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Mouse or Trackball?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the one-for-the-wife dept.

Loconut1389 writes "I've been an avid mouse user for years, but lately all of the wrist movements have added up and combined with a desire for some added precision when not using my tablet in photoshop, I decided to purchase a large trackball. Logitech makes a few with a small, thumb controlled ball, but it looked like you'd get a tired thumb and have no added precision. After searching around, it seems that the only large one really available is a Kensington for about $90. Only CompUSA seemed to even carry the kensington in-store (and had none in stock). After ordering one online and using it for a few days now, I don't know how I ever lived with a mouse. The trackball has better precision, less wrist movement, and even gaming is pretty cool/easy with it (can spin it to whip around real quick, etc). All that said, it seems like trackballs have all but vanished except in medical fields (sonograms, etc) and perhaps graphic arts. I'm left insanely curious why trackballs haven't resurfaced now that optical technologies have fixed the main problems of old trackballs (and mice). Do you use a trackball? If so, are you in graphic design?"

3 of 627 comments (clear)

  1. Vi! by mccalli · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Oh sorry, wrong debate...

    Cheers,
    Ian

  2. Because it feels stronger. by falconwolf · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Ah, so the same reason someone drives an SUV to their office.

    For most SUVs on the road I totally agree. I doubt more than 10% of the SUVs on the road will ever be driven off a paved road. Yet when I grew up that's exactly why people got 4X4s, to go offroad. Heck I knew some that had 4X4s that were never driven on the road. At home they'd keep it on a trailer and tow it wherever. Once they got where they wanted to go offroad they'd unload it pretty much like a boat on a trailer. And the muddy water may be a few feet deep. We had some fun stumping around in the bogs.

    I sometimes look as those driving Hummers and Rovers on the road and wonder if their ego is so fragile they need one to boost their selfesteem.

    Falcon
    --
    Should there be a Law?
  3. Re:Outta my yard by The+Great+Pretender · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    "Luxuriously Soft and Pleasing Suede Surface"

    and after work you can stick it to your parteners arse for a night of rumpy

    --
    A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.