Kensington Expert Mouse Optical USB Trackball for PC or Mac 64325
by Kensington
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List Price: Our Price: $84.88 You Save: $43.07 (34%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Kensington Expert Mouse Optical USB Trackball for PC or Mac 64325
Customer Review: The "Gold Standard" of trackballs
Summary: 5 Stars
I had tried using trackballs before but found them too awkward and difficult to get the fine motor skills. However, when I started developing pain in my mousing hand, I didn't want to ignore it... I was only in my early 40s and have to rely on a pointer device to earn a living. Plus, I play cello and knit and play piano so I really didn't want a mouse to destroy my ability to do the the things I really love.
So I search all the ergonomic websites and they all consistently recommended large trackballs because the larger the ball, the less you are relying on very small movements or only one set of muscles to perform your computer task. In addition, you want to use a trackball that is "symmetric" so that you can change how you use it in order to "spread the stress".
The Kensington trackball has the one of the largest trackballs on the market (I think there is one other one that has a slightly larger ball that is marketed towards children). It is balanced and symmetric so that you can move the ball with different fingers or even different parts of your hand. The buttons are programmable (if you can install the software) so you can change where your single and double click buttons are to take advantage of the natural strength of your hand. It is easy to install in its most basic mode... just plug and play. It is also easy to clean -- just lift the ball out and wipe the dust away from the sensors. It also lasts forever -- I've bought a couple over the years but only because my kids keep swiping mine!
There are trackballs that put the trackball where your thumb would go. These are not significantly better than a mouse because you have shifted the repetitive motion to your thumb. Other trackballs put the trackball where your 4th and 5th finger is. Once again, you have moved the are of your hand that you are going to wear out.
My only nitpick is that to take full advantage of the features, you have to install the software drivers. If you are using this on a computer at work where you don't have admin privileges then you won't be able to take advantage of the full functionality. It would be nice if the mouse used a firmware programming mechanism instead of having to install software on the computer.
I really wish that Kensington would make this a wireless device as well. But at this point, I'm just glad I can find this in any form.
Customer Review: Kensington ball mouse
Summary: 5 Stars
We have all Mac computers with Kensington trackball mice. Easy on the hands, easy to use. A bit bulky, if you have little desk space you may need to move things a bit tighter to fit it next to your key board.Customer Review: Best one yet.
Summary: 5 Stars
Everything I wanted, especially in game playing since the ball is right on top and not on the side. Great item for the price.Customer Review: Best trackball ever
Summary: 5 Stars
Years ago, at my first job in corporate America, I inherited a kensington trackball and a mac from a prior owner. What a joy! It fit my hand well, didn't cause thumb wearout. Unfortunately, I lost the trackball when the office moved from Mac to PC.
Lately I started feeling some twinges of impending carpal tunnel syndrome, so I looked around for a good mouse. I was happy to find this new Kensington for the PC. I've had it a few weeks and I'm no longer feeling the pain in my wrist. The ball rolls smoothly - no complaints there. Maybe other reviewers had earlier versions? I don't think I loaded the software so I can't comment on the buttons as I haven't even tried to customize them. But this is definitely better for my wrist and hand. Worth every penny. And yes, I bought it myself - the office doesn't pay for this stuff.
Customer Review: poor upgrade
Summary: 1 Stars
i own the previous version of this trackball and have used and loved every day... Then, i bought another one for my second system, and it is awful... just absolutely awful.... the ball feels very GRAINY to roll.... it sticks... it has not broken-in in over two months of constant use...
this new model is very stiff... the "control ring" around the ball is used as the wheel to move up/down the screen.... same issue... very GRAINY... stiff.. i can actually hear the parts rubbing against one another....
i love my old kensington track ball... but this new one i bought from Amazon is a total piece of junk....