1738 Logitech’s TrackMan Wheel is a somewhat unorthodox device even within the subcategory of trackballs, with actuation of its tracking ball intended to be by thumb rather than the index and middle fingers as is customary with trackballs. This takes some getting used to — considerably more than the adaptation curve required for a conventional trackball, since the body English is substantially different, and indeed the TrackMan Wheel is the only thumb-actuated computer pointing device that springs to mind.

Aside from the positioning of its trackball, the Trackman Wheel offers standard trackball/mouse features: left and right buttons and a “clickable” scroll wheel that also serves as a third button. In terms of form factor, the Trackman Wheel is about the size of a large mouse, with the buttons and scroll wheel where you would expect them to be, but the trackball itself embedded in the left-hand side of the housing where it is manipulated by the thumb of the user’s right hand. No lefty version is available.

The form factor is trapezoidally molded to accommodate this shape of the human hand. Personally, I would prefer the palm rest to be somewhat more vertical in orientation rather than the relatively flat angle it is, facilitating more neutral pronation of the hand and forearm. The styling of the Trackman Wheel is classic Logitech, with a matte silver gray main housing accented with darker gray bottom panel, and a marbled dark red trackball, which seems to be a popular color for trackballs.

System Requirements (for Logitech Control Center):
• Mac OS X version 10.1.2 or higher
• Macintosh computer with built-in USB port
• Any PCI PowerMac using a USB adapter card

For the Logitech Control Center 3.0:
• Macintosh OS X OS 10.3.9, 10.4.x, 10.5.x
• Logitech USB pointing device or keyboard

Platform Support
The Universal Binary Logitech Control Center (LCC) supports Mac OS X (both Power PC and Intel based Macs), as well as Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows Vista
USB or PS/2 port (Windows 98 or later for USB)

MSRP is $49.95, so at $21.95 it's a real deal.

FREE SHIPPING or get 2nd Day Express Shipping for $5.49

To purchase at the sale price, visit:
http://bit.ly/98YfwZ

For more information, visit:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/159&cl=US,EN#

For Charles W. Moore's full review of the Logitech TrackMan Wheel Trackball see:
http://www.pbcentral.com/columns/hildreth_moore/ltmw.shtml

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