How to choose between using a Trackball vs. Mouse  

You have honed your skills, your reflexes are lightning-fast, and strategic thinking comes as naturally to you as breathing. But there's one essential tool missing from your arsenal: your pointing device. The ongoing debate between ergonomic mice and trackballs has left competitive gamers scratching their heads. This quick guide will serve as your compass, leading you to the perfect weapon for your digital dominance!

The Ergonomic Mouse: A Familiar Friend

The trusty ergonomic mouse, a stalwart companion for many a gamer. Its sculpted design cradles your palm like a handshake from a fellow champion.

Pros: 

• Muscle memory: Years of FPS experience likely translate well to a mouse (Boudaoud, Spjut, & Kim, 2022).

Rapid targeting: Flick shots and precise aiming might feel more natural with a mouse (McLeod et al., 2018).

• Button galore: Many ergonomic mice boast a surplus of programmable buttons, perfect for complex macros (eSports Tips, 2023).

Cons:

• • Wrist strain: The constant back-and-forth motion can exacerbate wrist problems (Boudaoud, Spjut, & Kim, 2022).

  • Limited desk space: Sweeping motions might be restricted on cramped desks.

The Trackball: A Controversial Contender

The underdog of the peripheral world, the trackball offers a unique experience. Instead of wrestling the mouse across your desk, you control a ball with your thumb or fingers, keeping your hand relatively static.

Pros:

• • Less pain: Reduces wrist strain and promotes a neutral posture (American Chiropractic Association, 2023).

  • Precision control: Trackballs can excel at intricate movements, perfect for sniping in strategy games (Hong, & Han, 2023).

  • Space saver: Ideal for cramped desk setups.

 Cons:

• • Learning curve: New users might take time to adjust to the unconventional movements (American Psychological Association, 2020).

  • Rapid targeting: Flick-shot intensive games might require more practice with a trackball (McLeod et al., 2018).

  • Fewer buttons: Generally have fewer programmable buttons than ergonomic mice (eSports Tips, 2023).

Answer These 6 Questions to help you decide...

1. What games do you play? For fast-paced FPS games, a mouse might have the edge. For strategy games or those requiring high precision, a trackball could be a game-changer.

2. How's your wrist feeling? If you experience pain, a trackball's ergonomic design might be a lifesaver.

3. Desk space cadet? Trackballs are champions of small desks.

4. A creature of habit? If you're a seasoned mouse user, the transition to a trackball might take time.

5. Do you macro like a pro? Mice typically offer more programmable buttons for complex macros.

6. Open to a challenge? If you're willing to put in the practice time, a trackball's precision can be unmatched.

The Final Verdict:  

The best option really depends on your playstyle, preferences, and physical abilities. It's worth experimenting with both! Many gaming cafes have a range of peripherals for you to test out. Just remember, your main goals are comfort and precision.

So, will you embrace the ergonomic approach and handle your mouse like a legendary sword? Or will you opt for the trackball and master a new way to dominate the digital battlefield?

• Review of the best ergonomic mice 

• Review of the best ergonomic Trackballs

References

American Chiropractic Association. (2023, June 1). Lower back pain ergonomics. https://www.acatoday.org/news-publications/research-review-clinical-practice-guideline-chiropractic-care-for-low-back-pain/

American Psychological Association. (2020, August). Sitting for long periods: How to break the cycle. https://dictionary.apa.org/rest-period

Boudaoud, B., Spjut, J., & Kim, J. (2022). Mouse Sensitivity Effects in First-Person Targeting Tasks. arXiv preprint arXiv:2203.12050. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2203.12050

Dhengre, N., Rajput, N. S., & Katarne, R. (2023, June). Design of computer mouse based on ergonomic parameters. In AIP Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2760, No. 1). AIP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0155113

eSports Tips. (2023, June 1). Choosing the right gaming keyboard. https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/youre-serious-gamer-how-do-you-know-which-keyboard-best-jkl3f 

Hong, Y. A., & Han, K. (2023). “Least Gain or Wrist Pain”: A comparative study about performance and usability of mouse, trackball, and touchpad. International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology, 11(2), 298–309. https://doi.org/10.17703/IJACT.2023.11.2.298