Apple Smart Mouse vs Touch Pad for Aperture, etc.

I switched to an iMac a few years back and really love it. My only "complaint" is that the Smart Mouse (which I really love the functionality of) is a bit too small and no one has deemed it necessary to make a larger one. Every time I go into the Apple Store hoping for a larger version, it is suggested I try the Touch Pad.
So the question is - for those who use the Apple Touch Pad for applications like Aperture, Photoshop/Pixelmator, Nik Software, etc. - how is the control using the Touch Pad vs a mouse? I know that it is fine for "normal" - meaning non-Photographic applications - and I can use all the gestures that I would miss with a normal mouse. (Before you suggest it I have a Wacom tablet, but generally for quick touch ups I just don't bother taking it off the closet shelf.)
Thanks, Steve

Hi Steve -- I imagine this is as much a matter of personal preference (and skill) as actual performance.  IME, the Magic Mouse is just about the worst pointer to use with Aperture.  The Apple touch-pads are (again, just my opinion) excellent.  I don't hesitate to recommend that you try one out.  There are some touch-pad techniques that may not be obvious: roll your fingertip for minute changes; use one index finger to click, and the other to drag; etc.
I also recommend any high-resolution mouse (generally sold as a "gaming mouse").  I used a Razer Naga until it wasn't updated to work with 10.8;  I switched to Logitech's G600 12-button mouse.  The programmable buttons accelerate my work, but (imho) high-resolution is the feature you really want.  I have my entire dual-monitor workspace mapped to an area about 2" x 4", and can move the mouse curser very close to pixel by pixel.
Both the high-res mouse and the touch-pad are _more_ precise than the Wacom Intuos Medium.  In my hands, the cursor regularly moves a pixel or three when I lift the pen.  With the touch-pad or the high-res mouse I can work at Image resolutions smaller than 100%.  With the Intuos, I am better off at 100%.
HTH.
--Kirby.

Similar Messages

  • HT1349 DO U ALL HAVE TOUCH PAD FOR A MP 5 VAIO PLAYER MDAOL A1137

    DO U ALL HAVE TOUCH PAD FOR A VAIO MP 5 PLAYER MADOL A1137

    Do you have an Apple related technical support question?
    AND PLEASE STOP SHOUTING!
    Fix the CAPS lock on your keyboard.

  • After downloading new version of Firefox 4 I am unable to use touch pad for scrolling. I have tried installing and uninstalling the new version but this problem has always been occuring.

    after downloading new version of Firefox 4 I am unable to use touch pad for scrolling. I have tried installing and uninstalling the new version but this problem has always been occuring. I do not know how to fix this problem so I always return to the old version.

    If you have problems with updating or with the permissions then easiest is to download the full version and trash the currently installed version to do a clean install of the new version.
    Download a new copy of the Firefox program and save the DMG file to the desktop
    * Firefox 5.0.x: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all.html
    * Trash the current Firefox application to do a clean (re-)install
    * Install the new version that you have downloaded
    Your profile data is stored elsewhere in the Firefox Profile Folder, so you won't lose your bookmarks and other personal data.
    * http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

  • Resizing with my mouse using touch pad mac book pro does not work. how can i correct this problem?

    resizing with my mouse using touch pad mac book pro does not work. how can i correct this problem?

    See:
    * [/questions/777886]

  • Touch pad for imac

    Hi,
    I'm switching from my tibook to a new imac. Are there third party touch pads available that I could swap out my mouse for?
    Thank you, Caoim

    A quick Google search (web search engines are your friend) turned up these vendors:
    http://www.cirque.com/cpages/?page=24
    http://www.askergoworks.com/category/76/Touchpads.aspx
    http://adesso.com/products.asp?categoryid=5

  • Pro L10: After using a wireless mouse, the touch pad has stopped working

    Pro L10. After using a wireless mouse, the built in touch pad has stopped working properly. On start up the touch pad icon shows and the touch pad operates intermittently, after a few minuets the icon disappears and the touch pad stops functioning. In the control panel/mouse & or device drive I can the program operating and then disappears.
    I have removed the software and reinstalled to no avail. On occasions I get a message to say that another pointer is in operation.
    Can you help?

