IMac - Mouse v Trackpad

indiabravo

indiabravo

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Iain
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Hi all,

Upgrading my mac next week. In the four years since I bought my last mac, the trackpad has been released and is an option I have for the new mac. As I will mainly be using it for editing, I would like to know people's thoughts on the benefits/disadvantages of the trackpad (I use lightroom). Is it easy enough to get to know or am I better sticking to the mouse? I had a play with one in the local apple store and it seemed a bit tricky to get the hang of (only played for about 10 mins).

Cheers,
Iain
 
Mouse mouse and mouse, it's a desktop not a laptop.

Now in truth I'd get the trackpad only option, as I dislike the apple mouse anyway, and use a normal Microsoft intellimouse on my iMac. Even if you hate the trackpad, just either buy a new mouse or use the one you already have.
 
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Personally I ditched the mouse and use the trackpad with the iMac as it works better for me for general use, plus you can use the pinch to zoom, rotate and other three and four finger gestures (!) similar to the iPad.

That said, I use a Wacom tablet for editing pictures.
 
Mouse, keyboard, and Wacom tablet here.

A track pad is ok for navigating on a iPad or laptop, but I fail to see how you can edit images with it. How can you make fine selections, or masks, or carefully clone something out?
 
Yep, think I'm in the same boat. Will stick to what I know and get the mouse. Thanks guys
 
The Trackpad can be a bit Marmite..I use it with Lightroom, but It id take me a while to get used to it. I tended to us e it for other applications first, then gradually moved over to the Trackpad. Others I know find it difficult to use.

If in doubt go for the mouse
 
It may be OK with lightroom... as you're just doing pretty crude stuff, but any proper retouching will need at least a mouse.
 
For editing, a mouse is better than the track pad. Having both is a nice combination. I use the track pad a lot for general web browsing. Henge Docks make the Clique dock that lets you connect the track pad to the keyboard so that they become one unit.
 
Pookeyhead said:
It may be OK with lightroom... as you're just doing pretty crude stuff, but any proper retouching will need at least a mouse.
Click to expand...

No you don't. Everyone works differently. How can you decide whats best for them.

After using a MacBook for 2 years I went with a trackpad, as I now prefer the feel of one. I use one for all my editing in LR and retouching in PS. No problems here. Go with what feels best for you. :)
 
You retouch with a track pad? I'm sorry... I think you and I have different ideas of what retouching is... So you maybe right. I did say though, it will be ok for pretty crude (read basic) stuff though.

Besides.. after using a MB, and now a track pad... surely, you've just gone from one trackpad to another.. unless you were using a mouse with your MB.
 
Yes, I retouch with a trackpad. And I know what retouching is thank you. :) As said everyone works differently and while a mouse / tablet may work better for you, it may not for someone else.

Correct, I went from one trackpad to another... as using a trackpad for 2 years has changed my preference... so I ordered a trackpad with my new iMac.
 
I have both the trackpad and mouse, they're great! Just depends what you're used to really But in the end I just went back to a standard wired mouse and tablet. Gotta hate replacing them batteries
 
My setup is Trackpad - Keyboard - Mouse

I use the trackpad for general browsing duties and the mouse for any editing I do. It helps that I've trained myself to be quite ambidextrous :P
 
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