Pointing Device Performance for Laptop Computers

Abstract

In this study, we compared the performance of: stick point, touch pad, and trackball pointing devices integrated with laptop computers. Sixteen subjects performed three tasks: point and click, text selection, and box sizing, using all three pointing devices. Performance was measured using time and error data, along with subjective preference and ergonomic discomfort ratings. The time, error, and subjective preference data indicate that the stick point performed consistently worse than the other two devices. The touch pad and trackball had similar performance with a slight advantage to the trackball because it had better error performance. The results indicate that the stick point is not as well suited for a laptop input device as is the touch pad and trackball.