Logitech M575 Ergonomic Wireless Trackball Mouse (910-005869)

So I’ve been using Logitech thumb-based trackballs since they were rectangular and connected with a DE-9 serial connection. I swear by them and have converted many others.

The advantages are clear: you don’t need huge swaths of desk space to move them around, you can remove your thumb from the ball so you don’t inadvertently move the cursor when you click, and the interface is extremely intuitive and easy to use. The biggest disadvantage is that they are solely right-handed — my two lefty kids can’t use them. The kids also say they’re not great for gaming so that might be a factor; my youngest uses some specialty mouse designed specifically for gaming.

As for this particular model, it’s not terribly different from the previous M570. Note: in the pictures, the new M575 has the more silver ball; the one with the more blue ball is an M570.

The forward/backward buttons (between the left mouse button and the trackball) are less prominent on the newer model and include indentations that appear to be simple circles. I’m guessing that the circles are meant to give your finger a reference point to be able to click without looking but I find them more annoying than useful (they feel like there’s a piece of dirt or something stuck to them) and the prominent buttons of the M570 were easier to feel, as well as being less susceptible to accidental clicks.

The palmrest part of new M575 as some subtle ribbing, probably meant to keep your hand from slipping from side to side but it’s honestly just another annoyance. Not enough to prevent me from using it but given the choice, I would prefer it without.

The activity light/battery warning light has moved from just behind the forward/back buttons to the middle behind the main mouse buttons. Not a problem at all, just different. I will note that the light on the M570 can be seen even when your hand is on the trackball whereas this one is covered up by your hand.

The trackball itself is fine; I think I like the old blue color better but there doesn’t seem to be any other difference.

The bottom of the trackball is not functionally different from the old version and it’s good to see that the slot is still there in the battery compartment to hold the receiver. The power switch is a little smaller and harder to access but still perfectly functional. There is a new button that appears to switch the trackball from using the receiver to using bluetooth — a handy feature if you want to use it with something like a tablet, I suppose. (I’ve not tried it via bluetooth.)

If you’re thinking about upgrading from an older M570, you’ll feel right at home, for the most part, but I don’t think there’s any compelling reason to rush right out and get one. I bought a new one because the scroll wheel on my old one stopped working reliably. Had it not, I’d still be using the M570. (Note: I still use an M570 in my office, as does my wife.)

If you’re new to this style of trackball, imagine laying your hand on a gently curved rest and moving your thumb around. It’s comfortable and less stressful than a traditional mouse and it requires a lot less free desk space. It doesn’t need any particular type of surface; I’ve used it with it on my leg, on the bus seat next to me, and on my bed.

It’s not the cheapest device in the world but if you’re hesitant to spend $50 on a trackball, you’re probably not a heavy or serious user. Gamers will probably look elsewhere and possibly even pay more; casual users will be looking for something in the $15-25 range. I’m in front of a computer 8-12 hours per day and I don’t mind spending a bit on something to make that experience more efficient and more comfortable. If you want to try a trackball without spending as much, there are some decent knock-offs on Amazon that should be fine. But if you don’t mind investing in something like this, it’s well worth it.

This trackball rides in my duffel bag to work every day, and I use it on the center console of the Chevrolet Tahoes and Ford Interceptors I work in all day. This is not what it’s designed for, but it stands up to all the rattling and dropping and food spills. I use it Bluetooth on one computer and USB wireless on the other–never had a problem with either.

Equipment works very satisfactory. I wish I could program center button as drag and drop like old units did.

 Es bastante preciso, la esfera se desliza muy suave, se siente bien construido, he usado ésta marca por años y duran mucho, sin fallas, lo recomiendo bastante para dibujo y diseño y aquí en Amazon es dónde lo encontré a mejor precio.

At first, I didn’t know that this was used only with the trackball and I felt a little bit overwhelmed by it but after a couple of days I could already feel less tension in my shoulder and arm. It uses so little space so it perfect for messy desks.

Bin sehr zufrieden.

I get annoyed with any mouse that has to be moved around on a desk top, now! I have two of these and will never go back to the old style mouse. I absolutely love that you can have this mouse stationary on any surface, move the ball around and the mouse moves. That’s it… and Bluetooth, so no wires! It’s super easy to get used to the ball for moving the curser around the screen. And, as I am a clutz, I routinely knock my mouse off of the arm of my couch, usually the ball just jumps out of its seat and I stick it back in and keep on going. This mouse is nearly indestructible. And, if the balls starts to feel like it’s got some friction, I just take the ball out, rub my fingers over the nubs that hold it in place, to clean off any link that has gotten in there, stick the ball back in and keep on going!