not OP but I think trackballs are superior because of 3 reasons:
they don’t move so you can blindly reach where you set them and they’ll be there making them a better extention of the keyboard
because they do not move, you’ll never find yourself in a delicate operation while getting to an uncomfortable position at the end of the mat or the table or run out of room against the keyboard
you can lay back and chill while operating them just the same resting on your lap or chests or wherever
I was very confused for a minute but then I realized you are talking about trackballs over mice. OP was asking about ball mice vs optical mice. Way back mice used rotary encoders to move the cursor horizontally and vertically. Those encoders were moved by a ball that stuck out of the bottom of the mouse to roll on the desk. The ball and rotary encoders were eventually replaced by the optical system we use now.
yes I’m old enough to remember using those… but are you sure that’s what they were referring to?
I even remember using those enough to see the ball wear out unevenly causingirregular movement hahaha
I used to use one of these old serial Microsoft trackballs for a few years. They use less desk space and they were much more reliable than contemporary ball mice.
I think the high quality of even cheap optical mice has made them obsolete. Their high precision means that they also don’t need a lot of desk space and they are more reliable than trackballs.
I think the main reason to use one of them today is probably nostalgia and personal preference.
No real reason. I think optical mice are most likely superior (depending on the surface. I think optical mice have issues with glass tables?) Ball mice need to be cleaned every once and a while. Thr interface between the ball and roller can slip sometimes, so the cursor doesn’t move.
Is there a reason for using a ball-based mouse? Or are you focused on retro aesthetics (which is fine)?
not OP but I think trackballs are superior because of 3 reasons:
I was very confused for a minute but then I realized you are talking about trackballs over mice. OP was asking about ball mice vs optical mice. Way back mice used rotary encoders to move the cursor horizontally and vertically. Those encoders were moved by a ball that stuck out of the bottom of the mouse to roll on the desk. The ball and rotary encoders were eventually replaced by the optical system we use now.
yes I’m old enough to remember using those…
but are you sure that’s what they were referring to?I even remember using those enough to see the ball wear out unevenly causingirregular movement hahahaps: went up in the comments and you are correct
I used to use one of these old serial Microsoft trackballs for a few years. They use less desk space and they were much more reliable than contemporary ball mice.
I think the high quality of even cheap optical mice has made them obsolete. Their high precision means that they also don’t need a lot of desk space and they are more reliable than trackballs.
I think the main reason to use one of them today is probably nostalgia and personal preference.
No real reason. I think optical mice are most likely superior (depending on the surface. I think optical mice have issues with glass tables?) Ball mice need to be cleaned every once and a while. Thr interface between the ball and roller can slip sometimes, so the cursor doesn’t move.
So, mostly just nostalgia lol.