Kensington Slimblade Pro Trackball Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 มิ.ย. 2024
- Buy one on Amazon: lon.tv/lq1nr (compensated affiliate link) - Kensington has been making Trackballs for several decades now. They sent me their newest one to review called the Slimblade Pro. See more keyboards and mice: lon.tv/keyboards and subscribe! lon.tv/s
VIDEO INDEX:
00:00 - Intro
01:31 - Price
01:51 - Slimblade Pro vs. regular Slimblade
02:14 - Mouse Ball
02:22 - Buttons
03:34 - Operating Mode
04:31 - DPI
05:30 - Scrolling
06:23 - KensingtonWorks Button Settings
07:14 - KensingtonWorks Additional Settings
09:05 - Fingerprints
09:16 - Battery
09:38 - Conclusion
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I still have my early 90s big trackball as well. It still works. It will even work with an Android tablet via adpters. Thanks for the review on this updated new one.
You deserve a LIKE simply for having saved all that 80s memorabilia! ;) I recently started using this product and I too noticed it was slightly not resting flat on a my IKEA tabletop! I won't be returning my Slimblade Pro but I will likely alternate between this and my Logitech MX Master series mouse that I find works really well for me.
I currently have one and I love it, it takes a couple of days to get used to it, but once you do it works great.
I to have been using a kinsington trackball since my 2gs in the 80's. In the last decade or so they have had some misses. Glad to see they have come out with improved models.
Five-star review, Lon.! I will be ordering soon.
The wired version's been on the market for many years now, didn't know they'd released a wireless version. I loved my old wired one, used it quite heavily for about 6 years before I wore out the button switches. Since then I've tried out a few other cheaper trackballs but was literally just yesterday mulling over finally just shelling out for a new Slimblade.
I've been using Kensington trackballs since the 80's and just got the wireless slimblade, really like it. Got one for the desktop and one for the laptop bag.
Couple of points I'd add to your review.
Due to hundreds of hours of mouse use as an IT programmer and gamer, I was starting to develop repetitive stress/tendonitis in my wrist, so I switched to a trackball and it eliminated the problem, even after thousands of hours of use. I'd suggest this to anyone if they're starting to develop the same issue - especially if they're contemplating surgery, try a trackball or trackpad first and save the mouse for specific use cases (e.g. my preference for first person shooters) as needed.
Another reason to use a trackball is if you have limited space. For example, in addition to to using a desk, I also use a mobile workstation "cart" with a slide out keyboard tray that doesn't have room for mouse movement without constantly picking up the mouse to reposition it. A trackball works perfectly because its base doesn't neeed to move.
I second this. Been using computers for almost half a century, and trackballs rule.
I’m actually about to get carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand, but it’s an extremely simple surgery. But I need 2-3 months recovery time.
I’m convinced the issue can come back, though. So Ive been considering the trackball for my left hand while my right rests. I’ve been using mice for everything + gaming, and it finally caught up.
Absolutely a dream come true for your wrist.. Not 1 ounce of wrist pain anymore ..
I myself am thinking about getting a trackball. Which ones do you use for gaming? I mostly play MMO and aRPG.
@@Krawlor776 Logitech Ergo M575, Logitech MX Ergo, both use the thumb for scolling the ball, so you can keep your fingers on the left/right mouse buttons and scroll wheel.
A must have for recording studios...thanks for the review.
Why specifically recording studios? Just curious
@@_BangDroid_ desk space...you don't have to pick the mouse up and down, you can fling the trackball around all over the screen and when you get the muscle memory, its a little faster.
Very cool, glad to see these are still around. My only nitpick is, and it's not limited to this device, all these rechargeable devices have batteries that are not easily replaced and are of an odd size. For devices like this that are big enough to have a standard AA or AAA battery I would prefer them to use a standard battery. I've had many experiences where the built in battery fails after 2 years and while the device still works fine I'm forced to replace it since there is no way to easily replace the battery. The industry should standardize on a thin rectangular battery that is easily replaceable so people can still enjoy the benefits of lithium cells but don't have to replace a functioning product once the battery dies.
This is a great point, but it’s nice that the wired option of this product does allow it to work as a wired device indefinitely, even after the battery kicks the bucket.
The Ergo 575 wireless provides up to 24 months of use from a single AA battery
Somewhat agree. I enjoy the convenience of being able to recharge, but considering there are rechargeable AA and AAA batteries, it's odd that devices don't make the most of those so that the batteries are more easily replaceable when the need arises, but can still be charged up as normal. Hopefully this changes as regulations in the EU catches up.
