I bought a laptop last year, a nice Sony. I rarely use it because I can't get used to using the touchpad instead of a mouse. I bought a wireless mouse and extra mousepad, but that's stupid. I may as well be using my desktop.

I've practiced to try to get used to the touchpad, but I just hate it. If has little clicks which are helpful, but I simply can't get used to it. Anyone ever go through this who can offer some tips? Right now, it's just a thousand dollar paperweight.

:typing:

I hated the mouse when I first got a laptop 6 or 7 years ago, but I've grown used to it. Just keep using it and eventually you should be good! :)

You know the saying practice makes perfect? I think it's just one of those things you have to keep doing it until it comes routine. I don't have a laptop, but a friend of mine does. I too found it very difficult, but like I said, if you just keep using it on a regular basis, it should work out fine.

I'm sorry that the touchpad is like that. I think they should make laptops with a regular mouse somehow. Sorry to hear that you rarely use the laptop because it doesn't have a normal mouse. I know there are a bunch of keyboard commands that can be used in placeof a mouse, but I don't know what those would be.

I have never used a laptop but I know it would be hard to get used to having no mouse!:D

Thanks guys. Is there anyone here that uses a laptop on a regular basis? How easy/difficult was it to adjust?

Thanks guys. Is there anyone here that uses a laptop on a regular basis? How easy/difficult was it to adjust?
I only use a laptop. It was HARD at first. I bought the wireless mouse as well to try to adjust, but it was too much of a bother because I had to use the laptop on a table or other really hard surface in order to use the mouse. If I was going to do that, I could've just kept my desktop. I also had a hard time with the smaller laptop keyboard.

However, after about a week of consistently using the laptop, I was used to it. Most laptops have a way you can adjust the touchpad so it isn't quite as "touchy" and feels more comfortable. Now, I can't imagine NOT using the laptop. I enjoy the convenience of it and I am so used to the touchpad and keyboard that I don't even thing about the mouse anymore.

I think if you start using it more and more, you will become more comfortable with it. It just takes time to adjust to the difference. Good luck!

I only use a laptop. It was HARD at first. I bought the wireless mouse as well to try to adjust, but it was too much of a bother because I had to use the laptop on a table or other really hard surface in order to use the mouse. If I was going to do that, I could've just kept my desktop. I also had a hard time with the smaller laptop keyboard.

However, after about a week of consistently using the laptop, I was used to it. Most laptops have a way you can adjust the touchpad so it isn't quite as "touchy" and feels more comfortable. Now, I can't imagine NOT using the laptop. I enjoy the convenience of it and I am so used to the touchpad and keyboard that I don't even thing about the mouse anymore.

I think if you start using it more and more, you will become more comfortable with it. It just takes time to adjust to the difference. Good luck!

You are so right Zelda! Every time that I get a new dvd/vcr player I have to learn how to program and use it. It's always a pain at first but after a few days it just comes automatically . I'm sure it will be the same way with a laptop with no mouse. Soon it should become second nature. But I am emotionally attached to my little mousie. :D :wave:

I only use a laptop. It was HARD at first. I bought the wireless mouse as well to try to adjust, but it was too much of a bother because I had to use the laptop on a table or other really hard surface in order to use the mouse. If I was going to do that, I could've just kept my desktop. I also had a hard time with the smaller laptop keyboard. Thanks. I have the best keyboard. I returned the first laptop I bought because the keyboard felt so tiny. The one I got has a backlit keyboard, and the keys are larger, raised and separated, much like a normal one. As for adjusting the settings, my laptop didn't come with a manual. I couldn't believe it, and even called the store thinking it was lost or something, but was told it doesn't come with one. That's just nuts to me.

I know what you mean about using a touchpad instead of a mouse. I hate it myself. That's why I rarely use the laptop.

My advice, ditch the laptop and get a desktop. But that's about all you can do, unless you want to try to learn to like having no mouse.

I wonder, is there a laptop with a mouse built-in to the console? It could be maneuverable and still be attached, or have a little toggle that you could move the cursor with. Someone might want to think about making one of those if not. Some people might like it. I know I would. :)

^ We have two desktops. I bought this to use on the sofa or even in bed, when my husband's watching his shows, sports, etc. I bought it at least six month's ago anyway, so I guess I'm stuck with it. I did buy a specially made tray table for it, but it's still not worth the trouble.

I use a laptop for over a year now and love it better than a PC. I have a mouse hooked up to my laptop, I hate the mousepads they have built in. I love being able to scroll really easily with my mouse

I know what you mean about using a touchpad instead of a mouse. I hate it myself. That's why I rarely use the laptop.

My advice, ditch the laptop and get a desktop. But that's about all you can do, unless you want to try to learn to like having no mouse.

