Synaptics Multi-touch on XPS L501x

So I used a MBP 15 constantly last year while working on a research project. I got used to the multi-touch functionality with scrolling and right clicking. I recently was looking at purchasing a new machine since I had to return the MBP but I wanted more then what a MBP could provide and I didn't want to spend 2k on a machine.

I first bought the HP ENVY 14 with the specs below. The mouse on those systems i suppose to mirror the ability of a Mac. One thing I noticed with that system was a bad habit of mine. I tend to rest my thumb on the lower part of the mouse pad (where the primary click button is or should be). Sometimes I would use the button sometimes I would use the single tap. I did the same on the MBP and never had an issue.

I tried all of the software written to use Synaptics API which provide better scroll techniques and customizations but none of them would properly support the 1+1 functionality which I'm describing (Touch the pad with your thumb and then touch the pad with your index to move the mouse). I submitted the request and return the machine within 24 hours. I also had the CPU whine issue but thats another story.

2 Days later I ordered an XPS 15 of ebay with the currently rare 1080p screen and an i5-560m. I OC the GF420 to GF435 speeds and moved the Vertex 2 SSD over. I am happy with the systems performance. One thing I noticed was the touchpad is the same Synaptics V7.4 driver and software but with 2 real hardware buttons and not the single pad with under click like on the ENVY or MBP.

The two finger scroll with Synaptics driver isn't very smooth. Along with no two finger right click proper 3 finger navigation. I installed one of the Envy touchpad applications written by a forum user named reil that I liked best on the Envy.

Thread location ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-envy-hdx/502589-e14-trackpad-discussion-only-56.html#post6870125)
Download location for "envy Touchpad" is ( Free File Hosting Made Simple - MediaFire)

The thread that post is in is a thread dedicated to the touchpad in the e14.
This little addition to my XPS has consistently impressed me with how well it works. I share this here because I've not seen any mention of it anywhere on the Dell side. The three finger back and forward navigation doesn't alway work 100% but everything else seems to work great.

My current settings for envy Touchpad are
Scrolling ---------
Speed: 65
Acceleration (NO)
Maximum z threshold: 150
Delta ratio threshold: 50
Easing algorithm: easeInOutCirc
Duration: 1000
------
Tapping --------
1 finger: left
2 finger: right
3 finger: middle
Single tap int threshold: 150
Maximum finger travel distance: 50
Maximum w threshold: 15
Maximum z threshold: 170
---------
Actions -------
L/R Pair: Disabled
U/D Pair: LWin+Tab / LWin+Shift+Tab
Left: Mouse Button X 1 (Back)
Right: Mouse Button X 2 (Forward)
Trigger Distance
L/R: 8%
U/D: 8%
--------

Also, make sure you disable all the tap and scroll features in Synaptics control panel else you will have double single click issues.
Hope this works for anyone willing to try.
-Max

 

This is ideal. Thanks for posting.

I absolutely hate the default 2-finger scrolling - really horrible and jerky. This makes it very smooth and much more usable.

 

as dumb as it sounds:



setting the first option lower actually inproves scrolling responsiveness while still scrolling at the same speed.

 

That works much better. There's still seems to be a little bit of lag in the beginning but after the touchpad realized scrolling is happening, it works very well (very close to macbook scrolling when I disable touch check)