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Kensington Expert Mouse TB800 EQ Review: A Veteran Trackball User's Opinion
Adam, a long-time trackball user, reviews the new Kensington Expert Mouse TB800 EQ, highlighting hardware and software improvements compared to previous models. The review covers the design, functionality, Kensington Konnect software, and the pros and cons of the new device.
1. 🖱️ Introduction to the Kensington Expert Mouse TB800 EQ: An updated trackball for ergonomic design lovers
- ✅ The presenter has been a trackball user since 2008 and has been using the Kensington Expert Mouse for a long time.
- ✅ The new model, TB800 IQ, offers significant improvements over the previous generation.
- ✅ The review will cover the hardware, software, and first impressions after a week of use.
00:00 - 01:27
1. 🖱️ Introduction to the Kensington Expert Mouse TB800 EQ: An updated trackball for ergonomic design lovers
- ✅ The presenter has been a trackball user since 2008 and has been using the Kensington Expert Mouse for a long time.
- ✅ The new model, TB800 IQ, offers significant improvements over the previous generation.
- ✅ The review will cover the hardware, software, and first impressions after a week of use.
01:31 - 04:09
2. 🛠️ Design and hardware: Comparison between the old and new Kensington Expert Mouse
- ✅ The new design is more elegant and uniform, with an improved texture on the buttons.
- ✅ Two ball options are offered: red and silver.
- ✅ The new model has a chrome ring around the ball, giving it a more modern look.
- ✅ The angle of the new trackball is higher, eliminating the need for an additional wrist rest.
04:10 - 07:30
3. ⚙️ Functionality and additional features: Customizable buttons, scroll, and connectivity of the new trackball
- ✅ Customizable buttons have been added on the top for shortcuts.
- ✅ The scroll wheel has a mechanism to switch between free and click modes.
- ✅ LED indicators for notifications.
- ✅ Side scroll wheels for horizontal scroll and zoom.
- ✅ The wireless dongle uses USB-C.
- ⚠️ The battery is rechargeable, unlike the previous model that used AA batteries. Battery life has not yet been fully evaluated.
07:58 - 08:36
4. ✨ Quality details: The new design prevents the ball from falling out accidentally
- ✅ The new design includes a lip that holds the ball in place, preventing accidental drops when moving the device.
09:40 - 13:13
5. 💻 Kensington Konnect Software: Advanced button and function customization
- ✅ Kensington Konnect software allows you to customize clicks and button actions.
- ✅ Specific actions can be configured for different applications.
- ✅ The top buttons can be customized for functions such as volume control, media playback, and video conferencing (mute/unmute in Zoom and Teams).
- ✅ The side scroll wheels can be configured for zoom and horizontal scroll.
13:14 - 13:38
6. 💰 Price and value: Is the upgrade worth it?
- ✅ The new model is priced at $130 USD, a $10 increase over the previous model.
- ✅ The presenter believes that the price increase is justified by the improvements in design and functionality.
13:40 - 16:33
7. 👍 Additional positives: Ergonomics, ball stability, and scroll smoothness
- ✅ The ergonomics of the trackball facilitate work and audio/video editing.
- ✅ The stability of the ball prevents accidental drops.
- ✅ The scroll wheel is heavier and smoother, thanks to a bearing system.
- ⚠️ The inertia of the scroll wheel can cause accidental scrolling in other windows.
16:34 - 17:52
8. 👎 Biggest negative: Lack of support for Linux and integrated memory for profiles
- ⚠️ Kensington Konnect software only works on Windows and Mac.
- ⚠️ There is no support for Linux, which prevents customization on this operating system.
- ⚠️ The device has no built-in memory to save profiles, making it difficult to use on multiple operating systems.
17:53 - 18:57
9. 🎯 Final thoughts: An updated trackball that meets the needs of veteran users
- ✅ The presenter will continue to use trackballs and considers the Kensington Expert Mouse TB800 EQ to be a solid upgrade.
- ✅ He invites viewers to share their trackball preferences in the comments.