# Logitech TrackMan Marble+

> trackball from 1998

**Wikidata**: [Q135904242](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135904242)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/logitech-trackman-marble-q135904242

## Summary
The Logitech TrackMan Marble+ is a trackball pointing device released by Logitech in 1998. It represents an alternative to traditional computer mice, using a stationary marble ball controlled by the user's fingers to move the cursor.

## Key Facts
- Released in 1998 by Logitech
- Classified as a trackball, a type of pointing device
- Features both PS/2 and DE-9 connector options for connectivity
- Contains 3 push-buttons and 1 scroll wheel
- Part of Logitech's product line as an electronic device model
- Subclass of the trackball category of computer peripherals
- Also known by the alias "TrackMan Marble+"

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Logitech TrackMan Marble+?
A: The Logitech TrackMan Marble+ is a trackball pointing device released in 1998 that allows cursor control through a stationary marble ball manipulated by the user's fingers, providing an alternative to traditional computer mice.

### Q: How does the Logitech TrackMan Marble+ connect to a computer?
A: The Logitech TrackMan Marble+ connects to a computer using either a PS/2 connector or a DE-9 connector, making it compatible with various computer systems from the late 1990s era.

### Q: What components does the Logitech TrackMan Marble+ have?
A: The Logitech TrackMan Marble+ features 3 push-buttons and 1 scroll wheel, providing both primary input controls and scrolling functionality for the user.

## Why It Matters
The Logitech TrackMan Marble+ matters as an example of ergonomic pointing device design during the 1990s, offering an alternative to traditional mice that requires less desk space and can reduce wrist strain. As a trackball, it represents a different approach to cursor control that became popular with users experiencing repetitive strain issues or those working in space-constrained environments. Its release in 1998 places it during a period of rapid computer peripheral development when input devices were becoming increasingly specialized for different user needs and applications. The model's inclusion of both standard buttons and a scroll wheel demonstrates the evolution of pointing device functionality during this era.

## Notable For
- Stationary design requiring minimal desk space compared to traditional mice
- Marble technology for tracking movement (a distinct approach from optical or mechanical mice)
- Three-button configuration including a scroll wheel for enhanced functionality
- Released during a pivotal period in pointing device evolution (1998)
- Part of Logitech's extensive peripheral product lineup showcasing their innovation in input devices

## Body
### Overview
The Logitech TrackMan Marble+ is a trackball pointing device that was introduced by Logitech in 1998. As part of the trackball class, it functions as a type of pointing device that allows users to control cursor movement by manipulating a stationary marble ball rather than moving the entire device across a surface.

### Technical Specifications
- **Release Year**: 1998
- **Manufacturer**: Logitech
- **Brand**: Logitech
- **Model Alias**: TrackMan Marble+
- **Device Class**: Trackball (pointing device)
- **Connectors**: PS/2 connector and DE-9 connector
- **Components**: 
  - 3 push-buttons
  - 1 scroll wheel
- **Classification**: Electronic device model
- **Subclass**: Trackball

### Physical Design
The device features a distinctive design with a stationary marble ball that users manipulate with their fingers to control cursor movement. This differs significantly from traditional mice that require the entire device to be moved across a surface. The TrackMan Marble+ includes push-buttons for primary input functions and a scroll wheel for efficient document and page navigation.