Unlike the measly mouse, the touchpad enables you to have three or four finger gestures. If you bind gestures in each direction, that already eight more actions than what you could ever do with the mouse. By default, your operating system likely integrates these gestures, allowing you to transverse between different workspaces or virtual desktops. And yes, I know there are exotic mice that have extra buttons. However, the touchpad is more intuitive, especially when the animations respond as you draw a gesture.
Also, have ever seen a mouse that can scroll horizontally?
Yes, there are evidence that the mouse is faster and more accurate than the touchpad (Link 1 2). I guess you need to be fast in reaching the horizontal scroll bar in order to stand any chance against the touchpad :P. However, using the computer is not all about moving the cursor.
On Arch Linux (by the way), I use a tiling window manager with about ninety configured keyboard shortcuts. This means that I have to switch between the keyboard and the cursor often. While using the touchpad, I only need to move my hand about ten centimeters. When I use the mouse, I have to move my hand about twenty-five centimeters.
Here is a visual diagram to show the massive difference!
Of course, your mileage may vary, but because mice are so hefty and need space to use, I have to actually put them at a long distance away from my keyboard. Although this may seem like a petty nitpick, and I mean you can probably argue this article is one whole petty nitpick, I frequently avoid using the quicker keyboard shortcuts while using the mouse. I have to actually bring more mental thought every time I have to switch between the two inputs, which makes it inconvenient. Contrast to the touchpad, which is directly below your hands. The touchpad feels more like a natural extension of the keyboard, without needing any thought to switch between the two. Also, yes, you can use the mouse in one hand and the keyboard in the another, but that just removes half of your shortcuts (if you are right handed, it also means no vim keys!), and you still would to need use both hands for normal typing.
By the way, I am just saying, using a touchpad requires a single finger while using a mouse requires your entire hand.
Not only the mouse itself is quite bulky, you need to carry a mouse pad to every time you bring your laptop outside. This contrasts to touchpads where are often built-in to your laptop. Of course, you can use the mouse at home and use the touchpad outside of home, but if you are going to use the touchpad anyway, might as well embrace it.
However, I do think there are some cases where it might be better to use a mouse than a touchpad
This work by thairanaru is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International