Logitech Resurrects the Trackball Device With the Wireless MX ERGO

[MacRumors]

Logitech resurrected the trackball device today with its announcement of the MX ERGO, which the company is calling its "first new innovative trackball in nearly a decade".

Pitched to consumers looking for alternatives to mice and touchpads, the Bluetooth-based MX ERGO features an adjustable metal hinge with angle options at either zero or 20 degrees for personalizing the comfort level, which improves wrist posture and pronation, according to Logitech.

"We are so excited by this new trackball. It is back, better than ever and the idea for this trackball innovation was inspired by our users, who invented creative ways to achieve their desired level of comfort, sometimes adding additional wedges under their trackball for elevated angles," said Anatoliy Polyanker, global portfolio and brand director at Logitech. "The MX ERGO is our first adjustable trackball that delivers on the need for elevated comfort in a beautiful design."

The sculpted shape is designed to offer full palm and finger support, with a soft rubber on top for a comfortable grip over many hours of work. An LED light indicates when "precision mode" is activated using the dedicated button on the side of the MX ERGO. This special mode is said to allow the user to instantly change cursor speed and accuracy.

The device also supports multi-device connectivity through Logitech's Easy-Switch and Logitech Flow software, which allows users to seamlessly switch between two computers with one mouse, as well as copy and paste content, images and documents between them.

The rechargeable battery lasts up to four months on a full charge, depending on usage, and Logitech reckons the MX ERGO can give a complete day of work with just one minute of charge if the device is low on power.

The Logitech MX ERGO is priced at $99.99 and should be available to buy on the Logitech website and select retail stores throughout the U.S. in September.

Article Link: Logitech Resurrects the Trackball Device With the Wireless MX ERGO

 

[arubinst]

I had one of those about 20 years ago.

It was really fantastic. It was so much better compared to a mouse! So comfortable to use and precision was great.

I had to remove the ball once every couple of weeks to clean it up, and to clean up the sensors, but it then went back to being buttery smooth and extremely precise.

If it weren't for the multitouch gestures that I have grown accustomed to using a trackpad, I would buy one of these without hesitation.

 

[adamneer]

Can anybody explain to me why 3rd party bluetooth mice and keyboards can't just connect to Macs using the native bluetooth connection? I hate having to install their poorly written drivers which need constant updating.

 

[tbobmccoy]

Can anybody explain to me why 3rd party bluetooth mice and keyboards can't just connect to Macs using the native bluetooth connection? I hate having to install their poorly written drivers which need constant updating.

Their MX lines connect quite well with just Bluetooth setup... I have more trouble with the Windows side of things on my MacBook Pro to connect my MX mouse.

 

[maflynn]

I hated that thing, I surprised its making a comeback

 

[tbobmccoy]

I hated that thing, I surprised its making a comeback

I know plenty of creatives that swear by trackballs. I don't get it, either, but choice is a great thing. ‍♂️

 

[Phil A.]

I never liked trackballs and as I'm left handed I'm not in the least bit tempted to give them another try with this offering!

 

[VulchR]

I know plenty of creatives that swear by trackballs. I don't get it, either, but choice is a great thing. ‍♂️

Mice take up too much real estate on the desktop, and they tend to get clogged with various bit of debris and lint from mouse-pads. I have always used a trackball and found it much easier on my arms than mice or track-pads. Mind you, I prefer MS's old configuration with the ball on the top of the device, leaving the thumb for a scroll wheel. In any case, as you say, choice is a great thing. There aren't too many trackball devices out there so this is good for those of us who use them.

 

[Stella]

Can anybody explain to me why 3rd party bluetooth mice and keyboards can't just connect to Macs using the native bluetooth connection? I hate having to install their poorly written drivers which need constant updating.

I have Logitech mice, with and without Bluetooth and don't require drivers at all.

Logitech Options is optional and is stable.

 

[Keebler]

I had one of those about 20 years ago.

It was really fantastic. It was so much better compared to a mouse! So comfortable to use and precision was great.

I had to remove the ball once every couple of weeks to clean it up, and to clean up the sensors, but it then went back to being buttery smooth and extremely precise.

If it weren't for the multitouch gestures that I have grown accustomed to using a trackpad, I would buy one of these without hesitation.

Yup!

I still use an M570 after switching to trackballs due to the start of wrist issues. None since.
The only complaint is that the bluetooth connectivity is wonky. I have stuttering issues or a real connection loss for a few seconds. I'm on Yosemite so maybe that's the problem. I do notice more after my Mac goes to sleep.

I keep wanting to switch to my trackpad which I rarely use, but i don't like how my wrist sits with it. I should give it a shot.

Cheers,
Brian

 

[AppleInLVX]

To this day, I still use a Microsoft Trackball Explorer on my awful PC work machine. Even though the thing is getting a little flaky in the scroll wheel, it's still the best non-trackpad pointing device I've ever used. If Logitech resurrected that style, I'd be all over it. Probably buy two. But I couldn't ever learn to use the thumb-centric trackball they're releasing, more's the pity.

 

[JosephAW]

I'm assuming they've fixed the monthly cleaning of the mechanism.

 

[NeoPaxSinica]

To this day, I still use a Microsoft Trackball Explorer on my awful PC work machine. Even though the thing is getting a little flaky in the scroll wheel, it's still the best non-trackpad pointing device I've ever used. If Logitech resurrected that style, I'd be all over it. Probably buy two. But I couldn't ever learn to use the thumb-centric trackball they're releasing, more's the pity.

Have you looked into the Japanese company Elecom and the trackballs they make? They released a new one this year that's very similar to the MS Trackball Explorer. I currently use their smaller one, also ergonomically similar to the MTE. They make both thumb controlled and index/middle finger controlled trackballs.

