Optical Mouse is a pointing device used with a graphical interface to click on the icons on the screen or monitor. It is a small object which can be over a flat surface. When it is moved, a graphical arrowhead called the pointer moves on the screen. Using this pointer any object on the screen can be selected. It has a left and right button for selecting along with a scroll wheel in the centre which is used to move a page up and down.
Trackball consists of a ball held by a socket containing sensors to detect the rotation of the balls which can be rotated in different directions. It is a pointing device used to move the pointer on the screen of the laptop. You can move the pointer by moving your finger on the touchpad of your device.
Below is a table of differentiation between Optical Mouse and Trackball:
Optical Mouse |
Trackball |
|
1. | An optical mouse is a pointing device which uses infrared light to illuminate the surface. | It is also a pointing device which uses a ball to control the pointer. |
2. | Mouse system corporation was the first company to use an optical mouse in 1980. | The trackball was patented in 1947. |
3. | It is popular among regular users. | It is mainly used for industrial purposes. |
4. | It needs to shift its position to move the pointer. | No movement of the device is required, only the ball needs to be rotated. |
5. | It is less expensive compared to the trackball. | It is an expensive input device. |
6. | Optical mouses uses glider pads. | Ball bearings are used in trackballs. |
7. | In this arrangement, sensors move on the surface for controlling the pointer. | In this arrangement, the surface moves over the sensors to provide control of the pointer. |
8. | It uses LED technology. | It uses sockets with sensors to trackball movement. |