dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Which do you use a Mouse or Trackball?

My long-loved 10+-year-old wireless Logitech Trackball started having problems holding the left finger to select. Repair instructions on UTube show disassembly and !! WD-40 Q-tip lubing of the switches!! If that did not work then what. If it does work then I have a backup or a hand-me-down.

I decided it was time to buy a new one. OUCH $!$! On Amazon, there is an off-brand by the unlikely name, Jellycomb [MT-50], for just $30. Being a squeak by retire person, I purchased one. It installed easily and works like a charm. Selections of Mouse and Trackballs are shown on : https://www.jellycomb.com/collections/ergonomic

I switched from "mouse" to trackballs in the 1990s. For me, the regular Mouse feels awkward compared to the control I have using a Trackball.

If you are a Mouse person, give the Trackball a try. With the return policy, it is worth the try.

Which do you use a Mouse or Trackball?

PaulBrit Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon

I use the Kensington trackball. Only switched from a mouse in the last month and it has taken me a while to get used to it but I love it! Wished I had switched ages ago.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I tried a track ball, didn't like it at all.
I, personally, have MUCH more control with a mouse.

But, to each his own.

kubota king Loc: NW , Pa.

I have 3 Microsoft Trackball Explorer 1.0 which they stop making years ago . It has left click and right click on the left side along with a scroll wheel . On the top it has a trackball which I use a lot , and on the right side it has forward and back page buttons . I never have to move the mouse around to select anything . The scroll wheel allows me to zoom in and out in PS and other programs when I am working on something , which I like very much and allows me to scroll up and down on web pages ... I have to admit the left click on the one mouse needs some repair . I'm not using this one on my two desktops . They still work find ... I would be lost if the other two quit working since I haven't seen anything like them when I searched a few yrs ago . They might have something close now , I don't know with out doing some searching . Tommy

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Been using a trackball for a couple decades. My desktop never seemed to have enough free space to swing a mouse.

I am uncomfortable using a mouse or trackpad.

I got a Logitech Ergo trackball and I like it. When it first got one it was about $50 but they have increased recently.

The trackball has a thumb-operated ball, a scroll wheel and two mouse buttons (left and right), two buttons for forward and back paging on your browser, one button that changes the travel rate of your trackball (makes fine movement much easier) and a button that selects two devices to connect to (1 and 2). I can use the same trackball on my old PC laptop and my new MacBook Pro, just switching back and forth with the button.

The speed control button is really nice. If I set the cursor speed slow enough to handle the fine work it takes forever to move the cursor across the screen, particularly since I use two monitors. If I set the cursor speed fast enough to get across the two screens it's not possible to do fine work. The speed control allows me to do both.

PS: the first Ergo I got used a dongle for wireless connection. I got a second one last year so I could use it with my laptop. When I got my new MacBook Pro I discovered that I could connect with Bluetooth, no dongle needed. This was particularly convenient since the dongle was USB-A and the MacBook only has Thunderbolt4 ports.

ezslides

Wacom digitizer tablets are the way to go. I've used them for 30 years.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I got a wacom and used it a few times, but never really got used to it.

Everyone will have their own favorite device. A long period of usage will get fixed in your muscle memory, which will determine which device works best for you.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Mouse. I could not get the hang of a track ball. Though, might a large track ball now be easier than a mouse now that I have advanced arthritis?

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

My first trackball had a large ball, maybe 2" diameter. You used your palm to move it. The new ones are probably about 1" diameter. Have not shopped online for a trackball recently so the large balls might possibly be out there somewhere.

walkurie Loc: East Stroudsburg, PA

I've used both and do prefer the trackball.
It seems to give finer control.
Happy New Year.

twowindsbear

Trackball!! What I reallyReallyREALLY like, though, is a trackball keyboard. Wish i could find a reasonably priced one.

BebuLamar

I use mouse and to me it's the best pointing device. Pen is good but my arm would be tired as I can't rest my arm on the table. Touch would be a problem for small things. Touch pad is OK but not as good as mouse. I can't tolerate either the track ball or the pencil eraser pointer.
When I went to Germany around 2003 they all use track ball there. I asked why they don't use the mouse they say in Germany there is no mice unlike the USA.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

I'm using a mouse since my Wacom quit, and to tight on money right now too replace it, but a tablet is the easiest and best, mouse second. I am tried a trackball years ago and did not like it at all.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Once again, it's what you get used to that's easiest and best. All our recommendations are biased by our experience.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

<Which do you use a Mouse or Trackball?>
Been a "Trackman" since 1995, Logitech's name for first trackball in that year. Prefer a stationary "mouse", would never switch back unless my thumb quits working.