The Best Trackball Mouse

The trackball mouse may be something people remember from the earlier days of computing, but though they may not be as common as conventional mice, they are still a strong option for people seeking an alternative. Here are some things to think about when looking to buy a one.
ERGONOMICS

The conventional mouse, despite being the most common choice for computer users, is not without its problems. With extended use, it can cause discomfort in the wrist and forearm or even lead to chronic issues. This could be trouble if someone is required to be at a computer for long stretches of time. For these instances, a person may need to invest in a healthier alternative. The trackball mouse's main advantage compared to a conventional mouse has always been ergonomics, so when someone is in the market for one, the first thing he or she should consider is comfort. More specifically, it would be wise for the customer to consider the size of the device, the shape, how it feels, whether or not it stays put on the desk with harder use, whether it serves well for left-handed or right-handed individuals, button placement and even the size of the actual trackball. Another thing a person should be concerned about is how extended one's hand must be over the trackball mouse and where his or her wrist is placed during use. Overall, the big question is, will the mouse cause muscle fatigue over extended periods of time? Keeping this in mind, it is helpful for a customer to always remember a trackball mouse's largest benefit is comfort. Other factors should be secondary.

Recommendation: For ergonomic considerations, you can't go wrong with the Kensington Expert K64325. This ambidextrous model has four buttons, a scroll wheel and a large, center positioned trackball. It also comes with a detachable wrist rest for extra comfort.

VALUE

No one wants to go bankrupt buying something they need, but no one should have to compromise on features that make the purchase worth while either. When considering a trackball mouse, for all its advantages, the balance between cost and features should always be in mind. Compromise is oftentimes unavoidable, but a wise way for a buyer to approach this is in finding which features are must-have, which are optional and which are unnecessary. Another thing customers must consider when looking at cost is the type of use they expect to make of the device. Will he or she use it in the capacity of a hobbyist, or is it going to be used professionally? Maybe the device is being bought to aid someone with a physical disability, or perhaps the customer isn't looking to replace their existing mouse and is simply looking for something better for certain types of work. All of these considerations, and maybe a few more, should factor into how much a customer is willing to spend on a trackball mouse.

Because having all the features one may want is only worthwhile if the product lasts longer than a fortnight, another aspect of value that should be considered is durability. If the trackball mouse is a more economical model, does it still have the longevity one would expect of a good investment? If the model is more high-end, is extra value factored into the higher cost? These are questions someone should be asking when considering the cost benefit of a product.
Recommendation: For a less expensive model, I recommend the Logitech Trackman Marble Mouse. It has four buttons, is programmable, is ambidextrous and has a large trackball for a more ergonomic design. For a higher-end model, I recommend Kensington Expert K64325.

BUTTONS AND TRACKBALL PLACEMENT

As the needs of computer owners increase so may the amount of functionality they require from their interfaces. Trackball mice can come with all the buttons one may find convenient on a basic to high-end conventional mouse and in some cases with even more customization. The traditional right/left button setup you find on virtually all mice is the most basic route one can go when considering functionality of a trackball mouse, but there are also mice with a third or even a fourth button, scroll wheels, forward/back buttons and even programmable buttons that can be given quite a few other functions. Some trackball mice may also have ways to adjust of the sensitivity of the trackball itself, similar to what you may find in high-end conventional mice. A nice feature to consider is a scroll wheel that surrounds the trackball.
Placement of these buttons can vary highly on trackball mice, which also factors into comfort; even the trackball position is varied from model to model. Some things to consider when it comes to trackball position is muscle strain and the ease of access to buttons. Center positioned trackballs may require use of the thumb and pinky to click buttons, which may take some getting used to, but are generally better for wrist health in the long run. Thumb positioned trackballs possibly have less of a learning curve for people accustomed to conventional mice, but since the trackball is primarily accessed by the thumb, it may lose some of the ergonomic benefits and may cause strain.
Ultimately, when deciding on buttons and placement, it comes down to preference.
Recommendation: For a center positioned trackball mouse with customization, I have to again recommend the Kensington Expert K64325. If a thumb accessed trackball mouse is preferred, I recommend Logitech M570. This mouse has four programmable buttons and is of a great value.
OTHER FACTORS

There are a whole host of other factors not unique to a trackball mouse to consider when shopping for one. Depending on what a person is accustomed to, the DPI sensitivity can be the difference between frustration and precision. A customer looking for a wireless model should consider battery life; however, since these devices are stationary, whether or not the buyer should go wireless at all may be the more pressing question. And then there's the trackball itself. When it comes to how much friction it has, less is better.
Recommendation: For general function, I would recommend the Kensington Expert K64325. It comes in both a wireless and wired version, and its sensitivity can be adjusted through its provided software.

IT'S UP TO THE BUYER

Trackball mice come in all shapes and sizes, have all sorts of features and can meet all sorts of particular needs. So when searching for one, individuals can't go wrong with personally works for them.

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This page about Trackball Mouse was composed by V. Tobies and published by Alternative.me.
It was last updated on 2024-04-17 08:08:16 and has been viewed 5326 times.