Trackball Mice

On a trackball, the device stays where it is and you move a ball with your thumb or fingers. The pointer travels without your arm travelling.

That is the whole point of it. A conventional mouse requires repeated small movements of the forearm and shoulder, and over years that repetition is what causes trouble for a lot of people. A trackball removes the movement entirely, which is why they are so often recommended for existing wrist, forearm or shoulder pain. It also needs almost no desk space, which suits a cramped desk, a lap, or a workspace shared with paperwork.

Two honest expectations. It takes a week or two to adapt, and precision is poor at first. And it is not a gaming device — fine, fast aiming is harder than with a mouse.

The two designs suit different people: thumb-operated balls keep the hand in a familiar position, while finger-operated balls (the Orbit style) are ambidextrous and use the stronger fingers.

The range is Kensington, wired and Bluetooth. See also ergonomic mice.