Other than with a desktop I’ve never used a mouse with a laptop dating back to the 90’s and IBM’s Trackpoint. When I had a MacBook, I was thoroughly impressed with how much more one could do with a touchpad with multi finger “gestures” - one finger tap (left click), two finger tap (right click), scroll up, scroll down, page back, page forward, etc. Today, PC’s have caught up and offer many of those same gestures.

My question is why anyone wouldn’t want to use a trackpad?

I disabled the touchpad on my laptop because every time I'd brush it while typing, the cursor movde and eveything got messed up. Like Elmer says, it's personal preference.

Disregard the friend's advice. Personal preference. I hate touchpads so always connect a mouse to laptops.

You can use both simultaneously. At least on my Netbook (PC). Don't know about Macs.

Thank you! I appreciate everybody’s input and now I don’t feel so behind the times.

Mike, I can do all of those things with the mouse, right? Just with the movement of a finger.

Suzie - not sure what you mean, I'm guessing a 2-button mouse with scrolling wheel that is 'click' by pushing down on the wheel.

Yep. One hand. Seems easy to me vs the touchpad. However, I’m not trying to “prove my point”, I’m honestly just looking for any reason why I “must” adapt to a touchpad.

Suzieque,

There’s no reason you “must” use one or the other, it’s obviously a matter of personal preference. As for the advanced “features” of a good trackpad compared to the mouse, I think it depends on which mouse you have and what features it has.

As for accidentally hitting the trackpad, I can’t say that I’ve really had that problem. Trackpads do have sensitivity settings and maybe I just hold my hands differently.

With my netbook my thumbs have a tendency to smack the touchpad. Either thumb.

Suzie, your friend is both correct and wrong at the same time. The multi-touch trackpad utilizes gestures to do a multitude of things. See https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204895. BUT, that is by no means the reason you should be using it. If you’re more comfortable with a mouse, then use a mouse. It might not hurt to try the gestures, perhaps you will like it, but if you dont, keep using the mouse. Maybe have your pushy friend show you some of his favorite. You can buy a mac mouse that provides the same functionality. Otherwise, i’d tell your friend to back off and worry about his own trackpad.

I consistently use a mouse with a lap top when I can. I find it so much more productive and easier to use. The key pad is a fine device for circumstances where a mouse is inconvenient or impractical, therefore, it is good to be proficient with both devices. Also, using the key pad frees a USB port.

I use my mouse on my laptop....and disconnected my touch pad...matter of preference....

I always use my mouse. I Have the touch pads disabled . To me, they are tedious, to use. Use what you are comfortable with, and let your friend use whatever he/she is comfortable with. Its rude to force things on other people, that they really dont want to use.

Mouse RULES no matter what!

So much faster, easier, AND CONVENIENT to get to, and do the whats.

I usually use a mouse, but I didn't disable the touchpad. They both work together.