Kensington’s New Expert Mouse Trackball Emerges—But Can You Actually Buy It?
Trackballs were once a popular alternative to traditional computer mice, but in recent years, their presence has dwindled to just a few niche offerings. Among the few remaining choices, Kensington’s Expert Mouse trackball has been a long-standing favorite, remaining virtually unchanged for over a decade. Now, however, it looks like Kensington is finally introducing a new version—but whether or not it will actually reach consumers remains uncertain.
The Kensington Expert Mouse TB800 EQ appears to have surfaced via the iF Design Awards website, where it was spotted by Liliputing after winning a 2025 iF Design Award. The fundamental design remains consistent with the current Expert Mouse trackball, featuring a large, centrally positioned trackball, a surrounding scroll ring, and four primary buttons. However, there are several notable upgrades that modernize the device while maintaining its familiar ergonomics.
A Refined Design With New Features
While details remain scarce, some visible enhancements include:
- Dual scroll bars positioned on either side of the device, making it more intuitive for both left- and right-handed users.
- DPI adjustment buttons, allowing users to customize the precision and sensitivity of the trackball.
- Multi-device wireless connectivity, with support for both Bluetooth and a USB dongle for flexible pairing options.
- Customizable function buttons, likely referring to the textured controls positioned at the top, which can be mapped to up to 16 programmable tasks.
- A front-facing USB port, which strongly suggests a rechargeable internal battery, replacing the AA-powered design of its predecessor.
If these updates make it to the final product, this could be one of the most significant modern trackball advancements in years. However, the biggest mystery surrounding the Expert Mouse TB800 EQ isn’t its features—it’s whether or not it will actually be released.
Is This a Real Product or Just a Design Concept?
The iF Design Awards page claims that the new Expert Mouse was launched in 2024, but this seems more likely to be a reference to when the product was submitted for award consideration rather than an actual retail release. So far, Kensington has made no official announcements, and there’s no indication of an expected launch date or pricing.
Adding to the uncertainty, the iF Design Awards include a mix of commercial products and conceptual designs, some of which never make it to market. While the promotional images look like professional product shots, there’s always the possibility that delays or internal decisions at Kensington could impact or even cancel the release altogether.
For now, trackball enthusiasts will have to wait and see whether the Expert Mouse TB800 EQ makes its way to store shelves—or if it will remain just an intriguing glimpse at what could have been.
