I purchased a logitech trackball in 1995. It finally gave out and I had to replace it in 2015. I miss that trackball, but I'm also pretty sure the design wasn't good for my hand and wrist as I developed some issues with tendonitis. I haven't been able to find one exactly like it (and that's ultimately probably for the better.) It had an index finger trackball, and thumb right click. And the common trackball design these days are all thumb trackballs.
Anyway, it was like the equivalent of about $25 today when I bought it. It lasted 20 years with only occasional maintenance. I understand that customers purchasing something, paying for it once, at a low price, and keeping it for 20 years before needing to replace it... isn't the best product model for company growth.
But F#(% them.
What I want is a mouse/trackball/peripheral that isn't overpriced, that I only have to pay for once, that lasts a reasonably long time. And the company that sells that product, gets my business. I guess I don't begrudge a company that wants to sell an expensive product and charge periodic fees for its upkeep. But that's not a product I'll buy, until this hardware as a service nonsense catches on and there isn't a choice.
