[ PC Gaming ]

Trackball, Trackpad or Optical Mouse?

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief November 2, 2010 · 1 min read

Listen to article

Nothing teases Phone (4b) in cryptic teaser video The OnePlus N6 is coming very soon PH gov't speeds up investments to turn country into premier AI hub All Intel-powered Macs dropped from macOS 27 Golden Gate Pasig Mega Market gets Starlink internet for cashless payments

I have to say I’ve been addicted to StarCraft 2 for the past couple of weeks and spending around 8 hours a day on the game. It’s a productivity killer really but I think it’s just a phase I have to get through and hopefully, soon enough. On a related note, was wondering which type of pointing device people prefer with their computers.

I’ve got 3 main choices you can pick from — a regular optical mouse, a trackball and a trackpad.

I personally find the trackball the most convenient and more comfortable to use. There’s no need for a mousepad for that one and you don’t frequently move your wrist around a lot.

The optical mouse, especially the laser one, is better for accuracy especially in graphics design and gaming. The trackpad, on the other hand, allows for multi-touch functions.

Reminds me, a couple months ago, I also asked people if they put a premium on the mouse and it looks like the crowd is split on the amount they budget for a mouse.

React to this article:

mice type

Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and is considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines.

8,010 Articles

View all posts by Abe Olandres →

78 Comments

online mouse pad · 13 years ago

Hello! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room
mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article
to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

Outlet Moncler · 15 years ago

I do enjoy the way you have framed this particular situation and it really does present me a lot of fodder for consideration. On the other hand, from what I have witnessed, I simply just hope as other reviews stack on that individuals remain on issue and not embark on a soap box regarding the news of the day. Still, thank you for this superb piece and though I can not really concur with it in totality, I regard your standpoint.

arfarf · 15 years ago

The best is still the old fashion mouse.. It’s more comfortable to use in Photoshop and graphic designs

Mr. Lee · 15 years ago

Trackball !!! Best in small spaces.

love sayings · 16 years ago

I am so done of arriving at a site to comment and noticing unusual comments. Cant they discover anything more educated to do with their time? What about a comment pertaining to Philippines, Technology News & Reviews This view is definitely something Id care to consider more of.

Jason · 16 years ago

Apple’s Multitouch trackpad :)

Jay A · 16 years ago

Why didn’t you include the tablet and pen? Awkward at first but when you get the hang of it, it’ll be faster and almost as flexible as a trackpad and more acxurate than a mouse, even for gaming

-Sent via YugaTech Mobile App

Benchmark · 16 years ago

Have you heard about the 3D Connexion?

Well I haven’t tried…but I want One! Hehehehe

max · 16 years ago

TrackPoint when lying comfortably anywhere and my laptop is on my lap. A touchpad is unusable because the lower portion of the laptop is touching my tummy in that position. And I NEVER accidentally move the cursor while typing.

If I have a table, wireless mouse with extra buttons and mouse gestures enabled. Parang multi-touch na rin sa dami ng magagawa.

jacqui · 16 years ago

laser mouse > optical mouse

Micks · 16 years ago

TrackPOINT. I prefer the ThinkPad nipple. Less carpal tunnel strain than trackpads.

Mac Tolentino · 16 years ago

definitely the logitech trackball. You can quickly move the ball with your fingers or palm.

sylv3rblade · 16 years ago

@blankPixels
Trackballs are simply more pleasing to use :) Too bad there’s nothing in the market that’s “new” for trackballs.

Biggs · 16 years ago

Microsoft Trackball Explorer /end

Harley · 16 years ago

i use both optical mice and trackpad! enjoy!

Iyan Sommerset · 16 years ago

Mouse with programmable buttons. Anything else is a pain to use for RTS and (especially) FPS gaming.

gringo · 16 years ago

optical (gaming) mouse…. :)

RJCA · 16 years ago

@iHateStupid – It’s a blog, nothing wrong with a post stimulating reader responses.

blankPixels · 16 years ago

Wow. I’m shocked by the responses here. I didn’t know there are a lot of trackball users.

Well, I’m one of them now. I just bought my first Trackball – Logitech Trackball Wheel mouse (my thumb’s the one on the trackball). Had to ’cause of the pains on my right wrist. Now, the pain is gone! And, I don’t want to use the regular mouse anymore! I already got used to using my trackball even on my graphics design and photo editing. I LOVE IT!

rick · 16 years ago

Trackball. There’s only one good brand left. Been hoarding these trackball made by LOGITECH. They’re very expensive, but in the LONG LONG run, its worth it.

Less energy is being used for trackball since you only use your (trigger) index finger.

lolipown · 16 years ago

^
It’s a blog. Welcome to the internet

iHateStupid · 16 years ago

this is a stupid article! yuga mukhang wala na tayong masulat a!

sylv3rblade · 16 years ago

productivity wise, it’s the trackball for me.

deuts · 16 years ago

I’m usually on a laptop, and in order to really get the hang of it, I do away with the usb mouse. Because a laptop is designed for portability–in instances that you leave behind the mouse or you have nowhere to use/put your mouse (as you are mobile, right?), you can’t get things done.

I have always loved the trackball. Why? Because I only use the mouse/trackball/trackpad to move the pointer, left-click and right click. Nothing more. I don’t need those pinching things and all. Most of the time they cause trouble than help–especially for products that are manufactured by not so worth mentioning brands–i.e.,crappy. Because most of the times they do what you don’t want them to do, like getting in the way when typing, and even moving things.

So for me–A TRACKBALL! Just like my long gone IBM Thinkpads, may they rest in peace. LOL!

mr.bogus · 16 years ago

mouse….

manny · 16 years ago

depends on whats required… multi touch trackpad on browsing, scrolling and other shortcut actions, optical mouse if working or gaming.

Dan Emmanuel Ventura · 16 years ago

Trackball user here!

Logitech Trackman Marble

RJCA · 16 years ago

Mouse, laser or optical. :>

Used a trackball before though and there’s nothing bad I can say about it. :)

Val · 16 years ago

trackball. For the reasons stated by the author.

Val · 16 years ago

trackball. For the reasons stated by the author.
although I would use a gaming mouse.

Num Lock · 16 years ago

Wacom tablet and pen heheheh

E · 16 years ago

optical mouse.. (wireless)

Dante · 16 years ago

Optical Mouse! I haven’t use trackball and even heard that kind for mice :)

Leo · 16 years ago

mouse…. haven’t used a trackball before, is it still available in stores? how much is it?

wha · 16 years ago

optical mouse!

LagaoLugaw · 16 years ago

optical mouse! whether gaming typing or anything!

mcast · 16 years ago

my first pointing device was a trackball. it was a keyboard with a trackball on the right side. yes, a trackball was definitely very easy to use. plus, at that time, optical mice were nonexistent. the wheel mouse was not very accurate, mouse pads were necessary, and that mouse ball required constant cleaning.

but now, even better than optical mice are the laser mice. accurate, can be used on most surfaces, and simple – they just work. i don’t think i can ever go back to a trackball.

multitouch touchpads are nice but only my netbook has that “feature” – my 3-y.o. laptop doesn’t. multitouch on a touchpad makes netbooks really easy to use, despite the usual lack of area or size of a typical netbook touchpad.