Best mouse for a person with trembling hands

My Grandfather recently acquired a new Mac (an iBook) on which I am typing this message.

I didn't want to let him use the integrated track pad because I found it very unpractical, so I ordered an Apple (wired) mouse for him. Unfortunately his hand is often trembling, and he has very little space to move the mouse, so we need to lift the mouse to move it without affecting the pointer's position an be able to move the pointer from the top-left corner to the bottom-right corner of the screen.

All this causes him great difficulty (pointing precisely and lifting the mouse) so I wondered if a mouse with a track ball would be more suitable.

What do you think ?

Posted on Jul 5, 2005 10:33 AM

Top-ranking reply

Matt Clifton

Level 7

29,981 points

Posted on Jul 5, 2005 10:37 AM

Hi Will

I use and can recommend a Kensington Orbit optical trackball (to replace an ageing and wrist-hurting Logitech scrollwheel mouse). I got used to it very quickly. It doesn't move around on the desk, and doesn't require a mousepad.

The "click" is a little louder than you might expect, and you do have to take out the ball and clean dust off the contacts pretty regularly, but other than that, it's a great (and inexpensive) rodent.

Matt

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18 replies

Will-Hi Author

Level 5

4,307 points

Jul 5, 2005 10:53 AM in response to Matt Clifton

Thanks Matt.

Will-Hi Author

Level 5

4,307 points

Jul 5, 2005 11:08 AM in response to Koinseb

Thanks for the input.

Jul 5, 2005 11:16 AM in response to Will-Hi

No, it'll work right away. You can optionally install the Mouseworks software, which gives you more configuration options.

Matt

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Best mouse for a person with trembling hands