Member Avatar for Danniboy

hey all,

i was wondering what ppls opinions of trackballs were, do u think there still good? do ppl still buy them, or are they just too different and no1 gets em anymore, or, if u have a trackball, how is it? tell me watcha think, im thinkin of gettin 1 or just a cordless desktop set

Thanks for reading :) :cool:


heres an example of wot im interested in...

http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/keyboardsmicejoystickswheelsandtablets/productView.htm?quicklinx=2J0W

:confused:

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by JANINE

Dani AI

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Trackballs are a niche tool but still a sensible choice for specific needs rather than a generic mouse replacement. As and others noted, most people prefer a conventional mouse, but trackballs shine where desk space is tight, long periods of pointer work risk wrist strain, or precise small movements are common. They are not ideal for fast-paced gaming or freehand digital art; that point from is worth keeping in mind.

Form factor matters more than brand. Thumb-operated designs (small ball, held by the fingers) favor users who want the hand to stay still; large finger-operated balls give finer control for precision tasks. Handedness is important: many models are right-handed only, which explains ’s frustration. Look for ambidextrous models or explicitly left-handed designs if needed. Prioritize: a removable ball for cleaning, programmable buttons and driver support, a comfortable dome shape for the resting palm, and a scroll mechanism that matches workflow. Wireless models save cable space but add battery chores, as mentioned.

Ergonomics and setup tips that make a real difference: use forearm/shoulder motion for larger moves instead of flexing the wrist; disable pointer acceleration in the OS for consistent tracking; reduce pointer speed for high-precision work; remap an extra button to middle-click or common macros to cut travel time. Expect a short adaptation period — a week of regular use is a fair trial.

Basic maintenance/troubleshooting: power down, remove the ball, wipe the ball with a lint-free cloth and mild alcohol if needed, gently clean the cavity and sensor rollers with cotton swabs or compressed air, then reassemble. If the cursor skips, recheck cleanliness and driver settings. For someone undecided — as joked about ball-thievery — testing a model in person or borrowing one for a few days is the best way to judge whether the tradeoffs fit the task at hand.

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for Dani

My first computer had one of those Logitech trackballs (back in the day before optical was out). It was eh. I like mice better, personally. My mom still swears by trackballs.

Member Avatar for Member #25180

I have a friend who is taking networking with me at the tech school, who uses a track ball. The librarian used one at my high school when I was there. I used one aswell ... yeah they are alright, its somthing different. It was fun to steal the balls out of them :cheesy: ... "as a joke, hehehe".

I'm not sure if they cut down on the possibility of carpal tunnel apart from using mouses.

Speaking of which the technical term for more than one mouse is mouses, "weird, huh?", but I'll use either mice or mouses. <ramble mode = off>

Member Avatar for moderate_rock48

They are good for when you have very little space on your computer desk. They are kind of retro too. I have one, but I much rather use a laser mouse. The wireless kind you have to buy batteries for and can get lost easier. For now I will stick with my laser mouse :)

Member Avatar for mikeSQL

Goto microsoft.com and check on some of there assecories they have like trackball mouses and wireless mouses. Youll see that its pretty hot. Neat colors. All kinds like neons and stuff. I just bought 1 not too long ago from them. And it is looking and working so awsome man.

Member Avatar for jwenting

I've never liked them, which may be caused by the fact that I've only ever seen right handed ones and I'm totally left handed.

I've trouble even finding a GOOD mouse as all the quality models are sculpted for right handed use only :mad: :evil:

Member Avatar for jwenting

main reason to use a trackball (if I could find one I can use and like) would be because they limit micromovement of the mouse hand and therefore reduce the risk of RSI which is not to be discounted, especially for IT workers (which is one reason I use a €100 keyboard and an €80 mouse).

Member Avatar for alc6379

I like trackballs, except for doing Desktop publishing/digital art and gaming. If I didn't do both of those frequently, I'd probably use a trackball.

As a matter of fact, I'm thinking of switching over to a trackball at work, as I don't do either of those activities there.

Member Avatar for JANINE

im not fussed. they all do vrtually the same thing

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