While a lot of programming and actions can be strictly keyboard driven, when you don't use the keyboard, do you reach for a mouse or use a trackpad?
I'm half expecting the vast majority to be #TeamTrackpad as you do get portability benefits.
- Do you use a Mouse or Trackpad? (Or just a keyboard shortcut master?)
- Why do you use that? (Faster, easier, more portable etc?)
Oldest comments (35)
I personally still use a mouse (Logitech M505) with my ASUS VivoBook Pro N552VW even though the trackpad isn't bad.
I do like the accuracy of a mouse and I don't think a trackpad really does that for me. That or maybe I am so use to desktop PCs I don't even bother trying with a trackpad.
Mostly trackpad, since I'm on my laptop and it's difficult to use a mouse from the couch.
That said, using a mouse is faster and more efficient for me, most times.
When on a table I would use a mouse. I would use a touchpad if I am on a place where the mouse is not possible to use.
I have gone back and forth between using mouse/touchpad testing what is better and after a lot of trials I came to the conclusion that mouse is at least 2x faster to work with so I will use it most times.
In the past few months, I tried out Apple's magic mouse and it felt like a hybrid of both worlds: giving you the accuracy of a mouse and the swipe controls of a track pad.
I would prefer mouse but then again I feel more 'in-the-flow' when I don't take my hands from the keyboard at all - just using hot keys and short cuts. Actually, a colleague can navigate his workspace without touching the mouse at all but for me that's utopia 😅
When coding: I will disable the trackpad (most laptops have a special key to disable it) and use a wireless mouse when on a desk. When on a couch, I will try to use the mouse on a nearby flat surface. If impossible to use a mouse, I will use the trackpad.
When just browsing online: anything is fine — trackpad or mouse.
trackpoint if i code while laying down on ma bed, mouse when i'm on ma desk
If I'm writing more than, I don't know, 30 lines of code, it makes more sense to click around in a GUI. If it's less-than, a trackpad is probably fine.
Well it isn't a matter of opinion, a mouse is better than a trackpad and Fitts' law proves that properly already. The only time to use a trackpad is when your current location doesn't allow the use of a mouse.
Mostly #TeamTrackpad, since it's difficult to use a mouse from the couch, where I do most of my freetime programming. 😅 But still, using a mouse is faster and more efficient for me when working on the desk.
I'm always deeply impressed when I do pair-programming with my friend who is truly a keyboard shortcut master. Eh, I've never seen anyone using the mouse / trackpad that rarely.
On a ThinkPad, the track point, because I can keep my hands on the keyboard. On a Macbook Pro, the trackpad, because it's accurate and responsive. On any other machine, a mouse, since everyone is using the cheapest trackpads they can get away with.
I had the same thought. On a macbook the trackpad is big and glides really well, and at that point it's too much to move my hand all the way to a mouse
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