MacMost Now 775: Mouse Or Trackpad?

When you buy a new iMac you will need to choose between the Magic Mouse and the Magic Trackpad. Which one is better? While it is somewhat a matter of personal preference, the trackpad has several advantages over the mouse that you may want to consider before making your decision.

Comments: 28 Responses to “MacMost Now 775: Mouse Or Trackpad?”

    Suhas
    11 years ago

    Gary.....love what you have done to help others with Apple products. I always hated Apple computers mainly because of their high price, but the first time I used the trackpad on MacBook Pro it made me switch. Now I have MacBook Pro and getting iMac as soon as new one comes out.

    The reason I'm commenting is that if you have used a software called Jitouch, please please try it out. It makes the using Trackpad way more better. I'm surprised its not that popular in the Apple community. Please check it out and maybe do a video on it.

      11 years ago

      I actually did a video on Jitouch a long time ago, when the Magic Mouse first came out. I think that some people like to have lots of custom gestures, but for most the few basic ones are enough.

      Robert
      11 years ago

      Very similar to my experience as I recently switched from PC about 5 months ago. I hesitated buying a trackpad for my iMac but would never go back (to PC or magic mouse)

    J Ryan
    11 years ago

    For me, it's the magic mouse. I can even use it for gaming whereas a trackpad is just not practical for that. A trackpad would make more sense for a compact device however.

    I use a magic mouse with my 2010 iMac along with Better Touch Tool to add a gesture to open/close notification centre and one to bring up launchpad. I don't need any more gestures than the ones I currently have.

    Kika Wai'Alae
    11 years ago

    I have a magic mouse that I use while reclining on my easy chair watching eyetv on my iMac etc. I use both the track pad but mostly my corded mouse while at my desk. I like the portability of the track pad and magic mouse so thumbs up on both of them.

    T Kearney
    11 years ago

    For me it's the trackpad. It takes some getting used to, but after awhile its second nature. It also mirrors some gestures from the iPhone and iPad.

    My PC died January 1, 2012 and I knew I wanted to get an iMac. I couldn’t decide on the magic mouse or the trackpad. After asking around, the majority of my friends told me to get the trackpad. I’m glad I did!

    James
    11 years ago

    Thanks Gary I prefer magic trackpad over mouse anyday.
    One thing though you mentioned you cannot hold it in the hand but you can. I noted in your system preferences that you do not have tap turned on (first pane) just turn it on and tap is the same as a click so no need to physically click.

    Also my 7 year old daughter showed me how to click and drag things without using two hands (as I do) by clicking and then holding enough pressure to keep it clicked while you drag the selection wherever.

      11 years ago

      Oh, good point! I hadn't thought about using the tap setting for that purpose. Thanks.

    Tom
    11 years ago

    My iMac came with the magic mouse which I found to work fine, but as soon as the trackpad came out I bought one. love the trackpad but keep the mouse nearby for working on things that are critical so that I don't click on something I will regret. I find the trackpad tap is too sensitive, I wish they would make the sensitivity adjustable. I know I could always turn it off but it works for most things just fine.
    Friends tell me that the trackpad on Macbooks is not as sensitive, is this true Gary?
    Thanks for all the videos you give us, they are extremely helpful for us PC converts.

      11 years ago

      Well, I suppose because the Magic Trackpad is physically larger, that it has to be more sensitive. Even if the per-inch sensitivity is the same, a larger area wins.

    Phil
    11 years ago

    The TrackPad rules! When I have to revert to using Mice on Windows machines, I find them so retro and awkward...

    Robert Dente
    11 years ago

    I like to draw with a mouse because I like the somewhat primitive mouse response; so how is drawing accomplished in an application like Corel Painter, for example—other than using a A Wacom tablet?

    Simon
    11 years ago
    Douglas
    11 years ago

    Gary, have had a Trackpad for about a year now and will not go back. Won't go back to a mouse again.

    Tony
    11 years ago

    Chose the track pad when I got my newest Mac two years ago. Difficult to learn at first particularly when I was editing single words and such in documents. Now I would not be without it. Makes a big difference when I switch back and forth between using trackpad on Macbook and desktop computer. Same basic operations.

    Christian
    11 years ago

    I really love my Trackpad! Most of my Friends say "I hate the touchpad of my Notebook, so I even there need a mouse" - No need to say that these are all NOT MacBook users. If they try my Trackpad they say: "Such a Trackpad would be great when build into me notebook!"
    What is the conclusion: Apple make the best Trackpads!

    John A. Chen
    11 years ago

    Another distinguished benefit of using a trackpad is that it allows me to write Chinese or other Asian language characters for input.

    utah62
    11 years ago

    Thanks for this video. What about editing? i Use iMovie a lot and wonder if a tp is easier to work with than the mm?

      11 years ago

      I think so. But it is probably a subjective judgement.

    David
    11 years ago

    I got both. Use mouse 90% of the time; use them both in Aperture depending on what I'm doing. I use mouse to drag and drop because I can't coordinate that on my trackpad as easily. Trackpad can also launch LaunchPad with the 4-finger pinch, which I use a lot. So both are sitting on my (large) desk, side by side.

    Side note: both of these devices turn off when you turn off your machine. If you keep your machine on, say for long backups, your mouse/trackpad also stay on, and so you may want to turn them off to save battery life if you are leaving your machine on for long periods of time.

    James
    11 years ago

    I left a note but it is not here?
    I just wanted to say you can use magic trackpad in your hand
    Just turn on tap in preferences so tapping is like clicking then you can single or double tap or two finger tap and do most things

      Simon
      11 years ago

      Does the trackpad incorporated into a macbook have exactly the same functionality as the magic trackpad ?

        11 years ago

        Basically, yes. The Magic Trackpad is larger than the one on the MacBook, giving you finer control. And older MacBooks lack the multitouch functionality (several years old at this point).

    Simon
    11 years ago

    I was going to say I guess a Magic Mouse is more portable than a Magic Trackpad, and therefore probably best for older macbooks which lack multitouch functionality.

    I guess if finances would allow buy both, and then you have the best of both worlds for whatever or wherever you maybe using them

    Eric
    11 years ago

    The trackpad really enables you to get the most out of your Mac. Today's operating system is designed with gestures in mind; if you use a mouse, it's sort of like buying a Ferrari... with automatic drive, and driving it around your block at 30 MPH.

    joe
    11 years ago

    its not totally true that you cant use the trackpad holding in your hand, you can acitivate in the options that you can just tap the trackpad surface too.

    Greg
    11 years ago

    One thing to keep in mind, you can't use the trackpad for video games if you play any on your mac. Although the magic mouse is pretty useless for gaming as well. I'd recommend the trackpad and buying a mouse not made by apple if you need it.
    I've never been able to stand the apple mouse of any generation. I find a mouse to be more precise and quicker than a trackpad with two physical buttons. The current mouse feels less precise than the trackpad, and you don't get as many gestures.

    Doug Harter
    11 years ago

    Gary Im new to the mac world and like you said..I wasn't sure which I would use the most....so I got them both and although I use the mouse MOSTLY I am learning to use the trackpad and liking it more daily...thanks

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