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Joemero

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 30, 2009
172
0
I want to start learning photoshop on my new mbp 15" and am looking for a good basic mouse for using photoshop. I tried the mighty mouse at the apple store and didn't like too much. Any suggestions? What's more reliable for ps work (optical, laser, bluetooth, wireless, wired?) I'm planning on getting a wacom tablet much further down the road as my skills get better. Just wanna a good mouse for now. Looking at maybe MS intellimouse, or logitech...suggestions?
 
Some people will recommend the Logitech MX Revolution it's a good choice. I however would also suggest looking at Microsoft products. I personally think they have the best most comfortable mice which is really nice when you use it 8 hours a day. So check out the Explorer Blue track mouse.
 
Logitech has a nice assortment of high quality precision mice. I use the MX 1100 and like it. I also have a small Microsoft Bluetooth for working away from my desk. And a Kensington wired mouse as a backup. Different people like different styles of pointing devices. My PhotoShop teacher used the edge of his thumb on the trackpad of his MBP. Some people like trackballs and others can't live without their Wacom tablets. Look around and see what you like. There is really no such thing as a PhotoShop Mouse. If there was, Adobe would sell it.

Dale
 
I'd save my money & go directly for the Wacom tablet - any model will be superior to a mouse for fine control in Photoshop. Once you have used a tablet you'll find a mouse frustrating & potentially limiting your skills growth. Also, mice aren't pressure sensitive, which can be a real plus to have depending on what you are doing in Photoshop.
 
What truth is there to blue tooth mice, not being very reliable??
 
What truth is there to blue tooth mice, not being very reliable??

I have no issue with my BlueTooth mouse, but I keep a set of batteries on a charger at all time. My RocketFish BlueTooth keyboard is something other than perfect. It chewed batteries and quit in 3 months.

Dale
 
I suggest a wireless mouse. Sensitivity isn't all that important, just so long as it doesn't jerk around a lot. I personally use a microsoft wireless optical mouse. Photoshop can make up for a lot of mistakes with a mouse. I also wouldn't suggest JUST getting a graphics tablet. I use photoshop 6 and I notice that tools such as Burn and Dodge are harder to use with a tablet (They appear softer when I use my mouse)

A tablet is a good idea though. It's much better for lineart and coloring and I don't even draw on paper anymore. They do take a little getting used to at first since the tablet face = the computer screen.

Remember another important thing about the mouse and how smooth it works is also how comfortable your grip is on it. Finally I suggest you get a mouse with a third button (Wheel in it) to navigate easier. A smooth mouse pad is also recommended. Hope this helps!
 
Thanks everybody for all the tips! My decision has boiled down to either a Logitech or Microsoft BT laser mouse. Please help me decide! I've read some posts where the MS has caused compatibility problems with a mac. I like the look and feel of the MS though, and they feel like they're a higher quality mouse too!
 
I'd save my money & go directly for the Wacom tablet - any model will be superior to a mouse for fine control in Photoshop. Once you have used a tablet you'll find a mouse frustrating & potentially limiting your skills growth. Also, mice aren't pressure sensitive, which can be a real plus to have depending on what you are doing in Photoshop.

These are words of wisdom -- heed them well! The Intuos A5 comes with a mouse as well as a pen out of the box. I use the mouse for your basic point and click and the pen for everything else.

Cheers

Jim
 
^^^ + Jim Campbell. The Wacom Intuos mouse that came with my tablet is programmable and I find it very comfortable. You can use the side buttons to page forward and backward. Also, don't be intimidated by the pen. I taught a 7 year old to use it in one session.
 
I realize the pen and tablet are very beneficial to apps like photoshop, but I wonder how useful it would be with dreamweaver?
 
I realize the pen and tablet are very beneficial to apps like photoshop, but I wonder how useful it would be with dreamweaver?

Well, not really much help at all, but seeing as you didn't chuffing mention Dreamweaver, you'll forgive us if the advice being offered wasn't Dreamweaver-specific.

So ... now that you've changed your mind about your requirements:

If you're going to do Photoshop work, then a tablet will be of inestimable benefit to you. If you pick the right Wacom Intuos, then you will also get a programmable mouse to go with it, and will get the best of both worlds.

If you spend good money on a third-party mouse now, and find a few months down the line that you need a tablet after all, then you'll probably have wasted the money on the mouse ...

Cheers

Jim
 
I realize the pen and tablet are very beneficial to apps like photoshop, but I wonder how useful it would be with dreamweaver?
I replaced my mouse w/a Wacom tablet when I started getting relatively consistent wrist pain a year or so ago and I've found the Wacom to be a better experience all round. Now I'd never consider going back to a mouse.


Lethal
 
Well, not really much help at all, but seeing as you didn't chuffing mention Dreamweaver, you'll forgive us if the advice being offered wasn't Dreamweaver-specific.

So ... now that you've changed your mind about your requirements:

If you're going to do Photoshop work, then a tablet will be of inestimable benefit to you. If you pick the right Wacom Intuos, then you will also get a programmable mouse to go with it, and will get the best of both worlds.

If you spend good money on a third-party mouse now, and find a few months down the line that you need a tablet after all, then you'll probably have wasted the money on the mouse ...

Cheers

Jim

Well geeez, didn't mean to strike a nerve there buddy :) You didn't expect me to turn on my MBP and use nothing but PS did you? It's all good, I appreciate the advice especially your point about using the mouse that comes with a Wacom tablet. I'm looking at the Intuos 4, now which size do you use? I'm debating between the medium and the large.
Thanks :D
 
... now which size do you use? I'm debating between the medium and the large.

I use an Intuos 3 medium - it's a great size for me. I move between my desk and meeting rooms quite a lot with it, and as it is a similar size to my 15" MBP it's easy to carry around. Personally I'd prefer a Cintiq, but it's not very portable.

If you don't want to fork out for a new Intuos 4, look around for a second hand Intuos 3 where the owner has upgraded.
 
I use dreamweaver every single day, and I don't even have a mouse plugged into my computer.

The Intuos is just as easy to use w/ DW as a mouse. In fact, I'd say that the Adobe app that is hardest to use a pen with is Illustrator, because of the precise placement of anchor points, etc.

Bonus Tip for Lefties: For illustrator, I used to have a cheap mouse plugged into my computer that I would use for "clicking". In other words, I would use the pen like normal in my left hand, but instead of pressing the button or tapping it to click, I would just click my mouse button with my right hand instead.
 
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