3 ms·

Me; it's far superior to anything outside of a mouse. And yes, I have a MacBook M1 (I didn't realize how poor the support was for Linux by the time the return

Me; it's far superior to anything outside of a mouse. And yes, I have a MacBook M1 (I didn't realize how poor the support was for Linux by the time the return window closed).

mateuszf 4y ago
I'm curious - do you really consider trackpoint better than apple touchpads?
- pimeys 4y ago
  Yes. You can keep your fingers in the hjkl and still use the mouse without moving your hands.
- NikolaNovak 4y ago
  Yes. With some important asterisks depending on person, usage and preferences :). Let's say it's far better FOR ME :->. I really like sibling comment's comparison with Keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts don't make mouse or touch screen wrong or bad; some of us just prefer them and find them more efficient and effective. Using trackpad disrupts my flow whereas trackpoint is embedded on the home row. Further, I am much faster and more precise on trackpoint. I have never on any machine achieved easy effortless pixel-perfect precision on a trackpad, and have never found a way to quickly in a single motion repeatedly reach the extreme buttons/locations I want to. Now, I'm a trackpad newbie, but watching other trackpad proponents use their laptop has only confirmed my feeling. It looks easy but slow. This is not to say there aren't people out there who use trackpad quickly and efficiently; I very much assume there are, plenty! I just have not witnessed them. My feeling therefore, possibly incorrect, is that trackpad and trackpoint fulfill different purposes: Trackpoint is a high-learning curve, high-skill ceiling option that is ultimately more efficient for some. Trackpad has FAR lower learning curve and is much easier to start using, and is right choice for majority of casual users or those who don't prioritize input efficiency - but it feels like it plateaus earlier, or at least those in my group of family / friends / co-workers plateau with it far sooner.
randalluk 4y ago
> Me; it's far superior to anything outside of a mouse. I used to love the track point - it felt so efficient to have my pointing device right on the home row of the keyboard. Eventually I realised it was the cause of some pretty bad RSI (or something) in my index finger. Now I have to remove the plastic cap to stop myself from using it.
- NikolaNovak 4y ago
  I can see that happening. Interestingly though, while I'm a right handed person and use mouse with my right hand, I use the trackpoint with my left hand! It actually thus helps prevent RSI for me - I get to mix it up and switch my hands :). I also find that it's a very different position - I think stretching right thumb to hit left button is harder than using left thumb to hit left button, which is just naturally resting there (understanding of course these can be remapped:).

Me; it's far superior to anything outside of a mouse. And yes, I have a MacBook M1 (I didn't realize how poor the support was for Linux by the time the return window closed).

mateuszf 4y ago

I'm curious - do you really consider trackpoint better than apple touchpads?

pimeys 4y ago
Yes. You can keep your fingers in the hjkl and still use the mouse without moving your hands.
NikolaNovak 4y ago
Yes. With some important asterisks depending on person, usage and preferences :). Let's say it's far better FOR ME :->. I really like sibling comment's comparison with Keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts don't make mouse or touch screen wrong or bad; some of us just prefer them and find them more efficient and effective. Using trackpad disrupts my flow whereas trackpoint is embedded on the home row. Further, I am much faster and more precise on trackpoint. I have never on any machine achieved easy effortless pixel-perfect precision on a trackpad, and have never found a way to quickly in a single motion repeatedly reach the extreme buttons/locations I want to. Now, I'm a trackpad newbie, but watching other trackpad proponents use their laptop has only confirmed my feeling. It looks easy but slow. This is not to say there aren't people out there who use trackpad quickly and efficiently; I very much assume there are, plenty! I just have not witnessed them. My feeling therefore, possibly incorrect, is that trackpad and trackpoint fulfill different purposes: Trackpoint is a high-learning curve, high-skill ceiling option that is ultimately more efficient for some. Trackpad has FAR lower learning curve and is much easier to start using, and is right choice for majority of casual users or those who don't prioritize input efficiency - but it feels like it plateaus earlier, or at least those in my group of family / friends / co-workers plateau with it far sooner.

randalluk 4y ago

> Me; it's far superior to anything outside of a mouse. I used to love the track point - it felt so efficient to have my pointing device right on the home row of the keyboard. Eventually I realised it was the cause of some pretty bad RSI (or something) in my index finger. Now I have to remove the plastic cap to stop myself from using it.

NikolaNovak 4y ago
I can see that happening. Interestingly though, while I'm a right handed person and use mouse with my right hand, I use the trackpoint with my left hand! It actually thus helps prevent RSI for me - I get to mix it up and switch my hands :). I also find that it's a very different position - I think stretching right thumb to hit left button is harder than using left thumb to hit left button, which is just naturally resting there (understanding of course these can be remapped:).