Thinkpads Forum

I currently own a dell x1 at 2.5 lbs, which is pretty good. It has a trackpad, now i'm thinking of upgrading to the x60s which have the pointing stick (the red dot thing). So just wondering if it's easy to use. How would you do vertical and horizontal scrolling like the trackpad offers

THanks

intelbrain wrote:I currently own a dell x1 at 2.5 lbs, which is pretty good. It has a trackpad, now i'm thinking of upgrading to the x60s which have the pointing stick (the red dot thing). So just wondering if it's easy to use. How would you do vertical and horizontal scrolling like the trackpad offers

THanks

Trackpoint is so much better than the pad IMHO. For scrolling, just hold your middle key and drag your pointer. You'll know once your get x60, it is fairly easy....

It's pretty easy to use. The dell I use requires more force to get it moving. The X60s is easier to use. It'll take a day or so to get used to. Once you get used to it, you'll get into the habit of trying to use the 'trackpoint' on all non thinkpad laptop.

lol, so they are called trackpoint. Can you double tap to create double click on them?

The trackpoint on the X60 series has the press-to-select feature which means on pressing the trackpoint you simulate e.g. the left mouse button.

More information about the trackpoint can be found directly at IBM, e.g. the settings of the trackpoint:
http://www.pc.ibm.com/ww/healthycomputing/trkpntd.html

BTW, I can't quite get used to the press-to-select function. When I try to press the trackpoint, the cursor is moving around a bit, which makes it hard to control. And when I try to "tap" on the trackpoint, it is either not strong enough to activate the selection or I have to tap so hard, that the cursor is accidentally moving again. Any hints?

I have messed around with the press to select with the track point button, in order to get it right i set the press to select about three bars away from slow. It still took a while to get it right though, takes a firm tap and your finger has to be positioned just right, definately not a "use all the time" thing.

You can turn up the sensitivity of the Press-to-select feature or turn it down a tad. All within in the UltraNav application.

Personally, I cannot *stand* any of the pointing devices on Dells, especially what they try to pass off as a trackpoint device. I always end up using a mouse whenever I use my Dell M60. The Trackpoints on Thinkpads are far better implemented and executed.

the pointing stick will take sometime to get use to if you are coming from a touchpad, but once you do, you will never go back. it's so much more precise and much easier to access while typing, so your fingers stay close to the ASDF JKL: keys. when i had a touchpad ultraportable laptop before, i will always accidentally press something when my wrist hit the touchpad. it was soo annoying.

well, i placed an order for 170258U on 3-29-06. Now it has been shipped on 4-11-06 (w/ est. ship 5-9-06)

I can't wait for it to get here. The tracking number doesn't work yet. Time to ebay off my dell X1.

Let's hope that i'll enjoy the trackpoint once i get use to it cause all my friends who own an thinkpad said they like the trackpoint better.

My first thinkpad

Thanks

Congrats on a great decision! I have a T42, which has both the trackpoint and a trackpad, and I can honestly say that I NEVER use the trackpad. That's how I knew I could get an X60 without one. It's so nice not to have to take your hands off the home keys.