Thinkpads Forum

I am thinking of ordering a T440p to replace my trusty X301. I love the TrackPoint on the X301 and am worried that the T440p will be much different since the physical buttons are gone. I can tolerate the new chiclet style keyboard that's fine. Can anyone comment on whether the new TrackPoint is just as good or is it a pain? A year and a half ago right before my warranty expired I replaced the keyboard, touch pad, and palm rest on the X301 so it it is as good as new...I'd also consider a new T430s in the Outlet since it has the old style TrackPoint. Thanks for any input!

TrackPoint feels identical to older models, but the lack of buttons is making my life a misery-

There's a loud clunk each time I click which wasn't present with dedicated buttons.
Even with trackpad disabled, clicking anywhere in the main area doesn't register unless there's no movement on the pad - seems like the driver is still tying to detect unwanted motion.. as a result, i'm clicking multiple times to try and get something to register. If you click in the top area which is traditionally where trackpad buttons were you don't have that issue, but you run into problems with center clicking instead of left-clicking.

I'm on a t540p but had a T440s for a short while as well, identical behavior. Why they think removing these buttons is a good idea is beyond me. They added an entire keypad on the right - ditch that and give me 3 buttons back, please.

Thanks for this feedback. I've been looking at a T540p model as they will let you configure that model with a quad core chip and integrated graphics without a discrete graphics chip (unlike the T440p for some unknown reason - I don't want to pay $139 extra for a low end nVidia chip that I will just disable in the BIOS).

It's disappointing to hear your first hand experience of the trackpoint "buttons" with the touchpad disabled as that's like how I'd configure it. Particularly the issue with the middle "button" as I leverage that for scrolling and it would bug me to scroll when I was expecting a left click.

Thanks for the response. T430s it will be for me then!

I got the t440s.. I had the t430s.. I love this laptop more than almost any TP I have ever had back to the t23.


But the trackpoint is annoying as hell. the way my hand naturally uses the trackpoint, I ended up clicking the scroll (middle part) for a left click. I have to train my hand to bend so that my thumb hits the left side more.. feels awkward and less natural than with the buttons being there. But I would trade that any day for the horrific display on the t430. So washed out and god awful. If the display doesn't bother you... then good.

Snagged a "new" T430s in the Outlet last week w/ the i7 3520m and HD+ screen. Using it now, the screen is actually pretty decent, maybe I got lucky w/ the panel lottery. Did some research apparently I have the Samsung display- LTN140KT03401 is what PC Wizard shows as the manufacturer. It didn't come with the backlit keyboard so I am going to get one and swap it in. Very happy w/ the T430s and the good TrackPoint, so fast compared to the ancient SU9400 1.4ghz of the X301!

puma wrote:But the trackpoint is annoying as hell. the way my hand naturally uses the trackpoint, I ended up clicking the scroll (middle part) for a left click. I have to train my hand to bend so that my thumb hits the left side more.. feels awkward and less natural than with the buttons being there.

Keep in mind that when using the trackpoint, the whole clickpad can be used to left-click (except the middle/right-click areas of course). You don't have to reach for the upper left corner. Don't worry about moving the pointer with the pad because movement is disabled when using the trackpoint. I find it pretty ok when used this way.

I've been using the T440p and the new trackpoint for around a week now and am still trying to get the hang of it. It's not a 100% natural adjustment if you're switching from an earlier generation Thinkpad/Trackpoint...and I'm really hoping I eventually do get used to it to return back to the ease of using the earlier trackpoints instead of getting frustrated everytime I mis-click or something.

I'm finding out that
a. at first my thumb kept trying to reach for the upper left position of the trackpad/clickpad to click, which sometimes causes issues or non-registered clicks. (Very frustrating!!) But as an earlier poster said, I had to train my thumb so that it didn't reach for the upper left corner, which is actually a far more natural motion... and I've had fewer of these.

b. i'm having difficulty using the middle scroll button because it inadvertently results in a "left click / hold or drag" instead of a scroll. I'm guessing this has to do with the way my palms are positioned on the palm rest ... which overlaps onto the left and right sections of the bigger trackpad and so the click registers as a left click instead of as a middle mouse button click. (Again very frustrating!!--and these are times I wish the old buttons were back). I have to train myself instead to watch for the mouse to turn into a scroll first, OR, to arch my whole hand a little to avoid my palm from touching the rest of the trackpad before trying for the middle mouse button.

Oh well... I was so excited about getting this T440p (after having used a T42 and T400 in the past), but this and a few other changes (like the new keyboard layout, and the sharper palmrest edges) have dampened my enthusiasm. Anyway, hope I get used to this so I won't regret buying this.

Cheers,

After using my new T440p for a few days I have to say the new trackpoint/trackpad is not as bad as I have feared. I still keep missing the middle scroll button/area and the clicks are somewhat loud(ish). But in general I think I will be able to adapt. I do use the external mouse about 2/3 of the time so this is not such a big issue for me. YMMV.

I am more disappointed by the changed keyboard layout and somewhat spongy feel. I have yet to find something that matches the rock solid feeling of my ancient T42.

Update to what i posted around 2 weeks ago:

Guess what? After two weeks, it seems that I have adjusted to the new Trackpoint / Trackpad and the new keyboard layout! haha...I had to pick up a few files from the old T400 to move over to the new laptop. I was actually shocked that I have adjusted well enough to the point that I ended up missing more keys and clicks on the T400 instead of on the T440P! I'm also getting more accurate with the trackpoint to the extent that I'm not having as much difficulty as I originally had when I first started.

