Smart Cat Munches Mice!
Pros:
no moving parts,ambidextrous, extremely reliable,lightweight, very compact
Cons:
may have to adapt from mouse use habits
The Bottom Line:
More efficient with use of space and operator's motions, usable with either hand, extremely reliable (no moving parts), can customize functions of buttons easily, very easy to learn and use.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I came to mouse use only in 1995 after nearly 20 years of non-Windows computers, being very comfortable working in DOS since college. I immediately disliked the inefficient use of desk space that a mouse required, constantly running into my desk papers etc. I discovered in a hurry that the true footprint of a desktop with Windows wasn't the keyboard space, it was the keyboard space plus the room the mouse took up! I gave up the mouse for a trackball; this was closer to ideal as it echoed the trackball I use on my medical equipment daily. However, it was not as accurate. Somewhere along the way I discovered the Cirque Smart Cat. It was, and is, ideal for me. I can use it with either hand. I can use any finger on the pad. It has a large pad surface combined with a small footprint, so it doesn't hog space on my desk. It has custom keys that enable you to have a key for double-click, for instance. I have one programmed to exit whatever program it's in with one click. It's so easy and ergonomic that in a day a user can be very efficient without even looking at it. Plus, unlike mice and balls, the risk of repetitive use injury is minimal to nil.
Please, DO NOT confuse this pad with the little pads that come on laptops. They are NOT in the same league with this. I'm on my third Toshiba laptop and I love the little pointer that comes with these. However, I've tried several other laptop brands that have the little touch pad in front of the keys. They are not only not sensitive and accurate enough for me, but they've also been less than reliable. In no way is this pad like those. I might also add that I have the small Cirque pad, the Easy Cat, which is much smaller, and I use it on occasion with my laptop when I travel because it's just as easy to use as the Smart Cat.
Cirque makes several models of touch pads; someone considering one should go to their web site. For instance, they make a model ideally suited to web surfers also.
My first Smart Cat is still in use on one of my desktops; it's been used so much that the matte touch surface has literally worn smooth with use. Never a problem with it, and I have a second one on another desktop, equally reliable.
I really don't understand the popularity of the mouse, with its inefficient use of space and comparative unreliability. However, to each his own. I would recommend, though, that if someone is looking at replacing a mouse, that they consider getting Smart with Cirque!
