Comparison of Mouse,Touchpad and Multitouch Input Technologies

Abstract

Twelve subjects used fixed-angle split keyboards with a conventional mouse, an integrated touchpad, or an integrated MultiTouch surface. Three tasks were tested in each condition: data entry, text editing and cursor positioning. Wrist posture, performance (speed, errors) and subjective ratings were recorded. Results showed that mouse use was fastest for data entry, text editing tasks, and cursor positioning. MultiTouch was faster than the touchpad for cursor positioning, but slower for data entry and text editing. The mouse was rated as easiest to use. MultiTouch and the mouse were rated as more comfortable than the touchpad. There was marginally less wrist extension with use of the MultiTouch or the mouse than with use of the touchpad. Familiarity with keyboard and mouse use may have played a substantial role in the findings.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Cakir

A. E.

Miller

(1995). The TrackPad — A study on user comfort and performance. CHI 95 Mosiac of Creativity, May, 246–247.

Chen

Burastero

Tittiranonda

Hollerbach

Shih

Denhoy

(1994). Quantitative Evaluation of four computer keyboards: Wrist posture and typing performance. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 38th Annual Meeting '94, 2, 1094–1098.

Damann

E.A.

Kroemer

K.H.E.

(1995) Wrist Posture during Computer Mouse Usage. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 39th Annual Meeting, 1, 625–629.

Hedge

Morimoto

McCrobie

(1999) Effects of keyboard tray geometry on upper body posture and comfort, Ergonomics, 42, (10), 1333–1349.

Hinckley

Sinclair

(1999). Touch-sensing input devices. CHI 99, 223–230.

Kelaher

Nay

Lawrence

Lamar

Sommerich

(2001). An investigation of the effects of touchpad location within a notebook computer. Applied Ergonomics, 32, 101–110.

Keir

P. J.

Bach

J. M.

Rempel

(1999) Effects of computer mouse design and task on carpal tunnel pressure Ergonomics, 42 (10) 1350–1360.

MacKenzie

I. S.

Oniszczak

(1998). A comparison of three selection techniques for touchpads. CHI 98, April, 18–23.

Snedecor

G.W.

Cochran

W.G.

(1989) Statistical Methods. Ames: Iowa State Univ. Press, 8th edition.

10.

Westerman

Elias

J. G.

Hedge

(2001). Multi-touch: A new tactile 2-D gesture interface for human interaction. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 45th Annual Meeting, 1, 632–636.

11.

Woldstad

J. C.

Jedriewski

M. A.

(1993). Initial wrist posture during typing for different keyboard heights and slopes. Advances in Industrial Ergonomics and Safety V, Taylor & Francis. 257–262.