I switched from a T60 to a T400 (with minimal keyboard/trackpoint changes) without problems, and I initially feared that I would never adjust to the new layout and trackpoint of the T440p. Well turns out that with enough use, we all are able to adapt!

One learning point for me from this experience though is that: maintaining the keyboard layout / trackpoint layout is not as critical as I originally thought it would be. AND, it also means that in the future should I be in the market for another new unit, I will now be more open to non-Lenovo, non-Thinkpad models either. I still think that I would look for a unit with a trackpoint though.

chirp333 wrote:Update to what i posted around 2 weeks ago:

Guess what? After two weeks, it seems that I have adjusted to the new Trackpoint / Trackpad and the new keyboard layout! haha...I had to pick up a few files from the old T400 to move over to the new laptop. I was actually shocked that I have adjusted well enough to the point that I ended up missing more keys and clicks on the T400 instead of on the T440P! I'm also getting more accurate with the trackpoint to the extent that I'm not having as much difficulty as I originally had when I first started.

I switched from a T60 to a T400 (with minimal keyboard/trackpoint changes) without problems, and I initially feared that I would never adjust to the new layout and trackpoint of the T440p. Well turns out that with enough use, we all are able to adapt!

One learning point for me from this experience though is that: maintaining the keyboard layout / trackpoint layout is not as critical as I originally thought it would be. AND, it also means that in the future should I be in the market for another new unit, I will now be more open to non-Lenovo, non-Thinkpad models either. I still think that I would look for a unit with a trackpoint though.

Hi
Thank you for trying - then it seems like the rather radical designchanges migth not be that bad Its nice to hear that its going better than expected. But i still think a lot of users will be mad at the new keyboard, without -ever- have used one, or even tried to adapt. But then Again, the old one fits Windows XP better anyway

Been trying the new trackpoint.. i hate the buttons. hate it. I can't get used to it mainly because I am usually using a keyboard and mouse with Dock, so when I use this as a laptop.. god I am at half speed.


Update on this. I would get rid of this laptop in a second if they return the old button set up.
Every other left click clicks the middle scroll button. Every other right click is a mis hit. Killing my efficiency, anyone else?

jpresto wrote:TrackPoint feels identical to older models, but the lack of buttons is making my life a misery-
There's a loud clunk each time I click which wasn't present with dedicated buttons. ...

Over the past several years, I've purchased quite a few T540p laptops for colleagues in Africa, and found that most of the trackpads to be acceptable/OK. The lack of buttons is something that I've gotten used to. However, I just purchased/received a used T540p laptop today that "CLUNKS" loudly, especially during a left-click. This degree of movement and amount of noise is much greater than the other T540p laptops that I've used, and is to the point of being annoying. This makes me wonder if there might be a way to adjust/decrease the degree of movement (aka "give") in the trackpad, and at the same time reduce the loud "CLUNK" to a soft "click"? Has anyone else, encountered and solved this problem?

Jlp0209 wrote:Snagged a "new" T430s in the Outlet last week w/ the i7 3520m and HD+ screen. Using it now, the screen is actually pretty decent, maybe I got lucky w/ the panel lottery. Did some research apparently I have the Samsung display- LTN140KT03401 is what PC Wizard shows as the manufacturer. It didn't come with the backlit keyboard so I am going to get one and swap it in. Very happy w/ the T430s and the good TrackPoint, so fast compared to the ancient SU9400 1.4ghz of the X301!

This sounds like me talking! I went through exactly the same process. Hated the trackpad buttons so eliminated the T440. Not rich enough for the T450 yet. Bought one w/o the backlit keyboard, so bought one of those and put it on. That's one of my take-aways from 2 years with the X1.... learned to appreciate the lit KB. I also came from the X301 (via the X1 though)!

I think I might have also gotten lucky on the panel lottery as well.

Absolutely hate the [censored] thing. Works best on a desk or table. Works best using two hands. One handed operation in you lap is frustrating. Missed right clicks. Missed center clicks. And if you leave "gestures" enabled, inadvertent zoom changes and navigation errors. Major step down from my T520. Keyboard feels okay, but (it may be unique to my keyboard) frequent space bar errors. Seems like the center of the space bar is less sensitive than the ends.

IIRC the T440 trackpad can be replaced with the one from the T450, which brings back the Trackpoint buttons.

baertracks wrote:

jpresto wrote:TrackPoint feels identical to older models, but the lack of buttons is making my life a misery-
There's a loud clunk each time I click which wasn't present with dedicated buttons. ...

Over the past several years, I've purchased quite a few T540p laptops for colleagues in Africa, and found that most of the trackpads to be acceptable/OK. The lack of buttons is something that I've gotten used to. However, I just purchased/received a used T540p laptop today that "CLUNKS" loudly, especially during a left-click. This degree of movement and amount of noise is much greater than the other T540p laptops that I've used, and is to the point of being annoying. This makes me wonder if there might be a way to adjust/decrease the degree of movement (aka "give") in the trackpad, and at the same time reduce the loud "CLUNK" to a soft "click"? Has anyone else, encountered and solved this problem?

I'm responding to my own post. I found this link (https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-T ... -p/1697713) where 'xtracrispy' describes fixing this problem by adding damping material under the trackpad. It's not a simple fix, but it does seem to help. It took me about 30 minutes to complete. I actually used some small pieces of blue sponge material from the inside of the bottom bay door of the laptop as damping material. I cut off four small squares of that material and stuck them into four strategic places on the bottom of the trackpad. I found that while this did not completely fix the problem, it did decrease the "clunkiness" of the trackpad to an acceptable level. -FRANK