Logitech TrackMan Marble FX Trackball

Logitech TrackMan Marble FX T-CJ12 Trackball, came out in 1997

Buy at amazon

Ball diameter: 52 mm [see Trackball Ball Sizes and Replacement]

Marketing blurb on Amazon:

If you're used to a traditional mouse, then the Logitech TrackMan Marble FX may take a little getting used to. But despite its large, clunky appearance, this mouse has it all. Designed for those with limited desktop space, the TrackMan Marble FX remains stationary. You operate it by moving a large marble with your fingers while a sensor inside the mouse interprets the movement.

Solid and well built, the TrackMan Marble FX has a large, eye-catching red marble. Its weight and rubberized bottom keep it from sliding on your desk, and the curve of the mouse fits most hands (except lefties). Those with small hands may find it hard to reach the left-click mouse button, making double-clicking tricky.

Installation is not as quick as most plug-and-play mouse devices, as you must install Logitech MouseWare software to fully take advantage of the TrackMan Marble FX's features. However, the manual walks you through installation, making set up easy and quick.

Perhaps the nicest feature of this trackball is the four programmable buttons. During setup, you can program which buttons you want to perform certain functions. Most will want to set the far left and right buttons as on a typical PC mouse. However, the two middle buttons can be set for functions such as universal scroll, auto scroll, zoom, drag lock, or HyperJump and CyberJump--pop-up windows with shortcut functions in Windows 95 and Internet environments.

If you're in the market for a trackball and have the time to learn to use a new type of mouse, then you'll want to consider the TrackMan Marble FX. Its durability and low maintenance make it superior and easy to use.

Pros:

• Sturdy and well constructed
• Programmable buttons
• Dirt resistant

Cons:

• Difficult for those with small hands
• Not designed for lefties
• Requires software installation