I had the old Kensington trackball like you have. I think because it had rollers, it eventually failed. The new version is exciting. Very tempted to give it another try. If I recall I was very fast using the trackball, back when I did some early games. It did give me a sore hand with how you use it compared to a standard mouse. I wish it came in different colors.. it looks like it has a purple tinge to it.
Glad to know I’m not the only person that can’t remember having to clean my mouse ball pot wheels, and when they came out with the optical ball tracking ability. I also remember when they made custom trackballs for that mouse. Personally I prefer the M570 thumb ball.
Oh yeah and it was a pain in the ass
I like this trackball a lot. Kind of the only choice of its kind next to the other Kensington Expert. Lately the ball is creating some vibration and sound when scrolling. Mostly after lint is cleaned.
Thank you, for an interesting review, Lon!
I use a Logitech M570 (thumb controlled, wireless) Trackball on my Laptop for some years. That was my first trackball and got used to it quickly.
Now I want to buy a Trackball for my Desktop computer.
I know the wired Kensington Slimblade and the Expert mouse for some time over the Internet, but I didn't know there is a wireless version available.
It looks really good and I'm glad that you can change the resolution and that it's higher than 400dpi.
I'm not sure, if I like scrolling by turning the ball, but I'm willing to find out.
Many people (here in Germany) don't know, that there is an alternative to a computer mouse. In the Electronic Shops you see eventually a thumb controlled Trackball, but that's it.
Greetings from East Germany!
This is weird. I was using the same 570 for my laptop for years, but now my desktop computer mouse is starting to give up the ghost, and now I too am looking at buying a trackball for my PC.
What are the system requirements for the software?
Thanks for the great review.
This is excellent
I love trackballs .I have a apple trackpad which is really good but nothing like the Kens trackball.....Had them since they were 1st made with my macs ...Is there software for mac or its pc only software ?
Hi . Can you please tell me if the Kensingon Slimblade trackball has a very noise click buttons like the Expert trackball? Thank you
I have a couple of these, if you're a linux user you're not going to be able to use the software, I'm using udev to call a script that uses xinit to remap the buttons.
I use an old version of the Kensington Expert Mouse Track Ball that I've had for years because I have limited use of my hands. It's so much easier for me to use than a regular mouse, and the scroll wheel around the ball is great. It can be a bit annoying when I accidently scroll it during some activities though. Could the ball on this one be rotated for scrolling by sliding your finger along the side of the ball? Or does it require the stability of multiple fingers on top the way you demonstrated?
If you get the answer to your question about scrolling let me know because I loved the scroll room I'm not crazy about spinning the ball
Hi Lon - one question, from the close-up shots (like @ 9:47) it looked to me a bit like there was a slight wobble in the device, from the bottom-left to the top-right, like the base wasn't completely even with the desk. Did you notice/feel that when using it at all? I feel like it would detract from the experience if you had to account for any motion from the base when you're moving the trackball itself around, but maybe it was just unevenness in that particular spot of the desk?
Yes I mentioned it at the end - it was due to my cheap ikea desk beginning to warp a bit in its old age.
@@LonSeidman D'oh, sorry! The chapters feature is a bit *too* helpful, I knew I wouldn't use the fancy software features so I skipped straight from Scrolling to Fingerprints - whoops!
Really cool to see!
What a super cool product! And, for the record, I like your retro computers! Does this trackball work with MacOS?
Yes! Mac and Windows supported with their configuration software. It'll work on any computer that supports a mouse.
As of today sadly the Slimblade PRO seems to be sold out worldwide..... 😞 Maybe your review was way too effective as far as promoting this new product 😀
I have always preferred trackballs to mice. Thank you.
Are you able to program macros to the top buttons like CTRL-C and CTRL-V?
How easy is it to drag and drop files with the Slimblade Pro?
I love this Kensington slimblade pro Lon this is so nice everyone should get the Kensington slimblade pro right Lon your awesome Lon and keep up the good work and you rock🎸 Lon and stay safe Lon😀😀😀😃😃😃😃😃
as a user of the Kensington Slimblade (original wired), that I've been using for a few years and ABSOLUTELY love, one of the things that drives me absolutely crazy about these reviews are how they review the scroll feature. (the scroll feature is one of my FAVORITE things about this trackball). This was never meant to be a doorknob type gesture. Think about it. Does a door knob movement feel normal or natural in regard to a mouse? No it does not. There is a smooth, chrome-like ring around the ball used for scrolling. Simply drop your index or middle finger tip down the side of the ball to the ring, and move it back forth along the ring, while making contact with the ball. It's extremely natural, very similar to the movement of a mouse scroll wheel. Why do all these demo videos ruin it with a door knob type movement. No one uses it that way, and is not how it is intended. UGH!!