I wonder, is there a laptop with a mouse built-in to the console? It could be maneuverable and still be attached, or have a little toggle that you could move the cursor with. Someone might want to think about making one of those if not. Some people might like it. I know I would. :)

IBM had that idea with their ThinkPad laptop models back in the 1990s. :D (look between the G and H keys on the keyboard in this pic)

http://citky.com/CITKY%20Aug%202003/IBM%20Thinkpad%20T23.jpg

I've owned a laptop since 2009... I, too, had a hard time getting used to it at first. I still largely prefer to use a mouse with it. Small price to pay, I suppose. I have a portable desk dealy for it that gets a ton of use when I travel - there's usually no desk available for me on my travels so this portable desk works well for me. It's a thin, hard board with a built-in mousepad that slides out. It's pretty handy! :) You just have to find what's comfortable and works for you.

It is hard, but after using it for awhile and trying not to think about the difficulty, it gets easier. It really works best if you can train your index finger and thumb on the touchpad, with the index finger on the scroll pad and thumb on the clicker.

i pretty much only use my laptop anymore, I just use one of the Logitech mini wireless mouses (I think its a m305 or a v220 or something, its just a small basic model).

you can get used to the touchpad, but it will never be as fast as a mouse.

I use a desktop and laptop on a regular basis so I got used to the touchpad. Didn't take that long to adjust to it.

I remember my mom got her first laptop around the mid-90s and the laptop had this ball-shaped built-in mouse. Nobody liked that thing.

It really works best if you can train your index finger and thumb on the touchpad, with the index finger on the scroll pad and thumb on the clicker.
Reading this makes me realize that I don't even know how to use it.

I've owned a laptop since 2009... I, too, had a hard time getting used to it at first. I still largely prefer to use a mouse with it. Small price to pay, I suppose. I have a portable desk dealy for it that gets a ton of use when I travel - there's usually no desk available for me on my travels so this portable desk works well for me. It's a thin, hard board with a built-in mousepad that slides out. It's pretty handy! :) You just have to find what's comfortable and works for you.
This board sounds exactly what I was looking for. Do you remember where you bought it?

Janice just get a mouse to use with it, I have a small one and prefer it better. Get a wireless one it might be better for you

IBM had that idea with their ThinkPad laptop models back in the 1990s. :D (look between the G and H keys on the keyboard in this pic)

http://citky.com/CITKY%20Aug%202003/IBM%20Thinkpad%20T23.jpg

Oh, Good Night! That's horrible. :) That looks like it would get in the way more than anything. Bad placement.

Janice just get a mouse to use with it, I have a small one and prefer it better. Get a wireless one it might be better for you

Yeah, wireless would seem to be the way to go. Good idea, spunky!:)

Janice just get a mouse to use with it, I have a small one and prefer it better. Get a wireless one it might be better for you
I already posted that I bought one, but it's a pain because then I have to use a hard surface. I wanted to be able to just sit on the sofa, recliner or bed and just use the laptop, but I can't.

I missed that sorry.

I have a small tray table I use, but I sit in my recliner and use it with the mouse, it works lol

I will not use the touch pad. I hate it. I bought a wireless mouse and use it.

I remember the first time I tried to use a desktop mouse, I thought I would never get used to it. :lol: but the more I used it the easier it became. I've only used a laptop a few times and still haven't gotten used to the touch pad.

The only time I used a laptop was back in high school (1994-1998) and the kind of laptop back then didn't come with a mouse. It was just the keyboard and screen. Technology has come a long way since then.

This board sounds exactly what I was looking for. Do you remember where you bought it?

Target! :D I was actually there last weekend, looking for one for my mom (she just got an used laptop herself). Unfortunately I didn't find it there - they only seem to have cooling pad lapdesks anymore, and they're not Logitech.

I had to look -- I have the Portable Lapdesk N315 model -- http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-939-000181-Portable-Lapdesk-N315/dp/B002NTADVW -- Logitech doesn't have it on their site, I guess. But it's still available to buy online. :) They come in a good number of colors and designs- mine is black and the pull-out mousepad has a design on it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834989200 is what mine looks like.

I'd say it's 1/2" to 3/4" thin - and the pull-out is thinner than that. But VERY sturdy and VERY durable. Love it! :)

Oh, Good Night! That's horrible. :) That looks like it would get in the way more than anything. Bad placement.

Lol, I loved the mouse ball thing! Didn't get in the way for me, I thought. And it was a textured ball -- felt akin to a cat's tongue, so you'd DEFINITELY know when you were using it! LOL!

Thanks. I have the best keyboard. I returned the first laptop I bought because the keyboard felt so tiny. The one I got has a backlit keyboard, and the keys are larger, raised and separated, much like a normal one. As for adjusting the settings, my laptop didn't come with a manual. I couldn't believe it, and even called the store thinking it was lost or something, but was told it doesn't come with one. That's just nuts to me.

A lot of computers and other electronics don't come with them anymore, they'd rather you download it yourself so they don't have to spend 2 cents to print it. If you go to the manufacturer's website and search for your model you may find one.