Well, the author is talking about doing artwork with a ball mouse, so the use case is definitely different than just web browsing. But they were actually that

Well, the author is talking about doing artwork with a ball mouse, so the use case is definitely different than just web browsing. But they were actually that bad. Rollers were always gunked up. Had to get the tweezers out to get it really clean, but it was useless, it just got dirty again. You couldn't actually use a mechanical mouse on a desk in a pinch without a mouse pad (at least not my desk) whereas optical mice work on any non-reflective surface. I remember the first time I got an optical mouse I used it on my upper thigh for like a whole day just because I was so amazed it could do that! Honestly, upgrading to optical mouse was a big deal to me. I upgraded in 2002. Optical mice also have a surprising upside, the kids used to steal the balls out of the mice in the library or computer lab, so they had to be super glued shut. Meaning they worked about as well as a mouse without a ball.