Time for a new TrackPoint design

[coolcat37]

I only use ThinkPads and on these ThinkPads I only use TrackPoints. I find them the easiest and most precise thing to use. Except for the negative inertia problem the technology's fine, just fine.

Having spent a good amount of time using all 3 models. I came to the following conclusion: none of them are perfect.

The Soft Rim is not worth mentioning. It feels unnatural.
The Classic Dome has the best texture and grip but gives me RSI pains becuase of it's small contact surface.
The Soft Dome is easy on the arm but loses it's grip after 15 mins, because of sweat/stickiness/etc.

So wouldn't it be nice to have a new TrackPoint model, specifically: the Soft Dome model but with the texture of the Classic Dome? So it has a big contact surface but maintains grip.

Any support?

[Temetka]

I find the soft rim cap to be the best. It cups my finger nicely. Whereas the cat's tongue is just painful and soft dome loses grip.

To each his own.

[dr_st]

I find the soft rim cap to be the best. It cups my finger nicely. Whereas the cat's tongue is just painful and soft dome loses grip.

Yep, same here. At first I also thought the Soft Rim is unnatural, but I quickly got used to it and realized it's actually the best (for me).

[coolcat37]

Yes indeed Temetka same problems here and indeed to each's own.

But, what if they used the Classic Dome texture for the other TrackPoints? You could maintain your model but have extra grip..

[micrex22]

I third the soft rim as being my favourite-- due to the fact it cups the finger tip, it allows the most accuracy.

There actually *is* a fourth trackpoint cap, the eraser head:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... t_caps.JPG

This one was featured on ThinkPads prior to the middle scroll button being introduced and uses the revision 1 stem, which is slightly smaller and perfectly square. Model Ms also used it as well, and the M13 came with a black one:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... el_M13.png

[coolcat37]

Nice info

But I need them to make the Soft Dome model in Classic Dome texture. That could be a successful 5th TrackPoint, wouldn't it?..

[FryPpy]

There actually *is* a fourth trackpoint cap, the eraser head:

+1 Interesting.

Long time i was "Soft Domemer" just because it was preinstalled with my T60. But year ago i wanted to change something and have moved to Soft Rim on both my T601FP and X61. And yes Soft Rim is great. But it makes O-shaped marks on screen especially on X61). May be it haven't been fitted properly?
So the next is to test classic. It is smaller and may be will not make marks on screen.

To each his own.

+1. Do you remember old wallpaper - "Think different"? May be right tagline is "Feel different".

[dr_st]

And yes Soft Rim is great. But it makes O-shaped marks on screen especially on X61). May be it haven't been fitted properly?
So the next is to test classic. It is smaller and may be will not make marks on screen.

No, unfortunately that is just the way it is with the soft rim. Thin laptops (X series, 14" T) that are constantly carried in tight bags develop these (eventually permanent) marks, and nothing can be done. With a 15" Thinkpad I've seen the marks from time to time, but they never became permanent. Probably a combination of the facts that the laptops are thicker and the screen is farther away, and that I have not been carrying them around as much.

The soft dome also leaves marks, but they are more dull and less noticeable. I think this issue is part of the reason why Lenovo lowered the position of the trackpoint on newer models - it is now more recessed and the cap does not stick out as much above the keyboard.

[Hans Gruber]

I just received a shipment of 20 soft dome caps from China. If they wear out or get dirty, I send them to the circular file.

[JaneL]

To quote Abigail Adams, "I desire you would remember the ladies"! The tip of my finger fits too far down in a Soft Rim to be comfortable as the rim catches under my fingernail. Soft Dome is my cap of choice.

[Temetka]

And yes Soft Rim is great. But it makes O-shaped marks on screen especially on X61). May be it haven't been fitted properly?
So the next is to test classic. It is smaller and may be will not make marks on screen.

No, unfortunately that is just the way it is with the soft rim. Thin laptops (X series, 14" T) that are constantly carried in tight bags develop these (eventually permanent) marks, and nothing can be done. With a 15" Thinkpad I've seen the marks from time to time, but they never became permanent. Probably a combination of the facts that the laptops are thicker and the screen is farther away, and that I have not been carrying them around as much.

The soft dome also leaves marks, but they are more dull and less noticeable. I think this issue is part of the reason why Lenovo lowered the position of the trackpoint on newer models - it is now more recessed and the cap does not stick out as much above the keyboard.

I had a Soft Rim cap on my 14.1" T61 and now on my T410. I never had pressure marks on the LCD. That being said, I have heard and seen of people who had that issue.

[coolcat37]

Soft Dome is my cap of choice.

Wouldn't it be sweet to have the Soft Dome but with the texture of the Classic Dome?

[hhhd1]

My favorite is Soft Rim.

Maybe a new design would be a small Soft Rim , that wouldn't leave a mark on screens on smaller laptops, and more comfortable for smaller fingers.

small = less height and less diameter.

[Saucey]

I'm good with the classic dome for most of my machines
For awhile I was using the soft rim on an x61s when I had a 3 pack.
I like a sensitive/fast accelerated mouse, for quite a few time I wasn't happy with Linux distros in the mouse movement district w/ classic dome. Slapping on a soft rim was the solution for me.

I like using them to give a different 'attitude' to a laptop.
Since I have oily fingers Cat's toungue needs a lot of cleanup after a few days, I keep it on the legacy models.

