For the past few years, a Logitech MX Vertical has sat on my desk. I've grown to love the mouse so much that I even take it with me when I travel despite it not folding down or being compact in any way. So, when ProtoArc reached out to me about a newer, budget-friendly ergonomic mouse, I was skeptical that Logitech had anything to learn.

The Logitech MX Vertical fits in my hand well, lets my arm rest at a natural angle, charges through USB-C, and has aged well. The ProtoArc EM11 Pro is not exactly a direct competitor to the Logitech MX Vertical since the two mice are in different price brackets. But there are relatively few angled mice out there, at least in comparison to flat mice, so it's natural to pit the ProtoArc EM11 Pro against the Logitech MX Vertical.

Using the ProtoArc EM11 Pro made me realize a few areas the Logitech MX Vertical lags. If Logitech ever refreshed its ergonomic mouse, it should take some lessons from ProtoArc.

Grip and palm fit

The ProtoArc EM11 Pro and the Logitech MX Vertical fill my hand differently. Logitech's mouse lies flush against my palm as my hand contours around the mouse. But the flat front of that mouse leaves a small gap between my fingers and the buttons.

In contrast, the ProtoArc EM11 Pro has an elongated base with a curve that tapers down at a sharper angle than the Logitech MX Vertical. As a result, the mouse does not feel flush against my palm. But the front of the mouse is curved, making the space behind the buttons feel more comfortable.

I'd love to have a mouse that combines the best of both designs since neither mouse is perfect.

Two wheels are better than one

ProtoArc's ergonomic mouse has two scroll wheels, one set for vertical navigation and the other for scrolling horizontally. I didn't realize how much I wanted two scroll wheels until I navigated Excel and Google Sheets with a pair of wheels. I've always just held Shift on my keyboard and used the single scroll wheel when I needed to move horizontally in a spreadsheet, but having a second wheel feels much smoother. It also requires less movement, which is a key part of ergonomic setups.

Silent clicks for quiet workspaces

I work from home, so I don't have any coworkers to irritate with mouse clicking. If anything, my 10-month-old daughter enjoys the Logitech MX Vertical's clicky buttons since she often sits on my lap and plays with my mouse and keyboard.

But if you work in an open office or sit next to someone at school or work, you probably don't want to hear clicking all day. The ProtoArc EM11 Pro is almost completely silent when clicked.

Why I'm sticking with the Logitech MX Vertical

Logitech should take some lessons from the ProtoArc EM11 Pro, but ProtoArc also has some homework to do. ProtoArc's mouse has some lovely features, but I think it either needs a design tweak or an option for people with different-sized hands.

The angle of my hand doesn't feel natural when using the ProtoArc EM11 Pro. The flared bottom makes my hand want to turn over more than I'd like.

Try as I might, I can't find a way to hold the ProtoArc EM11 Pro that feels comfortable. If I place the side of my hand alongside the base, my fingers don't align properly with the buttons. If I slide my hand down so that my fingers align with the buttons, my hand awkwardly presses against the base.

The curvature of the ProtoArc EM11 Pro also makes it feel like I have to curve my hand a bit, rather than rest at a neutral angle.

Ergonomic mice have a learning curve, so I tried ProtoArc's for a while to see if I'd adjust, and it just hasn't — ahem — clicked. But that may be specific to my hand size and shape. I've known people who disliked the feel of the Logitech MX Vertical, so a lot of this comes down to specific users.

Overall, ProtoArc packed its ergonomic mouse with features other companies should envy. I just wish the mouse fit in my hand as well as the Logitech MX Vertical.

If you spend your entire day managing complex multi-monitor setups, editing video, or plowing through spreadsheets, you know that standard mice aren't always the best fit for long-term comfort. While ergonomic vertical mice get plenty of spotlight, trackballs have retained a dedicated, almost legendary following for a reason: pure, effortless efficiency.

