Definition: Given an Amazon customer review, write a title for the review. The preferred titles are under fifteen words.
Input: Years ago, I bought a Logitech thumb trackball of some unknown model name when I bought my very first computer. I remember that I was really enjoying using it until a friend stopped by to visit after school, and chided me for not having a regular mouse. I realize, today, that that friend of mine was an idiot.<br />  I have several wireless mice I use with my netbook for school, and they were helpful when I would take the computer to a coffee shop or to school to do some work. But I leave the house less for these purposes, and instead work on a tiny non-computer desk with approximately zero space to maneuver a mouse. I then recalled the trackball of yore and sought one out.<br /><br />  There are several on the market now, and Logitech and Kensington seem to be the main players (which is a shame - trackballs really are great). I initially tried the [[ASIN:B0043T7FXE Logitech M570  Wireless Trackball]]. It had its good points: laser tracking, unifying receiver, quite comfortable for right-handed people. I found, however, that when compared to the Marble, I much preferred the trackball to actually be in the center so that it can be controlled with my index and middle fingers. By comparison, the thumb-control style felt much less precise and efficient. And this may have had more to do with my thumb itself than with the device. Another plus for the Marble is that the actual ball itself is of a larger diameter than the smallish M570. Personally, I think it allows for more economy of motion and a surer 'grip' if you will while navigating.<br /><br />  The Marble is also quite comfortable to use - my hand just lounges across the top of it, and I can click and move effortlessly (well, almost effortlessly, but I'll get to that part soon). And when I first realized the Marble used optical tracking, it sounded like I was taking a step back in time. No worries - for general usage, it is extremely precise and I've read that some people enjoy playing FPS games with this model. My needs are less strenuous than that, though, so I cannot attest to the Marble's efficacy there. And, since it stays at home, the USB cord is just fine by me - I save on batteries. The entire device is very stable on the old, polished wooden desk I 'appropriated' for my work space; it does not slide around or wobble back and forth. It is quite steady.<br /><br />  I suppose it is the nature of things to not be all perfect, and the Marble is not and thus I took off a star. If you have read this far (thank you!), then perhaps you have enough interest in this trackball to already know it is ambidextrous. This is both a blessing and a curse. Many 'thumb' models require you to be right-handed, which is too bad. However, this model can be easily placed on either side of your work space and accomadate whichever hand you navigate with. If you look at the pictures at the top of the product page, you see the red marble in the top center, two large, gray paddle-shaped buttons (typically mapped as right or left click)on either side and on top of those, there are two small darker gray buttons (these default to forward and back).<br /><br />  Now bear with me here: as a right-handed guy, my left thumb uses the left large paddle button as left click, and can move up to hit the little button to activate the Universal Scroll (the Logitech Software allows you to customize the buttons as you desire, and I never use a forward-back button, but I am a scroll junkie). My index finger primarily uses the trackball, while the middle one helps it out as needed. Now, here is where I docked a star, although I noticed this going in: my ring finger can tap the upper edge of the right paddle button easily, but to access the tiny upper right button (the one that defaults to forward), I'm required to lift my entire hand off the device hit the button and resettle. I know, I know: cry me a river you say. But it does hinder the otherwise fluid usage of the device. I like the concept of a trackball anybody can use, but not when all controls are not easily reached. I simply don't have that button assigned to do anything, and frankly, I get along great. But I wanted you to be aware of that.<br /><br />  A few more things: if this is the first review you have read on this device and you plan on reading more be forewarned: Many reviewers feel the Marble is missing something (here's a hint: it begins with a 'scroll' and ends with a 'wheel'). Kidding aside, its a valid point - scroll wheels are ubiquitous and many computer games and programs are designed to assume you have one. As I said, I am a scroll wheel junkie. I love that thing! But, when I have the auto scroll function mapped, I click the button once, and scroll with the trackball. Its an extra step, but it took me a day or two to start doing it automatically. I literally don't think about it anymore. So for me, no sweat - I'm very pleased.<br /><br />  Another thing to note is that as of this writing, I have had to uninstall the newest SetPoint software (version 6 something or other) and install an older version, 4.80. The reason for this is that the newest version of SetPoint didn't register the Universal Scroll feature in Office 2007 (I use Word and PowerPoint a ton for school, so I wanted to see if I could fix that issue). I had to call Logitech's service reps who were very pleasant and helpful, and I was told that the software designers know of this issue with the current SetPoint, and are working to resolve it in a future update. Meanwhile, version 4.80 essentially does all of the same stuff that the new version does, so I don't feel cheated there.<br /><br />  Finally I should reiterate something first time trackball adopters may be thinking about: yes, it will take some getting used to using a trackball (thumb or finger style) over a traditional mouse. The first few days you will shakily move the trackball and your cursor will shoot across the screen. You may try to click on a small space on a website and will end up having to make multiple attempts. This is normal, and dissipates quickly. I'm writing this review after owning the Marble for about a week or so and feel quite proficient with it. Prior to a week ago, I used a mouse for ~ 15 years, give or take. And I don't regret the switch. If you are buying a trackball for the first time I urge you: Keep the receipt (if it doesn't float your boat, send it back), use the software to customize the cursor speeds and button layout (you can make the cursor slower to allow you time to adjust to the new device), and have a little bit of patience. Within a few days, you'll more than likely be using it without a second thought.<br /><br />  I hope this was helpful to some of you!y can use, but not when all controls are not easily reached. I simply don't have that button assigned to do anything, and frankly, I get along great. But I wanted you to be aware of that.<br /><br />  A few more things: if this is the first review you have read on this device and you plan on reading more be forewarned: Many reviewers feel the Marble is missing something (here's a hint: it begins with a 'scroll' and ends with a 'wheel'). Kidding aside, its a valid point - scroll wheels are ubiquitous and many computer games and programs are designed to assume you have one. As I said, I am a scroll wheel junkie. I love that thing! But, when I have the auto scroll function mapped, I click the button once, and scroll with the trackball. Its an extra step, but it took me a day or two to start doing it automatically. I literally don't think about it anymore. So for me, no sweat - I'm very pleased.<br /><br />  Another thing to note is that as of this writing, I have had to uninstall the newest SetPoint software (version 6 something or other) and install an older version, 4.80. The reason for this is that the newest version of SetPoint didn't register the Universal Scroll feature in Office 2007 (I use Word and PowerPoint a ton for school, so I wanted to see if I could fix that issue). I had to call Logitech's service reps who were very pleasant and helpful, and I was told that the software designers know of this issue with the current SetPoint, and are working to resolve it in a future update. Meanwhile, version 4.80 essentially does all of the same stuff that the new version does, so I don't feel cheated there.<br /><br />  Finally I should reiterate something first time trackball adopters may be thinking about: yes, it will take some getting used to using a trackball (thumb or finger style) over a traditional mouse. The first few days you will shakily move the trackball and your cursor will shoot across the screen. You may try to click on a small space on a website and will end up having to make multiple attempts. This is normal, and dissipates quickly. I'm writing this review after owning the Marble for about a week or so and feel quite proficient with it. Prior to a week ago, I used a mouse for ~ 15 years, give or take. And I don't regret the switch. If you are buying a trackball for the first time I urge you: Keep the receipt (if it doesn't float your boat, send it back), use the software to customize the cursor speeds and button layout (you can make the cursor slower to allow you time to adjust to the new device), and have a little bit of patience. Within a few days, you'll more than likely be using it without a second thought.<br /><br />  I hope this was helpful to some of you!

An excellent, accurate and comfortable pointing device