 

[pdaholic]

This makes me wanna play a game of Missle Command. Or centipede.

 

[MikhailT]

This is awesome news. Trackballs oblivates my RSI/CTS issues and Logitech m570 was the first one I bought. I’ve switched to CST’s L-Trac 2545w trackball and it’s the best one so far with an actual smooth wheel that no trackball had.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

I had several Logitech TrackBalls, starting with the white one to the black wireless that had a lot of buttons.
The only thing I dislike about them was that the bearings would clog and get stuck and the ball wouldn't roll freely; even after cleaning it it would do it a little.
But the worse problem was the outside shell which has a nice satin finish. As with other products that feature it, it decomposes and becomes sticky and gooey after a few years. All that can be done is removing it completely, which reveals the plastic beneath the surface.

 

[pat500000]

Oh gosh. They couldn't fix logitech mx master mouse fur to lag skip and all that..why this? I ask people not to get master mx.
[doublepost=1504703076][/doublepost]

Their MX lines connect quite well with just Bluetooth setup... I have more trouble with the Windows side of things on my MacBook Pro to connect my MX mouse.

yeah mx connection is bad.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

I tried a friend's trackball once and it felt completely unnatural, I thought, "how could I ever be productive on that." Now that I've used a magic trackpad for years I feel the same way about old school mice. It's all about what we're used to and how our muscle memory has adapted.

 

[chrono1081]

Can anybody explain to me why 3rd party bluetooth mice and keyboards can't just connect to Macs using the native bluetooth connection? I hate having to install their poorly written drivers which need constant updating.

You can connect them via bluetooth just fine, but you can't customize them without the downloaded software, making all those extra buttons essentially useless.

 

[kycophpd]

Yup!

I still use an M570 after switching to trackballs due to the start of wrist issues. None since.
The only complaint is that the bluetooth connectivity is wonky. I have stuttering issues or a real connection loss for a few seconds. I'm on Yosemite so maybe that's the problem. I do notice more after my Mac goes to sleep.

I keep wanting to switch to my trackpad which I rarely use, but i don't like how my wrist sits with it. I should give it a shot.

Cheers,
Brian

The M570 is exactly what I am using for my office PC. I switched to this when I had carpal tunnel and even after the surgery I find it much easier to use than a mouse. I still prefer my trackpad on my Mac but for my PC the M570 is still my favorite option.

 

[groovyd]

Yup!

I still use an M570 after switching to trackballs due to the start of wrist issues. None since.
The only complaint is that the bluetooth connectivity is wonky. I have stuttering issues or a real connection loss for a few seconds. I'm on Yosemite so maybe that's the problem. I do notice more after my Mac goes to sleep.

I keep wanting to switch to my trackpad which I rarely use, but i don't like how my wrist sits with it. I should give it a shot.

Cheers,
Brian

I had wireless mouse issues when I have my macbook pro lid fully closed as it seems they put the antenna on the inside of the screen. Perhaps try cracking the lid until just before it fires up the display and mine has been smooth ever since.

I really like the magic mouse ever since I got one and though I pre-ordered their new wireless keyboard to possibly replace the apple wireless keyboard (because i would like an illuminated full size keyboard in black) not sure I would adjust to using a trackball. A buddy at work has one and it drives me nuts when I have to show him something. Something about the sheer simplicity and smoothness of the magic mouse has me.

 

[mkeeley]

Keyboard and mouse prices are becoming a bit silly. How come they're increasing so much for basically the same product?

 

[Pilgrim1099]

I had one of those about 20 years ago.

It was really fantastic. It was so much better compared to a mouse! So comfortable to use and precision was great.

I had to remove the ball once every couple of weeks to clean it up, and to clean up the sensors, but it then went back to being buttery smooth and extremely precise.

If it weren't for the multitouch gestures that I have grown accustomed to using a trackpad, I would buy one of these without hesitation.

Same here. I had a similar model around 1999-2002 and it was awesome. So comfortable and it really cut down on elbow/wrist movement. I currently use the old school Kensington trackball and it's a godsend compared to the Apple trackpad which is a case between practicality versus vanity.

Because I had bad RSI in the early days working at Starbucks and doing digital art, the trackball allowed me to use my fingers to precisely move paths around or the cursor from one spot to another quickly, and using right click options.

Thank god for Logitech and their practical design. And LOOK! It has a recharging port in FRONT of the trackball mouse compared to Jony Ive's Magic Mouse design. When it comes to input devices, Logitech knows what they're doing.
[doublepost=1504708010][/doublepost]

Oh gosh. They couldn't fix logitech mx master mouse fur to lag skip and all that..why this? I ask people not to get master mx.
[doublepost=1504703076][/doublepost] yeah mx connection is bad.

They're usually very well made but I swear by USB connection since it's far more stable than Bluetooth. My advice? Go old school. Bluetooth devices are usually asking to be recharged now and then while USB devices keep trucking on and on forever without interruption.
[doublepost=1504708108][/doublepost]

This makes me wanna play a game of Missle Command. Or centipede.

The Kensington trackball mouse will do just that . I still use it and it works great, especially with 4 programmable buttons and a scroll wheel. I swear by it compared to the Magic trackpad.
[doublepost=1504708214][/doublepost]

I never liked trackballs and as I'm left handed I'm not in the least bit tempted to give them another try with this offering!

The Kensington trackball mouse will allow you to use your left hand. You'd be surprised.

 

[leman]

I loved my old Logitech trackball, but it also gave me some fairly bad thumb pain...

 

[mzeb]

I've been waiting for a Bluetooth trackball like this for more than a decade. I just need an order button now.