    Hi
    It seems that the wireless mouse or the wireless mouse drivers/software has a bad influence on the touchpad.
    I dont have a proper solution for this issue. Well, you can check the Toshiba driver page for newest driver updates. If the updates doesnt solve this issue so I suggest to use either the wireless mouse and disable the touchpad with the key combination FN+F9 or to use a common USB mouse.
    I assume that you dont have any problems with a common USB mouse.

  • Mouse and touch pad not responding/working?

    the entire touch pad doesnt work when using the computer. also when a mouse is plugged in that doesnt work either!...... but both work fine when in the lenovo help section, (when pressing the lenovo help button) they only dont work from the login section and when logged in.
    HELP!!!

    I am facing similar problem. However it is little different. My touch pad stopped working just within 3 months after buying this product. Now the problem is no body is taking responsibility of this kind of problems customers are facing. Here the real problem is my blue light at the touch pad has also stopped working.
    I believe it means, it must have some hardware problem. Now it is almost more than 8 months to this product and am still struggling with this problem. The only good part of it is, here my usb mouse is still working.
    One more thing i would like to know here, how can i find lenovo help key you mentioned in your querry? Please guide someone to get rid of this problem.

  • How much will it cost to replace touch pad for macbook pro 15'?

    Hi everyone, just wondering, how much will it cost to get my touchpad replaced in the apple store? Wan ted to check it out before I go there in person
    Thanks!

    Apple will exchange your iPod for a refurbished one for $199 for the 64 GB one and $99 for the others. They do not fix yours.
    Apple - iPod Repair price      
    A third-party place like the following maybe less. Google for more.
    iPhone Repair, Service & Parts: iPod Touch, iPad, MacBook Pro Screens
    Replace the screen yourself if you are up to it
    iPod Touch Repair – iFixit

  • Can apple replace my iPod touch screen for free?

    My iPod touch fell on the bottom left corner and the screen cracked can I get a free replacement? I got it last year for Christmas

    You may check your current wararnty status by going here: https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do
    There is also a link to file a repair request.
    Message was edited by: tech_boy11

  • I'd apple incomplete in my I pad for using store

    Hello I would like to know how to change my apple I'd in my I pad mini appears incomplete. Thank you

    Go to Settings > iTunes and App Store
    Tap on the Apple ID at the top of the screen. You should be given several choices.
    If you are signed in to the wrong account tap on sign out. Then sign in to your correct account.
    If you are not signed in to any account go ahead and enter the account and password.

  • Satellite A300 - touch pad dead after BIOS 2.20 update

    Hi,
    exact model is Satellite A300 PSAGCA-06M01N running Win XP.
    i had a problem with the webcam, and i read in the forum that it may be solved by a BIOS update. so i went ahead and downloaded the latest BIOS from the toshiba website specifically for my laptop model. it went completely well with no errors.
    however when the computer restarted after the BIOS update my touchpad doesn't work anymore.
    i went to the Device Manager and could still see the Synaptics touchpad device and it says "This device is working properly". but its totally dead and will not respond including the 2 buttons. before i updated the BIOS i had never had any problems with it.
    Tried FN+F9 to no avail. plugged in a USB mouse and it works with no problems. In fact, when i plugged in the mouse the synaptics software said " Disabling the touch pad due to external pointing device" so the device driver for the touchpad is working.
    if i remove the mouse it will say the touch pad is restored but it is still not working. rebooted many times and still the same problem. went into the BIOS and selected "Default" still a no go.
    Can someone offer any advice or ideas please?
    I really need the touch pad for the way i use the laptop...