Eraserhead is fun to use, I am not sure if I have a OEM IBM one or from a different manufacturer.

[micrex22]

Wouldn't it be sweet to have the Soft Dome but with the texture of the Classic Dome?

Well it could be problematic since the height clearance wouldn't be sufficient. You'd have to lower it slightly. With that said it's unlikely Lenovo will ever make customized trackpoints: however that's where we get into the subject of the classic dome's process. They either spray or grow those plastic crystals... I am wondering if this was something IBM developed, or if this is a known process. Getting the equipment to modify existing caps would be the most appropriate solution.

I'm good with the classic dome for most of my machines
For awhile I was using the soft rim on an x61s when I had a 3 pack.
I like a sensitive/fast accelerated mouse, for quite a few time I wasn't happy with Linux distros in the mouse movement district w/ classic dome. Slapping on a soft rim was the solution for me.

I like using them to give a different 'attitude' to a laptop.
Since I have oily fingers Cat's toungue needs a lot of cleanup after a few days, I keep it on the legacy models.

Eraserhead is fun to use, I am not sure if I have a OEM IBM one or from a different manufacturer.

Hmmm... I'm going to make a separate thread about TrackPoint speeds because I'm curious about that. I generally run mine as sensitive as possible as well.

[Nigellus]

I find the soft rim cap to be the best. It cups my finger nicely. Whereas the cat's tongue is just painful and soft dome loses grip.

To each his own.

I also find the soft rim "golf tee" cap to be excellent. The old cat's tongue is uncomfortable and doesn't age well. That's why I bought a travel mouse for my 600E. The golf tee soft rim in my T60 is wonderful to use and I have never even considered getting a travel mouse for this one. I haven't tried the soft dome; why mess with perfection? (Although if that's what the T-420 has, I'll be trying one this afternoon).

[coolcat37]

Well it could be problematic since the height clearance wouldn't be sufficient. You'd have to lower it slightly. With that said it's unlikely Lenovo will ever make customized trackpoints: however that's where we get into the subject of the classic dome's process. They either spray or grow those plastic crystals... I am wondering if this was something IBM developed, or if this is a known process. Getting the equipment to modify existing caps would be the most appropriate solution.

Hm, someone with know-how about the process IBM or Lenovo use(d) to make the Tongue of the Cat would be welcome

[Nigellus]

I find the soft rim cap to be the best. It cups my finger nicely. Whereas the cat's tongue is just painful and soft dome loses grip.

To each his own.

I also find the soft rim "golf tee" cap to be excellent. The old cat's tongue is uncomfortable and doesn't age well. That's why I bought a travel mouse for my 600E. The golf tee soft rim in my T60 is wonderful to use and I have never even considered getting a travel mouse for this one. I haven't tried the soft dome; why mess with perfection? (Although if that's what the T-420 has, I'll be trying one this afternoon).

Just tried out the soft dome. I like it better than the cat's tongue model, but not as well as the golf tee.

[rambo47]

Well it could be problematic since the height clearance wouldn't be sufficient. You'd have to lower it slightly. With that said it's unlikely Lenovo will ever make customized trackpoints: however that's where we get into the subject of the classic dome's process. They either spray or grow those plastic crystals... I am wondering if this was something IBM developed, or if this is a known process. Getting the equipment to modify existing caps would be the most appropriate solution.

Hm, someone with know-how about the process IBM or Lenovo use(d) to make the Tongue of the Cat would be welcome

I believe it starts with something like this:


We can all pretty much guess how it ends.

[coolcat37]

No, you misunderstood. What I meant was how do Lenovo fabricate The Tongue of the Cat at their factory, not how you (& your buddies) extract a tongue out of a cat.

[JalopyBob]

The classic dome still works for me. The proposed new one could be interesting though.

[FryPpy]

No, you misunderstood.

I think that rambo47 forgot some smiles in his post

Switched to classic on X61 - feels good, but it sits slightly deep in keyboard (good for screen but unusually for me).

[Nigellus]

I believe it starts with something like this:


We can all pretty much guess how it ends.

No, you misunderstood. What I meant was how do Lenovo fabricate The Tongue of the Cat at their factory, not how you (& your buddies) extract a tongue out of a cat.

LOL. You guys win this thread for comedy. Hands down.

[Nigellus]

To quote Abigail Adams, "I desire you would remember the ladies"! The tip of my finger fits too far down in a Soft Rim to be comfortable as the rim catches under my fingernail. Soft Dome is my cap of choice.

Fair point. This is why it's good to have variety since in many cases no one thing will be the best for everyone.

But year ago i wanted to change something and have moved to Soft Rim on both my T601FP and X61. And yes Soft Rim is great. But it makes O-shaped marks on screen especially on X61). May be it haven't been fitted properly?

I had a Soft Rim cap on my 14.1" T61 and now on my T410. I never had pressure marks on the LCD. That being said, I have heard and seen of people who had that issue.

I'm not experiencing this issue at all with my T420 although there was a pressure mark from the Soft Dome cap which I replaced with a Soft Rim after testing it out. My T60 came with the Soft Rim pre-fitted (possibly after-market since I bought it second hand). In any case, while it does leave a small circular mark on my T60's LCD, I believe this is oil from prolonged contact with my finger rather than pressure. So I guess it could have to do with how it is fitted.