As a Windows user, I could never get used to the way MacOS handles external mouse movement speeds.

It may seem like it should all be the same, but its not. Both OS’s have their own algorithms to determine how the mouse moves.

The difference is dramatic, and in the case of someone switching from Windows to MacOS, the preferences pane really does not have the detailed control needed to customize the mouse to work like Windows.

For that, you need an external program, and that program is USB Overdrive.

To make the mouse moved the way I wanted to on my 24″ monitor with Logitech G5 laser mouse, I went into the Preferences Pane for the native MacOS Mouse settings first, and set the tracking to ‘fast’ (I don’t know if this overrides or complements the USB OverDrive settings, just letting you know that’s what mine is set at).

Then go into the USB Overdrive Preferences Pane, enable it, and enable the speed and acceleration options to 50%.

Voila – works great for me, but you may have to fiddle with it to get it right for you. Take your time and make sure its right. When I first got the app, I got frustrated and only had it 80% ‘dialed in’ the way I wanted it, and figured that was the best it could do. It wasn’t. It works perfectly now.

USB Overdrive is $20 and well worth the money if mouse movement is an issue for a Windows switcher. I think it was the first third-party MacOS app I ever bought.

It even has a brand new version for Snow Leopard which works great.