When did you first start using the trackpoint and why?

[Theokretes]

Curious when others started using the trackpoint-- and why? It has a rather higher learning curve and is something that staunch touchpad users vehemently scorn-- and even to the point of ridicule.

I wanted a thinkpad and knew nothing about what I was getting (so I wasn't expecting a "trackpoint" among other things). When my first thinkpad did arrive I saw this red thing sticking out of the keyboard and I thought it was bizarre and perhaps humorous. For starters I thought it was going to get in the way of typing, but it didn't-- and I even gave it to my friends to try who were surprised to conclude the same (of it not getting in the way).

For whatever reason I just started using it since 'it was there'... and after a few months got so good at it, it basically could replace a mouse. I have been using one ever since, and never use touchpads if it's avoidable. People can go on about their touchpads; but I never have to move my hands away from my keyboard or lift / drag my fingers to move my cursor... the benefits of a continuous input source located right in the middle of the keyboard.
I honestly have trouble understanding why anyone would use anything BUT a trackpoint-- but that's just me and I'm weird. But I did start out as a touchpad user-- I'm going to assume most trackpoint users have.

I only bought my first thinkpad for reasons that many would consider 'trivial' and not related to the hardware aspects. But that's a long story.

[Ibthink]

Exactly like it was for me, however, I never was a fan of TouchPads, always was a mouse user before I got my first ThinkPad. TouchPads always were crippled for me...so I guess I was determined to become a TrackPoint user when I got my R60.

[pianowizard]

It has a rather higher learning curve and is something that staunch touchpad users vehemently scorn-- and even to the point of ridicule.

I disagree with this sentence, so let me correct it for you: "It (the touchpad) has a rather higher learning curve (than the trackpoint) and is something that staunch trackpoint users vehemently scorn -- and even to the point of ridicule."

True, I'm ridiculing you, but there are at least 10 times more trackpoint users who ridicule touchpadders than the other way around. For some reason, trackpointers tend to have a certain superior complex. As a musician, I have noticed a similar mentality among musicians: everyone seems to believe that whatever instrument s/he plays is the most difficult!

the benefits of a continuous input source located right in the middle of the keyboard.

I am sure there are benefits, but speed isn't one of them. Yes, you can start moving the pointer faster, but you get surpassed by the touchpad or an external mouse shortly after motion onset. Yes, I believe that you can use trackpoints faster than you can use touchpads, but that's not because the touchpad is inferior. Instead, that's because you aren't using touchpads correctly. I guarantee that you can't use your favorite trackpoint (i.e. the one that you use the most often) faster than me using ANY touchpad (e.g. any random laptop at Best Buy).

BTW, I am adept at trackpoints as well -- I am typing this on a trackpoint-only Sony P Series laptop. I have been using trackpoints since the very first day that I got a laptop, over 12 years ago.

I honestly have trouble understanding why anyone would use anything BUT a trackpoint-- but that's just me and I'm weird.

It's not that hard to understand: you haven't learned to use touchpads properly. The learning curve is rather higher.

But I did start out as a touchpad user-- I'm going to assume most trackpoint users have.

As you just saw in another thread, I was presented with both options when I started out, and quickly discovered that the trackpoint was more intuitive.

TO ALL PROUD TRACKPOINT USERS: If you were offended by what I wrote above, I am glad, because you guys say similar things about touchpadders all the time. It's time you got a taste of how we feel.

[Neil]

I first started using a trackpoint when I got my first laptop, a ThinkPad 770. It was the only pointing device available on that laptop, and that was the case with the next two I used, a 600X then a T23. I never felt the need to attach an external mouse like so many other folks I would see. And didn't understand the frustration people seemed to show when I would let them try my ThinkPads.

The ThinkPads I use most often today are an X40 (trackpoint only), and a T43 with a broken non-functional touchpad. On other ThinkPads, with functional touchpads, I now find them comfortable to use for casual pointing when my fingers don't need to be on the keyboard.

