I write. I write a lot. An average of nearly 200,000 words per week. My wrist and forearm suffer. Over the years I have developed chronic tendonitis in my right wrist. Sometimes this pain can be debilitating. And yet… I have to keep writing. A few gadgets have given me considerable relief. One of them is the Logitech MX Ergo mouse.
This is a trackball type mouse and not a traditional mouse. It’s the most comfortable mouse I’ve ever used (and I’ve tried many). Thanks to the Logitech MX Ergo mouse, even when my tendonitis shows up, I can continue to work without too much pain. During these seizures, if I try to use a traditional mouse, the pain gets worse.
What is special about this mouse? In addition to its trackball (which allows less stress on the forearm), it is inclined so as to keep the hand in a more natural position. Because, instead of having to turn the hand to be more parallel to the desk, it stays at an angle of about 20 degrees when in use. This small change in angle makes a huge difference.
Also, with the trackball, you have more subtle control over your cursor movements. Admittedly, it takes a bit of getting used to a trackball, but the rewards are worth it. I remember when I first started using the MX Ergo, I forgot it had a built-in trackball and tried to move it… This mouse, however, has a rubberized metal foot that prevents it to slide. This foot also allows you to tilt the mouse down for a more traditional zero degree angle.
And here are the specifications of the MX Ergo:
- Compatibility: Linux, macOS 10.8 or later, Windows 10 or later, iPadOS 13.4 or later
- Weight : 164g
- Dimensions: 132.5mm x 99.8mm x 51.4mm
- Color : dark gray
- Battery : internal lithium metal (up to four months on a full charge)
- Multi-device: up to two devices
- Angle of inclination : 0 or 20 degrees
- Price : 120 €
Another feature that I really like about this mouse is the precision and advanced tracking mode. Clicking a button (located just above the trackball) switches the mouse to precision mode, which means the cursor moves a shorter distance when you roll the trackball. This is very handy when you are doing graphic design and need to move the cursor one pixel at a time.
The precision button is located at the top right of the trackball. Image: Jack Wallen/ZDNET.
The scroll wheel, by pressing to the right and to the left, allows you to scroll through the pages in the application used.
Be aware that the Logitech MX Ergo mouse connects to your computer either via Bluetooth or USB. But here USB does not mean wired connection: it is rather a small receiver that you plug into one of the USB ports of your computer. I prefer this approach, as I’ve always found Bluetooth mice and keyboards to be unreliable.
Even with all the great features this mouse has, the real reason it became my all-time favorite mouse is really how comfortable it is to use. I cannot stress this point enough! I’ve tried every type of mouse on the market and this is the only one that never overstretched my already overworked muscles.
If you suffer from wrist tendinitis or find traditional mice too heavy for your hands, fingers and wrists, you can be sure this mouse will keep you productive without making your pain worse.
Few computer peripherals are the subject of an absolute and unconditional recommendation on my part, and this is definitely the case with this Logitech MX Ergo mouse.
Source: ZDNet.com