Just a tad bit of a ThinkPad copy...

[SprintingAhead]

So I've been looking at the ThinkPad T series recently and during my search for something comparable I come across this
http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptops/tecra/R940
The Toshiba Tecra R940... It has some sort of spill protection through the keyboard and a fiberglass reinforced case... They've even gone as far as to attempt to copy the TrackPoint. It seems they've even tried to emulate the setup and layout of ports of the T series...
Call me crazy as most "business computers" look mostly identical but this just looks too close for comfort... Is there any link between Lenovo and Toshiba on this one? Or is this just an attempt to lure in potential ThinkPad buyers into a cheaper machine and nearly identical looking machine?

[axur-delmeria]

To put things into perspective, Toshiba was producing laptops with pointing sticks during the 90s.
They called it "Accupoint", and if I remember correctly, they licensed IBM's Trackpoint technology.

I thought Accupoint disappeared from Toshiba laptops around 2001, but either I was wrong, or they simply reintroduced it into their lineup sometime after that.

But I don't know if they're still using licensed IBM technology on their sticks.

[ZaZ]

No center button = lame.

[dr_st]

No center button = lame.

I agree. It never ceased to amaze me how HP puts trackpoints in its Elitebooks, and then only the 15" versions have a middle button, whereas from some reason the 14" and 12" Elitebooks do not.

[SprintingAhead]

Just goes to show no company can come up with something to beat the ThinkPad... They can only attempt to emulate...

[ThinkRob]

But I don't know if they're still using licensed IBM technology on their sticks.

AFAIK the force-sensing resistor design used in the TrackPoint is still covered by patents, but it's possible that Toshiba is using another technology. Or they're still licensing it. Both are possible.

[emeraldgirl08]

No center button = lame.

haha

Hear hear

[jdk]

Not to resurrect an old thread, but I saw these machines at a science expo last year.

This is the Elitebook 8460w. I assume the "w" is the more powerful workstation variant of the 8460p.

[lead_org]

all the laptop that uses trackpoint type of pointing device is licensed from Lenovo, who now owns the patent.