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Comment by two_handfuls

1 day ago

I wonder whether this could be a touchpad malfunction, causing phantom clicks that move focus. To diagnose, you could temporarily disable it and use an external mouse.

42 comments

two_handfuls

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cpt_sobel  15 hours ago

I've had the same issue while using external mouse and keyboard, so I definitely don't touch the touchpad.

shlant  19 hours ago

a touchpad malfunction that only happens after an OSX update?

  • plorkyeran  18 hours ago

    Yes, there is a very large amount of software that's involved in making touchpads work and that software is part of the OS.

    • oreilles  15 hours ago

      When your trackpad worked in a previous OS version and suddenly don't in the newest, that's called a software bug. Not a trackpad malfunction.

      1 reply →

    • bqmjjx0kac  18 hours ago

      I once had a vexing problem with my old Intel MacBook — macOS failed to boot, but Windows seemed totally normal. Can't possibly be a hardware failure, right? The symptoms disappeared after replacing the SATA cable!

      3 replies →

Avamander  1 day ago

External mice also suck with macOS though.

  • vladvasiliu  14 hours ago

    Depends on the mice. As a sibling says, Logitech mice with their drivers work great. The app isn't great and loads a boatload of javascript crap. Can't vouch for bettermouse, never tried it.

    Another option which sidesteps the Logi Options crap is Logitech "gaming" mice. These have an integrated memory that actually remembers the configuration set by the driver. So, you only have to put up with the shitty experience once, and then the mouse remembers those settings wherever you use it. Some models can actually remember multiple setting sets.

    One of my best mice is a G700s. I haven't used the Logitech G crap in like... ten years? The mouse is still going strong. Its only issue is that it goes through batteries like a hot knife through butter. I like it so much, I actually bought a second one for work. Got it used, since they weren't making them anymore.

  • Arainach  1 day ago

    Not sure why this is getting downvotes, it's absolutely true. For a very long time you couldn't even set different scroll directions for external mice and the touchpad - even if it's (maybe? I forget) supported now it's always been an area Apple didn't care about and was far behind Windows and Linux.

    • mercanlIl  1 day ago

      I assume it’s getting down votes because it’s off-topic. The parent comment was suggesting external mice as a temporary measure to debug the intermittent issue they’re facing.

      Whether or not external micr suck on MacOS doesn’t really matter. The objective was to diagnose an issue.

      1 reply →

    • AndrewDavis  19 hours ago

      Recent switcher to macos. I can't find a way to separately set mouse acceleration and scroll wheel momentum.

      I use a trackball for RSI reasons, in order to get across the screen in a single flick means high sensitivity, mouse acceleration is absolutely needed to be able to make small movements. This makes my scroll wheel useless because a single scroll moves the page about 1/10 of a line

      3 replies →

    • anemoknee  1 day ago

      It's not supported as of now. Tools like Scroll Reverser are still needed to specify scrolling behavior between the touchpad and an external mouse.

    • shantara  13 hours ago

      That was my experience as well. macOS adopted the iOS UI pattern of list cells using a swipe gesture to show a delete button and other actions. This doesn’t work with mouse and you have to use the right click context menu. This is a constant annoyance when switching between the Mac with an external mouse and the one with a trackpad, as it breaks your muscle memory.

  • jjtheblunt  19 hours ago

    i have a logitech mx something and it's absolutely awesome.

    • plorg  15 hours ago

      I loved my Performance MX. I finally had to replace it at work (software wouldn't install after migrating to Windows 11) and the MX Master 3 I got seems much ergonomically worse to me. I also am not a fan of the thumb wheel replacing buttons. Only thing I won't complain about is that the resolution is better. From testing my coworkers' mouses (older Masters) I'm pretty sure they have each been a step downhill from my perspective.

      My sister in law gave me her G700S to fix the main button microswitches, and she convinced me that it's the apotheosis of the design - it's what should have replaced the Performance MX. No soft-touch plastic, extra buttons, and the higher resolution sensor. I'll probably have to get one off eBay.

      Edit: also all of the Masters have non-user-replaceable batteries.

      5 replies →

  • Joeri  18 hours ago

    You have to use third party software to configure them properly, then they work fine. I used logitech’s drivers for a while but they’ve become the biggest pile of garbage I have ever seen call itself a driver. I now use BetterMouse instead.