Integrating a pointing device such as a trackpad or trackball into your keyboard significantly enhances your typing and navigation experience. It eliminates the need for hand lifting to use a separate mouse, creating a more seamless and ergonomic workflow. Here’s a deeper look into the pros and cons of each integrated pointing device:
Trackpad
A trackpad on your keyboard offers a similar experience to the trackpads commonly found on laptops.
Pros:
Familiarity: Since trackpads are widely used on laptops, there's minimal learning curve. It’s easy to use with little muscle memory required.
Portable: Trackpads are typically low profile, making them easy to incorporate into a compact keyboard setup and easy to bring along.
Cons:
Accuracy: Trackpads are less precise compared to dedicated external trackpads, offering about 90% accuracy.
Limited Gestures: You can perform basic functions like left-click, right-click, scroll, and drag, but the trackpad doesn’t support as many advanced gestures.
Positioning: Since the trackpad is placed near the middle of a split keyboard, it requires a slight lifting of the index finger to use, which might feel unnatural at first.
No Wireless Option: Unlike external wireless trackpads, integrated ones typically don't offer wireless functionality.
Trackball
A trackball integrates into the keyboard design, providing control with minimal hand movement.
Pros:
No Hand Lifting: The trackball allows you to control the cursor with your thumb, meaning you don't need to lift your hand or make significant wrist movements. It’s a highly ergonomic solution.
Close Control: With the trackball positioned near the keyboard, your thumb can easily handle all navigation tasks like moving the cursor and scrolling.
Wireless Option: Available, however, configuring the DPI, scroll layer, etc., requires ZMK code configuration. While the wireless option is available, the sensor is less sensitive compared to the wired option. Additionally, the x axis scale is doubled compared to the y axis scale. It's recommended to always connect the master device with a cable for smoother cursor movement, though the slave device can remain wireless. In summary, it is recommended to go wired.
Cons:
Size: Trackballs are larger than trackpads, making them less portable. They take up more space on the keyboard and can be difficult to carry around.
Accuracy: While offering reasonable accuracy (about 80%), the integrated trackball might not be as precise as professional external models, such as those from Logitech.
Learning Curve: For those new to trackballs, there can be a learning curve. It takes some time to adjust, and it may not be ideal for designers who require high precision.
Summary
Integrating a trackpad or trackball into your keyboard offers significant ergonomic benefits by reducing the need to lift your hands to use a separate mouse. The choice between the two depends on your needs:
Trackpad: Best for those who want portability and familiarity.
Trackball: Ideal for minimal hand movement but may sacrifice portability.
