Alternatives to mouse?

[Dr Huge Longjohns]

Anyone use a trackball or anything instead of a mouse? Recommendations/thoughts? Cheers.

[G-Doubleyou]

I Run my MBP in clamshell mode, and I like the magic trackpad.

Easy on the hand and wrist.

[chris...]

Hate trackballs, love trackpads.

(completely different).

Some discussion (also including meece) here.

[BJG145]

I find trackballs even more uncomfortable than mice. The one on Missile Command was cr*p and they went downhill from there.



I'm waiting for eye-tracking.

[Wease]

I'm waiting for eye-tracking.

Then you'll be interested in This guys work ......it's pretty impressive

[ziggy73]

Sometimes, and depending on the functions i need, i use a wacom tablet with a pen - especially when creating a sound in a softsynth or using guitar amp simulations, i.e. when playing an actual keyboard or a guitar at the same time.

Actually i find it easier than using a mouse - you just click and drag in the same movement, no clicks involved, seems less fatiguing than grabbing the mouse.

Cheers

[Wimek]

+1 for the track pad on my MBP retina

[Exalted Wombat]

I;ve tried them all (well, most of them) and keep coming back to a mouse. It needs to be a responsive, hand-sized one though. I've yet to find anything better than the standard Microsoft Optical Mouse (it works fine on a Mac too). And most wireless mice are a solution that lacks a problem.

[oktafish]

I really like Wacom Tablet option, pretty accurate and kinda less "virtual".

[blue manga]

prefer trackpad to mouse but prefer Bamboo tablet to trackpad .. I have both on the desktop (no mouse, cant b doing with that) - but use the Bamboo tablet 99% of the time.. definitely easier on the wrist and tendons etc

[blue manga]

however I'll tell u a funny story which isn't that funny and not really a story..

I've got very dry hands at the moment what with the weather and all - and I find the gripping of the pencil, is not congenial to having very dry skin on the knuckles, so have temporarily switched back to track pad.

that is all.

[blue manga]

still wouldn't use a mouse tho

[daedalus]

I control my Mac telekinetically. But this forum keeps opening up in Safari. Guess my subconscious likes to take over.

[muzines]

I use a tablet/pen on the left, trackpad in the middle, mouse on the right.

I can use whatever makes the most sense for the given task, and can alternate between my left and right hands as necessary.

[RoastBiff in The UK.]

Yes, I've tried them all too and I still prefer a mouse, it's far more accurate while I'm dragging the arrow around the screen than rubbing my (sometimes) sweaty finger all over a Track Pad.
I must add that I don't use a LapTop with my Logic Pro in my music room, and I suppose that plugging a mouse into the LapTop would defeat the portability of it!
The Wi Fi mice are a bummer though, batteries run out far too frequently and unpredictably, so I still connect my mouse with a USB lead.

[Exalted Wombat]

I must add that I don't use a LapTop with my Logic Pro in my music room, and I suppose that plugging a mouse into the LapTop would defeat the portability of it!

There's a mouse in the side pocket of my laptop's bag, and if I'm using it for anything more than web browsing it usually gets plugged in. Portability is a highly overrated feature. You need what you need.

[The Elf]

The Wi Fi mice are a bummer though, batteries run out far too frequently and unpredictably, so I still connect my mouse with a USB lead.

I use wireless Logitech mice and keyboards on my PCs. The (rechargeable) batteries in my studio PC's mouse typically last around 2 years and the batteries in my office PC's mouse and keyboard have been in since I bought it around 5 years ago. These PCs are heavily used.

The lady elf bought a bit of a 'cheapie' wireless mouse and it needs new batteries about every 4 weeks.

[The Elf]

There's a mouse in the side pocket of my laptop's bag, and if I'm using it for anything more than web browsing it usually gets plugged in.

Ditto.

Gawd I hate laptop mousepads!

[TheReson8or]

trackpad, trackpad and if I need to........trackpad! Dave

[Dr Huge Longjohns]

THe reason I asked is that I'm getting athritis in my index fnger and I'm convinced it's due to years of mouse wheel scrolling. I have a MBP with a trackpad but it just doesn't seem as responsive as the mouse. Anyone used trackballs?

[tim_obrien]

The only trackball I've liked is the old big heavy (softball sized) Kensington trackball.
The newer ones are all too small and light.
Don't know if the newer Kensington's are still big and heavy.

[electrotimba]

The only trackball I've liked is the old big heavy (softball sized) Kensington trackball.
The newer ones are all too small and light.
Don't know if the newer Kensington's are still big and heavy.

I used one for 1-2 years, helped me to get rid of serious problems in my right hand. Disadvantage, bulky- to be really effective at preventing injury must be used with the extension pad so it was huge . Now, I am more careful and manage with pad and magic mouse. Keep on switching between the 2 to avoid injury. The only real advantage of MM over all other- it is the flattest and prevent me from unhealthy bend of wrist. The Kensington monster was the best as far as ergonomics and prevention of injury is concerned.

[ManFromGlass]

I don't know if they still make them and I may have the name wrong - Evoluent Vertical Mouse. The mouse sits sideways meaning you don't twist the bones in your wrist when you use it meaning much less chance of RSI or carpal tunnel. brilliant. just make sure where you place the mouse allows your forearm to be parallel to the floor. I had hard core carpal tunnel and tried them all before I found this little gem.

Eric void(0)

[electrotimba]

That is really interesting, just tried positioning my hand with the imaginary vertical mouse, great idea, the entire hand can be much more relaxed in this position. Found a source too: http://www.backinaction.co.uk/evoluent-vertical-mouse

[RoastBiff in The UK.]

Hi Elf, Yes I agree, the rechargeable batteries will run for years, but with the Apple WiFi Mice I used to use, I was swapping them every couple of weeks, even if I switched them off when not using them.....too faffing and fiddly!
My brother in law is always calling me for help because his Canon wi fi printer is always disappearing from his MBP desktop, even though it's only 6 feet away! Gimme a direct connection everytime:shock: