If you own a touch device, you already know that context-sensitive movements can be a bit unintuitive at times, especially when you’re trying to access menus traditionally associated with the right-click function of a mouse.
In terms of contextual functionality, using a mouse is still far more efficient than its touch-based alternatives. From taking advantage of casino free spins to the sheer speed at which you perform daily tasks, having a device that can right-click will make you faster, more adaptable, and more efficient.
Whether you’re a programmer, a designer, or a gamer, the classic combination of mouse and keyboard simply can’t be beaten. Touch devices certainly have the upper hand in some situations, but in order to prove that the simplicity of right-clicking still beats touch technology, here are five reasons why right-click functionality still rules the proverbial roost.
Practicality
Almost every technology we use today is designed for practicality and convenience. Touch screens, for example, were developed with tactile interaction in mind. As a result, they allow for larger screens which, in turn, increase both visibility and accessibility.
Because touch screens require direct contact with the display, they are restricted by several limitations that don’t affect a mouse and keyboard setup. For instance, touch screens tend to be a little more fragile than regular screens despite their durability.
Touch screens require the user to be close to the device in question at all times, while a mouse and keyboard can work perfectly regardless of their proximity to the screen. As a bonus perk, this also means that non-touch screens are more hygienic than their pawed counterparts.
As is the case with most interactive technology, the choice of touch or peripherals will ultimately boil down to personal preference. However, if you want to keep your screen at a comfortable viewing distance, a mouse and keyboard setup is the only option worth considering.
Versatility
Having a mouse makes it easier to navigate any screen. It makes scrolling up and down more effortless, and plenty of other basic actions become a breeze to perform. Even though it may be impractical to lug a mouse around just to use your smartphone, carrying one with you definitely helps if you frequently use a laptop or a tablet.
Mobile phones are perhaps where touch screens are the most effective. They’re ideal for straightforward tasks, like making calls, sending messages, and touching up photos. Touch screens don’t do too well with more complex tasks, though, such as long-form writing or proper image editing.
If you need a device that can perform complex tasks well, your best option is to have a mouse that goes along with it. You don't need a keyboard for most jobs, but the technological tools you require will depend on the task at hand at the end of the day.
Speed
Instead of viewing them as opposing technologies, we should consider touch screens and peripherals as complementary technologies. They fulfill different roles, and each one has its own strengths.
The nuance relative to a comparison of touch tech and right clicks is hard to overstate. For every case of one technology being better than the other, there’s an equivalent comparison that brings them back into balance.
A great example of this back-and-forth relationship is the speed at which tasks can be performed. For instance, it’s easier to make a phone call on a touch screen, but it’s a tedious task to try editing a video without being able to right-click.
Some touch devices do provide right-click functionality, but you usually have to touch the screen for a few seconds for context menus to pop up. In comparison, a mouse just needs an instant click and you're ready to go.
Ease-of-access
At this point, we’ve established that touch tech might make a lot of tasks easier, but it doesn't necessarily make them faster as well. What’s more, the tasks touch devices can manage are relatively simple in nature. In other words, the more complex the function is, the likelier it will be that a mouse and keyboard will be better suited to the task.
Due to the wider variety of tasks that can be accomplished with the power of a right-click, peripheral devices are far more useful than touch screens in terms of versatility. They provide access to a broader range of options at a faster pace, and remain the go-to solution for anything more complex than a phone call.
Accuracy
Have you ever tried to play a first-person shooter with touch controls? If you have, you know that mouse and keyboard players have a substantial advantage against touch users. In fact, the same dynamic applies to the vast majority of video games.
To put it bluntly, a mouse pointer is a lot smaller than a finger, and the freedom of movement it provides is far greater than anything that current touch screens can provide. With the added benefit of being able to access context menus instantaneously, right-clicks still have the lead over touch screens, at least in terms of complex task efficiency, versatility, and accuracy.
