Classic dome TrackPoint caps part number?

[feklee]

I would like to order something like 10 classic dome TrackPoint caps for my T41 from IBM spare parts service in Germany. What is the part number for classic dome caps?

The hardware maintenance manual mentions part number 91P9642. However, according to some pictures on the web, these are not classic dome caps.

[tipo33]

I believe the part number you're refering to is a set of three trackpoint tops - one of each style.

[feklee]

I believe the part number you're refering to is a set of three trackpoint tops - one of each style.

Could be. I checked some other sources, and it looks like it's a set of at least two TrackPoint caps, the classic dome included. Still, the price of around 5.47 EUR (7.17 USD) is steep.

Are packages of larger quantities of just the classic dome available?

[GACrabill]

Are packages of larger quantities of just the classic dome available?

How about these (10 for $1.99US with Free Shipping) :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-10x-Soft-Mo ... 3cc43f4528

[feklee]

Are packages of larger quantities of just the classic dome available?

Thanks for the suggestion. However:

• These are not classic dome.
• I prefer to buy from IBM or Lenovo directly to make sure that I get no fakes.

[kge420]

Like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-10-ThinkPad ... 2a11a5cf9f

[RealBlackStuff]

How would a piece of rubber that comes out of China, and that's worth maybe $0.001, be better if it were sold (at a rip-off price) by IBM/Lenovo rather than by someone else you're ready to accuse of selling 'fakes'?
Why would you pay through the nose?

[feklee]

piece of rubber

The Classic Dome is not just a piece of rubber. In contrast to the Soft Dome and the Soft Rim, it is coated. I have read at least one report of inferior fakes (being sold on Amazon). Whether true or not: I prefer to buy directly from IBM or Lenovo.

By the way, I found the part number for a package of 500 pieces: 45J7919. IBM spare parts service in Germany, however, doesn't offer that package, and neither does LODATA, the official spare parts partner for Lenovo in Germany.

[feklee]

Like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-10-ThinkPad ... 2a11a5cf9f

Thanks for the suggestion, especially since there is a part number: 73P2698. I was hoping that this is the part number of a bulk package that I can obtain through IBM or Lenovo in Germany. Unfortunately, the part number seems to be for some package with three caps of different type, so not what I'm looking for.

[cadillacmike68]

I'd offer to sell you some the many spares i have, but most of them are at home - and I'm out here. Most of that i have out here are the newer ones, not the soft dome coated ones that you are looking for. These have that distinct feel, so i know what you are looking for.

[feklee]

I'd offer to sell you some the many spares i have

Thanks for the offer! However, I already bought three bags of 91P9642 (P/N) directly from IBM Germany. Each bag contains three different caps, one of them classic dome.

[RDKirk]

How would a piece of rubber that comes out of China, and that's worth maybe $0.001, be better if it were sold (at a rip-off price) by IBM/Lenovo rather than by someone else you're ready to accuse of selling 'fakes'?
Why would you pay through the nose?

I'm resurrecting this thread with an answer to this post.

There is a difference in the rubber. Several months ago, I bought a bag of Soft Dome caps directly from China that are made of a much softer, much more rubbery feel than the OEM Soft Dome cap. The immediate felt difference was less friction against the finger, which require more pressure on the dome...and the effect of that was less comfortable use through a session. In addition, the nubbins on the cap began to wear quickly resulting in even less friction and requiring even more pressure in a very short time.

In contrast, the OEM caps are more comfortable immediately, over the long term, and last longer.

[Norway Pad]

I'll second that. There IS a difference in the rubber in the Soft Dome caps as well, and it has caused me some aggravation. I bought a bag with Soft Dome caps from China, and installed one on an old 'Pad where the cap was missing and another one replaced my T43 cap that was worn out. And they simply didn't work like the ones I had. The finger slides on them, so when I drag the cursor across an entire page, the finger ends up off the cap. So I ended up digging through my garbage bag to find the old worn one that I threw away; it still worked better than the China one.

