What is the explanation for the lackluster touchpad on the R2?

Using a mouse with this system is very smooth, like it should be, but the cursor skips all over the place when you use the touchpad, any ideas why?

 

Both models have had this issue. IMO its the textured touchpad that causes some of it for me.. I really dont like it and refuse to use it.

 

Yeah I have to use it in class and it's abysmal.

 

Have any of you tried using the updated Synaptics drivers for the M17x? I will try to find the link for you.

 

I have what the system came with, I would appreciate that.

I am still working my way around being proficient with Alienware's extra bells and whistles lol

 

the new driver that supports multitouch is as bad as the one from dell.
nothing you do to this touchpad will save it...

 

Try removing the drivers and switching to the windows stock support. My R1 didn't have that issue and was as smooth as smooth can be, but I never used Dell drivers for it so that might be the case. Worth a shot anyway.

 

I found some drivers, but I am going to try them first before posting a link.

 

Dumb question, but have you tried adjusting the settings in Alienware's Sense section? I did this and got it to be pretty decent, the default is very rough though...

 

Everything besides the windows stock driver gives me bad feedback from the touchpad so I just left it like that. Side scrolling works just fine with the drivers from windows and who needs crippled multitouch on a gaming rig?

 

There are no setting or drivers that will make the touchpad of the M17x seem normal.

 

Well, normal is subjective but others report adjusting the settings in the Alienware and at least being satisfied with it for routine use. I think it is more of an after-thought on a gaming laptop since no one in their right mind would use it for serious gaming for long.

 

I used many different drivers (the M$ one seemed to work the best) and tweaked the tp settings but not matter what the cursor movement on the screen was cheap looking as it was all choppy and not smooth.

I thought it was the panel that Dell was using. BUT that isn't the case because one of the first questions I asked joker (as he was one of the first to get the R2 w/ RGBLED) was not how is the PQ, but how does the mouse cursor move.

lol

 

Maybe my R1 had a better quality tp but it was really smooth while the R2 has very choppy cursor movements. The only real difference was that on the R1 I never installed any tp drivers. I might install Ubuntu on the R2 later on to see if there's any difference on a software level.

 

Thanks for the info mfractal but not sure what that has to do with the crappy touchpad/..

lol

 

yeah, so, i moved it to the right thread
the touchpad is crappy though!

 

Yeah I think the reason is the drivers. They are crap. I use the stock Windows drivers on both my R1 and R2 and it works fine.

 

I Never installed those drivers and was fine aswell.
So I guess a fresh clean W7 install at the start is a good thing to do...

 

I'm amazed nobody has gotten anywhere on this. It does look better with the default Windows drivers, but I'd like to be able to use the features of the touchpad...

I've played with the newest Synaptics drivers, the Windows default drivers, and even messed around in Alienware Sense.

I just can't believe that a laptop this expensive, and the second revision of it no less, has problems this serious with its touchpad.

 

Honestly, I haven't played much with the touchpad, but then again I use it strictly as a desktop replacement machine. I'm sure if I had to take it with me someplace I'd be in the same boat as the rest of ya

 

The touchpad really sucks, its the only thing I really hate about my laptop. It was the first thing I noticed when I turned on my lappy for the first time. I have not installed any drivers I just use the one that it came with... but it really sucks.

 

stock drivers = no scrolling and no disabling when an external mouse is connected, both of which i can't deal with.

I increased the sensitivity on mine dramatically and the accuracy improved. Of course, it picks up on your wrist a lot more so you have to be more mindful of that.

All in all, its a terrible touchpad... I don't even consider it's existence anymore.

 

Does anyone know how to disable the touchpad when a mouse is connected WITHOUT the lights that surround the touchpad turning off?

 

don't think it's possible.
@OP here is a thread explaining why the touchpad is so crappy

 

I'm curious if the new Alienware touchpads are the same manufacturer as the newer Dell Vostro and Latitude E-Series touchpads because those are HORRIBLE as well. We just replaced a bunch of D630's with E6400's and although they're nice laptops I get a lot of touchpad complaints.

 

I've used touchpad for gaming and when the touchpad isn't crap or spazzing out its good for gaming

 

Does the new command center do this? I didnt notice that happening until I had the updated CC on the computer and possibly updated touchpad drivers.. Never Had it happen on my other system but I didnt have CC installed and one of the first versions of the touchpad drivers installed..