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The computer mouse has been the king of computer pointing devices for decades. But new touchpad keyboards are making the touchpad a genuine contender. Here’s my answer to your question: should I get a computer mouse or a touchpad keyboard? The world of computers has changed since the computer mouse came onto the scene. The computer mouse has changed too. It is more accurate and responsive than ever. The new light sensor computer mouse doesn’t have a ball to get dirty. And if your computer mouse is cordless you never have to fight a too short cord or play jump rope with the stuff on your desktop. Still, there are other options for pointing besides the computer mouse. Almost every laptop computer you buy comes with a touchpad in the keyboard. The touchpad keyboard is a logical alternative to a computer mouse where you are going to be using your laptop on the go. With all the improvements to the computer mouse, it still can’t escape the desktop – at least not conveniently. You might try it on your leg or a book, but it’s a hassle. Now touchpad keyboards and peripheral touchpads (also called a touchpad computer mouse) are coming out for desktop computers too. So the question is, are the conventional computer mouse’s days numbered? Will everyone get a touchpad keyboard now? Touchpads have advantages besides not needing acres of desk space. Constantly moving your hand around with a computer mouse can be murder on your wrist. And peripherals are just high maintenance. They come unplugged; they’re something else to keep track of in a move; they take up USB ports; and if you have a cordless computer mouse you’ve probably noticed how fast it can dry up batteries. But I’m not ready to give up my computer mouse for a touchpad keyboard just yet. First of all, a new ergonomic mouse can save you a lot of pain in your wrist. And let’s look at all the weaknesses of the touchpad. I’ve never been able to get used to touchpads on laptops I’ve used. They just seem imprecise and problematic. People tell me I just need to get used to them, but I’m not sure I ever will. I think my fat finger is just too blunt to be as accurate as a fine tuned light sensor on a computer mouse. Just try playing Mine Sweeper on a touchpad keyboard. And that’s not the worst part. Every time I use a laptop I will be navigating a Webpage and all the sudden I’ll unintentionally click on some link or I’ll close the window I’m trying to use. This is one of the most frustrating things about using a laptop for me. I can’t be the only one who suffers from false-positive clicking. Oh yah, and the touchpad is susceptible to scratching. You never have to worry about that with a computer mouse. So for now, I’d rather have my computer mouse than a touchpad keyboard. I may change my mind someday – technology is always changing. Maybe the new touchpad keyboards can accommodate even my fat finger. If you really want to know what I think, we should all be using trackballs. They’ve been around for a long time, but they’ve never really caught on. A trackball is like an up-side-down computer mouse. You just use your fingers to turn the ball instead of moving your whole arm. A trackball has all the benefits of an ergonomic mouse and a touchpad keyboard without many of the problems. It is as accurate as a computer mouse but a lot easier on your wrist like a touchpad. It doesn’t take up a lot of desk space either. In fact, I don’t see why you couldn’t put a trackball in a laptop or a keyboard to cut the need for another peripheral. In short, my answer to your question, “should I get a computer mouse or a touchpad keyboard?” is, “I don’t know.” I don’t like touchpads, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. And with new touchpad keyboard technology I might even change my mind. But I seriously think you should try a trackball. It might take a while to get used to, but I think you’ll love it. About the Author: Mat Moniker is a writer for Innuity and a technology bum. To find out more about new touchpad keyboards on the market and the touchpad computer mouse go to Cirque.
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computer mouse, touchpad, touchpad keyboard, ergonomic mouse, trackball, computer,
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