There’s nothing wrong with using your laptop’s touchpad. In fact, you can fine-tune your experience by learning some nifty touchpad tricks, like creating custom gestures or changing cursor speed. Yet even the most elaborate gestures won’t match the speed you can achieve with a mouse.
So, should you use a touchpad or mouse on your laptop? A mouse is simply faster and more precise. If you’ve ever had to drag something on a screen, you probably know how much harder it is to do it with a touchpad. It’s not even a debate: a mouse is a clear winner for gaming and most professional work environments.
Does this mean you should ditch the touchpad altogether? Context matters. If you do things on the go, it’s actually more convenient as an input method if you can get over its clunky nature. You don’t need to carry a mouse in your laptop bag, carry a mouse pad, or worry if a random desk will have enough space to accommodate the mouse. Place the laptop on any desk, accept the thud and you’ll be fine.
When to choose a mouse?
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Computer mice have been around since the 1960s, and while it took a few decades for them to become mainstream, they are now widely considered the most reliable method of input. A mouse is fast and precise, so it’s really a no-brainer in areas where speed and precision are the bread and butter. This applies to professional uses such as design or programming and especially gaming (have you ever tried playing with a touchpad?).
There is also the comfort side. Sure, a mouse can cause strain for some, but it’s generally more comfortable for extended use. Hell, you can make the experience even more comfortable by upgrading to an ergonomic mouse (if you can get over their uncool appearance) or getting a larger mousepad, which unlocks extra surface area for the mouse while also providing a nice cushion for your wrist.
Since you’re using a laptop, there’s a good chance you’ll eventually leave the comfortable confines of your primary workstation. In this case, a mouse could become a nuisance. While slipping a small wireless mouse into your laptop bag isn’t much of a problem (unless you forget it), you’ll also want to carry a mouse pad with you. So, to make that coffee shop work session go smoothly, you’ll also need to provide tables with enough space for your entire setup, which is overkill when you have a working touchpad.
When does a touchpad make more sense?
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Even if a mouse wins out for laptop use, a touchpad remains a viable choice. It’s simple and doesn’t require a flat surface. And when you’re on the go, what else do you need? If you’re not doing anything that requires a lot of precision (think emailing, typing, or just navigating in general), the touchpad will get the job done and you probably won’t notice a major drop in efficiency.
For more intensive tasks, you may quickly become frustrated. Touchpads are slow, with the fastest thing being how quickly you’ll be annoyed by pinch gestures. This might not be so bad if you need to get some work done quickly, but if you plan on grinding for hours, the touchpad’s tiny surface area is a recipe for hand pain.
Fortunately, it’s neither. Buying a mouse isn’t something you won’t be able to recover from financially (you can get a wireless one for $10 or less). When you’re doing serious work, just stick with the mouse. Meanwhile, your touchpad will always be there, ready and available if you feel like a quick work session on the go.
