[comp.sys.mac.misc] SUMMARY: Info needed on Trackballs

orca@starnet.uucp (Sarah Emily Liberman) (04/17/91)

I got an incredible response to my questions regarding trackballs (a mouse 
substitute).

Here is a summary of the messages:

1.	The vast mojority of persons used Kensington's Turbo Mouse.  It has a 
ball the size of a billiards cue ball, and two buttons to the left and right 
of the ball.  You can set one to be the regular mouse-click button, and the 
other one to be a lock key, which prevents having to keep your finger down 
when scrolling (yay!); you may also set a command for when you press both keys 
(eg, save, cut, paste, undo, etc.).  It is also one of the more expensive 
models, ranging from $120 to $95.  But those who used it were VERY happy with 
it.  The Turbo Mouse is easy to clean (ie, make sure your hands aren't sticky, 
and the ball pops out easily for cleaning), works smoothly, and is designed 
for ambidextrous use.  You can also buy decorated balls:  marbalized, 
speckled, etc.    8) 

2.	Other brands I've heard of:  MacTRAC Trackball ($75), RollerMouse,
Curtis MVP, EMAC Silhoutte (looks like computer hardware gone  Art Deco!)...

3.	BOTTOM LINE:  Try before you buy!  (Any decent computer store will let 
you 'test-drive' their wares.)


Thanks muchly for your advice!

	--sel
	(sarah e. liberman)

sdbeck@mac.cc.macalstr.edu (04/20/91)

In article <1991Apr17.033608.1228@starnet.uucp>, orca@starnet.uucp (Sarah Emily Liberman) writes:
> I got an incredible response to my questions regarding trackballs (a mouse 
> substitute).
> 
> Here is a summary of the messages:
...
> 
> 2.	Other brands I've heard of:  MacTRAC Trackball ($75), RollerMouse,
> Curtis MVP, EMAC Silhoutte (looks like computer hardware gone  Art Deco!)...
> 
> 3.	BOTTOM LINE:  Try before you buy!  (Any decent computer store will let 
> you 'test-drive' their wares.)
...
> 
> 	--sel
> 	(sarah e. liberman)

I have a MacTRAC; I think it's dandy. Good wrist support, wraparound buttons,
and nice lock-button. Plus, cheaper than Kensington. And, in 4.5 mos, I've only
had to clean it once (vs weekly for my mouse). Yay!