Touchpads , like trackballs, are mouse replacements. But instead of controlling the cursor by rolling your fingers or palm over a stationary ball, you skim your fingers over a flat surface. Despite nearly a week of use, I never reached the point where I could perform actions with either the touchpad or the trackball as fast as with a mouse, which apparently is fairly typical. It's designed to prevent you from hunching over the keyboard and bending your wrists into unnatural positions. It also lets you program in time-saving macros or completely remap the keyboard.
Problem is, it's pricey.
After testing still more keyboards and mouse replacements, I'm now back to my trusty and familiar AnyKey. To alleviate the pain in my left wrist, I've come up with the make-shift solution of propping my left forearm on two paperback books, which keeps me from bending my wrist upward when mousing. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution, or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the express written consent of Philadelphia Newspapers Inc. is expressly prohibited.