# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/21 "2011-04-23T00:05:24Z")
Mouse with scroll wheel. I’ve been comfortable with it for about 15 years, so no reason to change. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/22 "2011-04-23T00:15:59Z")
Mouse with scroll wall. I’ve been rocking the Microsoft Intellimouse Optical for 11 years (not the same one, I’m on number…3? I think?) I hate all the Logitech and more ‘advanced’ Microsoft ones because they are TOO molded, and TOO many buttons. I like just having the four, plus scroll wheel (which also doubles as a fifth button.) When there is more than one “side” button, I basically always end up mashing them all, so might as well just get the cheaper mouse with the one side button, that feels better in my hands. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/23 "2011-04-23T00:17:07Z")
I used to love the trackball, and was awesome at Total Annihilation with it. But I have a small hand, and the things just HURT after a while. Years after going to a cordless mouse, I tried playing Total Annihilation again, and ffs…nope. No way. Need the track ball for that. Well, I do, at least. Apparantly. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/24 "2011-04-23T00:19:48Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > I hate all the Logitech and more ‘advanced’ Microsoft ones because they are TOO molded, and TOO many buttons. I like just having the four, plus scroll wheel (which also doubles as a fifth button.) When there is more than one “side” button, I basically always end up mashing them all, so might as well just get the cheaper mouse with the one side button, that feels better in my hands. This made me laugh; I only have the one side button, and up until your post had no fricking clue what it did. I’ve never remapped it; apparantly it goes back a page in my browser, whoohoo! 😛 I use the two and scroll wheel. well, and now my side button. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/25 "2011-04-23T03:29:52Z")
I have the Logitech wireless trackball mouse. I love it and use it from the couch every day. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/26 "2011-04-23T07:27:11Z")
I’ve been using a [4x5" Wacom Tablet](http://www.wacom.com/en/Products/BambooTablets/BambooPenandTouch.aspx) since the mid-nineties. I use it instead of the mouse about 90% of the time. When I’m not using the tablet, then I use [Apple’s Magic Mouse](http://www.apple.com/magicmouse/) that came with my machine. Love em both. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/27 "2011-04-23T07:33:14Z")
I use the very same Logitech you have in your first trackball mouse link. One for my laptop, one for my desktop, and one for my work computer. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/28 "2011-04-23T07:57:42Z")
I just manipulate the cursor with my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/29 "2011-04-23T08:18:12Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > 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. Neither of the “trackball mouse” links show anything of the kind, and frankly I don’t believe such a thing exists, except for your quibble about the Apple Mighty Mouse. Both of the trackballs shown are on a stationary base – they’re just streamlined in shape, and have a smaller ball for operation with the thumb or fingertips. Some of them are called “mouse,” but that’s just marketing talk. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/30 "2011-04-23T12:21:25Z")
I love my razor deathadder - its larger than most regular mice which is perfect for me because I have long fingers. Of course, I also loved the original Xbox controllers (non-s version) and thought they were damn near the perfect size, if a bit heavy. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/31 "2011-04-23T12:35:45Z")
My lappy’s track pad is okay, but it leaves a little to be desired in the scrolling department (it scrolls too fast). And other than the scrolling ones, gestures tend to suck. It’s good enough not to hook up a separate mouse, but not good enough to wish I had one for my desktop. Give me a corded laser mouse with a scroll wheel any day. EDIT: My laptop has a trackpad emulation feature, and what it amounts to is the mouse not stopping when you let up off the pad. Is this really how trackballs work? It would seem to be difficult to impossible to use with any level of precision. I know my old ball mouse didn’t work that way when I would pick it up and move the ball on the bottom (due to lack of horizontal surface to use it on. I became quite good at it). ---
**Author:** ![ginman999](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@ginman999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ginman999)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/32 "2011-04-25T02:26:41Z")
Logitech Trackman Marble, BEST input device for a computer ever! I cannot over state this. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/33 "2011-04-25T03:36:21Z")
Wacom tablets. I’ve used a variety of models since I switched over in '96. I currently have an Intuos 4 and die a little whenever I have to use a mouse. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/34 "2011-04-25T03:40:41Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > I’ve been using a [4x5" Wacom Tablet](http://www.wacom.com/en/Products/BambooTablets/BambooPenandTouch.aspx) since the mid-nineties. Me too. I first used one at work in 1997, and bought a small one for home as soon as I could afford to, in 1999, and have been using them 99.9% of the time ever since. It means I miss out on a “middle-click” or a scroll wheel. They have alternatives (using key combos or special additions to the tablet) but that isn’t quite as convenient, which really are their point of existing. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/35 "2011-04-25T03:51:08Z")
What about those stupid red knobs in the middle of Sony laptop keyboards? I’ll use anything but that. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/36 "2011-04-25T04:39:21Z")
A mouse with the track wheel. I HATE the tracking pad. DIE DIE DIE!!! ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/37 "2011-04-25T04:59:44Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > A mouse with the track wheel. I HATE the tracking pad. DIE DIE DIE!!! I’m using my iPad right now, but part of me is pining for my old net book’s track pad…☹ ---
**Author:** ![jayalphatech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@jayalphatech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayalphatech)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/38 "2011-04-25T11:21:03Z")
used to really love the tracball for gaming (when I had time) Now I have to use a scroll mouse, the wheel is pretty much a must for the CAD and 3d software i use ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/39 "2011-04-25T12:12:05Z")
I’ve got a trackball mouse at home, and I adore it. At work, I’ve got a Mac – gotta tell ya, Mac fans, Mac mice blow chunks. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2011, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350/40 "2011-04-25T13:40:56Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > 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. I use this [trackman](http://fixya.net/Products/L/Logitech/177x150/trackman_trackball_304926.jpg), and with the thumb ball it is amazingly agile and very precise. I have no problem gaming, doing graphics or even bog plain spreadsheet and word work with it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mouse-trackball-or-trackpad/579350.md?page=3)