Poll: TrackPoint vs TouchPad

I use the trackpoint and use the touchpad as a scroller and back and forward buttons for web browsing. It's nice not have to move your hand over to the back and forward buttons above the arrows.

 

Exactly, it is very nice to assign the corners for the web browsing. Not as good as real buttons, but still - fast and convenient browsing.

 

I like the trackpoint better because of the scrolling is easier for me to use.
touchpad doesn't seem that great/responsive when compare to other laptops and I don't like the buttons of the touchpad.

I prefer the newest textured dome overall because it looks nicer on keyboard

concave one is best when using for scrolling but not great when moving around.

the classic dome is great but worn overtime and its a bit small, may help for typing though.

I still prefer to use the classic mouse when I need it for work as it still have the best responsive and precision of all.

 

This my first laptop and I really wanted the smaller X60, but was convinced I wanted the TouchPad so I ruled it out. I ended up getting a T60 and find I ALWAYS use the TrackPoint; infact, I only try the TrackPad every once in a while just to make sure it works! So my next laptop may be the X series.

 

I agree with Cory. I almost never use the TrackPad. I've gotten used to the TrackPoint and I can now Photoshop with it easily. I almost feel awkward using a mouse now.

Matt

 

I always disable the touchpad. When you are editing some document, it's annoying when you touch the touchpad accidentally and the cursor jumps somewhere else.

 

trackpoint all the way. why the heck would you want to swipe multiple times at that touchpad trying to move your mouse from one side of the screen to another? don't any of you touchpad users get finger cramps using that bloody pad? no pun intended puahahah.

 

I was wondering if this poll is released on another forum.....

 

I use them depending on situations. They are used almost equally often
With trackpoint slightly more often

 

I disabled the pad on my T because when I brush up against it accidently, the cursor moves.

I use trackpoint exclusively... even instead of my bluetooth mouse.

But know someone who disabled his trackpoint haha. T

To each their own, I guess.

 

I like both! The trackpoint is so great to use. However, if you're doing something with your computer, it freezes, so I use the touch pad.

 

i prefer the touchpad better than te trackpoint thats just me

 

Trackpoint. Touchpads numb my fingers too much.

 

I prefer the trackpoint myself. That's the only option on my X60 and I love it. My office HP Laptop has both. I have to say the trackpoint implementation on the HP is not as good as it is in the Thinkpad.

 

"The new ones seem to be designed for "soccer moms" who type with two fingers and (shudder) use the touchpad with their index finger. "

I'm not a soccer Mom and I am technical and using a trackpoint is very unnatural to me. I do use the touchpad with my index finger and couldn't imagine using my thumb on it.

I am not totally crazy about either a touch pad or trackpoint but I definitely find touchpads much more usable that a trackpoint.

 

"The new ones seem to be designed for "soccer moms" who type with two fingers and (shudder) use the touchpad with their index finger. "

What the hell? The touchpad is made for the index finger. Have a look at the Apple's implemention of its touchpad, no thumb used. The thumb is for the corresponding buttons.

 

I can't help laughing, Ark.

No wonder he doesn't like a touchpad. They aren't too responsive to thumbs.

 

For me, definately touchpad, it gives me more control over my cursor. With my friend's IBM R52, I am always top in the server in cs 1.6 pubs just using a touchpad
no other laptops can even compare to it! I must say though the new t60's and t61's don't have the same quality as the pre lenovo laptop touchpads do

 

Can you say more about that?

 

How do you game with a touchpad? You must be playing in a server with horrible players, then, to be able to be the top-scoring one. Playing CSS with a pointing stick is bad enough, but a touchpad?

 

I've never played a Windows game in my life. I have better things to do.

 

There's a reason few companies include a trackpoint anymore.

 

The reason is that most people like the touchpad, which have come on most computers so that's what they're used to. Many have not even tried a pointing stick.

 

Everyone I watch at school uses a touchpad on all of the secondhand Dells we have, and I find myself the only one using a pointing stick.

But then again, I've been using pointing sticks since the 600E days (I know, not that far back), but since those didn't have touchpads I got stuck using the Trackpoint, and have come to love it thus far.

 

Since this thread, I've been trying to use the touchpad. It seems tougher.

 

The trackpoint takes some getting used to. I didn't really care for it at first, but whenever I use the laptop(even with a mouse) I end up using the track point just because I love how it feels. Just practice with it and try working with it and it gets much easier to use. It is much faster than the trackpad, thats why I use it. Also, you can click with it if you set the trackpad settings to do so. Many people say its too hard to use it, but you just need to tap it, not really "press" it. Just a quick tap will do.

 

Personally, the trackpoint by default is very slow, sluggish, and requires ample force to make it move for me. Before practicing using the trackpoint, make sure you set the trackpoint sensativity settings (not mouse) all the way to the right. It'll make things a lot easier. If it still feels too stiff, then you should tweak the mouse sensativity.

 

TrackPoint easily.
One of the first things I did when I booted up for the first time was turn off the TouchPad. Now if only I could convince my friends of the convenience the TrackPoint opens up.

