# Mouse, trackball, or trackpad? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 22, 2011, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350 "2011-04-22T13:25:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/1 "2011-04-22T13:25:30Z")
What do you like to use? Mouse with or without scroll wheel, trackball mouse (like [this](http://chasingliam.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Logitech_marble_mouse_trackball_blog-749054.jpg) or [this](http://www.mousearena.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/logitech-marble-trackball-mouse.jpg)), [trackball](http://www.itreviews.co.uk/graphics/normal/hardware/h1853.jpg), or trackpad (touchpad)? Or something else maybe? For polling purposes I’d say that Apple’s [Mighty Mouse](http://img.engadget.com/common/images/2130359713636671.JPG?0.9099284156693608) would qualify as a “trackball mouse.” ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/2 "2011-04-22T14:30:48Z")
My weapon of choice is the [Logitech Performance Mouse MX.](http://www.logitech.com/en-us/mice-pointers/mice/devices/5845) The scroll wheel is virtually frictionless, and has some mass/inertia to it. With the click/detent mechanism toggled off, a single flick of my finger scrolls rapidly through a looooong web page. With the click/detent mechanism turned on, I can scroll step-by-step through the zoom levels on a map. It’s the best of both worlds. On top of that, there are four buttons for my thumb, plus the usual two for my finger, plus the scroll wheel clicks down and also has side-to-side buttons. The less often I move my hand between mouse and keyboard, the better, and this thing goes a long way toward accomplishing that. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/3 "2011-04-22T14:39:27Z")
Trackball, the Logitech one. When I bought a new device for work, I switched to the trackball, too. I admit it’s probably part of the reason I don’t play too many PC games at home, especially not those with fast reflexes, but I can if I want to, and certainly do play shooting games. I hate having to move a mouse around, and I like to have a very small area for my mouse. It confuses the hell out of my office, though - they just can’t get the hang of it. Good for me - it means no one uses my computer, though. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/4 "2011-04-22T14:44:45Z")
I voted mouse with wheel. A trackball is too slow and makes my forearm ache after a few minutes. A trackpad is fine for basic web browsing, but too slow and not accurate enough for doing real work. I frequently work with my right hand on the mouse and my left on the keyboard. Using a trackpad my hands constantly interfere with each other. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/5 "2011-04-22T14:53:51Z")
Wireless optical mouse with trackball. I was kind of amazed with my most recent mouse. The receiver is no bigger than a USB plug. And the mouse tracks over any surface. I even tried it on my butt! (Just the one time, though.) ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/6 "2011-04-22T15:06:25Z")
Your “trackball” link doesn’t work for me. What’s the difference between a “trackball mouse” and a “trackball”?? Personally I use a Logitec Marble Mouse (which I consider to be a trackball) on one computer, the TrackPoint or a stylus on my laptops (convertible tablets), and wireless optical mouses with scroll wheel on my home computers. I’m equally comfortable with these. I can’t stand trackpads or thumb-operated trackballs. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/7 "2011-04-22T15:10:50Z")
I use the one in your second “this” link or at least one that looks exactly like it. How people use, and even like, a mouse without a trackball is beyond me. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/8 "2011-04-22T15:11:42Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > What’s the difference between a “trackball mouse” and a “trackball”?? A trackball is a ball on a stationary base. A trackball mouse is usually a large traditional mouse with a trackball on it, either at the top where a scroll wheel would normally be or on the side. ---
**Author:** ![inkling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkling)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/9 "2011-04-22T15:14:47Z")
I mostly use scroll wheel mice, but I also love the inaccurately-named Kingston Expert Mouse series of trackballs. Too bad they’re so damned expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/10 "2011-04-22T15:26:34Z")
Had to vote something else because I use two different types, and one of them isn’t on the list. At home, I use a laser mouse with a scroll wheel and tons of buttons because I need the precision and extra buttons for gaming. At work, I use an index track ball because precision doesn’t matter as much, but I’d rather avoid the possibility of repetitive motion injury from moving a mouse around all day. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/11 "2011-04-22T15:28:34Z")
I alternate between a trackball (or trackball mouse I guess, since I have one of the Logitechs you showed), the mouse nub, and a Wacom tablet. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/12 "2011-04-22T15:34:53Z")
By your definition, I use a Trackball Mouse. The manufacturer calls it a trackball. It’s a [Kensington Orbit with scroll ring](http://us.kensington.com/html/17531.html). ETA Back when I used a single screen, I used a Wacom Grapphire pen and tablet quite a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/13 "2011-04-22T15:37:59Z")
I have the trackball mouse in your second pic, the Logitech one. Love it. I got it because once upon a time I was trying to be a hardcore player vs player type in an MMORPG and my friends told me I needed one, but I ended up loving it. (Though it didn’t help my playing, I am so not a hardcore gamer.) As for people who say “I don’t know how you can use that!” it’s just what you’re used to. I fumbled around a bit at first but it becomes natural quickly. I feel that for me it’s less strain on my wrist than a mouse. ---
**Author:** ![heavyarms553](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@heavyarms553](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heavyarms553)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/14 "2011-04-22T15:39:12Z")
I like using a mouse with as many buttons as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/15 "2011-04-22T15:50:56Z")
My favorite pointing device is the [Logitech Optical TrackMan](http://www.logitech.com/en-us/mice-pointers/trackballs/devices/189) which is a trackball. Move with your middle/ring fingers; scroll with your index finger; left-click with your thumb; right click with your pinkie. Also navigation buttons accessible with your thumb. I loved the device, but the stupid wireless receiver would get tangeled up on things and broken. I actually went through two of them, and after the wireless receiver broke on the second one, I sadly abandoned them. I now use the Logitech Performance Mouse MX, referenced above by **Machine Elf**. It’s not quite as ergonomic, but it’s pretty slick. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/16 "2011-04-22T16:02:39Z")
I have tried many many different devices and in the end, I always go back to a mouse with wheel. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/17 "2011-04-22T16:31:34Z")
hand-held trackballs are very nice for use on a mobile computer. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/18 "2011-04-22T20:14:00Z")
One of these days, I may go back to a real trackball for work - I had [this one](http://www.trackballworld.com/40-151.html) 20 years ago back when mice were weird things that involved configuring COM ports and often came with their own interface card. The whole unit is heavy enough to stay put, and the large ball is surprisingly easy to use, unlike those “marble” things that you feel like you have to pinch the ball to move it. At home, I use a Wacom Intuos tablet. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/19 "2011-04-22T21:12:48Z")
Trackball - thumbball. Whee!! Thanks for starting this thread. I just found out that Logitech has finally updated my favorite wireless trackball. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/20 "2011-04-22T23:58:16Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > My weapon of choice is the [Logitech Performance Mouse MX.](http://www.logitech.com/en-us/mice-pointers/mice/devices/5845) Same here and I love it. My only gripe is that the metal spring under the left button has gone “soft” twice on me now, requiring me to [go in and fix it](http://www.overclockers.com/mouse-clicking-troubles-diy-repair/). The fact that I did so rather than just buy a new mouse is testament to how much I like this one, though. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350.md?page=2)