I'm talking about using the Internet with the Kensington Orbit trackball (different from the one pictured), of course. If you do not have enough space on your desk to comfortably use a standard mouse, or are suffering from Arthritis, then you should seriously consider purchasing a trackball. While they are somewhat more expensive than a standard mouse (the Orbit costs between $40-$50), they can easily be used on small desks and they are easier to use for those with Arthritis.

The Orbit has two mouse buttons, with the area in between the buttons occupied by the trackball itself. Since the ball only comes in contact with your hand, it does not roll in as much lint and dust as a standard mouse. As a result, it does not need to be cleaned as frequently. The Orbit has a tab on the bottom of the mouse that you push in order to pop the ball out. Most trackballs allow the ball to be freely removed. While this may make it easier to clean, turning one of these trackballs upside down can result in the heavy ball damaging your desk or floor when it falls out. The combination of having the ball locked in place and using a lighter ball ensures that the Kensington Orbit will not cause such damage.

Personally, I prefer the use of traditional or optical mice. An optical mouse provides more precision than even the most expensive trackballs. Unless you have ergonomic concerns that would justify the expense of a trackball, I recommend that you use a traditional or optical mouse. You will appreciate the greater precision when playing games and working with images. If you absolutely must have a trackball, the Kensington Orbit would be a good choice. It is comfortable for people with all hand sizes and provides as much precision as can be expected from a trackball. Those who use the Internet extensively, however, will probably want to opt for the Microsoft Intellimouse Trackball. As I indicate in my review of the standard Intellimouse, I have found the scroll wheel invaluable for scrolling down long web pages.



Recommended: Yes