And when it comes to trackballs, Kensington is royalty. Celebrating 40 years of innovation in the space, the company is preparing to launch its most ambitious peripheral yet: the Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ Trackball.

I’ve been spending some quality hands-on time with an early review sample—specifically the eye-catching red ball variant (it also comes in silver)—to see if it lives up to four decades of heritage.

Here are my early impressions of what might be the ultimate desk upgrade for power users.

Kensington had no input, nor did it see the contents of this hands-on preview prior to publication.

Design: Classic presence, modern polish

The TB900 EQ keeps the commanding footprint and symmetrical silhouette that made the original Expert Mouse series famous. The ambidextrous chassis ensures lefties and righties get the exact same ergonomic comfort.

At the center sits that signature, massive 55mm ball. The red sphere on my unit gives the trackball a vibrant, premium look against the dark chassis. One notable departure from legacy models: there is no wrist rest included in the box. While classic Expert users might miss the snap-on rubber pad, the naturally sloped angle of the body still feels surprisingly natural during extended typing-and-navigating sessions.

Also, buttons. LOTS of buttons and dials everywhere.

Controls: Macro heaven with software smarts

Kensington didn't just update the chassis; they overhauled how you interface with your PC. The hardware features a wealth of physical input options, including:

• The classic Expert scroll ring, now enhanced with software-adjustable responsiveness.
• Two side scroll wheels for effortless horizontal navigation.
• An array of physical buttons configured to support up to 16 sets of programmable controls via software layering and button combinations in KensingtonWorks.

Without physical mechanical tension dials on the bottom—where you’ll only find connection toggles labeled A, B, and C along with the power switch—the scroll behavior and button mapping are handled digitally. That gives power users deep flexibility to map complex workflow macros, application-specific commands, or multi-display shortcuts without relying on physical switches.

That Expert scroll ring is also like butter on this device. Super satisfying to use.

Performance: 1kHz polling rate meets dual optical tracking

Historically, trackballs have lagged behind high-end desktop mice in polling rates, making cursor movement feel a bit sluggish on fast, high-refresh-rate displays. The TB900 EQ completely eliminates that bottleneck.

It boasts a 1kHz polling rate, bringing gaming-mouse responsiveness to productivity workflows. Paired with Kensington’s DIAMONDEYE Optical Tracking with Dual Sensors, the tracking is razor-sharp. Flicking the 55mm red ball sends the cursor smoothly gliding across high-res ultrawide monitors without a hint of jitter or smoothing.

Connectivity and battery life

Flip the device over, and the underside reveals clean, minimal physical toggles (A, B, C) for device switching and power. The TB900 EQ supports robust multi-device flexibility across four channels:

• 2.4GHz wireless via USB receiver
• Two distinct Bluetooth channels
• USB-C direct wired connection

Whether bouncing between a primary Windows desktop, a secondary laptop, or a tablet, switching inputs is quick and intuitive. Better yet, the built-in rechargeable battery promises up to four months of productivity on a single USB-C charge, meaning battery anxiety is virtually non-existent.

Pricing, availability, and early verdict

While originally slated for an earlier release, the launch of the Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ has been pushed back slightly into late Q3. Official pricing details put the Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ at $129.99 USD, and given the specs—1kHz polling, dual optical sensors, quad-connectivity, and deep software customization—it is clearly positioning itself at the top tier of ergonomic desktop gear.

So far, the TB900 EQ feels like the definitive modern trackball. It honors Kensington’s 40-year legacy while delivering the high-refresh accuracy and macro density modern workflows demand.

Total disclosure: Trackballs aren't my cup of tea, so there is definitely a learning curve when switching from my current favorite mouse, the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K, but I'm trying my best. I guess that segues into who this trackball is for, and it's definitely not your average office worker, but for those who love 'em, the Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ looks to be the pinnacle of this form factor. It'll very likely make our best PC mice for 2026 list.

You can find more information about the Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ directly from Kensington's website.

Stay tuned for our full, in-depth review on Windows Central as we get closer to launch!

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