Oh thank you, I was getting frustrated with it.
Have you found a way to disable the awful scroll sounds?
Im returning it
Can you review a vertical mouse? I belive Kensington has one. to see whats better. Thanks!
I have never used a track ball but a friend suggested one. It looks quite difficult to control....long learning curve getting used to it though.
Eh it's not too bad, took me around 2 maybe three days at most to learn. When I got mine. I immediately went into drawing stuff, tracing art work, using FPS shooter stuff to trace an objects path. Now I actually do better on FPS games and my wrist and hand no longer hurt (was developing carpel tunnel at the time). If you are interested in a track ball. Logitech makes some that are around the 40-60 dollar range. While a mid range price. They aren't bad. I have both a elecom huge trackball and a logitech m575 mouse. The huge uses a index/ middle finger track ball design and the logitech m575 uses a thumb ball. Both work just fine without problem.
I'm more interested in the old one. How much does it weigh? Can it be attached to a PC from this decade?
How loud is the actual left and right clicks, are they the same as the original slim blade?
I didn't have the original but I'd imagine it's about the same.
Loved those old school cue ball pads. Let me know when this thing gets down to $60 and I might give it a try. Too pricey right now.
With this trackball can you scroll left and right?
I have Click & Drag issue with Macbook
I have a question...does this trackball have software for macOS? I ask because I think this would be a nice trackball to use.
Yes Mac and Windows!
@@LonSeidman That's nice to know.
how does it feel compared to the expert?
This is a very strange looking trackball I'm used to the ones where the ball is on the right side and has the traditional three buttons with the scroll wheel. Logitech trackman for example. Even the trackball that my teacher had where it was in the center of the mouth still looked and felt like it had normal buttons no scroll wheel though.
For me personally I prefer trackpads but there are no good options.
I had been using the thumb trackball for 6 years now, it's the best decision I've made
😅 is this work with ipad pro ?
While it looks like a well thought out product, at that price point, that is going to be a hard pass. Sweet spot, in my opinion, would be in the $60-70 range. There are just too many viable alternatives, especially the trackball from Logitech.
@@marksalamon619 Understood, but the ergonomics on that model, for lack of a better term, suck.
I have a MX Logitech trackball and this is much more precise and thorough. It has a steeper learning curve but that’s not a bad thing
Looks a lot like HAL2000 in Space Odyssey!
Oh wow, it's actually new, looks the same as what they've been selling for maybe 15 years.
Where is the SCROLL WHEEL? that is very important, there are many trackballs with those scroll wheels.
having the scroll system in the same place as the ball to move the pointer is a very bad idea
please make more videos about trackballs
watch the video :)
@@LonSeidman He said "having the scroll system in the same place as the ball to move the pointer". I think he watched the video.
I also would purchase this modern replacement for my Kensington Expert Mouse 4.0, but that scroll system kills the deal. I would presume you don't actually use this trackball on a regular basis if that scroll system sounds good to you. The Expert Mouse 4.0 (a trackball) has a dedicated scroll wheel and it works great. The buttons just wear out after a few years and the ball gets tougher to move (due to the little balls it rolls on wearing down, I suspect). I have bought so many of them at this point over the years, but they did solve my RSI from mouse usage, so it's worth it.
@@ChrisBenard He edited the comment after the fact :)
@@ChrisBenard But I do agree that a more obvious scroll solution might be better. They have one called the Orbit that has a larger ball with a physical scroll dial that might work better. I'm just not sure short of putting a dial somewhere on there how it would work on a large trackball.
@@LonSeidman Look at the Kensington Expert Mouse 4.0. It's bigger than the one you reviewed and I've been using it for years. It has a very nice grippy scroll dial around the wheel. It works great. I was really surprised this one you reviewed dumps this great feature. Kills it for me.
Good to know on the comment edit.
Way too glossy for me
Yeah that's the huge bummer for me, it feels like the design is straight from 2006
so, is not useful for shooters, if you cannot track and scroll at the same time then is no useful for shooters.
That shiny plastic looks and feels pretty cheap
That scroll click is awful, and the button clicks are obnoxious. Do the designers of these even work in an office?