What’s a Trackball?

Print anything with Printful



A trackball mouse allows users to manipulate a ball to move the cursor on the screen without moving the entire assembly, reducing arm and wrist movement. It offers greater accuracy and doesn’t require a mouse pad or smooth surface. Users should consider their needs before choosing a mouse.

A trackball is a specific style of computer mouse that allows the user to keep their hand and arm in one place, while manipulating a ball that moves the pointer around the screen. The computer mouse is a fundamental element of any home or office PC setup. The mouse provides a way for the user to move the pointer on the computer screen to a desired location, as well as the means to select an object. Used in everything from office software to gaming and web browsing, mouse comfort and ease of use are paramount.

The traditional computer mouse is a “point and click” tool, in which the user physically moves the mouse across a mouse pad, desktop, or other surface with the left or right hand until the pointer (or cursor) is not in the correct position on the screen. Once there, the user clicks the right or left button to select the location and place the cursor. This type of navigation requires arm and wrist movement, and the position of the mouse assembly is variable.

The trackball mouse performs the same functions as the original-style mouse, but instead of moving the entire mouse to position the cursor, a small solid ball sits either left of center or directly on top of the mouse, which is used to navigate the world. cursor on the screen. Using this type of mouse allows the PC user to roll the ball with their thumb (or fingers or palm) and move the cursor to the desired location without moving the entire assembly. This reduces the arm and wrist movement previously required to maneuver the stock-style mouse and prevents the user from having to frequently reposition the mouse.

In addition to the reduced need for arm movement when manipulating the mouse, the thumb-controlled trackball offers greater accuracy in placing the cursor in its intended position. Unlike some conventional desktop computer mouse tools, it navigates smoothly and doesn’t “jump” or stick to your mouse pad or desktop surface. Excellent for use when arm movement is limited, the trackball doesn’t need a mouse pad or smooth surface underneath to work efficiently, as it doesn’t depend on contact with anything other than the user. moves the ball itself.

While it’s not proven to prevent computer-related injuries, such as repetitive stress injuries, physically-constrained users may find this style of mouse a better choice than the conventional point-and-click tool. Before choosing a computer mouse, users should consider which applications are used most frequently, the duration of use, space limitations, and physical limitations. To compare makes and models of conventional and trackball versions, a user should consult their local computer store or search online.




Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN


Skip to content