If you were to buy a good mouse right now?

[Jim]

Hi,

However, we prefer thumb operated trackballs, using the Logitech Optical Trackman.

But good luck getting mouse users to switch

--Pete

Hi,

My first trackball was thumb operated, using the index finger for the left button is more natural. IF I were to buy a new one I would stay with the MS trackball.

Now for the keyboard, I use the 'MS Natural Keyboard Pro' it has a split design which makes for easy use of the center keys, great for gaming.

Behold! The Swiss Army Keyboard!



It slices, it dices, it takes stones out of horses' hooves. It's all funny looking and curvy. It's got two kinds of connector on its cable, and two USB ports on the back. It's really expensive. And it's made by Microsoft, so it must be good!

Good points

Firstly, you can say what you like about Microsoft software - and I recommend you do, loudly, because catharsis is good for you - but their hardware is fine. From the original bar-of-soap mouse to their current line of snazzy ball-less optical mouses, curvy keyboards and funky game controllers, Microsoft, contrary to all sensible expectations, make some quite nice gear. The software guys must not be in charge of the hardware division, because Microsoft hardware steadfastly refuses to catch fire every hour on the hour.

The hot keys are the obvious feature. The Natural Keyboard Pro has 19 of them, in addition to the standard 104 keys you get on every other PC keyboard with Windows keys. Most extra-buttons keyboards have rubber hot keys; these ones are plastic. Every one of them has some Windows-related function; users of other operating systems can go whistle, or write their own support software.

USB
The two USB ports on the Natural Keyboard Pro let you plug in your USB mouse, and one other USB device, without fiddling around at the back of your PC.

Go here for the full review:
http://www.dansdata.com/nkpro.htm