Does anyone else not use a mousepad?

[cardshark828]

I currently use a Sidewinder X8 without a mousepad. It's on a wooden desk surface, and I have no problems with tracking or responsiveness in games. I think most people probably use a mousepad though.

I am just curious how common it is not to use a mousepad, especially if you use your computer for gaming (which most people here probably do).

 

[corkyg]

I don't use a mousepad with laser mice on any of three systems. I think a lot of mousepad use is carryover and, in some cases, cosmetic.

 

[Modelworks]

It depends on the smoothness of the surface you use. I have a formica topped desk and it is smooth, but has a slight wood grain bump to it. Over time that wears off mouse feet . I use a cloth pad to prevent that. The rule with surfaces that rub against each other is the harder material will wear away the softer one. The cloth is softer than the formica top so it doesn't wear off the mouse feet.

 

[JamesV]

I haven't used a mousepad in over 10 years, since they work perfectly on my wood desk.

However, I am considering getting the gigantic (36") XTRAC PADS Ripper XXL because my keyboard slides all over the place, and I figure this large mat would be great to keep my keyboard in place and give me a smooth surface for my mouse.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

I use a mouse "pad" for several reasons

1. I'd rather wear the mouse pad out before the table/desk surface. A few wooden surfaces I have had my computer on have before mousepads actually substantially worn out. Sure, some desks will be very robust (glass, etc) but this brings me to my other reason:

2. surface consistency - I'm not always mousing on the same desk or table, and each can very different feel or even tracking quirks or problems. A mouse pad brings consistency so you can always know what to expect

3. it is easier to thoroughly clean a mouse pad (especially a hard pad like I use) than it is to clean a desk surface.

4. pads can be far kinder to mouse feet which can and will wear out faster on harder surfaces.


otherwise using a mousepad for superior tracking performance is often just marketing lies by the manufacturers

 

[Rottie]

mousepad is for me to keep my raser diamondback mouse clean from dust laying on the desk and to keep mouse feet clean from dirty. I dont know if you rather to clean mouse daily?

 

[Lorne]

Stopped using them along time ago.
The only time I have anything down is because the surface is black, Like at work
so I put down an large peace of photo paper which resist moisture.

 

[Binky]

I still use them because I don't like my hand resting on a cold stick surface. Modern use of a mouse pad has little or nothing to do with the mouse itself. Its more like a mouse-hand pad.

 

[sticks435]

I have a mx518 and don't use one. My computer desk is already well worn from mousing for the last 10 or 15 years, so it's flat and slick. The "feet" on the 518 are hard rubber and Logitech will replace them for free, so not worried about that either.

 

[bruceb]

What I would like to get is thin white plastic (about 1/16" thick with rounded edges) but it is getting harder to find plexiglass shops locally. So, next best for me is just a few pieces (about 4 or 5) or white paper 11 x 14 in size. Works good and if you want, you can tape it down. With the plastic, you can use glass cleaner to take off dust and dirt.

 

[corkyg]

Check out a cookware shop. You get slick, white plastic cutting boards in a variety of sizes. They work great.

 

[gevorg]

mousepad is almost like a floppy drive, just forget it

 

[pandemonium]

I prefer no mousepad if the surface the mouse is on is smooth. I hate the feel of having a mousepad under my fingers. The mousepad just gets dirty and looks like crap and isn't necessary unless you're using a trackball mouse...

I have a Steelseries SX pad at home since I have a metal/glass desk with a keyboard tray that is holed out. Smoothest surface ever.

I prefer not getting carpal tunnel. The less resistance there is to using input devices the better.

 

[Throckmorton]

I use a cloth mouse pad because it feels good

 

[deimos3428]

I can get by without a mousepad just fine, of course, and for office work it makes little difference. For gaming my Steelseries 4HD is vastly superior to the desk. (Maybe it's just a confidence placebo effect, but who cares -- it works.)

 

[Fayd]

I currently use a Sidewinder X8 without a mousepad. It's on a wooden desk surface, and I have no problems with tracking or responsiveness in games. I think most people probably use a mousepad though.

I am just curious how common it is not to use a mousepad, especially if you use your computer for gaming (which most people here probably do).

i use a mousepad because sliding a mouse over a bare desk surface is noisy.

 

[bobdole369]

Damn kids these days. I bet none of you actually "require" a mousepad. Back in my day if'n you didn't have to clean the freakin ball out of your mouse at LEAST 3 times a day, you were doing something wrong.

At my office we have this black leathery desk cover thing (maybe back in the day they called it a blotter) - that functions as a mouse pad. I have one at home ( a mousepad) because its noisy on that desk.

 

[bobdole369]

What I would like to get is thin white plastic (about 1/16" thick with rounded edges) but it is getting harder to find plexiglass shops locally. So, next best for me is just a few pieces (about 4 or 5) or white paper 11 x 14 in size. Works good and if you want, you can tape it down. With the plastic, you can use glass cleaner to take off dust and dirt.

Wouldn't a mouse not work on that surface?

 

[bruceb]

It will work fine, just as it does on plain white paper.

 

[WhtDrgn1968]

I use a MS Optical Trackball myself. Been using the same one for the past 10 yrs and has always done wonders for me. I also use it a lot in FPS games and it allows me to spin around quickly. But, this is only my opinion. as for a mousepad I dont use one.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

I dont use a mousepad with my new G500 but with my notebook mouse yes I do. It depends on the surface and the material used in the feet of the mouse.

 

[bobdole369]

It will work fine, just as it does on plain white paper.

thin white plastic

My bad I read/understood that as thin *clear* plastic.

 

[ted4412wilt]

I use a Formica sink cutout. Smooth and no cost.

 

[MotF Bane]

At my office we have this black leathery desk cover thing (maybe back in the day they called it a blotter) - that functions as a mouse pad. I have one at home ( a mousepad) because its noisy on that desk.

Those make such nice mousepads.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Haven't used a mousepad since I stopped using trackball mouse like 12 years ago at least.