Trackball Mice

Rexmons • May 23, 2007 12:26 pm
I've used a trackball mouse for close to ten years and unfortunatly there seems to be a major decline in the manufacturing of them. If you go to a Best Buy / Staples / Office Max / Circuit City you'll be lucky if they offer 2 out of the 25 they have. I travel alot with my laptop and sometimes you don't have enough room to use a conventional mouse. Has anyone else noticed this or does everyone just use conventional laser/optical mice?
Shawnee123 • May 23, 2007 12:38 pm
I love my trackball and would prefer to use nothing else. I hope they're not becoming obsolete.
freshnesschronic • May 23, 2007 6:07 pm
You guys aren't in the know are ya, laser mice are like totally the standard :P

No but seriously, they are superior in every way, invest in them no doubt. So much better than trackball or optical.
Sundae • May 23, 2007 6:40 pm
Can't answer the original question, but I inherited my ex manager's trackball after it was supplied to him following a workplace assessment. He just didn't like it - and I did. Miss it now :(
Clodfobble • May 23, 2007 7:05 pm
I can handle a trackball if I absolutely have to, but my husband used to use a thumb trackball exclusively. I seriously had to use both hands to use it.
bluecuracao • May 23, 2007 8:00 pm
After we've lost two mice in transit, I just use the touchpad on our laptop. It's a pain in the butt at first, but once you get used to it, it's fine.
Uisge Beatha • Jun 14, 2007 8:02 pm
Trackballs forever! They may not be too common, but they're still around. If you shop online you can still find a small variety from a good few manufacturers.
Flint • Jun 15, 2007 9:47 am
Rexmons;346028 wrote:
... Best Buy / Staples / Office Max / Circuit City ...
That's the problem. You need a Fry's Electronics or somesuch.
Shawnee123 • Jun 15, 2007 10:02 am
freshnesschronic;346128 wrote:
You guys aren't in the know are ya, laser mice are like totally the standard :P

No but seriously, they are superior in every way, invest in them no doubt. So much better than trackball or optical.


Isn't a laser mouse just a regular mouse without a cord? You still have to move your hand all over the place. What a pain in the ass. A trackball, all you move is a couple fingers. Takes up less space, too.
Flint • Jun 15, 2007 10:12 am
A "laser" or optical mouse uses a laser underneath, in stead of the little ball, to track motion. A mouse without a cord would be a wireless mouse. In both cases, yes, you still have to make wacky non-ergonomic motions all over the desk.

I myself have a wireless, optical, trackball.
Clodfobble • Jun 15, 2007 10:59 am
WTF is an "optical" trackball? A trackball by definition doesn't move around the desk. I submit there ain't no such thing, sir.
Flint • Jun 15, 2007 11:04 am
The rotation of the trackball is not communicated via physical contact with the base. Less friction, more accurate.
Shawnee123 • Jun 15, 2007 11:14 am
New Cellar tagline: Less friction, more accurate.
Flint • Jun 15, 2007 11:16 am
Little, yellow, different, better.
Shawnee123 • Jun 15, 2007 11:22 am
OMG...when that commercial came out my sis-in-law said "Are they talking about the Japanese?":bolt: