Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad: Which Is For You?

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Apple has a knack for crafting alluring products, despite their consistently high prices. The Magic Trackpad from Apple, in either space gray or silver, is unlike any other blank slate I’ve ever encountered.

Many Mac users wonder, “For an extra ~$40, should they invest in a Magic Trackpad instead of a Magic Mouse?”

If you’re a Mac fan, wondering between Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad is inevitable. Both are in the second generation, with multi-touch surfaces and rechargeable batteries. Yet, they deliver different user experiences, and the Magic Trackpad is better. Why? Keep reading to see more!

Read also: Best Mouse For MacBook Pro – Our Top Picks

Preview
Apple Magic Mouse: Wireless, Bluetooth, Rechargeable. Works with Mac or...
Best Choice
Apple Magic Trackpad: Wireless, Bluetooth, Rechargeable. Works with Mac or...
Title
Apple Magic Mouse: Wireless, Bluetooth, Rechargeable. Works with Mac or…
Apple Magic Trackpad: Wireless, Bluetooth, Rechargeable. Works with Mac or…
Rating
4.7
4.8
Color
White or Black
White or Black
Bluetooth
Weight
0.22 pound
0.51 pound
Dimensions
0.85H x 2.25W x 4.47D
0.19–0.43H x 6.30W x 4.52D
Prime
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Price
$67.99
$109.99
Preview
Apple Magic Mouse: Wireless, Bluetooth, Rechargeable. Works with Mac or...
Title
Apple Magic Mouse: Wireless, Bluetooth, Rechargeable. Works with Mac or…
Rating
4.7
Color
White or Black
Bluetooth
Weight
0.22 pound
Dimensions
0.85H x 2.25W x 4.47D
Prime
Amazon Prime
Price
$67.99
Details
Best Choice
Preview
Apple Magic Trackpad: Wireless, Bluetooth, Rechargeable. Works with Mac or...
Title
Apple Magic Trackpad: Wireless, Bluetooth, Rechargeable. Works with Mac or…
Rating
4.8
Color
White or Black
Bluetooth
Weight
0.51 pound
Dimensions
0.19–0.43H x 6.30W x 4.52D
Prime
Amazon Prime
Price
$109.99
Details

Last update on 2024-03-28 | Details

Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad: Pros And Cons

Magic Mouse

Regarding a mouse, you must use your whole hand and move your arm to move the pointer left, right, up, and down.

Sale
Apple Magic Mouse: Wireless, Bluetooth, Rechargeable. Works with Mac or…
  • WIRELESS, RECHARGEABLE CONVENIENCE — Magic Mouse…
  • WORKS WITH MAC OR IPAD — It’s ready to go right out…

Last update on 2024-03-28 | Details

PROS:

  • Larger surface.
  • Low profile design.
  • Force Touch support.
  • Comfortable clicking.

CONS:

  • More expensive.
  • Large footprint.

Magic Trackpad

In a Trackpad, you need to move your fingers on the trackpad surface through which you can navigate the pointer on display.

Sale
Apple Magic Trackpad: Wireless, Bluetooth, Rechargeable. Works with Mac or…
  • WIRELESS, RECHARGEABLE CONVENIENCE — Magic Trackpad…
  • MAGIC TRACKING EXPERIENCE — Sensors underneath the…

Last update on 2024-03-28 | Details

PROS:

  • Small footprint
  • Apple aesthetic
  • Multi-touch surface
  • Free with Mac desktop

CONS:

  • Not ergonomic.
  • Poor charging port placement.

Magic Mouse And Magic Trackpad: What Are Similars?

Both Apple’s branded devices feature multi-touch gesture support. Both move the pointer around on Mac devices, enabling you to swipe left, right, up, and down. They also have customizable settings to perfect your personal experience.

But the trackpad will work well for full gesture movement, while the mouse is ideal for small spaces.

Magic Mouse And Magic Trackpad: Head-To-Head Comparison

Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad: Which is better?
Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad: Which is better?

