Like so many of us, I spend a minimum of 8 hours a (work)day in front of a computer screen. Any product that promises to relieve some of the attendant aches and pains is worth a try, right? So when I got the Kensington Orbit Trackball with Scroll Ring to try, I connected it up.

This new trackball device from the accessories company has a big improvement over older models: the addition of the scroll ring. Just hover over whatever part of a page you wish to scroll through and go, no clicks needed. The ball itself rests in an indent precisely between the right- and left-click buttons, making the Orbit usable by both right- and left-handers. (Those are the only two buttons, by the way.) And it's large enough to rest your hand comfortably.

I've never used a trackball controller for any length of time before; it did take some getting used to, but after a day or so it felt natural and comfortable. The optical tracking is very fast and precise, and scrolling can really fly. I like that I no longer need a mousing surface on my desk, though I kind of miss the wirelessness of my old mouse.  

The Orbit Trackball with Scroll Wheel comes with a detachable wrist rest; it's made of the same hard black plastic that the trackball is made of, which was too tough on my wrist, so I swapped it out for my trusty Ergo Beads wrist rest. LIst price is $39.99, but you can find the Orbit for less from a number online retailers.