I am planning on buying a new iMac in the next month once the new ones are out (my first ever Mac). I was wondering which "mouse" option people on here recommend - the Magic Mouse or the Magic Trackpad. I am trying to determine if it is worth spending the extra money to add the Magic Trackpad to my purchase. Thanks!
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Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad
- Thread starter jdalbert
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I certianly am buying the trackpad, I dislike the mouse so I am going to leave it in the iMac box.
I own a 2007 Macbook Pro, and although I also have a mouse, I have gotten used to the trackpad. I could not picture myself without a trackpad again, so I bought the Magic Trackpad and I'm loving the way it works.
Of course the Magic Trackpad makes my laptop's trackpad feel like dredging through a swamp now in comparison.
The real benefit of the trackpad is the gestures, and although the Magic Mouse can do gestures as well, it's not very securely positioned and much smaller for 4-5 finger gestures or sideways swipes and whatnot. I also like to use 2-finger swipes to move around in a big picture (when the scrollbars are present both horizontally and vertically) such as in Photoshop. It is also nice you don't have to move the Trackpad like you do with a mouse, it just keeps stationary. However, I suppose it is a bit more annoying for precise clicks. Actually, I'm not so sure. Perhaps I just suck with precise clicks at times. Anywayyy, I'm loving the Trackpad, and soon I will also be testing the Magic Mouse with my new iMac, so I suppose I can provide a better comparison.
Of course the Magic Trackpad makes my laptop's trackpad feel like dredging through a swamp now in comparison.
The real benefit of the trackpad is the gestures, and although the Magic Mouse can do gestures as well, it's not very securely positioned and much smaller for 4-5 finger gestures or sideways swipes and whatnot. I also like to use 2-finger swipes to move around in a big picture (when the scrollbars are present both horizontally and vertically) such as in Photoshop. It is also nice you don't have to move the Trackpad like you do with a mouse, it just keeps stationary. However, I suppose it is a bit more annoying for precise clicks. Actually, I'm not so sure. Perhaps I just suck with precise clicks at times. Anywayyy, I'm loving the Trackpad, and soon I will also be testing the Magic Mouse with my new iMac, so I suppose I can provide a better comparison.
I sold my Magic Mouse (really liked it) for the Trackpad (love it).
Yeah, I think it is worth it.
Yeah, I think it is worth it.
IMO the Magic Mouse is too low to be used comfortably. Sometimes I will have to slide my fingers down a second time before it registers as a page scroll down. I got very disappointed and hooked up with my PC's Logitech MX1100 leaving the Magic Mouse in cold storage.
After some time I decided to take a leap of faith and purchased a Magic Trackpad (I hated trackpads on laptop) after a couple of days I retired my Logitech mouse and have since been using the Magic Trackpad for day to day stuffs.
Now, one of the reasons why I wouldn't go back to PC is the Magic Trackpad, the multi touch gestures is incredible and so intuitive. It redefines the desktop experience.
Give the Magic Trackpad a try, you won't regret it
After some time I decided to take a leap of faith and purchased a Magic Trackpad (I hated trackpads on laptop) after a couple of days I retired my Logitech mouse and have since been using the Magic Trackpad for day to day stuffs.
Now, one of the reasons why I wouldn't go back to PC is the Magic Trackpad, the multi touch gestures is incredible and so intuitive. It redefines the desktop experience.
Give the Magic Trackpad a try, you won't regret it
Maybe the magic trackpad now can be an even swap out instead of an extra purchase. The mighty mouse, magic mouse sucks and I haven't used an Apple mouse since the early 90s. Ever since the 1998 hockey put, Apple mice suck more than ever. I prefer my 1992 mouse to the current one.
I have been on a MBP for years now with the trackpad and I really think i will take the jump with my new iMac and buy the trackpad with it. I think it will just feel right after all these non mouse years.
I really wish they would offer a choice between the Magic Mouse or the Trackpad instead of having to take the mouse by default and buy the trackpad separately.
From the sounds of it, it seems there are only good things to be said about the Magic Trackpad. I don't know a whole lot about the different gestures you can use with it but it sounds fairly intriguing. For those who have both, are you able to connect both to the iMac at the same time and use both (sort of like plugging a USB mouse into a Windows laptop and being able to use the mouse and trackpad at the same time)?
They both use Bluetooth so I don't see why not.
As for the gestures, you can download BetterTouchTools, this will allow you to add a whole lot of gestures to use with the trackpad, as well as the magic mouse. These gestures range from 2-3-4 finger taps, swipes, bunny hopping, corner taps, to even gestures like drawing a triangle and whatnot.
Yup, both can be used together. I did for a while when i first got the trackpad, but now have turned the mouse off and don't use it anymore. Which was somewhat surprising to me, since on a normal laptop i hate the trackpads and usually connect a USB mouse - but the size of the touch area, the fact i can position it wherever i want on my desk, and the gestures really do make it great to use.
David
I say use both. I've got my Magic Trackpad on the left, wireless keyboard in the middle, and my Magic Mouse on the right. I love them both. I wouldn't enjoy using the trackpad as a mouse, it lacks the precision although it is pretty good.
The apple magic mouse is functionally very disappointing, being an awkward size and more physically straining than other (admittedly less beautiful) mice. Additionally, right clicking actually requires that you lift your finger off the 'left' button, which at best is counter-intuitive and at worst (depending on the condition of your hand) damaging. Ergonomically it's a death-trap. It really is a shining example of Apple preferring form over usability or function. I wouldn't recommend using one for lengthy periods of time unless by some chance you happen to have the perfect hand size for it.
If you spend a lot of time on your computer, get a real mouse or use the touchpad. You will thank yourself twenty years from now.
If you spend a lot of time on your computer, get a real mouse or use the touchpad. You will thank yourself twenty years from now.
Is there any way to control Expose from the trackpad?
I am still on a Mighty Mouse because of buttons 4 and 5, which control Expose for me.
I am still on a Mighty Mouse because of buttons 4 and 5, which control Expose for me.
Right click is just tapping with two fingers. Left click with one finger. No idea what a middle click is or does...
David
I haven't found a way to 'middle click' with the magic mouse, but it hasn't been a big deal for me because I use the hot corners to compensate for it.