Thinkpads Forum

I don't mean to spam the forum, but I think this is fairly on on topic. If you have never tried the "Soft Rim" Trackpoint cap, TRY IT!

All my Thinkpad life I've used the standard "Classic Dome", I figured if it was the normal cap it must be the best. After a year of use, my Dome Classique began to look sad. Its texture long worn off, and its bright red color dulled by a year worth of my skin oil and who knows what. Time for a replacement I thought.

After much searching, I found the tiny bag that had once held the classic trifecta of Thinkpad caps, and dug out the "Cat's Tounge". But alas, as much as I like my cat this was like a trip straight back to 1997. Immediately I was filled with horrible memories of dragging that dreadful little nub across the screen of my ancient Dell.

Before going to ebay, I remembered the forgotten cap, the Soft Rim.




What a feeling. It's like I'm using a whole new laptop. The indent perfectly cushioning my finger in a loving embrace, able to move the cursor around the screen with the lightest of touches. My Thinkpad life has been forever changed for the better, praise be to whoever designed this tiny piece of rubber.

I apologize for anyone who had to read through all that, but seriously, if you've only ever used the dome give the rim a chance. I am never going back.

Although I'm using the Classic Dome, I always thought the Soft Rim was the best. It's easy to move the cursor around just by pushing the rim.

Hrm, at $1.99 on Amazon and that includes one of each types... I might give it a whirl

I use soft rim types on my T23's, the rest get the normal domes (purchased a bag of 50 a while back) since I wanted the old gear to look stock and the original caps were all worn and dirty.

I love the Soft Rim. The only downside is that it sticks up higher from the keyboard and makes a distinctive circle mark on your screen after a while.

dr_st wrote:I love the Soft Rim. The only downside is that it sticks up higher from the keyboard and makes a distinctive circle mark on your screen after a while.

And I do tend to tap it more by accident while typing!

ozzymud wrote:Hrm, at $1.99 on Amazon and that includes one of each types... I might give it a whirl

If you couldn't guess I highly recommend it

The soft rim cap is THE BEST. Two main reasons. You dont have to push with your finger, you just have to press down. If you press on the right side it goes right etc., and the more you press the fastest it goes. You can push in the direction you want as well but pushing down is much easier is better for your tendons. The other main reason is that the shape fits finger better and helps find it without looking. I only use that cap for many years. Disappointed by the W540 i do not know how i will find an equivalent cap for the Dell M4800 or i may have to wait to see how much more of the thinkpads they will destroy with W550. I will have to wait, since, thank god my w520 is the best last thinkpad.