Notebook Computers: Buying a Laptop Trackball

Buying a laptop trackball may be a good idea if you prefer a trackball to the built-in pointing device on your laptop or notebook computer, or would like to replace an older laptop's built-in trackball which has been broken or otherwise failed. It also has the advantage of not needing a surface where it can be moved around, as a mouse does. However, you will want to be sure to choose a laptop trackball which is compatible with your computer and appropriate for its purpose.

While it is possible to use a regular trackball with your laptop, they are often fairly large and sometimes heavier than trackballs designed for laptops. Searching for "laptop trackball" on eBay or Google's Product Search (google.com/products) brings up a number of results, including small handheld units with trigger-style buttons which can be conveniently pressed by the index finger, a mini combination trackball/mouse made by Fellowes, and a few internal replacement trackballs for older laptops.

If you need a replacement unit for an older laptop with an internal trackball and can't find it (or it is too expensive), consider buying an identical parts laptop and removing its trackball, or disabling the trackball and buying an external unit. Searching for your computer's brand name on eBay (like "compaq trackball", without the word laptop) may bring up additional search results for replacement internal trackballs.

Make sure you purchase a trackball which is compatible with your laptop's operating system and ports. Some notebook and laptop computers lack USB ports, and older operating systems like Windows 3.1 or 95A do not support USB. Most laptops have a standard round PS/2 port which many trackball models can be connected to, although a few (mostly pre-1994) laptop computers will need an older 9-pin serial port trackball. Some Macintosh laptops have an ADB port for connecting external pointing devices; be sure not to confuse these with the similar-looking PS/2 ports and cables.

Some programs take advantage of the third (middle) button on some trackballs and mice, but hardly ever require it, so a third button is certainly not a necessity. A scrolling feature is convenient if you frequently scroll through long web pages or documents.

A much wider variety of compact laptop mice are available for purchase (including at stores like Target and Radio Shack), as well as external USB touchpads (similar to those built into many newer laptops, but external), and other laptop-oriented pointing devices.