Mouse versus trackball: which one? [closed]

Question

For a person who uses the computer a lot, but not so much as to have hand/health problems ... what is the difference between using a mouse and a trackball for everyday computing? What are the advantages or disadvantages of both options?

Answer 1

Disclaimer: I have no experience with accessibility. These are general recommendations.

I prefer a the trackman for FPS games (with sensitivity turned WAY up) and a basic mouse for most other things. I find the mouse better for fine pointing and the trackball better at quick movements.

The mouse and trackball use different movements/muscles. Someone with trouble moving their arm/wrist may benefit from a trackball while someone with finger issues may not.

There are several types of trackball. The logitech Trackman for example, operates by the thumb while others use the palm or fingertips. I find using the trackman that my thumb gets tired after a few hours but I don't experience any wrist issues like with a mouse.

Another option would be a trackpad... They have the benefit of not having moving parts so there's less cleaning than a trackball. They also tend to have poorer response both in speed and accuracy.

Whichever you choose, pay attention to the acceleration settings as this can have a huge impact on the responsiveness of the pointer and the amount of movement required.

Answer 2

I use a trackball on my EeePC on my lap as it does not need a flat surface to operate. Using the left click and ball at the same time is slightly less easy than a mouse. Can't say I find it any less tiring on the wrist than a mouse. For my main PC I use a vertical mouse and that is definitely more comfortable to use - although I still get confused over which button does what, and it seems to need "resetting" more often as I run out of mouse-pad. It was also expensive compared to traditional model.

Answer 3

I have a Kengsington Expert Mouse trackball which I use at home for most things, but then use a regular mouse for gaming. At work I use a mouse.

I find that the trackball that I have, which is operated via your fingers/hand (the ball is a couple inches or so in diameter) is more comfortable for productivity work. You move your hand less and have your wrist bent in odd positions much less often, which is healthier. It is also more precise at times and is less tiring to use. Since you are moving your hand in smaller movements, and can use inertia to move long distances (by spinning the ball quickly), you are expecting less on your hand.

A mouse, however, is more accurate. Its precision isn't quite the same, but you have better control, which is why I prefer it for gaming. However, it is not as comfortable to use over long periods.

Ultimately it comes down to personal preference, but the trackball is generally the more ergonomic option, while the mouse is the more accurate option.