Oh what a joy! New trackpoint caps

I have invested a small amount of money in 3 new caps for the trackpoint, since I used to have a dry, dull worn out cap. The caps came in the three different forms and shapes. Two of them were rubbery and nice, but the third, which is thinner, feels like it is coated with sand and IT IS GREAT!

Feels like a different pointing device. I have better precision now, thanks to the much improved grip. It also feels like I dont have to apply as much pressure, but that must be my imagination or my senses being fooled by the different feedback.

If you have an old trackpoint cap, I can warmly recommed buying a new one, and especially the thinner kind that has a sand papery feel.

 

ironically, the 'new' cap to which you're referring has been around since 1992 and was used on the first models of ThinkPads.   it's known as the "classic dome" and is informally referred to as the "cat's tongue."

retro is in style.   what's old is new again.

 

Congrats on your new caps. I got the same issue with worn out caps, just replaced them and it greatly improved the trackpoint action.

I believe you are using the classic dome. I prefer on using the Soft Rim caps though.

 

Some of the early ones also used a style that's not seen on modern ThinkPads. Picture an eraser made of very soft rubber, worn around the edges. It shipped on the 750cs, and probably others from around the same time.

 

There are those of us who've accumulated a collection of around 50 caps

OP, welcome to TrackPoint cap enlightenment - it's about time

 

Thanks!

50 caps eh? Well, you also have a lot of Thinkpads to feed

"Cat's tongue" is a spot on description. Hm, that name will probably subconsiously give me a new perspective on my laptop.

 

Does anyone here prefer the soft rim? The concave one as opposed to the dome types. I think the ultranav is easiest for me to use with that one but I find it to be the least popular among others

 

The soft rim catches the end of my fingernail and bothers me, so the soft dome is my favorite followed by the cat's tongue.

 

Whatever the "original" red cap that came stock with the T61 (domed, with little dots on the end), is what I've been using since I got the machine in 2008. Same with my X301 (same style).

Ironically enough, my T61 came with the other three different caps (the eraser looking one, the deep dish one, and one other one) that I've never used, they are all still in the bag lol. The X301, while 3X as expensive came with NO extra nubs lol

 

I like that one just as much as the soft dome. I don't really like the "cat's tongue" cap.

 

I loved the feel of the soft rim, but it's a little too high; I found myself constantly hitting the cap while I was typing, so I had to switch back to the soft dome.

 

As I like a very sensitive trackpoint, the Soft Rim has been my favorite for a while now. This is because it requires the least physical effort to navigate the cursor. I already have the pointer speed set to maximum and the trackpoint sensitivity to the lightest touch.

Aesthetically I prefer the Soft Dome, followed by the Classic Dome and then Soft Rim. So ironically the cap I like the least design wise, is the one I like the most from an operations point of view.

Small downside: Due to the soft rim being the tallest sitting cap, it is also the most likely to leave marks on your screen when closing the lid.

For those who need visual confirmation of the what the different caps are called: Lenovo Support - TrackPoint Cap Collection - Overview

 

where can you buy these trackpoint caps?

 

One more for cat's tongue. I find the cat's tongue doesn't stain my lcd panel very often. I had more 'fingerprint' impressions with the soft rim and dome.

 

you can buy it from Lenovo online store or places like ebay (some are fakes).

 

yeah the soft rim leaves a definite circle on my screen. However like you mentioned, I think it's the best for those who like an extremely sensitive trackpoint. I also prefer a light touch and the soft rim requires the least pressure/lightest touch.

 

this is why some people put a piece of paper between the keyboard and lcd, when the laptop screen is closed.

 

Classic Dome: The Classic Dome cap is for users who prefer the touch and feel of the cap traditionally associated with the TrackPoint.


Soft Dome: With a large, convex surface area and soft texturing, the Soft Dome cap provides a soft touch and feel.


Soft Rim: The large, concave design of the Soft Rim cap provides a completely different touch and feel and creates a mechanical advantage whereby less force is required for pointer motion.

 

Ya, the only one I have ever used is the "Soft Dome". I'd love to try the "Classic Dome" just to switch them out

 

I have a soft dome on my venerable R50 (my main laptop for 7 years). Its recently arrived replacement, an X201, also has the soft dome - but I've discovered I'm partial to the one in my R50 as years and years of use have worn it down and made it quite stiff. A lot easier to use than the soft one in my new X201.

Tempted to swap the trackpoints but I don't want to be reliant on a tiny little worn out cap. I'll just have to wear down the new one on my X201..

I have a classic dome and soft rim as well. Classic dome is pretty good, made my finger a bit sore though. Soft rim I didn't like, though I haven't made much use of it. I have many soft dome replacements, I've tried sticking them in the oven or leaving them outside for a few weeks to stiffen them up like the old one in my R50.. but no luck thus far.

R52 in the kitchen also has a particularly sinky soft dome. So bad that I resort to the touchpad (which I admit is really good on the R52). I'm a picky .