hooked up a $25 Logitech mouse and the difference was night-and-day...movement felt right and not like the device was fighting me constantly. The Magic Mouse just seems slow to react and has poor precision, the asking price makes its lame performance even more offensive. You did the right thing by ditching it for a different device.
 
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no0nefamous said:
Okay so it was literally just the Magic Mouse. I connected a basic Logitech mouse and it more or less feels like what I'm used to.

The Magic Mouse kinda sucks, tbh.
Click to expand...
I am also a Windows convert (used Windows since Windows 3.1) and I bought a Magic Mouse to go with the new Mac. I returned it, it is garbage. If you want a good mouse for Mac get the Logitech MX Master 3. The end.
 
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Best combination I found was just a cheap regular mouse with a scroll wheel, plus the magic trackpad. I really just cannot live without a trackpad. I am too used to using gestures, including three finger drag, which is an accessibility option but IMO is a such game changer it should be on by default. If I was forced to lose one or the other, the mouse would be first to hit the trashcan.
 
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MajorFubar said:
including three finger drag, which is an accessibility option but IMO is a such game changer it should be on by default.
Click to expand...
Huh? I looked in accessibility but can't find a way to enable this. Could you please give more details?

Edit: Found it. Very cool, I didn't know about it. And yes, it should be default.

Turn on three finger drag for your Mac trackpad - Apple Support

The ability to drag items using a three-finger gesture is an option for trackpads that support Force Touch.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
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@DrCC both that and tap to click IMO should be on by default. They transform using the trackpad, IMO. With those two options on it's very very rare I find myself reaching for the mouse in preference.
 
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I found a little problem with the 3 finger drag enabled, I can't use Mission Control and Expose with 3 fingers anymore, it defaults to 4 fingers instead. So there is a compromise.
I like 3 finger gestures for Mission Control so I guess I'll give up on the 3 finger drag.
 
Okay, so using a Logitech mouse made moving the mouse pointer feel "correct", but I have a follow up question:

Is there any way to disable the scroll wheel acceleration? If you move the wheel slowly, it barely scrolls at all. If you move it fast, it scrolls as it should. I absolutely cannot stand this and any time I scroll slowly it feels like the computer is lagging.
 
DrCC said:
I found a little problem with the 3 finger drag enabled, I can't use Mission Control and Expose with 3 fingers anymore, it defaults to 4 fingers instead. So there is a compromise.
I like 3 finger gestures for Mission Control so I guess I'll give up on the 3 finger drag.
Click to expand...
It's all about what you get used to. I can't go back from using three finger drag, it's too much of a game changer for my workflows. Using a pinch between three fingers and a thumb to bring up my apps instead of three fingers (or two fingers and a thumb) needs just a change in muscle memory which I adjusted to within one day. But of course, you do you.
 
no0nefamous said:
Okay so it was literally just the Magic Mouse. I connected a basic Logitech mouse and it more or less feels like what I'm used to.

The Magic Mouse kinda sucks, tbh.
Click to expand...
Yep, my first piece of advice would be: ditch the Magic Mouse. I use a Logitech gaming mouse with my Mac.
 
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no0nefamous said:
The best I can describe it is: in Windows, if you, say, snap the mouse pointer somewhere fast and then slow down to hit your target, it maintains the same sensitivity and feels natural. In macOS, doing the same motion will also cause the sensitivity to lower. The result is the pointer slows down and stops before reaching what felt like it's natural stopping point.
Click to expand...
It feels natural because you’re used to it. I find the mouse to feel more precise on Mac because I’m used to it

I think you can probably just use it and get used to it. Quit fiddling with it and stick with something
 
maxoakland said:
It feels natural because you’re used to it. I find the mouse to feel more precise on Mac because I’m used to it

I think you can probably just use it and get used to it. Quit fiddling with it and stick with something
Click to expand...

It was actually just the Magic Mouse and not how macOS handles the pointer movement.
 
This software saved me from returning my MX3 for Mac. It solves Logitech's Options+ software compatibility issues with Monterey. Hopefully they'll bring us an update that allows users to disable mouse acceleration. That "feature" kills all precision and accuracy when it comes not only to creative work, but to day to day tasks.

LinearMouse | The mouse and trackpad utility for Mac.

Customize mouse and trackpad's scrolling direction, pointer acceleration, pointer speed and so on...
linearmouse.org linearmouse.org

Here are my settings:
Just DISABLE Liniar Scrolling in the first Tab and you're good to go.
 

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Hacktivator said:
This software saved me from returning my MX3 for Mac. It solves Logitech's Options+ software compatibility issues with Monterey. Hopefully they'll bring us an update that allows users to disable mouse acceleration. That "feature" kills all precision and accuracy when it comes not only to creative work, but to day to day tasks.

LinearMouse | The mouse and trackpad utility for Mac.

Customize mouse and trackpad's scrolling direction, pointer acceleration, pointer speed and so on...
linearmouse.org linearmouse.org

Here are my settings:
Just DISABLE Liniar Scrolling in the first Tab and you're good to go.
Click to expand...
It doesn’t kill my precision or accuracy. I think it’s more about what you’re used to than anything else. It’s good that you can disable it with that driver
 
nebojsak said:
Sort of. I'm also Apple user for two decades, but never got along 100% with MM. I do miss its fast and 360° scroll, but its precision sucks.
Click to expand...
It’s interesting that Windows laptop had issues with their trackpad, while Mac users had issues with Apple’s mouse. You can’t get best from both worlds :)
 
Magic Mouse is absolutely terrible. Tried to get used to it more than once and have returned it each time. Easily the most inaccurate and unintuitive mouse pointer I’ve ever had the displeasure of using. No amount of tweaking could ever get rid of the feeling that I was chasing a runaway pointer around the screen rather than doing the pointing myself. Made me feel like I was left handed and using the wrong arm. Magic Trackpad was the answer for me.

TLDR; Worst mouse on the planet.
 
Last edited:
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Isamilis said:
It’s interesting that Windows laptop had issues with their trackpad, while Mac users had issues with Apple’s mouse. You can’t get best from both worlds :)
Click to expand...

I have a Magic Mouse and I like it a lot. The only thing I think is wrong with it is the ergonomics, which are bad
 
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