Mouse or Trackpad?

[Infinity]

Well, lately apparently a lot of people have been either going "EW YOU SUCK" or "OMG SERIOUSLY? YOU ARE FREAKIN AWESOME IF YOU DO THAT" Cause I use a trackpad (you know that thing on a laptop for a mouse), instead of a mouse even in competitive games like TF2. What is your opinion on this and what do you use/prefer?

 

[Geoff]

Lol, I prefer a mouse. I've used the trackpad on games before and it's....ugh. Obviously some people (you, I assume) can get used to it if it's all you have. I'd say a mouse is still better, even if you are used to the trackpad, you'll be better with a mouse when you get used to it.

 

[VintagePC]

I use a trackball... where does that place me?

 

[SoL DarkLord]

I prefer a mouse. But I grew up using desktops to play PC games.

 

[13thforsworn]

I'm one of those assholes who thinks you're insane for using a trackpad for video games. How do you even... Even for surfing the web, I HATE trackpads. They're so cumbersome to use.

But if it floats your boat...

 

[Zirkus]

Yeah trackpad is pretty horrible for most gaming in general. Sure you can make it work, but its fairly inaccurate and they usually get really hot making fingers sweat(played on one for a couple years).
Trackball mice are an odd place for me. I haven't used one much but i know a few people that do in tf2 and they do fairly well. I would still assume a regular mouse would be better but it could be more of an area of personal preference.

 

[VintagePC]

I haven't used one much but i know a few people that do in tf2 and they do fairly well. I would still assume a regular mouse would be better but it could be more of an area of personal preference.

I find even for general PC use they're a lot less tiring on the hands, and you don't need to worry about running out of mat space or anything when in the middle of the action in an FPS.

I think a lot of it can depend on the type of games you play - FPS, strat, action, etc. -> a "real" mouse or trackball is best. Casual (card, puzzle, point-n-click, TD) can be perfectly useable and in some cases might help you do better.

 

[lonesome killer]

A few years ago when all I had was a laptop I used the track pad. I mostly played RTSs MMOs and CS:S. When I upgraded to a desktop I was scared of a mouse. After using one for a couple months I swore to never use another track pad. I played 1 LoL match against AI with a track pad last year and I literally couldn't do any thing. At work when customers have a question about a laptop and I try to use the track pad to navigate around it I look like a bumbling fool. I seriously cannot grasp how to use it efficiently and don't know how I ever did.

Death to track pads!