    Hi,
    thank you for your reply. i already checked the BIOS setting for "Pointing Devices" and made sure its enabled. its the only setting in there that relates to the touch pad. just to make sure though i disabled it and then rebooted, after which i rebooted again and enabled it to no effect. i know this is not an isolated instance, as my search has turned up some with exactly the same problem. I'm really disappointed with Toshiba.
    regards,

  • Touch Pad doesnt w

    Im new here, basically I joined becaues my zen touch pad stopped working and I thought maybe someone on here might have some insight as to how serious of a problem I have. I got my touch pad for Christamas and about a month later the touch pad part of it stopped working. I can still turn it on and off, but I cant controll what songs I listen to because the touch pad doesnt work. I can press the random button and listen to music that way, so I know that the player still works, but the touchpad isnt working. Has anyone else had this problem? If so what was the solution.

    <FONT size=7>PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE!
    You all have the same problem, ok? The touch pad doesnt work. that means that you shouldnt trust Creative for mp3 players. They dont know what they are doing. They were doing fine with the little scroll joystick. that would last a long time. Scroll pads arent their speciality. Guys, you can just replace it and sell the new one for money to get a different mp3 player from a more reliable company. a company that lets you return you product for your money back. And Firmware updates only update the memory and performance of the player, not the touch pad. That is why the touch Pad doesnt work even if you use fimware upgrades. that is what i wantd to say!!!
    Peace Out!!!!

  • Hp touch pad not turning on

    I've had my touch pad for 24 hours and it won't turn on. Any help?

    possible battery is dead need recharge
    go to google and type touchpad does not turn on.

  • Forum for Aperture??

    Will Apple be providing a forum here for Aperture any time soon? I'd like to:
    a) recommend they support Pentax *ist DS raw files
    b) find out if Aperture will recognize/use Adobe XMP files (or do I have to re-specify my raw settings for thousands of photos all over again?) ?

    The way I understood it, the full maximum compatibility and capability of the Nikon sensor is not exploited when you use their black box SDK. That's definitely Nikon PR talk. As far as I know you cannot do anything with an SDK except use the specific commands the vendor allows you to use. Other raw formats are more accessible allowing more control. The advantage of the Nikon SDK is that if you want the Nikon look, you get it better with their SDK than with anything else. Want something outside of that, not so good.
    DNG is meant to be vendor-independent. Sure, Adobe wrote it, but somebody had to, and better them than just anybody. They have offered it up to a standards body to make it non-proprietary. They are really trying to solve this problem. DNG is also not frozen. It can grow to adapt to developments.
    The problem with vendor SDKs is that everyone has to keep up with the increasing list of them for all the makes and models. How many SDKs will there be in 10 years? How many 10-year-old "obsolete" models will have their support dropped so that you can't interpret the files in your archive anymore because its vendor chose not to updated its SDK for Windows 2015 or Mac OS XVI? With DNG, there is only one moving target.

  • Please, i bought a new track pad for my imac. it is working well when my imac is on. But, anytime i off my imac and wish to on it again, My track pad will be connected but it doesn't click i will need a mouse to log in my password first . Any help?

    Please, i bought a new track pad for my imac. it is working well when my imac is on. But, anytime i off my imac and wish to on it again, My track pad will be connected but it doesn't click i will need a mouse to log in my password first . Any help?
    To be specific. I have the imac late 2013 model, and i just bought the trackpad this October 2014. I have been using magic mouse without any problem. I just want to have a new experience with the trackpad.  Any time i on my imac, i will have a normal screen with my picture and a guest column at the center. I need to click either my picture or the guest in order to have the space where i can key in my password with the keyboard. But unfortunately, my trackpad will show that it is connected and the cursor will be moving in front of the screen if i touch the trackpad, but if i try to click, i will get no response. I have to put back batteries inside my magic mouse and then click on my picture if i want to log in with my id or i click on the guest image if i want to log in as a guest. it is only after this that my trackpad will start responding.
    i want to use only trackpad for now so as to be more efficient with it. I don't want to be putting back batteries inside the magic mouse only to on my imac. I need a solution please.
    Thanks.

    It sounds like you have assigned the primary click on the trackpad to something else, perhaps a gesture.
    Use your mouse, login and then open the Trackpad preference pane and see how you have the interface configured.
    Oh and you can have both the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad powered up and working at the same time. No need to keep moving batteries around.
    Tom

Maybe you are looking for