 

Well not many laptops are equipped with the TrackPoint so of course they would justify the use of the TouchPad better. After you use the TrackPoint and get used to it you will appreciate it for it's precision and not having to optimize the finger swiping action that you routinely see. At home I use my VX Nano but honestly it is hilarious when I have friends come over and they have to swipe their finger over their TouchPad to get to the spot where all I need to do is point my finger.

 

Trackpoint always trackpoint. Here is why:

1. Never have to carry and connect an external mouse device to my Laptop - witch is the main argument for the touchpad freaks

2. Don't stress you hand and wrest to avoid accidental touching of the touchpad.

3. I can use my laptop on the road as passenger in the car or on the train or airplane. Come again touchpad freaks – you can pick your nose in stead.

Buy an IBM or Lenovo UltraNAV keyboard for your home stationary or the port replicator at work and then you don’t have to have the same mouse everywhere you don’t even have to have a mouse - I haven’t. At home I sit leaned back in my executive leather Office Chairs with my UltraNAV keyboard on my knees and here I can control the whole computer world of mine.

 

I find the trackpoint much better than the touchpad, any touchpad for that matter. As a result, I never use the touchpad. I find the trackpoint to be much more accurate and fast.

 

I think that the difference is mental, for the following reason.
Touchtypers will go with the trackpoint as it allows them to continue to work without disrupting the flow, by moving the hand off of the keyboard and return it, repetitively throughout using the computer. It provides control of the interactive computer environment in the same fashion of not looking at the keyboard while touchtyping; it is a continuous flow.
Touchpad users, it seems, would be those who "chicken-type" and are accustomed to constantly looking away from the screen, in an uncontrollable environment. It is why this mindset would sooner use abbreviations to get their point across, because they seek the stability in the interactive computer environment that is lost by chicken typing. Moving the hands off of the keyboard is in line with the mental break every time they need to move away from the screen to look at the keys.
Just a thought -

 

I think using the Trackpoint requires some sort of mindset and mastery. And as such, I have high regard for people who prefer it over the Trackpad.

I'm a relatively new Thinkpad convert and I currently use the Trackpad more often on my Z61m. Looking forward to getting used and loving the Trackpoint though.

I love my Thinkpad.

 

I agree i have high regards for people that prefer trackpoint over touchpad. But I'm going to have to get use to the trackpoint with my x200... i have no choice lol

 

I like trackpoints so much that I don't buy thinkpads with touchpads anymore.

 

Same here. The UltraNav (Trackpoint and Touchpad) on my T40 bothered me, I would always hit the touchpad accidentally. I now have an x200, trackpoint only, and I love it.

I even have a keyboard with trackpoint (IBM Spacesaver II French Canadian layout [the only one available, all the new ones are UltraNav products]) for my desktop workstation. I actually prefer it to my very good Intellimouse Explorer for the vast majority of applications (only first person shooters require a mouse).

 

Touchpads always annoyed the hell out of me. I could never get used to those **** things and I always ended up touching them by mistake. Plus too little sensitivity means you have to keep repositioning your finger and too much means very little accuracy.

Trackpoints seem much more accurate in my opinion; not to mention that your finder never has to leave the stub.

Of course, mouse trumps all.

 

TrackPoint all the way for me. After having used touchapads for a long time I was a little reluctant to switch to a trackpoint only machine (X200).

Now that I've used the trackpoint on my X200 for a while I can honestly say I will never go back to using a touchpad on a laptop. I will avoid a touchpad at all costs if I can.

Like someone else said: the big thing for me is not having to take my hands off the keyboard with the trackpoint.

 

Trackpoint is much much better once you are used to it. Almost as good as a mouse.

I'm getting used to it. Often forgot to turn the mouse on when I'm back home

 

I prefer the touchpad but trying out the trackpoint and seeing if I can get used to it. But I got a question when using the trackpoint should the cursor move smoothly? It seems that my cursor kind of hiccups when I using the trackpoint

 

Mine is smooth. Nice acceleration control based on the pressure I put on it as well.

 

The cursor should be smooth without any screen lag whatsoever. All the Thinkpads that I have seen are smooth like butter. Same goes for the trackpoint.

 

Btw, if you want to know the appropriate terminology to use for the trackpoint . . .

 

Hahahah! That's a good man!

 

Coming from using an old Toshiba with only an eraser head that's what I'm more comfortable with. That said I prefer keyboard shortcuts whenever possible and a wireless mouse otherwise.

 

TrackPoint, exclusively.

 

:laugh:

reminds of the post on the first page... the poster like the 'textured nipple'.

 

WOman, but thanks.

 

I find that both crude and vulgar.

 

TRACKPOINT FTW, way better accuracy than the touchpad, like someone mention, why make multiple swipes to get across the screen when you can just move a small muscle and be there in milliseconds? Also, i switched my touchpad to be used as a scoll bar, because for some reason my trackpoint scroll doesn't work lol