Jan 1996 Pullout

It used to be that mice were the only game in town. But now you're confronted with myriad choices, including trackballs, touchpads and more esoteric designs like pointing sticks. Trackballs and touchpads are the two most popular mouse alternatives. Trackballs offer a high level of precision and take up less desktop space than a mousepad. Touchpads provide a flat input mechanism similar to those on many notebook PCs. However, mice remain at the top of the list--they still account for about 80 percent of all pointing devices sold.

The average mouse has two buttons. However you can buy mice with up to four buttons that can be programmed as shortcuts for more complex functions like double-click or Alt+Tab. Consider a mouse with extra programmable buttons if you work with programs that go heavy on complicated keyboard commands (such as desktop publishing or CAD).

A high-quality mouse costs anywhere from $39 to $69, though you can get lower-resolution units with less-sturdy mechanisms for as little as $10. Trackballs cost more, from about $65 to $110, while touchpads are priced at about $79 to $99.

You can hook your pointing device to your PC using either a PS/2 or a serial connector. Older computers use a serial connection, notebook computers need a PS/2 connector, and newer desktop PCs allow both PS/2 and serial connections. Ideally, your device should have a converter that's compatible with either type of port.

Perhaps the trusty mouse you've been using for years has finally given up the ghost. Or your new system came with a mouse you just don't like. Whatever sent you searching for a new pointing device, you'll find dozens of replacement options on store shelves. You're sure to find a device to suit your needs and style--some manufacturers are even offering designer hues that let your true colors shine.

Once upon a time, you had to be concerned about your mouse's resolution. But today's better rodents offer resolutions of about 200 counts per inch (cpi), and most good-quality trackballs have resolutions of between 200 and 400cpi. Touchpad resolutions often meet or exceed 1,000cpi. You probably won't notice a significant dip in precision unless you buy a device that features a resolution of less than 200cpi. You may also see resolution quoted in the more familiar dots per inch (dpi), but these numbers mean the same thing as cpi.

Before you commit to a particular model, visit a store with a demonstration section where you can try each pointing device. Ask about warranties; some companies offer only a year or two of coverage, while others offer five years or more.

The touchpad has already become a familiar item in many notebook computers, and it looks as if these devices will continue to storm the market. BIS Strategic Decisions predicts that touchpads will account for 70 percent of all integrated pointing devices by 1998. Manufacturers like Alps and Cirque are introducing desktop touchpads, and are integrating touchpads into all-in-one desktop keyboard units.

These flat pads have a variety of advantages over other pointing-device technologies. The pad is a sealed unit that keeps dirt out. Touchpads have become popular in notebooks because of their extremely light weight. They also take up less desktop space than mice or trackballs. For example, Cirque estimates that its GlidePoint Desktop, which measures 4.4 by 0.4 by 4 inches, takes up about 70 percent less space than a mousepad.

Touchpad technology is based on electrical capacitance rather than pressure. The pad contains two layers of electrodes (one vertical and one horizontal) that are connected to an integrated circuit within the unit. When you touch the pad, you change the capacitance of the layers. By coordinating the intersection of the two layers, the unit moves the cursor precisely. This technology is extremely intuitive--instead of clicking on a mouse button, you merely tap on the pad. For those who find old habits hard to break, most touchpads now on the market come with two clickable buttons.