Kensington SlimBlade Trackball reviews – excellent for browsing and general-purpose application work
- Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 4:17
- Gadgets
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Do you prefer a mouse or a trackball for controlling the screen pointer? Well, if you are a user who has little room for your mouse on your desk, if you control big computers like those in nuclear power stations, then you must belong to the category of people who prefer trackballs to mice. From its time of inception, the trackball has advanced a lot. Initially, close relatives of billiards balls, supported by cradles with roller wheels were used to detect the movement of the pointers. A lot has changed since that time as far as trackballs are concerned. One of such developments has been made by Kensington. It has launched its new SlimBlade Trackball.
The SlimBlade Trackball is an amalgamation of a sculpted, glossy gunmetal plastic pad which houses a silver-flecked, red trackball. This ball rests in a chrome ring just to the rear of its centre. There are four segments in the pad. Two segments are behind the ball and two are in its front. Each of the four segments appears to act like a mouse button. The segments those are present at the front of the ball act as the left and right mouse buttons. The segments at the rear of the ball switch modes of operation: Cursor, View and Media. Inside the hemispherical cradle of the trackball, three tiny ball bearings support the main big trackball. As you roll or twist it the trackball, an optical source and detector read the movement of its flecks. The trackball offers an excellent, precise, and smooth motion. The ball can be operated with a mere single finger.
A new feature in this trackball over earlier ones is its ability to detect a twist action when the ball is rotated with fingers and thumb. You can use this motion to zoom in on images or to control audio volume. Media mode works with Media Player and iTunes. The View mode works with a few main graphics editors. The trackball proves to be good for browsing and general-purpose application work. You might find it difficult to operate for gaming and graphics editing. It is available at a price of £59.99.
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