# Logitech Marble Mouse

> trackball from 1999

**Wikidata**: [Q135904246](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135904246)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/logitech-marble-mouse-q135904246

## Summary
The Logitech Marble Mouse is a trackball mouse released in 1999, designed as an alternative to traditional optical mice. It features a smooth marble ball for precise movement and two push-buttons for basic functionality, lacking a scroll wheel.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Trackball mouse (subclass of trackball)
- **Manufacturer**: Logitech (Swiss-American company founded in 1981)
- **Release Year**: 1999
- **Connectivity**: USB or PS/2 connector
- **Buttons**: Two push-buttons (no scroll wheel)
- **Brand**: Logitech
- **Instance of**: Electronic device model
- **Does not include**: Scroll wheel

## FAQs
### Q: What makes the Logitech Marble Mouse unique compared to other mice?
A: Unlike traditional optical mice, the Marble Mouse uses a marble ball for movement and lacks a scroll wheel, offering a distinct tactile experience.

### Q: Was the Logitech Marble Mouse compatible with older systems?
A: Yes, it supported both USB and PS/2 connectors, ensuring compatibility with older and newer systems.

### Q: How many buttons did the Logitech Marble Mouse have?
A: The mouse had two push-buttons, providing basic left and right-click functionality.

### Q: What was the primary input mechanism of the Logitech Marble Mouse?
A: The mouse used a marble ball for movement, allowing users to manipulate the cursor by rolling the ball.

### Q: Did the Logitech Marble Mouse include a scroll wheel?
A: No, the mouse did not feature a scroll wheel, distinguishing it from later models.

## Why It Matters
The Logitech Marble Mouse represents an early innovation in pointing devices, offering an alternative to traditional mice. Its design emphasized tactile feedback and simplicity, making it a niche choice for users seeking a different interaction model. Released in 1999, it predates many modern ergonomic and wireless mice, reflecting Logitech’s early focus on hardware diversity. While not as widely adopted as optical mice, the Marble Mouse remains a notable example of Logitech’s experimentation with input devices during the late 1990s.

## Notable For
- **Tactile Design**: Used a marble ball for movement, providing a distinct tactile experience.
- **Dual Connectivity**: Supported both USB and PS/2 connectors, ensuring broad compatibility.
- **Minimalist Features**: Lacked a scroll wheel, focusing on basic functionality.
- **Logitech Innovation**: One of several early trackball designs from the company.
- **Niche Appeal**: Targeted users who preferred trackballs over optical mice.

## Body
### Design and Functionality
The Logitech Marble Mouse was a trackball mouse, meaning users manipulated the cursor by rolling a marble ball rather than moving the device itself. This design provided tactile feedback and was favored by users who preferred physical interaction over optical tracking. The mouse featured two push-buttons for left and right-click actions, typical of early pointing devices.

### Connectivity Options
The Marble Mouse supported two connectivity standards: USB and PS/2. This dual compatibility ensured it could be used with both older and newer systems, making it versatile for users upgrading from legacy setups.

### Release and Legacy
Logitech released the Marble Mouse in 1999, during a period of rapid innovation in computer peripherals. While not as widely adopted as optical mice, it represented Logitech’s commitment to offering diverse input options. The mouse’s lack of a scroll wheel reflected the era’s focus on simplicity and basic functionality.

### Manufacturer Background
Logitech, founded in 1981, is a Swiss-American company known for its peripherals. The Marble Mouse is part of Logitech’s broader product line, which includes keyboards, mice, and other input devices. The company’s headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Newark, California, USA.

### Technical Specifications
- **Buttons**: Two push-buttons (no scroll wheel)
- **Connectors**: USB or PS/2
- **Movement Mechanism**: Marble ball
- **Brand**: Logitech
- **Release Year**: 1999