I personally like trackballs with a large central ball where I can use all my fingers. I am aware Ploopy offers one. This style however has fallen out of popularity, but I've been using them since the mid-90s.

Just using your thumb for all navigation seems like an RSI waiting to happen.

Also I don't know who in the last couple years decided it's a "Trackball Mouse" it's just a Trackball in the same way it's just a "Trackpad" and not a "Trackpad Mouse"

I have deformities in my wrist and I have small palms (dwarfism) I’ve tried various kinds of mice; none of them were comfortable and settled on using a Wacom tablet as a trackpad.

Recently I started using Logitech Ergo M575 trackball mice and it has been total game changer, I can even play FPS games quite well with it. I highly recommend trackball for those with accessibility issues like me and certainly welcome more open hardware competitors in the space like Ploopy as customisation is crucial for accessibility.

I still miss my Trackman Marble FX. Never found a trackball design as elegant and useable as it was.

https://www.lenzg.net/uploads/images/Trackman_Marble_FX.jpg

These types of mice are just not for me but I looked at some of their other products and honestly the thing I like most about them is how everything is open source.

Ironically I think the fact that they open source their designs probably helps sales. My first reaction is to scoff at the $144 price tag but I know that if I go look at what it will take to build one myself I’m sure the $144 price tag will become much more reasonable.

Anyone use a trackball mouse on their laptop for use while sitting on the couch? How do you like it compared to the trackpad? How is it for light gaming?