I need a new mouse for work. I’m not fancy - it just needs to be big enough for my paws and have the standard buttons.
But there are so many choices out there! Trackballs are back? There are weird alien obelisk ergo designs, fancy low profile numbers, etc.
I’m tied to a desk these days (lots of typing, a smattering of pretty much everything else under the sun) and should probably pay better attention to my peripherals.
What do you use? What do you use it for?
I’ve been using a Logitech M570 wireless trackball (https://www.amazon.ca/Logitech-910-001799-M570-Wireless-Trackball/dp/B0043T7FXE?th=1) since 2011.
I like trackballs because they don’t require any real-estate bigger than the trackball unit itself. I’ve also found it extremely useful if I’m giving presentations as well, so that if my laptop is sitting on a table and I’m not physically near it I can still control things at a distance without needing any “mousable” area except my lap or chair arm.
I’ve heard that some people swear by trackballs. Personally, I’m fine with a standard optical mouse with accurate tracking. But the mouse has to be of an adequate size – I find that if it’s too small, I’m always accidentally clicking buttons when I don’t intend to. I have only normal size hands but some mousies – especially the cheap ones – are just too damn small. On my “main” most frequently used computer, a Logitech LX3 has served me well for a great many years and across several computers. It’s old enough that it’s undoubtedly been superseded by new models, but I like the perfect size, the ergonomic shape, and the feel of the buttons and scroll wheel. And it tracks well on just about any surface.
I use the Microsoft Arc mouse for the sole reason is that it folds flat and fits in my shirt pocket. I am constantly on the go with meetings, work from home and switching locations in the house, I like and highly value its portability aspect.
I use your basic Logitech wireless mouse. I need fine control.
I despise track balls. If I have to do work or maintenance on someone else computer, I quickly find a regular mouse.
My previous boss had hand issues for a while and used a track ball. So there is a place for them.
I use a Corsair Sabre. It’s sleek and unobtrusive as “gaming” mice go, but has excellent build quality. It’s lightweight and very precise. There’s RGB if you’re into that sort of thing. It only has two “extra” buttons which are situated at the thumbprint position. These buttons take slightly more pressure to actuate than some other similar mice I’ve used, which I like - I’ve never accidentally pressed them. What I like best about it is the texture. It has a matte, slightly “grainy” plastic surface - smooth and glossy mouse surfaces tend to get gunky or sticky, which I hate. This one is pleasantly tactile to touch, and the grain isn’t deep enough to pickup any finger/palm gunk.
I use my computer constantly for work and games. I’ve used probably a dozen different mice, and this is by far my favorite.
It’s not clear from the picture but the Logitech I mentioned is lined with rubber across the entire perimeter. The top is indeed smooth and glossy, but it can be wiped down in a few seconds with an alcohol swab.
Same here, but there is an updated version.
It’s pretty much the same, it’s just the 570 is out of production and much more expensive.
It’s a matter of preference, but I’ve found that most people aren’t willing to give it a try. I’ve been using a trackball of some sort since the 90’s starting with one of these.
Now I just use a regular mouse. But for a long time a long time ago I used a sort of pen-shaped mouse very roughly shaped like this, but instead of a stylus-type tip it had a small mouse-type ball. (Before?) that I had an original Wacom Art Pad, which I loved (and at $200 was a non-trivial expense for a college student). I don’t remember what happened to the old Art Pad but it was probably my favorite type of input device.
Amen. My present Logitech has been in use for years, and rarely needs new batteries.
Former computer graphic artist, current web dev here. Over 30 years ago, when I was starting out in the business, I visited a computer graphics studio in which many artists were using this style of trackball mouse. I was intrigued, and got one for myself. 30+ years later this style of trackball device is still my primary working mouse.
The large, weighty trackball is key. It provides for extremely fine motor control. Or give it a hard spin, and the momentum will take the cursor across the screen.
To each their own, of course, but I suspect most people who say they despise trackballs have used an input device with a small, marble-sized trackball. Has to be a large trackball like the device in my link.
I use a Logitech MX vertical wireless mouse (which I believe qualifies as a weird alien obelisk ergo design). Instead of orienting your hand to be mostly flat to the desk, it orients your hand to be nearly vertical, with your palm facing in the direction of your keyboard and your thumb mostly upwards. You put your thumb on one side of the vertical axis, and the rest of your hand on the other side. Everything functions as you would expect – buttons, scroll wheel, etc. I’ve had a lot less irritation and stress on my wrist since I started using it. Sorry the link below does not come up as a photo.
I use a Magic Trackpad.
So much better than a mouse (even the amazingly awesome Logitech MX mouse).
Never used a small track ball. I’ve tried to use the big ones. I’m sure it’s a matter of getting used to it, but I see no point in it. At least for me.
That’s what I use, too, after asking our word processor here at work how she coped with wrist pain. She showed me her vertical mouse, and I bought one. It took me an hour or two to get used to it, and now I can’t live without it. My developing wrist pain vanished.
Ditto this. I’ve used this same model for years. I agree with all of @velomont’s reasons.
Also, my arm used to ache when I used a regular mouse because when you need to move your whole arm, you keep tension in your whole arm. With a trackball, my hand and arm are relaxed, except for my thumb. I believe I can now break black walnuts with my thumb. 
I also find that it causes less strain, as I don’t have to keep my right hand on the desk all the time. I’ll move the mouse to the arm of my chair or my thigh, or even my chest, wherever is most comfortable.
Another trackpad user here. I’m using an old Logitech wireless trackpad, that go for about $500 on Amazon now. The Apple one works fine, too, but I prefer the flat Logitech to the sloped Apple. On my laptop I just use the trackpad that is builtin.
The frequent motion of moving from the home keys to the mouse on the side eventually aggravates my elbow. I like the trackpad at the bottom of the keyboard, because then I can do basic mouse stuff with my thumb, and not even move my hand from the home keys.
I use a Logitech M510, which has most of the features of the aforementioned M570 but without the weird trackball.
It’s nice for my large hands, and I like the back/forward button right up on the thumb area (well, if you’re right handed like me) and the wheel does some stuff too other than just wheeling. It’s got a click and a left and a right gesture. But I think you have to program them.
I switched to trackballs because I was having issues with pain in my wrist. I then switched to an upright mouse because I got tired of cleaning the trackball.
I still use a trackball at home as I spend way more time on a computer at work.