As I would like to eventually replace these caps: Can you guys point me to an eBay auction for Soft Dome caps that you *know* contains the good ones? The ones that makes you feel like the finger sticks and not just slides? I never posted about this before, but it seems like some users here know what I am talking about.

[feklee]

As I would like to eventually replace these caps: Can you guys point me to an eBay auction for Soft Dome caps that you *know* contains the good ones?

Why don't you buy directly from Lenovo or even IBM?

In Germany to buy from IBM spare parts service you need to be a business customer and provide a VATIN.

By the way, I am using classic dome caps, i.e. the hard ones. Soft dome caps should last longer and be cleanable.

[Norway Pad]

I have an account with Atea here in Norway, so I can theoretically buy from Lenovo yes. The drawback is that the shipping has been quite expensive on the items I have bought there. That's why I have limited it to more expensive parts like keyboards / fans, etc, as shipping might make smaller items very expensive. So if you find brand new parts that are up to your standards, eBay is generally a better place to buy stuff.

But if it's the only option, I will try.

[automobus]

I would like to order something like 10 classic dome TrackPoint caps for my T41 from IBM spare parts service in Germany. What is the part number for classic dome caps?

I have a bag of two untouched cat's tongue classic caps, from year 2000. The part is 84G6537. Even if Lenovo only sells three-style sampler packs today, it was possible to buy two-pieces of just one style back then. I do not know about ten-piece package. To prove the part number is real:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_IN/detail. ... MIGR-45945 "Track point Caps - Keyboards and Keypads"
http://www-947.ibm.com/support/entry/po ... MIGR-63214 "Space Saver Keyboard - Accessory and care suggestions"
http://ps-2.kev009.com/pcpartnerinfo/ctstips/10636.htm "Space Saver Keyboard - Product Overview" Document ID VLAR-3Z5GNH; Date Created 10-10-98

Goolag Books tells me "84G6537" is in book "Upgrading and Repairing Laptops" by Scott Mueller.

The relevant section of the book is readable on the Web.
http://repairlaptop.uw.hu/ch13lev1sec7.html

IBM now has three different types of caps for the TrackPoint to suit different needs and tastes:
Classic dome (p/n 84G6537)- The traditional "pencil eraser" cap.
Soft rim (p/n 91P8423)- A larger concave design creates a mechanical advantage, requiring less force for pointer motion.
Soft dome (p/n 91P8422)- A larger convex design with a soft texture.

To the people at repairlaptop.uw.hu: Thank you for hosting the book contents. To Scott Mueller: Thank you for writing the good book. I did consult your books multiple times, they are in local public library collections.



edit 2013-07-31 add:
Now I have my hands on a bag of two caps, one classic dome and one soft rim, "made in Japan" from year 2007. The part is 91P8421.

edit 2014-11-13 add:
I found another number, FRU 84G6536, for a bag of two classic dome "TrackPoint III" caps.
edit 2015-09-08 add:
It seems IBM changed their spare caps offering over time: FRU 84G6536 was once a package of four: two smooth "TrackPoint II" caps and two cat-tongue "TrackPoint III" caps.

[Easy Wind]

Like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-10-ThinkPad ... 2a11a5cf9f

You found some by now, but I have a bunch of the ones in the quoted link (the hard ones I believe). Brand new, never used, straight from IBM. Probably have 30-40 of these. I have no idea on what part/fru# they are as I never needed to know.

Anyway, you found some so all is good.

[ajkula66]

You found some by now, but I have a bunch of the ones in the quoted link (the hard ones I believe). Brand new, never used, straight from IBM. Probably have 30-40 of these.

If you ever feel like parting with some of these, let me know. The "eraser" ones are the only ones that I use. And I'd much rather spend money here than on feebay...

[feklee]

I found a supposedly trustworthy Lenovo merchant in Germany who offers packs of 10 × 2 Trackpoints for 6.95 EUR. That's a very good deal in my opinion.