Kensington SlimBlade Pro Trackball Review: Fully loaded, but not for beginners

AppleInsider

After decades of previous models, in 2022 Kensington released their most advanced trackball ever, with excellent customizations and design, but it's not for everyone.

Kensington SlimBlade Pro trackball comes with 2.4GHz wireless dongle and 1.5m USB-C to USB-A cable

The Kensington SlimBlade Pro is a fully-loaded trackball, and those who know how to use all its features would absolutely love it. But for beginners doing light computer work, this may not be the best tool.

The standout about this trackball is that it's very customizable.

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USB-A with USB-C to USB-A adapter adapter for Mac or PC use

There are three connection options: Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless dongle, or a wired 1.5m USB-C to USB-A connection. It comes with USB-A with a small USB-C to USB-A adapter, making the entire package handy for computers made in the last decade.

The Kensington SlimBlade Pro trackball has up to eight customizable options for its four buttons, which can make your work a lot faster.

To set up your button customizations, download their free software KensingtonWorks.

KensingtonWorks software allows users to fully customize their trackball

Inside the KensingtonWorks software, you have the option to customize the buttons, pointer, and scrolling. Customize each of the four buttons or set of buttons to mute/unmute, screen capture, duplicate, switch windows, and much more.

Once you click on Buttons, select the button you want to program. Then, select what function you want to program the button to do.

In the Pointer tab, you can adjust the pointer speed and movement. In the Scrolling tab, you can adjust scrolling speed and orientation.

Ergonomic design

For folks who spend long hours at the computer, ergonomics is very important to protect against carpal tunnel. A good thing about the SlimBlade Pro trackball is its low-profile shape with a slight angle, allowing for ergonomic use.

Ambidextrous design, easily plug wireless dongle into Mac Studio

The cursor is controlled by the trackball in the middle, minimizing arm and shoulder movement. This is a finger-operated trackball and not a thumb-operated trackball, so it minimizes risk of too much strain to the thumb.

It has a symmetrical ambidextrous design, making this adaptable for left or right-handed users.

Steep learning curve

Due to its design with four buttons, the Kensington SlimBlade Pro may be a difficult adjustment for users accustomed to a traditional mouse.

A traditional mouse has left and right-click buttons on the top two buttons. The SlimBlade Pro is designed to have left and right clicks on the bottom two buttons, which can be confusing to use at first.

We tried customizing the top two buttons for right and left click as on a traditional mouse, but the angle of the mouse makes it difficult to comfortably right click.

Users would have to twist the trackball to scroll up, using multiple fingers instead of just one finger. This can also be challenging for new users.

If you do heavy text editing, know that it is tricky to highlight text using the trackball while holding down the left click. This may be easier for people with large hands.

Kensington SlimBlade Pro Trackball Pros

• Adaptable for Mac or PC


• Ambidextrous design for left or right-handed users


• Three connection options


• Customizable buttons up to eight options

Kensington SlimBlade Pro Trackball Cons

• Difficult learning curve for beginners


• Highlighting text difficult using trackball


• Color of red trackball might not be for everyone

Rating: 4 out of 5

This high-performance trackball with slick movement and precision control is perfect for those who and already comfortable with a trackball. It is a good fit for professional users who perform heavy video editing or extremely detailed design work.

But if you're looking to try a trackball on your Mac for the first time, it might be better to look elsewhere.

Where to buy the Kensington SlimBlade Pro Trackball

Buy the Kensington SlimBlade Pro Trackball directly from Kensington for $119.99 or on Amazon.

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melgross

I’ve always found these a pain to use. Unlike the Logitech trackballs which have the ball operated by the thumb, as some others do, this is right in the middle. With the Logitech, you don’t have to move your hand around on the device, as everything is under your fingers all the time, even when you’re moving the cursor. With this, you have to move your hands around constantly. I’ve never seen the point to the design.

alterbentzion

If you've ever played piano or guitar - really, any instrument that requires one to use all of one's fingers individually - I don't think it would be too hard to adapt. I use the tips of my thumb, pinkie, ring finger, etc. to click the individual buttons on my Expert Mouse, and I use the undersides of my fingers to roll the ball if I need to keep one or more fingers near the buttons. A customizable ball would be cool, and crumbs tend to fall into the depression where the rollerball sits, but overall I love a four-button trackball. It has definitely helped me preserve my wrists.

