X230 trackpoint issue... very choppy, not smooth at all. Is this normal?

Just received my new X230 in the mail and so far I'm extremely underwhelmed given the cost. In addition to the fact that my DC jack shorts out whenever the cord is wiggled in the slightest bit, my trackpoint seems to have issues. When using it, the cursor exhibits what I can only describe as a "low framerate" look. It moves as it should, I think, but it's extremely choppy and reminds me of what games or movies look like when you remove frames... very "skippy". It's hard to say, but I think the trackpad may also have this issue (but the trackpad itself is so abysmally bad that I can't tell one way or the other). A USB mouse behaves as expected with no choppiness.

I did Google the issue for quite a while and I could only find references to disabling the trackpad in BIOS, which didn't help. It seems like a few other people have noticed the issue with their units, but I can't find any specific solutions.

Honestly, between the hokey DC jack, the worst trackpad I've ever used on any laptop, and this trackpoint issue, I don't think this machine was worth the money. These things cost a premium and are supposed to be well-built, but right now it seems like it's barely above the quality of an average netbook, and the trackpad is actually far worse than my previous cheap-o netbooks.

Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6EHWKHLsaQ

 

I've none of the issues you described with my x230. So send it back and get it fixed or a new one.

 

Mine X230 is rock solid. Even better quality than my T400 which is still alive and never had an issue. Was tempted to go with the X230T because of Windows 8, but didn't due to quality concerns inherent with a tablet.

Send it back.

On the subject of the trackpoint, mine didn't feel the greatest at first, but I adjusted the sensitivity in the UltraNav settings to 6/9, and the Windows pointer speed in Pointer Options to 9/11 with 'Enhance pointer precision' checked, and it feels perfect. Touchpoint for life.

 

Is your trackpoint completely smooth compared to a USB mouse, in terms of the way that it moves across the screen? (The movement itself isn't jittery, just the way that the cursor appears while moving, if that makes any sense... It controls fairly well.)

 

Its perfectly fine here as well, just as good as a mouse. Have you tried updating using the lenovo update tool? And the windows update as well?
I remember that i had to install a lot of updates, but everything works very smooth now. If you havent yet, try updating it.

 

Not to imply that I have the eyes of a hawk or anything, but I'm starting to suspect that this "low framerate" cursor appearance is something normal which most people either don't notice or get used to. For what it's worth, the issue happens in both Windows 7 and Ubuntu. All of my drivers, as well as the BIOS, are updated.

Frankly, between the DC jack issue and the quality of the mousepad I don't think it's worth risking an RMA which might bring me outside of the 21-day return limit. Do you guys think these combined issues are grounds for a return without the restocking fee, or am I wrong to assume that?

 

The dc jack sounds like a serious problem to me though!
I have no experience with RMA's so i cant help you with this.

Cant you record it with fraps? or with any other recording tool, so that i can confirm if i have the same. It is a little bit jumpy if i move very slowly with it, but i think thats because the way i set the settings.

 

I might be able to, actually. What program can I use in conjunction with Fraps so that it doesn't put too much of a load on the computer? Or can I just record any window with Fraps?

 

Try this:
CyberGamer Download

I get 65 Hz with my TrackPoint, 77-78 Hz with my touchpad, and 200-300 Hz with my Bluetooth mouse.

EDIT: I get average 400-500 Hz with my BT mouse if I tell it to not show live stats.

 

I just made a FRAPS video which demonstrates the problem very well. It looks very similar to this in person, although I'd say that the skipping is more frequent and over shorter distances, if that makes sense. The CyberGamer utility reports about 65 hz at medium / comfortable speed, and it reports a much lower number when moving significantly slower or faster, which I assume is normal.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6EHWKHLsaQ

 

Did you try a factory restore yet? Otherwise, also consider trying a clean install. If it still happens with a fresh Windows, it probably is a hardware issue.

If you need a guide, this is a good one:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/len...uide-clean-installing-windows-7-thinkpad.html

Just make sure you make the recovery discs in case.

 

Ask support to send you a new keyboard. Maybe the strain gauges are flaky.

My TrackPoint reports approximately 65Hz no matter what, even going full diagonal across the entire screen (forced a resize on it using WinSplit).

 

Do they overnight them, by any chance? Also, it mostly only reports under 65hz when I move extremely slowly on purpose, which, I think, is to be expected.

Edit: For the sake of it, would anyone mind doing a quick FRAPS video, so I can compare it with mine here? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6EHWKHLsaQ I'd really appreciate it.

And @JwY above, yeap, I've tried that, as well as another OS (Ubuntu) and the problem is still there.

 

Jup mine actually does the same, but not so much. Just a tiny bit. Ill see if i've got enough time today to make a vid of it as well

 

I'm having a similar issue (if it is even an issue at all) with my new x230, the video that was posted is similar to my observation. I noticed the blurriness more than the choppiness when I turned mine on. I did do a factory restore onto an Intel 320 ssd and updated all drivers through the Lenovo utility. Is it bothersome enough for me to return the laptop or call tech support, probably not. I don't spend all day following my mouse cursor on the screen and this doesn't seem to have any impact on what I am doing or looking at on the screen. I love this thing so far.

 

Combined with the other quality issues, defects, and frankly the relatively flimsy build quality of this thing, a very jerky trackpoint is a dealbreaker for me. Dealing with their service department was great and I managed to get authorization for a full refund relatively quickly. Thanks, everyone, for your responses and advice.

 

On my clean install with UltraNav drivers from the Lenovo site and the settings mentioned in my post above, I get a 67 Hz average. Though it usually peaks around 100 Hz when moving at high speed.

 

Sounds like you just got a bad unit, too bad. The build quality of my x230 is very solid except for the touch pad, which is probably the worst I've ever used. But the IPS screen, keyboard, and track point more than make up for it. I thought I was a bad typist before but maybe I was just using bad laptop keyboards. I don't need to look at the keys at all while typing on the x230 it is fantastic.

 

sad to hear! But good thing you at least sorted out your problem kind off. Good luck in the future! But it does sound like a faulty unit, the trackpoint might be a bit bumpy, but when you dont pay attention to it its fine (at least for me).

 

It is disappointing, but I'm happy that support seems easy to work with (so far, fingers crossed). I really would have liked the machine if it weren't for these drawbacks. I'm sure most people don't care at all about the jitter, but it would drive me mad, especially considering that these cost a premium. I might take a look at Lenovo's previous-generation lower-end offerings, because if they're built anything like the X230, at least it'll be ahead of comparably-priced laptops.