Which manufacturers still have trackpoint and non-chicklet keyboard?

...Other than Lenovo. I'm growing increasingly frustrated with the horrible screens Lenovo uses in Thinkpads and if the upcoming gen doesn't have seriously improved panels I'll seriously consider a move. The Macbook Air would be at the top of the list if Apple offered trackpoint and non-chicklet keyboards.

Let me say it now that I don't want this thread to be a trackpoint vs. touchpad and chicklet vs. non.

Which brands still offer these features?

Thanks.

 

Dell with their Latitudes?

I don't think any other manufacturer really offer the trackpoint (I call 'em nubs) besides Lenovo, can't beat that classic keyboard.

Funny how you are trying to move away from Lenovo, and I am looking to buy a Thinkpad (albeit an older one).

 

I'm not trying to leave, they're forcing me. I've had three computers since starting college, they've all been Thinkpads. I love everything about these machines except the screen, but it's a rather important component when it comes to usability. It'd be really sad if I had to go somewhere else to get it. The only way to get a decent screen in a Thinkpad right now is with a tablet, but I think that may be a little too small for my usage. Yesterday in the library the guy in front of me had a MBP; the screen was just so so beautiful compared to what I have in this T400, which has a pretty decent screen by Thinkpad standards.

The Latitude 13 looks like a good match for me, but alas no trackpoint.

 

The HP EliteBooks don't have a chiclet keyboard even though it looks like one. The ProBooks do, however.
Pointing sticks are available on the Elitebooks, though you'll want to replace the eraser head with a ThinkPad one because the HP one is not intuitive.

 

I wouldn't say most of the Latitudes or Elitebooks have stellar screens either, though. In the 14" segment, they're all approximately the same depending on the specific manufacturer of the screen. In the 15" segment, though, the E6510 has an RGB-LED screen option and the Elitebook 8540w has a very nice (albeit very pricey) DreamColor 2 display (I believe it's IPS), although the T510 also has a nice RGB-LED screen option. In the 17" segment, the M6500 has RGB-LED options, the Elitebook 8740w has a very nice DreamColor 2 IPS screen, and the Thinkpad W701 has an RGB-LED option.

 

I should've clarified that I'm looking for a 13-14" (preferably 13") thin and light, something like a T410s or X301. It's not looking good, I think I might be stuck with Lenovo.

 

You would probably be looking at older Latitudes, the new 13.3" are all 16:9. The new mainstream Latitudes look terrible, and move to 16:9. The E6400/E6410 are good candidates, but are nowhere near the Thinkpad feel if that is what you are accustomed to.

That's one thing Lenovo did nice, there are the base models and they offer a thin/light or tablet version of that base model. Unfortunately Dell Business creates a whole new class of notebook.

 

If you are that sensitive to the quality of your laptop keyboard, would you consider using an external keyboard in a desk/dock situation?

 

What's wrong with this picture
What a contradiction - Lenovo T is actually the antonym of "thin" and especially of "light"

This aside, you might find a notebook with a non-chicklet keyboard (Fujitsu/Acer/HP/Samsung?), but I doubt you will find a trackpoint anywhere else.... I think pretty much only Lenovo still uses these for the "old-fashioned" customers...

 

hp and dell makes them

 

Maybe the HP 2730p (or 2740p), as well as (especially) the Lenovo X200t/ x201t are worth a serious look... yes they are 12.1" screens, but imagine you had a Laptop that also functioned as a Cintiq (while having screen quality equivalent to a "backlight magazine"); a full sized non-chicklet keyboard, really great build quality, and pretty good battery life.

I have been using my 2730p for a bit now, and I can vouch for the screen quality, build quality, truly nice keyboard, and usability as a tablet or a regular laptop, as well as how great the Ultra Slimdock and Slice Battery are to have as additions


maybe you should take a look (and ask a few questions) on the sister site's forum; Tablet PC Review (look at the very very top of the page to see the link to it)


Also, a lot of the current generation Elitebooks seem to be able to have their keyboards swapped for the older- non-chicklet keyboards