Do you prefer desktop or laptop ?

[XanClic]

I have a desktop and I use it whenever I can. I also have a laptop and I use it whenever I cannot use my desktop, e.g. in university.

Simple as that. Desktops offer more performance per money, but they're obviously not that portable.

btw, I like touchpads more than other people apparently do.

[Combuster]

btw, I like touchpads more than other people apparently do.

I've spent countless hours in public transport playing games (from puzzles to FPSes) on my laptop to know you can perfectly play most games without a mouse - to the point that for certain games a mouse is actually a handicap...

Guess it's all a matter of getting used to things.

[Love4Boobies]

you can perfectly play most games without a mouse

I was surprised to learn the same. When I first started using trackpads, I found them rather annoying. These days, they usually seem to be more productive for me than mice in many situations.

How does everyone feel about trackballs? I've never used one.

Also, remember those terrible pointing sticks? They were mostly used on older laptops, although I've recently seen one on a newer model.

[Brendan]

Hi,

How does everyone feel about trackballs? I've never used one.

Trackballs are good in theory - no edges to restrict you (like a touchpad) and no need for spare desk space (like a mouse).

In practice I'd worry about the build-up of grime (the reason that modern mouses shifted to things like infra-red sensors) which can cause the rollers inside to slip. Basically, handling dirty balls can cause erratic/jerky movements.


Cheers,

Brendan

[Love4Boobies]

You're probably right. I can remember all the times I got screwed by pointing sticks and dirty balls.

[BMW]

btw, I like touchpads more than other people apparently do.

I've spent countless hours in public transport playing games (from puzzles to FPSes) on my laptop to know you can perfectly play most games without a mouse - to the point that for certain games a mouse is actually a handicap...

Guess it's all a matter of getting used to things.

o.O you can play FPS with touchpad? The problem with touchpads is you use your fingers for everything (which can get complicated), with a mouse you use your arm to move it.

[Combuster]

Basically, handling dirty balls can cause erratic/jerky movements.

And so does dirt stuck in front of the optical lens of their modern equivalents. It just happens less often but when it does it is a significantly bigger pain to fix.

[Love4Boobies]

o.O you can play FPS with touchpad? The problem with touchpads is you use your fingers for everything (which can get complicated), with a mouse you use your arm to move it.

I don't play games very often nowadays but my FPS/trackpad technique is basically as follows:

• Left hand
  • Pinky: Left shift
  • Ring finger: A
  • Middle finger W/S
  • Index finger: D
  • Thumb: Left trackpad button
• Right hand
  • Thumb: Right trackpad button
  • Index finger: Trackpad (aim)
  • Middle finger: Space
  • Ring finger: Right alt (if needed)
  • Pinky: Right ctrl

[Combuster]

with a mouse you use your arm to move it.

I just observed myself and I noticed my wristjoint is laying in place on the table where all movement is dictated from the handpalm. So no arm movement for me.

[Love4Boobies]

Doesn't that put strain on your wrist?

[Combuster]

Never had problems with it...

[dozniak]

Also, remember those terrible pointing sticks?

They're the best thing on non-mac laptops but only lenovo makes them as far as i remember.

[Love4Boobies]

Many vendors provide them (see some examples here). Out of curiosity, why do you like them? They're not designed with ergonomy in mind.

[dozniak]

Many vendors provide them (see some examples here). Out of curiosity, why do you like them? They're not designed with ergonomy in mind.

They offer better precision (analog stick) while not requiring as much space as a touchpad. Granted, playing FPS on such a thing will be a major pain, but for desktop use it's fairly nice. Recently I've learned to do precise editing in GIMP using mac touchpad though, so all is relative.

[Owen]

Trackballs are good in theory - no edges to restrict you (like a touchpad) and no need for spare desk space (like a mouse).

In practice I'd worry about the build-up of grime (the reason that modern mouses shifted to things like infra-red sensors) which can cause the rollers inside to slip. Basically, handling dirty balls can cause erratic/jerky movements.

Many modern trackballs have optical sensors now also.

---

Personally, I'm a desktop person: Better hardware, better cost efficiency, multiple display outputs, expandability, etc.

Laptops do have a few things going for them though:

• Their inherent portability
• Most come with better keyboards than most desktops (Scisor switch >>> rubber dome, even if mechanical >>> scisor switch)
• For most non-gaming tasks, a good trackpad is much better and more ergonomic than a mouse

(I've been quite tempted to get a "Magic Trackpad" for my desktop; the trackpad on my MacBook is stellar. It's just a matter of the question of how well it would work with Windows...)

The laptop is, however, in interesting times: It will be interesting to see how laptop/tablet hybrids develop (How long will it be before most laptops have the main electronics in the screen, rather than the keyboard, and have detachable keyboards?)