4 ms·

TrackPoints are a fantastic feature and are one of the most important criteria keeping me on ThinkPads. The casual dismissal of TrackPoints in the grandparent

TrackPoints are a fantastic feature and are one of the most important criteria keeping me on ThinkPads. The casual dismissal of TrackPoints in the grandparent comment shows that the author has never tried one.

CharlesW 4y ago
> The casual dismissal of TrackPoints in the grandparent comment shows that the author has never tried one. They're a great and innovative "backup" pointing device when one doesn't have access to a mouse or touchpad. They really don't compare to either of those more expressive and efficient options, though.
redundantly 4y ago
> The casual dismissal of TrackPoints in the grandparent comment shows that the author has never tried one. I've tried to use track points. A dozen or so times. Recently I got a new thinkpad from work and gave it another go, same result. I just don't like it. Granted, the trackpad on my thinkpad is also garbage. I prefer my external trackball mouse. Trackpoint fanatics don't seem to understand what works for them doesn't necessarily work for everyone. I find myself rolling my eyes a lot in threads like this.
- uxcolumbo 4y ago
  There is a learning curve - it takes some time to get used to it. I had the same experience initially - uh, this is awkward to use - but I stuck with it and now can't go back.
NovemberWhiskey 4y ago
I don't know - I have a long history of ThinkPads (and adjacent devices, including some oddities like the WorkPad z50) and I cannot imagine wanting to go back to a TrackPoint after experiencing a high-quality touchpad.
- csdvrx 4y ago
  > The bare minimum I can work Why not use both? For precision movements, I use the trackpoint with my index. For large movements or scrolling, I use the touchpad with one or both or my thumbs.
gabereiser 4y ago
I’ve used them quite a bit. They were standard issue at a certain place named after a hat. It is NOT a fantastic feature to have your mouse move when you type which I found happened constantly when using a ThinkPad. 1) the eraser mouse “track point” was novel in 1994, not anymore. It’s in the way. Likewise with the physical mouse buttons on the trackpad. It’s 2022. We have touch screens with gestures and stuff. Why do I still have to use a physical button? Tap to click you say? Turning that on means being even in near-field proximity to the trackpad means it’s a click, whether you wanted it to or not.
- uxcolumbo 4y ago
  How did you use the trackpoint? Your fingers are not on the trackpoint when you type. The mouse pointer doesn't move when you use the keyboard. Also, the three trackpoint buttons are right under your thumb - your hand literally doesn't have to move away from the keyboard. No touch screen necessary. That would be even worse having to move from keyboard to screen. It really sounds like you've not used the trackpoint correctly. But it's great that there are options and it seems you've found what works for you.
  - jcul 4y ago
    Can I ask how are you supposed to use a trackpoint? I recently bought my first thinkpad, a second hand Gen 5 X1 carbon, and I really like it. I haven't yet invested the effort in learning to use the trackpoint. I guess you use your index finger on the trackpoint, and thumb on the mouse buttons? For scrolling it seems you hold the middle button with the thumb and then scroll with the trackpoint? Do you normally disable the trackpad?
    - uxcolumbo 4y ago
      Yes exactly. - Use your index finger for the track point - Thumb for the 3 buttons under the space bar - Middle button is to enable scroll mode You don't need to disable the track pad. I did though and it can also help to force you to learn the track point. ------ The ThinkPad TrackPoint https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H8o_-7bKIU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H8o_-7bKIU

CharlesW 4y ago

> The casual dismissal of TrackPoints in the grandparent comment shows that the author has never tried one. They're a great and innovative "backup" pointing device when one doesn't have access to a mouse or touchpad. They really don't compare to either of those more expressive and efficient options, though.

redundantly 4y ago

> The casual dismissal of TrackPoints in the grandparent comment shows that the author has never tried one. I've tried to use track points. A dozen or so times. Recently I got a new thinkpad from work and gave it another go, same result. I just don't like it. Granted, the trackpad on my thinkpad is also garbage. I prefer my external trackball mouse. Trackpoint fanatics don't seem to understand what works for them doesn't necessarily work for everyone. I find myself rolling my eyes a lot in threads like this.

uxcolumbo 4y ago
There is a learning curve - it takes some time to get used to it. I had the same experience initially - uh, this is awkward to use - but I stuck with it and now can't go back.

NovemberWhiskey 4y ago

I don't know - I have a long history of ThinkPads (and adjacent devices, including some oddities like the WorkPad z50) and I cannot imagine wanting to go back to a TrackPoint after experiencing a high-quality touchpad.

csdvrx 4y ago
> The bare minimum I can work Why not use both? For precision movements, I use the trackpoint with my index. For large movements or scrolling, I use the touchpad with one or both or my thumbs.

gabereiser 4y ago

I’ve used them quite a bit. They were standard issue at a certain place named after a hat. It is NOT a fantastic feature to have your mouse move when you type which I found happened constantly when using a ThinkPad. 1) the eraser mouse “track point” was novel in 1994, not anymore. It’s in the way. Likewise with the physical mouse buttons on the trackpad. It’s 2022. We have touch screens with gestures and stuff. Why do I still have to use a physical button? Tap to click you say? Turning that on means being even in near-field proximity to the trackpad means it’s a click, whether you wanted it to or not.

uxcolumbo 4y ago
How did you use the trackpoint? Your fingers are not on the trackpoint when you type. The mouse pointer doesn't move when you use the keyboard. Also, the three trackpoint buttons are right under your thumb - your hand literally doesn't have to move away from the keyboard. No touch screen necessary. That would be even worse having to move from keyboard to screen. It really sounds like you've not used the trackpoint correctly. But it's great that there are options and it seems you've found what works for you.
- jcul 4y ago
  Can I ask how are you supposed to use a trackpoint? I recently bought my first thinkpad, a second hand Gen 5 X1 carbon, and I really like it. I haven't yet invested the effort in learning to use the trackpoint. I guess you use your index finger on the trackpoint, and thumb on the mouse buttons? For scrolling it seems you hold the middle button with the thumb and then scroll with the trackpoint? Do you normally disable the trackpad?
  - uxcolumbo 4y ago
    Yes exactly. - Use your index finger for the track point - Thumb for the 3 buttons under the space bar - Middle button is to enable scroll mode You don't need to disable the track pad. I did though and it can also help to force you to learn the track point. ------ The ThinkPad TrackPoint https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H8o_-7bKIU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H8o_-7bKIU