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Zim · Apr 21, 2004, 08:08 AM

Decided I finally want to go portable, but my last hang-up is that I have never ever found a portable version of a mouse that works well for me.

And trackpads seems to hate me. I can calmly move my finger and watch the resulting mouse movement go erratic and jumping. Could it be something about my skin?

When I'm stationary I can plug in a real mouse, but what about when I'm moving around (mountable track-ball?) or traveling?

Or does everyone start this way and learn to love (or at least tolerate) the trackpad?

Thanks,
Mike

SEkker · Apr 21, 2004, 09:25 AM

I've come to appreciate and prefer smaller mice in lieu of the trackpad. The best product along those lines I've seen announced (but not yet shipping) is the bluetooth mouse jr -- there's a thread on this elsewhere.

The bigger powerbooks have a large enough palmrest area to serve as a mouse pad surface, even on an airplane.

nate_02 · Apr 21, 2004, 09:39 AM

After using the trackpad, I use it a lot more than I though i would. I do love Apple's BT mouse.

madmacgames · Apr 21, 2004, 10:00 AM

I hear what you are saying, especially in regard to trackpads on most PC notebooks. I hate them. You have to press really hard to get the mouse to move (harder than you should have to press).

That said, I do not mind Apple's trackpad at all really. You only need a very light touch. There is also a great program called "Side Track" that will let you add scrollbar regions to the trackpad and turn on clicking by tapping the trackpad (like you can on PC trackpads), but moreso, has an option to ignore the trackpad when typing on the keyboard. I find this option invaluable on my 12" powerbook, where it is easy to accidentally tap or brush the trackpad with your thumbs while typing.

Now that said, I found that myself, after using the trackpad for an exentended period of time my finger would become a little sweaty and make the trackpad hard to use. For this reason I got the Apple bluetooth mouse.

But when on the go, the trackpad+ Side Track is adequate for me.

dwishbone · Apr 21, 2004, 01:04 PM

before you completely give up on trackpads try this
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/12800
its called Sidetrack. it makes using a trackpad much more enjoyable. it adds extra functionality to your trackpad such as window horiz and vert scrolling.
mice are always a good bet too.
i would get this one...
http://www.macmice.com/
it is uber sweet. its just as stylish as apple's mouse and has 2 buttons and a scroll wheel. did i mention its cheaper too

JHromadka · Apr 21, 2004, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by Zim:
...And trackpads seems to hate me. I can calmly move my finger and watch the resulting mouse movement go erratic and jumping. Could it be something about my skin?

When I'm stationary I can plug in a real mouse, but what about when I'm moving around (mountable track-ball?) or traveling?

Or does everyone start this way and learn to love (or at least tolerate) the trackpad?

Before the PowerBook, I hated trackpads because of the exact reasons you mention. I was always an eraser/stick fan. I've found the PB's trackpad to work really well for me. I turned off the tap-to-click option and use only the button, and I found that this helped a lot.

cszar2001 · Apr 21, 2004, 01:46 PM

SideTrack has already been mentioned-it`ll easily change your opinion about the trackpad.

The other thing I noticed: your other fingers have to be quite some distance away from the pad!
Mine picks up "commands" from my fingers even when they are 5mm away. Very easy to get to close and screw up the whole experience.

tooki · Apr 21, 2004, 01:51 PM

As far as trackpads being erratic: 1. they need moisture to work. 2. They hate moisture.

:-P

What I mean is that if you have very dry or calloused fingers, they may not have enough capacitance to reliably tell the sensing system where they are located. But trackpads can't get wet -- that disrupts the sensing system, and until it dries off, it will be jumpy or nonresponsive. The ideal trackpad finger is soft and supple like a baby's... never mind!

In any case, dry your hands before using the trackpad, but if you have dry skin, get a nice manicure now and then, and you should be set. (Good excuse for getting a regular manicure, anyway!)

I concur: use one finger on the trackpad. The others can't touch, or the trackpad cannot find the "center" of your finger, on which it bases the position.

I also have had the experience that trackpads on PCs are horrible compared to ours. They seem to lack acceleration curves, which I think are even more essential on a trackpad as on a mouse.

tooki

rag on a muffin · Apr 21, 2004, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by Zim:
Decided I finally want to go portable, but my last hang-up is that I have never ever found a portable version of a mouse that works well for me.

And trackpads seems to hate me. I can calmly move my finger and watch the resulting mouse movement go erratic and jumping. Could it be something about my skin?

When I'm stationary I can plug in a real mouse, but what about when I'm moving around (mountable track-ball?) or traveling?

Or does everyone start this way and learn to love (or at least tolerate) the trackpad?

Thanks,
Mike

which powerbook do you have? i know exactly what your experiencing. thats a defect. i had this problem with my powerbook 520c, and my ibook g4. if you dont mind it being there, put a sticky-note over it and see if that helps. i got my trackpad replaced in my ibook g4 with applecare. if you dont mind it gone for a while, do that. on my powerbook 520c i put scotch tape over it and that made it work perfectly. (i learned about how to fix that accidentally)

Zim · Apr 21, 2004, 03:18 PM

Thanks for all the ideas.

I don't have a PB yet, but was considering the 12" PB since the update. But when I went in the store to play with it, I was seeing the same troubles I've had with PC portables. Going back to play with it more tonite.

I can definitely see the functionality that Sidetrack would add, still just not sure if I'll find the whole trackpad experience too annoying for the idea of moving around to places where I won't find it convenient for a real mouse.

Mike

MilkmanDan · Apr 21, 2004, 09:03 PM

Logitech Bluetooth mouse. Very nice, very fun, beats the heck out of other BT mice. Works great if you have big hands, and hate trackpads.

Ω · Apr 21, 2004, 09:09 PM

Trackpads grow on you. After using mine for 2 years I find it more convenient than lugging about a separate mouse.

Learn the keyboard commands to help speed up your ability to navigate is my best advice.

discotronic · Apr 21, 2004, 10:00 PM

I've never met a "new" trackpad that I liked. It seems as if they get better after being used for awhile. It basically gets broke in. Once it smooths over a little, it works better.

blacksheep · Apr 21, 2004, 11:14 PM

RadTech BT-500 Mouse

teknopimp · Apr 21, 2004, 11:19 PM

break your mouse. learn out of necessity. that's how i did it.

you don't need one unless you do precision tracking or something. it'll just slow you down, so learn how to use the keyboard instead, it's much faster. it's also easy with the new Finder features in Panther. learn to live without a mouse, you'll be better off without it. you'll also impress your friends.

and download SideTrack, it's a free hack that will give you touchpad scrolling.

dwishbone · Apr 22, 2004, 07:58 AM

now that ive got built in bluetooth on my laptop i might invest in a bluetooth mouse.
still, trackpads arnt that bad once you get used to them. only thing they really suck at is playing FPS games. you will get your butt handed to you on a silver platter.
btw...anyone know a bluetooth mouse that would match the new AlBooks? that one listed above is nice...but im a real stickler for my stuff matching.

Waragainstsleep · Apr 22, 2004, 11:26 AM

Suggestion one:
Build/modify a bluetooth trackball/nipple to wear on your wrist.

Suggestion two:
Learn to live without either.
If you're doing graphic design work, its possibly not an option, but for surfing the web, mail, writing docs etc you can do a hell of alot without going near a mouse or a trackpad.
Learn the keyboard shortcuts.