Price

If price is one of your concerns, you should choose the Magic Mouse. It allows you to save about $50 compared to investing in Magic Trackpad. That is if you buy a new Mac desktop.

If you already have a desktop or are buying a Mac laptop, the Magic Trackpad is still more expensive than the Magic Mouse, costing you about $20 more.

So if you have a thin wallet and saving money is one of your top priorities, you can’t go wrong with the Magic Mouse.

Charge While Working

Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad

Apple put a charging port on the bottom of the Magic Mouse. Perhaps the primary purpose of this decision is that Apple wants to keep its iconic low-profile design. It inadvertently creates inconvenience as you cannot use this mouse while charging. You will need to wait at least a quarter of an hour to continue using it to complete your projects.

On the flip side, you can use the Magic Trackpad while charging, avoiding losing your productivity while doing important work.

Read more: Best USB-C Hubs For Mac

Comfortable

Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad

The Magic Trackpad Is more comfortable than the Magic Mouse. Comfort levels may vary from user to user, but the fact that Apple did not design the Magic Mouse with ergonomics has made it less comfortable.

The Magic Mouse features a narrow touch surface, relatively flat profile, and hard edges, making it even less comfortable than the best ergonomic mouse available.

The Magic Trackpad features a large surface with a comfortable slope, allowing you to click on it anywhere. Besides, this piece takes up less space than the mouse pad.

Gestures And Force Touch

The Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse give you most of the same gestures, such as swiping between full apps and pages, double-tapping to open Mission Control, and scrolling with one finger.

But the Magic Trackpad gives you a few more cool gestures, such as image rotating and pinch-to-zoom.

This trackpad also features Force Touch, similar to 3D Touch on iPhones. Click on its surface and press down. You will feel the second sort of click when it has been triggered.

Force Touch only allows you to access Look Up and Quick Look, making it a nice addition but not very helpful on Mac.

Arm saving And Space saving

Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad

If you have room for one trackpad measuring about 6″ x 4.5″, the Magic Trackpad is your best bet. I find the trackpad more comfortable thanks to its ergonomics. 

With a trackpad, you won’t have to put your hand in the same place for a long time as a mouse, which is better overall.

The trackpad can be too large for you if you have limited space. Meanwhile, the mouse has a level of flexibility that the Magic Trackpad is far from available.

Moreover, the mouse is more portable. For example, you can lift it and move it to a different area to continue to click without interrupting your work.

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Comparison Table

Aspects

The Magic Mouse

The Magic Trackpad

Brand

Apple.

Apple.

OS Support

Mac.

Mac.

Type

Multi-Touch.

Multi-Touch.

Dimensions

114.3 x 58.4 x 22.9 mm.

114.3 x 160.0 x 10.2 mm.

Weight

90.72 g.

0.23 g.

Wireless Connectivity

Lightning.

Lightning.

Connector

Bluetooth.

Bluetooth.

Colors

Silver, Space Grey.

Silver, Space Grey.

LED Indicator

None.

None.

User-Replaceable   

No.

No.

Force Touch support

No.

Yes.

Multi-touch

Yes.

Yes.

Use While Charging

No.

Yes.

Battery Life

2 months.

1 month.

Final Verdict: Which Is For You?

The Magic Trackpad prevails in this head-to-head comparison.
The Magic Trackpad prevails in this head-to-head comparison.

The Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse are both ideal for use with Mac as they support certain gestures you can’t find in other models. You will feel happy no matter which one you choose.

But if I have to recommend one over the other, I favor the Magic Trackpad. I have invested in both and use them interchangeably frequently. I found that the Magic Trackpad tends to be more comfortable. Its pinch-to-zoom gesture works well with my workflow.

The Bottom Line

Hopefully, my analysis has helped you find your ideal device. Before running to buy anything, do your own research and pick something that suits your work the best. Who knows, you may find something even better! Thanks for reading!

5/5 - (1 vote)
Solomen
Solomen

Solomen is the founder of MrHow.io, and he is happiest when working with technology and able to help others. In his free time, he often listens to Baroque music, swims or runs. Feel free to contact him on social media!

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