Kensington SlimBlade Trackball hands-on
By Nilay Patel 
posted Feb 23rd 2009 2:03PM
posted Feb 23rd 2009 2:03PM
posted Feb 23rd 2009 2:03PM
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im going to bed
1999 called and they're running out of you!
But I have an iPhone! you can't speak to me like that.
Sent from my iPhone
why does it always have to be red? It looks like a pornoball :?
You say that like you're asking a question?
I'ma go ahead and say it: What the fuck just happened here?
So I am guessing that the comparison shots with the wired mouse, a trackball mouse and a wireless one is a showing of the evolution of the mouse.
The obvious next evolutionary phase after that would be a wireless trackball mouse.
They've already released that one. The first version of the Kensington Expert Mouse was available in wireless, and I actually have one.
That is kind of neat that it attaches magnetically right in with the slimblade keyboard and number pad. It might make it better for those with media center pc's and leave the keyboard and mouse on a table in front of them.
Is this item even for sale yet? Everywhere I look I get that flat bluetooth laptop mouse they made..
Does it work with OSX?
Bring back the Microsoft Trackball Explorer!
I came here to say just that. Especially when people are selling heavily used versions of it for over $100, and new goes for over $200, I am not looking forward to the day when mine dies.
Damn Right! I used mine for he last 9 years, I would love to get a new one! I dunno why they aren't more popular, ppl should give them a chance.
After using one for 7-8 years (it's pretty worn out so I had to switch to Kensington Expert Mouse and a logitech wireless one) I couldn't agree more..
I too wish my Trackball Explorer will last forever. Its really the only piece of computer equipment I have that actually seems to increase in value!
MS Trackball Explorer = Best input device ever made. I can't use a mouse after using the Trackball Explorer.
I had an explorer for 7-8 years and it finally broke a couple weeks ago. The Trackman is okay, but not as good.
I've dropped mine several times. It rattles, the side buttons are unreliable, cheats on me, stays out all night, but I'm never giving her up.
Going on 9 years with my trackball explorer. If it ever dies I will be heartbroken, and unfortunately out $250 to get a new one. Amazing considering it was about $75 when I originally bought it.
I'm not sure if I could get used to a trackball again after all these years, but man does that thing look good.
Finally, someone posts a possible release date!
Anybody want to get in line with me at BB at midnight on the 24th?
:-)
http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/shop.cgi?action=enter&thispage=011004500504_BV09378P.shtml&order_id=!ORDERID!
Incoming this week, I'm getting at least one...
I used to use the Marble FX both at home and office until the left button gave out on me on both, now using current version of the Expert trackball, ok on office desk but takes up too much space with wrist rest on the tray at home.
I need to pick one of these up, using a Microsoft trackball at the moment and this looks much more comfortable for my hand and it seems to have a better design
Hm... trackballs. I have a MS Trackball Explorer which is quite nice to work with, but needs 1-2 weeks to get used to. Anyway, id had an unexpected and welcome effect... Nobody touched my computer :D. You really need some ambition to learn to use such a device.
Nice But I'll stick with my Thumb Trackball (Though wireless is getting harder & harder to find)
Mmm...I like them French fried potaters and this here mouse. Mmm hmm...
No you don't, Oprah!
Can i take the ball out and play with it???
Does the new software bring back the "click-to" option?
I was a big fan of Kensington's trackballs until my silver four-button one westered. It was cheaply made, and I did not like the expensive black one. I've been wanting to replace my Logitech Marble Mouse for a long time, mainly because the Logitech software is limited. Kensington's software was always the best IMO—except that they jumped the OSX bandwagon years ago. I truly hope this time around it does not suck. Truly I do.
And for those who are hesitant to use trackballs, try a cheap one for two weeks. You probably will not return to mice except for very fiddly movements.
Dang it - why won't anyone make a bluetooth trackball??? I don't want cords! GAH!
We've had good experiences with Trackballs for people that may be suffering from Carpal Tunnel.
