What Ever Happened To The Trackball

[jyl]

I haven't seen one for a decade, it seems.

There are many ways to move a pointer around a screen.
- Mouse
- Trackpad
- Stylus
- Trackball
- Finger (touchscreen)
- Eraser (Thinkpad type)
- Pointing with your right nipple (just seeing who's reading carefully)

What's your favorite? Suppose you were setting up an office. Either with a desktop or a laptop plugged into monitors.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIM99H90Kys

[legion]

I prefer the eraser point. It used to be ubiquitous on business laptops. Now I can't find one.

[dad911]

I use a trackball. Logitech MX Ergo Wireless.

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Advanced-Wireless-Trackball-Windows/dp/B0753P1GTS/ref=sr_1_3?hvadid=232065131502&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9004038&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15336242820655681055&hvtargid=kwd-359263615118&keywords=ergo+mx&qid=1555632269&s=gateway&sr=8-3

[scottmandue]

We use industrial trackballs here at work, video games and casinos.

Google Happ trackball.

[dw1]

Due to a badly torn rotator cuff, I broke out my old Logitech T-CH11 TrackMan and was very pleased that it works fine with a PS/2 - USB adapter.

I had forgotten just how good the ergonomics were on this (I have a large hand). I remember putting it away because my thumb would end up being sore at the end of the day but now have no such problems, likely because the software I was using back then was more menu-driven (e.g. old Pro/Engineer) rather than modern easily customizable icon-driven applications.

In general, I would probably prefer a multi-button stylus, but a ergonomic mouse (like those from Contour Design Inc) worked just fine before my shoulder injury.

BTW, I tried the 3D "spacemouse" controller several times and didn't like it.

[stomachmonkey]

Logitech MX Master and now Master2.

I've pretty much standardized on them.

Bought another 2 just this morning.

[id10t]

Regular wheelie mouse, used to have a nice MS slim wheelie mouse that was perfect...

Although I tend to do a TON of stuff with just keyboard... even selecting text and such. Shift and arrows, home, etc.

[Tervuren]

My dad is trackball only.

Most people in my family/work are mice.

I use a 21 button mouse and am used to it, feels odd to go to a normal two button
or two button + scroll wheel setup.

What could be interesting is a pressure control rather than a motion control, but no idea how it'd feel in the real world.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by legion

I prefer the eraser point. It used to be ubiquitous on business laptops.

Dell Precision laptops still have them.

As for trackballs, I have enough Logitech TrackMan Marble FXs stockpiled to last me a good long while - one died and I realized I couldn't deal without...

[masraum]

I've been using them for many, many years, mostly Logitech.

I went through two of these.


I went through at least 2 of these.


I went through 3 of these


I've had to settle for one of these, because it's about all they make any more. I use it at work.


At home I've got one of these.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by spuggy

Dell Precision laptops still have them.

As for trackballs, I have enough Logitech TrackMan Marble FXs stockpiled to last me a good long while - one died and I realized I couldn't deal without...

If I had realized, I'd have stocked up too, but I didn't know until it was too late.

[A930Rocket]

My favorite curser was the Booby Curser. Sadly, it’s not around any more

[masraum]

Originally Posted by dad911

I use a trackball. Logitech MX Ergo Wireless.

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Advanced-Wireless-Trackball-Windows/dp/B0753P1GTS/ref=sr_1_3?hvadid=232065131502&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9004038&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15336242820655681055&hvtargid=kwd-359263615118&keywords=ergo+mx&qid=1555632269&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Damn! Now I've got to go buy a new trackball!

[HardDrive]

My Borg implant is top notch.

[masraum]

Apparently, a company called "Elecom" makes a few too.



They make a left handed version of the one on the far left too (M-XT4DRBK).

[masraum]

Apparently, there's a website devoted to trackballs.

https://www.trackballmouse.org/

[Superman]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

My Borg implant is top notch.

I use my right nipple.

[Superman]

I can't use a mouse that I have to move the whole thing around on a mousepad. The ball allows the mouse to be an armrest for me. Otherwise, my shoulder....and then my upper back, go on strike.

[fanaudical]

Anybody remember old Summa graphics digitizers? Wish I still had one...