Extremely Stiff Buttons on the 1000HE

I just received my 1000HE Netbook today and while I really like it, the one thing thats really bugging me though are the touchbad buttons. These things are very VERY stiff and hard to press. Is this normal? I'm wondering if mine is defective or if its just part of the build. I'm used to laptops with very easy to press buttons and this is far from it. For scrolling down pages, the tip of my finger literally gets red from the force I have to put into it. This could be a make or break for me, so if its part of the laptop, its going back. If its maybe just part of a bad batch, I'll exchange it. What do you guys think?

Oh, and I got an Acer Aspire One just to compare and while the touchbad button is just one bar, its WAY more easier to press then the Asus. However, the battery that sticks out of the Acer is just unacceptable.

 

Yeah, the touchpad buttons are slightly stiffer than other netbooks/notebooks. It's not a defect, but more of a design feature. Some people like it, some don't. Personally, I find it to be very pleasing since it provides a "clean" tactile feedback. On the other hand, the touchpad buttons on my Dell M2400 is really soft and "mushy" which isn't really my cup of tea.

 

The 1000HE has the same mouse buttons as the 1000H, right? Like, metal ones at the edge of the casing? Because I really liked the mouse buttons on my 1000H - that one just had keyboard issues. Very solid mouse buttons, that was the one part of the 1000H that was really good.

 

Wow, you guys like this? Its not annoying to have to put in so much force to hit a freakin button? Also, the buttons are abnormally loud....

 

Im on my 1000H right now, tell you a secret. I know the HE model retains the multi touch touchpad. I never use those actual buttons. 2 finger tap = silent & fast middle mouse, 3 finger tap = right mouse, 1 finger tap = left mouse.

couldnt be easier or faster.

 

Well, you can always use the touchpad instead of using the buttons if it really bothers you. Tap w/ one finger to left click, and use 3 fingers to tap for right click.

EDIT: as Vicious said....

 

Beat you to it David

Once you get used to that touchpad its a really efficant tool, its faster than using the buttons on the pad, and faster than a mouse.

I noticed I type faster on the eee due to the smaller key space, less movement between key strokes = time saved.

same goes for a mouse, you have to move your hand all the way off the keyboard over to a mouse, move it to where you want then move all the way back. that touchpad is right there and it only takes a split second to move between the keys and that pad.

taking advantage of the 2 finger scrolling you do not even waist time hunting for scroll bars. I can probably navigate around faster on this eee after my 3rd day of use than I could with my desktop keyboard & mouse that I have had for 3 years.

 

Yeah, I love tap click, on any touchpad, though multitouch takes it to another level entirely.

 

hi there,
i own a 1000he, and before you return your 1000he, please try this:

press the touchpad button at the sloped area that faces away from the notebook (towards you). Try pressing different part of that sloped area; it is usually easier to press than the flat, horizontal portion ^^

 

i have 2 Asus laptops and they both are like that. however one of them has actually gotten a bit better over time. definatly not as stiff as when I first got it.

so sometimes they do get better over time

the Asus 1000HE has the best battery life out of any netbook. you should keep it. if not check out the hp mini 1000 with the atom processor. its shipping from hp with 6 cell battery now. its the smallest most portable netbook. they put the 10 inch screen into a 8.9 inch chassis. yep its possible. so its pretty small without the sacrafice of screen size.

 

I have to be honest I believe that the 1000HE has a great mouse trackpad and the buttons are pretty nice which makes it easier to use.

 

@stonedzombie, others: Have the HE1000 buttons gotten any less stiff with use? I looked at one today at Best Buy and had the same reaction-- too much force required to depress, to the point of worrying about fingers cramping. Other than that, a very impressive machine for the money. This was my only negative impression of this netbook. Can anybody weigh in and let me know if this gets better with use? I did not know about the alternative "wipe" option on the trackpad-- will those operations substitute for clicks to enter?