I'm SO buying on these! Glad it's smaller than the initial press release pics made it look and the color is gorgeous. I've been using Kensington Optical Orbits for 10 years and still love them. FPS games sans carpal tunnel!
Finally be able to do weapon changes in TeamFortress2 via trackball instead of keyboard. :)
I like the ones where you use your thumb to control the ball. There was a Microsoft one and a Logitech one. The microsoft one had control issues later on and the Logitech one didn't have enough buttons. I wish Logitech would come out with one with more buttons and I would be so getting that one. So, I'm a little disappointed in this Kensington one. Palm controlled trackballs are a little clumsy and a mouse is easier to control.
Bring back the thumb trackballs!!!
Let's hope their driver support doesn't suck like the French this time around.
I love using Kensington Trackballs - however they can't seem to figure out that we want a Bluetooth flavor. This wired crap is nonsense.
I would love to see a Bluetooth version as well. Not sure why they've never given that a chance.
Still, given a choice of wired or RF wireless with a USB dongle, I'll stick with wired.
People still use those things?!?!
why don't they make a wireless version?
Ahh. So I'm going to be stuck with my Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman for some more years to come then I see. I'm on my second already.
Are we REALLY in that much of the minority? Are Trackballs really that difficult to use that there's no demand for them? I dare anyone to use a good one for a month and prefer a typical old school mouse. I only recommend 3, btw. Logitech Optical Marble to start out with, to get the feel and see if it's right for you. Then you move to the Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman (Sorry, right handers only). The third choice is the MS Trackball Explorer, which for all intensive purposes is just about extinct, but was DAMNED awesome.
I don't like the Kensington ones because they're all wired and don't feel as comfortable in hand as the Logitech ones - and the only other godly trackball mouse I've used is the MS Trackball Explorer which they don't make anymore....sigh. I suppose one of the biggest issues is that they favor right hands unless you get the big ugly Kensington 'universal' ones.
I used a trackball for a while, but I never liked it. Sorry to say but it isn't up to par for gaming, I can make MUCH faster and more precise movements with a nice gaming mouse. Nice to see a new product for a niche group though. I do get sick of trackball users proclaiming the greatness of their balls.
All this talk about the MS Trackball Explorer reminds me of everyone who pines for the good old days of Microsoft Sidewinder Joysticks. Microsoft used to make damned good input hardware, it's a shame that they have been eclipsed in many areas in input hardware these days by their competitors.
i'm still using logitech's trackman wheel, no new design in years.
tried microsoft habu for a bit, but went back to the trackman.
never could get used to a mouse for gaming.
I never really enjoyed trackballs. It always seemed to awkward in my hand.
It'd be sweet if the could make a capacitive touch trackball that could lock in place somehow and take 3d multi-touch input signals. Now there's one i'd buy. I'm very excited to see the next 5 years of touch input and 3d display/software saturation.
Logitech Trackman Marble FX FTW!!! Best trackball ever made (and extremely ergonomic.) Kensingtons have never been ergonomic IMHO.
Okay many pictures, but they still do not answer some basic questions?
What is the ugly tab for on its left side?
Does the ball run on real bearings or just rounded pins?
And Kensington, why the h... is there no BT option?
I'll stick with with my MacAlly QBall for now.
By the way I disagree with the MS Trackball Explorer fans. It feels like a brick with misplaced buttons/ball compared to the QBall.
True the MS Trackball Explorer was pretty good.
The new Kensington looks nice, but what is up with that "twist the ball to scroll" thing? That seems mighty awkward. The Heads Up Display thing looks interesting, but doesn't that slow your machine down?
I can't figure out why no one is talking about the new laser trackball from a small company in California, Clearly Superior Technologies. I think they call it the L-Trac and I do think it is worth a look. They say it will pretty much last forever.
Trackball could be fun.
i really really want this trackball ! :)
woot
Lets just get back to the bartering system.