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12/03/2011 07:21:57 PM · #1 |
Hi All, I'm busy building a new desktop for my Christmas gift and was toying with the idea of a trackball as opposed to a mouse. I've only ever use a trackball a few times, and found it quite easy to use and convenient (no need to push a mouse around, just roll your thumb and there's no need of a mouse pad etc), but what I don't know is how easy it is to do fine manipulation ie..to edit photo's with?
Anybody have any insights/experience with a trackball for PP? |
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12/03/2011 07:27:29 PM · #2 |
Not for PP, but I have been using it with GIS software (mapping basically), which require a considerable degree of precision as well.
Personally I never found myself at home with it, but some of my colleagues were just in love and would never do without it now, so I think it's a bit personal. If you found it convenient from the start probably you'll be happier with it than with a mouse. |
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12/03/2011 07:36:35 PM · #3 |
I use them all the time, but they are still not quite as ergonomic (or useful in Photoshop) as a stylus/tablet combination. Trackballs can still require pronation (turning the palm downwards) for extended periods, which can contribute to problems in the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, or any combination, as can a regular mouse.
If you do a lot of retouching, dodging/burning, or masking in PS I'd prioritize the tablet over the trackball. If you are mainly talking about text editing, web browsing, or file-moving then a trackball can be more efficient and save space vs. a mouse. |
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12/03/2011 07:58:26 PM · #4 |
I have never been able to use a trackball...To me they are very unhandy
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12/03/2011 08:38:08 PM · #5 |
| I had a beloved Microsoft Explorer Trackball that I used for 6 years. It was perfect. Five programmable buttons that after years were like extensions of my brain. Sadly it died and they are discontinued, but you can buy them used for $600. Since it died I have tried every trackball for sale at Fry's, and Best Buy. They all got returned. IMHO there are no decent trackballs on the market, I'm back to a mouse and a tablet. |
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12/03/2011 08:52:57 PM · #6 |
A tablet is my dream, but right now too far out of my budget. The only one in my budget is the Wacom Bamboo Capture:
Wacom Capture
However, there seem to be very few reviews on this, so not sure what to make of it.
Message edited by author 2011-12-03 21:00:54. |
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12/03/2011 09:02:59 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
Sadly it died and they are discontinued, but you can buy them used for $600. |
What's the ball made of, gold? |
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12/03/2011 09:41:00 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by gcoulson:
A tablet is my dream, but right now too far out of my budget. The only one in my budget is the Wacom Bamboo Capture:
Wacom Capture
However, there seem to be very few reviews on this, so not sure what to make of it. |
I just bought the Capture from BestBuy and so far seem to be pretty happy with it. It takes a while to get used to though. |
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12/03/2011 09:54:32 PM · #9 |
| I've been using a trackball for about 8 years. I find it works great for most things on the computer including PP. A tablet would be perhaps more accurate, but I have no room on my desk for another device. |
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12/04/2011 01:54:24 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by scooter97:
I've been using a trackball for about 8 years. I find it works great for most things on the computer including PP. A tablet would be perhaps more accurate, but I have no room on my desk for another device. |
You can stand the tablet on its edge when not using it -- it takes up virtually no space. A trackball saves all the space you would need to roll the mouse around in. |
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