Alessandra Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 Which do you prefer, a mouse or a trackpad? I have an old mouse (2008, I think, wired ), and it no longer works well, even after I clean it. So I need something new. I will probably go to an Apple store (hate holiday crowds), but I'd like to see what the Hive thinks.... http://www.apple.com/magicmouse/ http://www.apple.com/magictrackpad/ Thanks! Quote
DawnM Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 I love my trackpad on my MacBookPro. I would really like one for my iMac, but it came with a mouse for free, so I use that as I can't bring myself to spend $80 to replace something that already works decently. If someone offered me a free or cheap trackpad I would take it! Dawn Quote
Wendi Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 I use the built-in trackpad on my MBP. When I want to play certain games, I plug in a wireless optical mouse (Logitech brand). Quote
Wildcat Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 I use the built-in trackpad on my MBP. When I want to play certain games, I plug in a wireless optical mouse (Logitech brand). This. Except I just have a MacBook, not the MacBook Pro. In fact, when I have to use a mouse at all, it seems *so* foreign!! I totally love my trackpad! Quote
justLisa Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 That first one is what came with my new huge Mac Quote
justLisa Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 I forgot to add that if you get that mouse you might end up breaking a window with it Quote
Rhonda in TX Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 I also have a built-in trackpad on my Macbook. I like it, but it drives the rest of my family crazy. Of course, that means nobody really likes using my computer, which is a win for me. :) I find, though, that I'm using something like Homeschool Tracker, where I'm trying to do a lot of clicking in boxes, I plug in a mouse and use it. It can be much faster. Quote
Rhonda in TX Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 I forgot to add that if you get that mouse you might end up breaking a window with it Very true. We had that with our desktop and switched it out for a regular mouse. Quote
edelweiss Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 I have a MacBook Pro which has a built in trackpad. I use it when I'm sitting on the couch with my laptop (like now), but greatly prefer a mouse when I'm sitting at a table. However, this thread is making me question something. I've purchased two MacBook Pros for my daughters for Christmas. I had planned to buy them each a mouse, but now I'm wondering if they'll just prefer the trackpad???? Quote
PeterPan Posted December 4, 2012 Posted December 4, 2012 Which do you prefer, a mouse or a trackpad? I have an old mouse (2008, I think, wired ), and it no longer works well, even after I clean it. So I need something new. I will probably go to an Apple store (hate holiday crowds), but I'd like to see what the Hive thinks.... http://www.apple.com/magicmouse/ http://www.apple.com/magictrackpad/ Thanks! You mean with an imac or a laptop? I don't know if you know this, but the new mice and trackpads are pettable. (My word, not theirs, haha.) You can use system preferences and put in all kinds of pettable functions. two fingers this, swipe that, corner to do this or that. You're going to LOVE the step up. I use the trackpad, and frankly I can't fathom going back to a regular mouse. I think though most of the functions you can do with it you can do on the magic mouse. Just pet them and see which you prefer I guess. :) Quote
Alessandra Posted December 5, 2012 Author Posted December 5, 2012 Oh, I should have said -- this is for an iMac. I see both the mouse and the trackpad cost the same -- $69. We have a Macbook Pro and I love the trackpad, especially for scrolling. But you all gave me an idea -- I should try the Macbook Pro with apps that I normally use on my iMac only, like Excel; and also with apps that want me to check boxes. The old mouse I am using now is driving me nuts, jumping around like a, well, mouse. My local Apple store is in a giant shopping center, and I am hoping to decide without going there. Thanks for the replies. I will keep checking this thread -- the more opinions the better. Quote
nukeswife Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 We have the magic mouse that came with our iMac as well as the bluetooth trackpad and use both of them equally. My kids use the iMac most (it is their's after all) and say for some things the trackpad is better and for others the mouse. It's pretty 50/50. I have no mouse for my MBP and have no issues with the trackpad on it. Now my dh's dell trackpad and trackball type mouse are a whole other story, but I think it's mostly because I'm totally buying into the Apple KoolAid :p Quote
GailV Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 You mean with an imac or a laptop? I don't know if you know this, but the new mice and trackpads are pettable. (My word, not theirs, haha.) You can use system preferences and put in all kinds of pettable functions. two fingers this, swipe that, corner to do this or that. You're going to LOVE the step up. I use the trackpad, and frankly I can't fathom going back to a regular mouse. I think though most of the functions you can do with it you can do on the magic mouse. Just pet them and see which you prefer I guess. :) Whoa, I didn't know that about system preferences! We switched to trackpad because pretty much everything else we have is touchscreen, so it seems more consistent. Quote
kalanamak Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 I'll give up my mouse when they peel my dead cold fingers off of it. (Or they stop making them.) Quote
Mama Geek Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 I love the trackpad on my MBP. A mouse now drives me nuts. Only problem is that dd hit it with something and it cracked. Still works, but it will probably need replaced eventually. Quote
PeterPan Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 Whoa, I didn't know that about system preferences! We switched to trackpad because pretty much everything else we have is touchscreen, so it seems more consistent. Oh yeah, definitely check it out! Go to the apple in the upper left, click System Preferences, look in Hardware, and you'll see Trackpad. Click that, and it will actually show you with a video every single option as you scroll through them. If you uncheck or change something, the video changes to show you how it will now function. Since the trackpad and mouse are now the same price, get the trackpad. BTW, I use rechargeable AA batteries in my trackpad. Quote
plain jane Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 I posted the same question a few weeks ago because I couldn't decide which to get with my new iMac. I went with the Magic Mouse didn't love it like I thought I would. I ended up returning the iMac to get the 2012 release and will definitely be getting the trackpad this time. Quote
misty.warden Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 You can use system preferences and put in all kinds of pettable functions. two fingers this, swipe that, corner to do this or that. You're going to LOVE the step up. I use the trackpad, and frankly I can't fathom going back to a regular mouse. I think though most of the functions you can do with it you can do on the magic mouse. Just pet them and see which you prefer I guess. :) All of this, plus you can get a pad for under the trackpad that charges the batteries so you don't have to have two sets and swap them out. Quote
mom2att Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 I have them both and like them both--trackpad on my MacBook and magic mouse on the iMac. I have no problems going back and forth between the two. Quote
Alessandra Posted December 5, 2012 Author Posted December 5, 2012 I posted the same question a few weeks ago because I couldn't decide which to get with my new iMac. I went with the Magic Mouse didn't love it like I thought I would. I ended up returning the iMac to get the 2012 release and will definitely be getting the trackpad this time. I know what you mean. After using macbook & iPad, I feel my fingers eager to swipe, etc. All of this, plus you can get a pad for under the trackpad that charges the batteries so you don't have to have two sets and swap them out. What a good idea! Quote
PeterPan Posted December 5, 2012 Posted December 5, 2012 All of this, plus you can get a pad for under the trackpad that charges the batteries so you don't have to have two sets and swap them out. I hadn't heard of that, hmm! I use eneloops, and they only take an hour or two to charge anyway. I usually take it as a sign I need a board break and go walk or clean or something. Then when I come back, they're ready. Or I still from another device where we have them, lol. (wiimotes!) Quote
Alessandra Posted December 15, 2012 Author Posted December 15, 2012 UPDATE Dd and I decided to go to the Apple store. We got the track pad and I am so happy not to be dragging a mouse around. Thank you, everyone, for your help. Only downside, lol, is that I saw the new iPhone and the iPad Mini -- fell in love with both of them. Quote
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