Gaming with a trackpoint (IBM mouse-nub)

I am considering the purchase of a Lenovo X200.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/15/lenovos-thinkpad-x200-gets-reviewed-its-a-winner/

It does not have a touchpad, but instead comes with a TrackPoint. (Also called a "pointing stick" or "eraser head")

My question: Has anyone here ever played video games such as first person shooters or World of Warcraft with a Trackpoint and enjoyed the experience?

Also, right-clicking, left-clicking, and scrolling are gaming necessities. Performing these operations quickly with a normal touchpad is easy.

How are these operations done with a TrackPoint? It looks like the index finger would stay on the Trackpoint while the thumb would right-click, left-click, and scroll. This seems cumbersome. Am I correct?

(edit: I already understand that the IBM X200 comes with a very weak integrated GPU. Further discussion on this point is not needed. I enjoy playing "older" games)

 

you will die.........horribly.

 

i know rite brah lol gotta be balin' wit dat razer mouss and a= overklocked icemat ^_^

....

In all seriousness, have you played games using a Trackpoint? If so, do you find its merits to be inferior when compared to a touchpad?

 

I actually prefer the TrackPoint over the mouse when I'm playing Oblivion...

It's really easy to use and you can constantly move the cursor in any direction without lifting your hand (like for a mouse) to keep the cursor moving. So, for example, I could make my guy constantly turn to the left without moving left, lift up, move more left, lift up, etc. Every movement was swift and constant, albeit a little slower than using a mouse.

 

yes i did, i tried to do that with CS 1.6 on my T43p, and gave up after 2 minutes.

 

I don't see how you'd play a FPS with a touchpad. Just plug in a mouse

 

You and Nirvana have valid arguments. I personally wouldn't want to play Counter Strike without a mouse, for example.

However, there are lots of games that can be played with a touchpad (or Trackpoint, hence this thread). I have been happily playing WoW with a touchpad for over a year.

My goal is to hear the pros and cons of a Trackpoint vs a touchpad.

 

How can you play with trackpoint that smoothly? I actually found the tip of my finger very hurt after tried Fable with the Trackpoint for 15 mins.

 

I cant game effectively with anything other then a traditional mouse.

 

Well, I love the trackpoint on my old thinkpad, i wouldn't use the touchpad at all. So in terms of everyday computing/web browsing, the trackpoint is excellent. But, the reason people keep suggesting a mouse is that you simply cant cover the same surface area with the same speed on a trackpoint OR trackpad. If you are playing a civIV type game or a RTS without alot of fast movements...then yes a trackpoint is excellet...and preffered to a touchpad IMHO.

 

For normal usage, I definitely think the Trackpoint is better. I played around with it on my roommate's Thinkpad, and I find that it is more accurate than a Touchpad, and I have better control over the movement. It's also faster since I don't constantly have to lift up my fingers.

I don't think this will work for any sort of game where you need to rapidly move your cursor across a large area (i.e. you need to aim at the bottom left, then quickly change to the top right) - the movement using the trackpoint will just be too slow. In that aspect, I can't imagine using anything but a mouse. I can see the trackpoint being relatively effective in a game like WoW where you can also use the keyboard to target and the mouse is only used for movement, though.

 

Agreed. My old Toshiba notebook had a trackpoint, and after a while using it would really hurt my finger. I'd suggest avoiding intense usage (like while gaming) due to RSI.

 

Are you seriously that objectionable to plugging in a wireless mouse?

The extent of my gaming with the trackpoint has been fishing in WoW.

Gaming with trackpoint = bringing a knife to a gun fight.

 

Trackpad or mouse? LOL no, I go TRACKBALL!

Just kidding, I need a mouse.