What is the ultimate mouse/trackpad/ball device for someone browsing on an iMac all day?

[Turnpike]

I just happened to see someone using a huge ball type thing instead of a mouse. I spend nearly all day, most days doing research on an iMac. I have a TrackPad that came with my iMac Pro, is there anything (at any price level) that is more efficient, easier to use, or better in some way than a trackpad that I should check out?

In my opinion a good trackpad is many times better than any kind of Apple or other brand mouse, but is there something out there that's worth exploring that's possibly even better...?

Asking here because I don't know what the pro's use, anything I ever came across has been gamer mice or the current trackpad from Apple.

Thanks!

 

[SierraVista]

The ball you saw might have been something like this? (Called a Trackball): https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/mice/mx-ergo-wireless-trackball-mouse.html

Supposedly the Trackball is the best option for people with carpal tunnel or wrist pain but other than that, it really comes down to personal preference.

I personally use the Apple Touch ID bluetooth keyboard and the wireless trackpad. I like the trackpad because you get all of the gestures (back/forward, Expose, etc), and it fits in a smaller space on the desk because it doesn’t need to move. However, I also know people that can’t use it for more than 5 minutes before they start getting wrist pain. I don’t like the Apple Magic Mouse at all, I find the lack of buttons annoying and the gestures hard to use.

 

[smirking]

What do the pros use? Uh, everything. There is no one ultimate pointer device to rule them all.

Don't limit yourself to "Mac" devices. You can use anything made for PCs too. The software support might be trickier for some of them, but manageable.

That Logitech MX Ergo that @SierraVista mentioned is indeed a very nice trackball. I've owned earlier versions of that and indeed it carried me through some years in which I had serious wrist pain from a repetitive strain injury. The only complaint I have about that trackball is that it'd be better with more buttons.

My personal preference is for a trackball or a mouse that has a lot of extra buttons that can be remapped to execute shortcuts and key combos. My mouse right now is a Roccat Tyon that has 14 buttons. I use it like a "shortcuts keyboard" so I don't need to keep moving my hands between the mouse and the keyboard.

 

[Turnpike]

Oh wow, both those trackball units are something I'm going to try out. I saw someone who does what I do use a Wacom tablet with a pen that has buttons on it, I KNEW people here would know of options I can try... so far I've been getting by with a track pad (and knowing all the gestures makes that 10X more powerful) along with a Stream Deck. Thanks!

 

[varezhka]

Also to avoid an RSI, it's good to alternate between different input methods to reduce stress on a single part of your body. So in my case, after a morning using a thumb trackball like MX Ergo I spend half a day using BT Magic Trackpad with my left hand. Still looking for a good BT finger trackball replacement for my old TrackMan Marble...

 

[smirking]

Oh wow, both those trackball units are something I'm going to try out. I saw someone who does what I do use a Wacom tablet with a pen that has buttons on it, I KNEW people here would know of options I can try... so far I've been getting by with a track pad (and knowing all the gestures makes that 10X more powerful) along with a Stream Deck. Thanks!

Here's the trackball that I was talking about with lots of buttons. I'm just showing it as an example of some interesting options that are out there. This is what I replaced my Logitech Trackball Mouse with when it died. It's very similar to it, but has more buttons.

EX-G PRO Trackball

Experience precision with the ELECOM EX-G PRO trackball featuring optical tracking technology for efficient cursor control. Customize functions with its 8 buttons and adjustable DPI settings. Low maintenance with smooth ruby ball bearings. Compatible with Windows and macOS, and offers wired...

elecomusa.com

This Elecom mouse has a Mac driver for it to let you customize the buttons, but I didn't like the software. Instead, I'm using a program called Steermouse to configure the buttons. It's a a universal utility for Macs that is compatible with most input devices. I first got Steermouse to setup a mouse that didn't have Mac drivers, but have found that I'd rather use it most of the time regardless.

 

[Beatrix Kiddo]

I have never used trackball devices due to ergonomics and my connectivity needs (2.4+Bt+Wired).

However I am so happy with a 5-button mouse with an app called Mac Mouse Fix. You average mouse basicly becomes Apple Trackpad. It is very convenient and a must have app for my docked mac usage. You can at least try before buying an expensive mouse / trackball.

Mac Mouse Fix

Make Your $10 Mouse Better Than an Apple Trackpad

macmousefix.com

 

[smirking]

You average mouse basicly becomes Apple Trackpad. It is very convenient and a must have app for my docked mac usage.

Oh Mac Mouse Fix is very clever! Thanks for sharing that. I'll have to give it a spin just to try it.

I don't think it'll end up being a good fit for me as I already use way more than 5 buttons, but I haven't even considered using a mouse in the way that they're describing on their website.

I don't really use most of the gestures they're enabling, but I still want to play with it to get some ideas on how else I can max out ways to squeeze more functionality out of my mouse and trackballs.

 

[AZhappyjack]

There are lots of haters here who will try to talk you out of it, but my favorite mouse of all time is the Apple Magic Mouse. I use it all day, almost every day... and the ONLY issue that I have ever experienced is the charge port on the bottom... of course, I charge it overnight, and that's not longeran issue for me.

The Magic Trackpad comes in a close second.

 

[Beatrix Kiddo]

Oh Mac Mouse Fix is very clever! Thanks for sharing that. I'll have to give it a spin just to try it.

I don't think it'll end up being a good fit for me as I already use way more than 5 buttons, but I haven't even considered using a mouse in the way that they're describing on their website.

I don't really use most of the gestures they're enabling, but I still want to play with it to get some ideas on how else I can max out ways to squeeze more functionality out of my mouse and trackballs.

No worries!
We all use our devices differently and that’s fine.
I try to use mouse as a tool to do things a) not enough precision with keyboard shortcuts b) not “convenient” enough with keyboard shortcuts. Hence I am happy with mac mouse fix.

I still suggest you to try because zooming, moving between desktops, vertical scrolling is so easy with that app.