# Logitech TrackMan Marble FX

> trackball from 1997

**Wikidata**: [Q135904388](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135904388)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/logitech-trackman-marble-fx

## Summary
The Logitech TrackMan Marble FX is a trackball released in 1997, designed as a pointing device with four push-buttons. It connects via a PS/2 connector and lacks a scroll wheel, distinguishing it from later Logitech models.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Electronic device model (trackball)
- **Manufacturer**: Logitech
- **Publication date**: 1997
- **Connector**: PS/2
- **Buttons**: Four push-buttons
- **Missing feature**: Scroll wheel
- **Brand**: Logitech
- **Subclass of**: Trackball
- **Aliases**: TrackMan Marble FX

## FAQs
### Q: What type of device is the Logitech TrackMan Marble FX?
A: It is a trackball, a pointing device that uses a rolling ball to move the cursor on a screen.

### Q: When was the Logitech TrackMan Marble FX released?
A: It was released in 1997.

### Q: How does the Logitech TrackMan Marble FX connect to a computer?
A: It connects via a PS/2 connector.

### Q: Does the Logitech TrackMan Marble FX have a scroll wheel?
A: No, it lacks a scroll wheel, a feature common in later Logitech trackballs.

### Q: How many buttons does the Logitech TrackMan Marble FX have?
A: It has four push-buttons.

## Why It Matters
The Logitech TrackMan Marble FX represents an early iteration of Logitech’s trackball lineup, predating the addition of scroll wheels and other advanced features. As part of Logitech’s broader product portfolio, it reflects the company’s innovation in peripheral devices during the late 1990s. The model’s simplicity and reliance on a PS/2 connection highlight its design for basic functionality, catering to users who preferred trackballs over mice. Its inclusion in Logitech’s product history underscores the evolution of pointing devices, balancing ergonomic design with practical usability.

## Notable For
- **Early Logitech trackball**: One of the first trackballs produced by Logitech.
- **PS/2 connectivity**: Uses the PS/2 standard, a common interface in the late 1990s.
- **Button configuration**: Features four push-buttons, a minimalist design for the time.
- **Lack of scroll wheel**: Distinguishes it from later Logitech trackballs that included this feature.
- **Historical significance**: Represents a transitional model in Logitech’s trackball development.

## Body
### Overview
The Logitech TrackMan Marble FX is a trackball manufactured by Logitech and released in 1997. It is classified as an electronic device model and falls under the subclass of trackballs, a type of pointing device.

### Design and Features
The trackball is designed with four push-buttons, providing basic functionality for cursor control. Unlike later Logitech trackballs, it does not include a scroll wheel, a feature that became standard in subsequent models. The device connects to a computer via a PS/2 connector, reflecting the technology standards of its era.

### Manufacturer and Branding
Logitech, a Swiss-American company with headquarters in Lausanne and Newark, produced the TrackMan Marble FX. The model is branded under Logitech, which is known for its computing peripherals. As of 2024, Logitech employs approximately 7,300 people.

### Historical Context
The TrackMan Marble FX was part of Logitech’s product lineup during the late 1990s, a period marked by the company’s expansion in the global market. The model’s design reflects the preferences of users who favored trackballs over mice, emphasizing ergonomic and functional simplicity.

### Technical Specifications
- **Connector**: PS/2
- **Buttons**: Four push-buttons
- **Missing feature**: Scroll wheel
- **Publication date**: 1997

### Related Entities
- **Logitech**: The manufacturer, a global provider of peripherals with a focus on computing.
- **Trackball**: The class of pointing device that the TrackMan Marble FX belongs to.
- **Push-button**: The simple mechanism used for device control.

## References

1. [Logitech](https://support.logi.com/hc/en-us/categories/360001764453-Mice-and-Pointers)