Wow. I could understand if someone wants to use one of these with thier PC, but to lug it around with you? That, I don't get.

That's a Kensington Expert Mouse 3.0. One of the greatest trackballs ever made. I'm a huge trackball fan, and I'm currently waiting with bated breath for the announcement of the first Blueooth TB. Here's hoping!

Captain Lumpy Dog, Away!

It's wireless on top of that. LOL! Maybe they just broke their travel sized mouse and had to pack that monster.

I have to agree that I am a trackball fan when it comes to laptops. Mice require too much space, and are pretty inaccurate on airplane trays and whatever else you try to use them on.

My favorite device ever built into a laptop was on the PowerBook 100. Why laptops are sporting eraser and trackpoint devices is beyond me.

it looks like it's half the size of that powerbook!

I still use trackball from '98, Logitech TrackMan Marble FX. IMO best possible combo for 2D/3D artist is good trackball and tablet. Shame they don't make these anymore, mine has large crack and eBay prices for these run from 100 to 400 dollars. Have to update to Kensington one soon I guess. And it makes sense to have one of those for laptop, you can use it midair if you have to, no need for pesky table space to roll you mouse over.

I'm a long time trackball user. I started developing nasty wrist problems with mice in the early 90's. I've used a bunch, but when you find one you're attached to, you stay with it. The major difference I find is that most garden variety trackballs want you to use your thumb, and that just gives you the same problem a mouse does. Having a trackball that lets you use your fingers instead is worth its weight in gold, so I could totally understand using something like that with a laptop.

And Arashi, I'm using a TrackMan Marble FX right now. :) I hope to keep it forever, it rocks.

CAD/Solidworks people use TBs like those.. I'd worry about breaking my back hauling that tank around.

It's the only way to play Marble Madness on MAME, my friend.

Programmers seem to like trackballs. Me? I'd sooner use a "devil's nipple" pointer on an IBM laptop than a trackball.

I still use my Apple Extended Keyboard II, dated on the bottom 1995. Remember when keyboard had actual switches, and tactile feedback?

We've got two of them here in the office, the best part is the ball comes right out and makes a great projectile. Nothing better than landing that baby in your co-workers coffee cup! BOO-Yeah! clean up on isle 5!!

Forgive me. It's actually an Expert Mouse 4.0. I hadn't noticed that it was wireless.

I have a few friends who use trackballs religiously (personally I am too accustomed to traditional meece to switch)

Arguably, it makes MORE sense to carry a trackball (albeit huge) with you. As previously noted, effective mouse usage will require the same amount (if not more) area than the trackball.

Besides, this isn't a 12" powerbook we are talking about, and this isn't a quick jaunt to starbucks. I'm certain that whoever is lugging that laptop and trackball is more interested in a mobile workstation.

I use that exact mouse every day at work. A lot of audio professionals use it. Saves space, plenty of quick launch keys, what's not to like?

Third Trackman Marble FX User Here.

I have three - One at work, one at home, and a spare. For the laptop... it's the slightly smaller Marble Mouse.

One big plus: It virtually guarantees that I get to steer when the IT dweebs visit my cube.

I really freak people out when I go to a LANparty and use the marble mouse with my left hand and Joystick in right hand to frag my way through the servers.

I love my trackball, it's very similar to the one pictured. It's wired, all black with a scroll wheel around the base of the ball itself. Not having to ever pick up and move my mouse is the main reason I use a trackball.

And my keyboards - IBM Model M. The home unit has a manufacture date in 1986. The work ia a baby: 12-09-1996.

I'd rather have balls with my laptop than a mouse.

Yep, there's not much that can top my Kensington Expert. It sits right next to my Wacom Dual Screen Intous 3.

Good for whoever that is.

4th Trackman Marble FX User. every once in a while i look around, but i haven't found anything to replace it with yet.

have 2, one on my desk and one as a spare. when i have to use the laptop i live with the touchpad (but most of the time i use keyboard hotkeys)

I have 4 expert mice (trackballs) the latest black ones. They were pricy but so far have lasted more then 3 years. I love em, they track great and no hand pain. I have been thinking about getting the orbit optical for the Mac Book but I had tried one a year or so ago and it was very stiff. Anyone have a link to other cool trackballs that aren't Logitech or Kensington?

I loved the Microsoft Optical Trackball mouse. It was a thumb operated mouse, so your fingers rested the whole time. Ergonomically it was great, but my daughter chucked the ball and they discontined it. :( I've been meaning to pick up a used one up on eBay.

Right now I'm using a Kensington Expert Mouse optical trackball, and an IBM buckling spring keyboard.

On my Mac, I have another Kensington Expert Mouse optical.

I wouldn't drag one around with me, though. For on the move, I have a FingerWorks iGesture pad. Unfortunately, Apple bought them out and killed their entire product line.

I use that exact same mouse on my desktop.

I really *do* have a good reason for getting a wireless trackball. The failure point for all my previous mice and trackballs was always the wire. By using a wireless mouse, I've just about entirely removed that problem, and I only really need to change the batteries once every month or two.

I should also note that the disabled computer stations at my university use these same mice. They require much less dexterity on the part of the user, and make it easier for people with less movement control to use the machine.

Yep, I've got a Kensington Expert Mouse too. Not too fun to travel with, but it's the best mousing device I've ever used. Just don't try to fit the ball in your mouth. I got the strange urge to do that one night and my jaw ached for days...

I have one Kensignton Wireless like the one in the pic, hooked up to my HTPC...
It's perfect to have it on the couch armrest. It's heavy, so it stays in place. I find it more usefull than any remote or mouse in that setup.
(HTPC connected to a Panny 720p projector, and a 100" screen)

I use a Kensington Wireless in my Home Theater, it's perfect to use it from the couch or sofa, it's heavy and it stays in place.

In that kind of setup, I find it more confortable than a remote or mouse.
HTPC / Panny 720p projector / 100" screen.

I've used a Trackman Wheel for a lot of years (still available) and won't give it up anytime soon. I get wrist problems using traditional meeces, but with the Trackman, you get the thing in a comfy position once and that's where it stays. I've used the big trackballs and the Trackman Marble FX, but could never get accustomed to moving the ball with the fingertips.

But as much as I love the Trackman, lug it with me on the road like that? I think not.

Video editors are very fond of those Kensington trackballs too. Although I am one, and I don't use one, many of my colleagues would be lost without theirs.

Avoid the repetitive stress and carpal tunnel troubles and try a trackball for a few days before poo-poo-ing them. For that matter, if you use Pshop or Illustrator or anything else that need pixel-exact work, a trackball beats the pants off your mouse any day of the week.

To right-handed finger-ball fans, check out the Microsoft Trackball Explorer.

To those who love(d) their Apple Exteded and IBM mechanical keyboards, check out the Kensington Studio Board", feels just like the old days, my friend.

You can't tear me away from the MS Trackball Explorer. Just to be safe, I bought spares when I found out they were being discontinued.

Very old comment update here. I had a wireless version of the new ExpertMouse and it didn't work well. They discontinued it and now only have the wired version.