charlesatlas

I used to far prefer trackballs back when they were the only alternative to mice. But I didn't like how often they had to be cleaned. Those supported by rollers gunked up quickly and those supported on ball bearings were no better. I'll stick with the Magic Trackpad 2, bolstered by BetterTouchTool, which gives me an incredible number of app-specific and global options at my fingertips.

dewme

melgross said:

I’ve always found these a pain to use. Unlike the Logitech trackballs which have the ball operated by the thumb, as some others do, this is right in the middle. With the Logitech, you don’t have to move your hand around on the device, as everything is under your fingers all the time, even when you’re moving the cursor. With this, you have to move your hands around constantly. I’ve never seen the point to the design.

I've been using thumb-operated trackballs since they first came out and love them. Microsoft made a version that was very good but I used it so much it wore out. Some of Logitech's versions are excellent but others are too small. My current favorite is the Logitech MX Ergo wireless trackball with the magnetic tilt stand. My only wish is that they'd update it with USB-C changing instead of the heinous micro-USB.

I still use an Apple Magic Trackpad but it's placed above my keyboard and mostly used for gestures using my left hand. I can get by with the trackpad alone, and it's better than the trackball for a couple of things, but nothing beats the Magic Trackball for gestures, pinching, zooming, etc. I've tried various trackballs including finger operated ones and I have no doubt that some folks like them. It's just a matter of conditioning and learning what best fits your needs. Most people don't bother trying alternative pointing devices and simply settle for whatever they are exposed to on first use of a computer. The only pointing device I don't like is the IBM/Dell/Lenovo eraser head thingy. It's like trying to drive a bumper car.

jeffharris

Kensington trackballs are the best! Been using them since the Turbo Mouse. 

I would throw away Apple mice when they were included with new Macs.
Currently running their Expert Mouse. Love the scroll wheel!

So much easier, quicker and more accurate to use than any mouse. And with ZERO hand strain.

Using multiple monitors, just flick the cursor between them with no effort. 

Never run out if room on the desk or keyboard tray, either!

I don’t get the “not for beginners” label. It’s very easy to use. It just takes a little practice.

Rest your fingers on the ball and point. Index and middle finger. Little finger for right click or the scroll wheel. Thumb to click.
Dead simple. No mouse claw hand.

melgross

dewme said:

melgross said:

I’ve always found these a pain to use. Unlike the Logitech trackballs which have the ball operated by the thumb, as some others do, this is right in the middle. With the Logitech, you don’t have to move your hand around on the device, as everything is under your fingers all the time, even when you’re moving the cursor. With this, you have to move your hands around constantly. I’ve never seen the point to the design.

I've been using thumb-operated trackballs since they first came out and love them. Microsoft made a version that was very good but I used it so much it wore out. Some of Logitech's versions are excellent but others are too small. My current favorite is the Logitech MX Ergo wireless trackball with the magnetic tilt stand. My only wish is that they'd update it with USB-C changing instead of the heinous micro-USB.

I still use an Apple Magic Trackpad but it's placed above my keyboard and mostly used for gestures using my left hand. I can get by with the trackpad alone, and it's better than the trackball for a couple of things, but nothing beats the Magic Trackball for gestures, pinching, zooming, etc. I've tried various trackballs including finger operated ones and I have no doubt that some folks like them. It's just a matter of conditioning and learning what best fits your needs. Most people don't bother trying alternative pointing devices and simply settle for whatever they are exposed to on first use of a computer. The only pointing device I don't like is the IBM/Dell/Lenovo eraser head thingy. It's like trying to drive a bumper car.

I’ve been using Logitech trackballs since they first came out. I still have some of the very old ones in a shelf. I had two of the Microsoft ones, and they were very good as well. I find it far more natural to just put your hand over the device and let your thumb sit on the ball than otherwise. I’m nit saying it’s too hard to do, but it dies require that one learn and practice for some time before it becomes muscle memory so it’s no longer distracting. I’ve never found it to be advantageous.

like you, I have the Ergo and it works pretty well.

ken burns effect

Billiard/Crystal balls with 55 mm/2.165" diameter will fit the bill for a colourful replacement!

http://xahlee.info/kbd/trackball_ball_sizes.html