Still way to grow in shrinking... (Microsoft Trackball Optical)

Member Name: cepidlaka

Product:	Microsoft Trackball Optical
Date:	13/06/05 (301 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Comfortable, big ball, extra buttons

Disadvantages: Awkward ball position, too big , bad button ergonomy

In my review on Logitech Trackman I gave all reasons why trackballs in general are so good, so I`ll add just one more to that:

- they are still not much in demand, so shops that have a few lying in stock for years are keen to get rid of them and You can come across real bargains.

That is how I bought a new Microsoft Trackball Optical for just under 14 EUR. It went as a gift, but I gave it a test drive out of curiosity. Here it will be compared to my Logitech Trackman which is the benchmark in the category, while Microsoft is just starting out with trackballs.

Trackball Optical comes in a box with a PS/2 adapter for its standard USB plug, CD with drivers and instruction manual. Works good with Windows XP and 2000, haven`t tried it with previous versions. This one has a three-year warranty.

ERGONOMY

It is notably bigger than the Trackman which is good for me as I have a relatively big hand, but bad since I can`t fit it in the laptop bag, it is just too big. Trackman compensates for the smaller size by being taller so Your hand is more curved, but Microsoft Trackball remains a bit more comfortable in terms of hand position.
The position of the trackball, however, is too far back for me, I feel better when I can work the ball with the tip of the thumb, so Trackman works better.

The Trackball also has a very sharp edge along the bottom back part. The base of the hand rests well above it, there is no problem there, but if You carry the trackball with You as I do, sharp edge can do damage to other things in the bag (cables)

Trackball Optical has two extra configurable buttons on either side. They can be very useful, for "Back/Forward" in Internet browser, or "Pan" in drawing, or whatever, only they are just narrow cutout parts of main buttons and I kept pressing them unwantingly instead of main buttons. It probably takes some tome to get used to, but You generaly use the mouse buttons without looking, and these create confusion. They are a little raised above main buttons with the idea to be recognized by touch, but it could be more, or they can be configured differently, and it would be better, in my opinion.

There is also a detail that probably seemed insignificant when they designed the Trackball Optical, but gets very annoying. The buttons cover the front edges of the trackball which is Ok for a mouse on which You keep only the fingers that operate the buttons (others are on the desk), but You keep Your whole hand resting on the trackball, with all fingers. So my ring finger, which is used only when the middle finger is turning the scroll wheel, is resting on the right button, since it has nowhere else to, and is constantly pressing it. This is solved much better on the Logitech where there are no corners, buttons are just cutouts from the surface in places where fingers ought to be, and You can rest the ring and little finger on the surface next to the button.

OPERATION

They perform similarly, although I haven`t used the Microsoft for long. Software of the Logitech has more adjustments, orientation can be useful, and the Logitech comes with a music software and ergonomy guide, Microsoft doesn`t have that. But, then again, it is supposed You already have it in other Microsoft software.

Both trackballs have the opening below the ball through which the ball can be pushed out, the opening is bigger on the Microsoft, You can push the ball out with Your finger.

Buttons on the Microsoft are bigger, and a little softer.

The ball itself on the Microsoft is notably bigger, it should give it better precision, but somehow it doesn`t. They both have similar movement speed adjustment in their softwares, but the smaller ball of the Trackman makes it more convenient for quick flicking across the screen, while maintaining precision.

Both are stable on the surface and have realtively large rubber areas on the bottom.

LOOKS & QUALITY

The Microsft comes in dark silver-grey matte finish which looks good with the red ball, and when it gets dirty it doesn`t show. It also has a red transparent rim around the ball which lights red all the time the thing is working. I don`t know if that is for some functional purpose, but for me it gets annoying after some time.
Trackball Optical has dominant clean lines and arc around the ball, it looks robust and a little Russian.

The Trackman, on the other hand, is all in biomorphic curves, looks a little cheaper, but silver color blends good with similar CPU cases, like mine.

OVERALL

Both trackballs are of high quality, Microsoft will yet have to prove over time, but it has infant disease ergonomical flaws that Logitech overcame a long time ago. They will also have to shrink it, or make something more portable in order to be competitive.

They have similar price and Logitech Trackman is definitely better value for money. Compared to Trackman, this Microsoft Trackball could be a Trackboy, but it will probably grow fast.

Summary: