A trackball mouse is one of those things you either love or hate. If you fall on the love side, you should definitely take a look at the Orbit Trackball Mouse recently released by Kensington.
Kensington Wireless Mobile Trackball
It works wirelessly, using a USB dongle and two AA batteries which are included. You install the batteries, plug in the dongle to a convenient USB port, and the mouse is ready to go. There are no drivers involved.
It features an ambidextrous design and the ball is centered.
Top view of the Orbit Mobile Trackball
The mouse is 2 x 7 x 6-in and weighs 9.6 ounces. The following image gives some idea of the size. The top is curved to fit the shape of a hand and there are large buttons on either side. The bottom features rubberized feet that help hold it in place.
Size comparison with iPhone 4
The mouse is compatible with OS X and carries a five year warranty. The MSRP is U.S.$59.99. I found it on Amazon.Com for U.S.$48.26. The package includes the mouse, two AA batteries, a copy of the warranty and an instruction guide.
Using the product
I am not accustomed to using a trackball mouse, but I found this mouse easy to use. It could not have been easier to set up — install batteries, plug in dongle, turn on. The ball moves smoothly, but not so quickly that I found it hard to control and I discovered that I like the fact that one does not move the mouse itself — much easier on the wrist. I also appreciate the fact that this mouse must be a favorite of many left handed users.
As a right handed user, I appreciate any mouse nowadays that does not have to be anchored on the left side of my MacBook Pro because that is the only place I can find a USB port. I also like the shape of this mouse and the fact that it fits my hand nicely. The left and right side buttons are around two inches long, allowing for different size hands and fingers.
Do I recommend it?
I do. If you prefer a trackball mouse then you certainly should check it out. It is from Kensington, has a five year warranty, and works well. It is adaptable for left or right handers, can easily move from computer to computer, and feels comfortable and sturdy when in use.