Frequently Asked Questions About Trackballs

Q.  What is TrackballWorld™?
Q.  Why are trackballs better than mice?
Q.  What advantages do trackballs have compared to mice?
Q.  What disadvantages do trackballs have compared to mice?
Q.  Will I be able to use a trackball as easily as a mouse?
Q.  Are trackballs as reliable as mice?
Q.  Will I need special software to use a trackball?
Q.  How do I clean my trackball?
Q.  Can trackballs do things mice can't?
Q.  Why should I buy a trackball from TrackballWorld?

Q.  What is TrackballWorld™?

A.  TrackballWorld™ is an Internet store dedicated to the sale of trackballs and of products incorporating trackballs.  The trackball is a much underappreciated alternative to the computer mouse and we think it deserves more attention.

Most PCs these days arrive with a very cheap OEM mouse that typical has a short life span - often just a few months.  That means millions of PC users are in the market for a replacement mouse every year.  We think they should at least be aware that trackballs are a very viable mouse alternative.

FAQ Top           Home

Q.  Why are trackballs better than mice?

A.  We hesitate to use the word "better".  Trackballs and mice are different. It's really more a matter of personal choice.  Since all modern personal computers include a mouse many computer users are not even aware that the trackball alternative is available. However, studies have shown that a trackball is in many cases as good or better than a mouse as a general purpose input device. The original "Handbook of Human Computer Interaction" published by Elsevier Press  rated six graphical input devices (mouse, trackball, joystick, graphics tablet, light pen, and touch screen) for effectiveness in a variety of user input pointing tasks with a graphical user interface.   In overall ratings the graphics tablet ranked first and the trackball ranked a close second; mice finished third.

FAQ Top           Home

Q.  What advantages do trackballs have compared to mice?

A.  Trackballs offer a number of advantages compared to mice:

Small Footprint - even the largest trackball takes less work surface space than is required to effectively use the smallest mouse.      

Stationary Use - not having to move means a trackball never runs out of work surface, never requires re-positioning, allows fast, continuous scrolling, never needs to be picked up and put it back on the mouse pad. 

Precise Control - most modern trackballs allow you to control cursor movement with your finger tips or thumb.  Much more precise than the hand and wrist movement required to move a mouse.

Self Cleaning - while some are better than others, most trackballs require little or no cleaning in normal use.

FAQ Top           Home

Q.  What disadvantages do trackballs have compared to mice?

A. Trackballs are physically larger than mice (even though they require less space to use), it is harder to find a selection of trackballs in most stores and they are typically more expensive because they are manufactured in lower volume.   Operationally, however, anything a mouse can do a trackball can do as well or better.

FAQ Top           Home

Q.  Will I be able to use a trackball as easily as a mouse?

A.  Yes.  You may need to give yourself a few days to adjust because it will feel different - but remember, it probably took you a few days to get used to using a mouse, too.  Most users, once they get used to using a trackball, never go back to a mouse.

FAQ Top           Home

Q.  Are trackballs as reliable as mice?

A.  Absolutely.  Many trackballs are built by the same manufacturers who build mice.  If anything, trackballs are more reliable because many of them are larger and designed for heavier duty industrial use.

FAQ Top           Home

Q.  Will I need special software to use a trackball?

A.  No.  All modern trackballs are "plug and play" compatible with the  standard PC system mouse hardware and software.  Your trackball may include software for extra features but in 99.9% of cases you can just unplug the mouse, plug in the trackball and start using it with no other action required.

FAQ Top           Home

Q.  How do I clean my trackball?

A.  Most mouse users, who are used to needing to clean their mouse frequently to maintain good performance, are pleasantly surprised to find that trackballs require little or no cleaning in normal use.  The wiping action of the ball on the suspension provides a natural cleaning mechanism.  If more extensive cleaning is required it is usually just a simple matter of washing the the ball and cleaning the drive mechanism with a swab.

FAQ Top           Home

Q. Can trackballs do things mice can't?

A.  Yes.  While often called "an upside down mouse" a trackball is actually quite different.  Most significant is that trackballs while optical mice and trackballs use similar sensing technology, opto-mechanical trackballs use the downward pressure on the ball to directly drive their encoders while mice must roll on a surface to operate correctly.  Doesn't sound like much of a difference but we know for a fact that the mission specialist laptop PCs on some early space shuttle missions used trackballs because mice would not work in a zero gravity environment.  Also, because they can roll continuously without re-positioning, trackballs are much faster to position the cursor on a large screen which is why they are often found on guided missile fire control systems and arcade games (can you imagine playing "Centipede" or "Missile Command" with a mouse!!).

FAQ Top           Home

Q.  Why should I buy a trackball from TrackBallWorld?

A.  TrackBallWorld specializes in trackball products.   Period.  No mice, no motherboards, no printers, no network hardware.  Just trackballs.  We have one of (if not THE) largest selections of trackball products - many of which are very hard to find in distribution, we keep them in stock and our prices are competitive.  If you want a trackball, TrackballWorld is where to buy it.

FAQ Top           Home