I still clearly remember the frustration I felt the first time I tried to use a touch pad pointing device...I was so used to using a trackpoint, that I just could not get the touchpad to do what I wanted it to do. I'm well past that now, and find either device to be useful, and each have their pros and cons. Still never feel the need to attach a mouse to my laptop, though.

[dr_st]

Curious when others started using the trackpoint-- and why?

The first laptop I extensively used was a Thinkpad 355Cs, and it had nothing but trackpoint. So that's when I started using it, that's why, and that's how I got used to it and proficient with it.

I disagree with this sentence, so let me correct it for you: "It (the touchpad) has a rather higher learning curve (than the trackpoint) and is something that staunch trackpoint users vehemently scorn -- and even to the point of ridicule."

I would say that you are probably both right. Based on what I learned from you and from my own experience - I would say that touchpads are easier to learn for basic use, but more difficult to master for advanced use. So it all depends on how far one progresses in the learning curve.

My personal problem with touchpads (and I admit that I never tried to master one) has nothing to do with pointer speed, but rather with the fact that their sensitivity (in my perception) is all over the place. Sometimes they don't register when I want to tap-to-click, and sometimes they out of the blue start click-n-drag while I only want to move the pointer.

[brchan]

I first started using the trackpoint a few years ago when I discovered it on my first thinkpad: a T60. I use it since you can constantly input input without moving your finger back and fourth, and since you don't have to move your hands off the keyboard like with a touchpad.

Another benefit is no touchpad wear, especially on Tx10 to Tx30 series (and x series) where the touchpad has a rough texture that peels off overtime with use!

[JaneL]

TO ALL PROUD TRACKPOINT USERS: If you were offended by what I wrote above, I am glad, because you guys say similar things about touchpadders all the time. It's time you got a taste of how we feel.

Behave.

Curious when others started using the trackpoint-- and why?

Mid-90's, and because it was there and I didn't have to pack a mouse when I was traveling.

[Ole]

I randomly got a Z61m as my first laptop, and doing a lot of typing I realized that the trackpoint was simply so much better for my hands than to keep lifting my right hand and moving it down to the touchpad when I needed to move my pointer. Also, perhaps most useful is the ability to scroll while holding down the middle button, not needing to move fingers up/down. After that Z61m I've moved to a W500, X220t, and a X61. X61 is still the favorite, and the amount of though working environments the W500 have been through is simply amazing. Just this weekend I put it through 6-7 hours of audio performance, and it's been over a month of runtime since last I restarted it, it handles sleep mode that well.

I am also comfortable using touchpad, having had to use macbooks quite a lot. However, the keyboard and the trackpoint is why I won't consider anything else than a Thinkpad (not sure if I can say this any more though, with the unified touchpad). Usually when I have to use mac's or other computers for an extended time I use my Thinkpad as input device using Synergy. I'm simply that more effective when using this keyboard.

[emeraldgirl08]

First experience with an exclusive touchpad-only device for me is my Chromebook. It works very well with good palm rejection and easy to use gestures. Not too shabby and I am comfortable using it. Now on my desktop I do find myself occasionally reaching for a trackpoint on my desktop keyboard after spending time with the keyboard on my x200tablet. I really wish there was a decent wireless Lenovo keyboard with trackpoint (with 3 trackpoint buttons as well). The next time I came into some extra money I would definitely consider getting one for my desktop.

[pianowizard]

I would say that you are probably both right. Based on what I learned from you and from my own experience - I would say that touchpads are easier to learn for basic use, but more difficult to master for advanced use. So it all depends on how far one progresses in the learning curve.

This really is the most objective statement anyone has made in the trackpoint/touchpad debate, and of course I have seen you say it before. I am objective most of the time but find it hard to keep my cool in this passionate debate.

Some trackpointers have commented that if it takes so much more effort to master touchpads than trackpoints, the extra effort is not worth it. But with Thinkpads becoming increasingly disappointing and with most other laptops lacking trackpoints, it's now more worthwhile than ever to learn to like touchpads because it would enable one to choose from other brands. It's so sad to be stuck with Thinkpads just because one doesn't feel comfortable using touchpads. As a laptop enthusiast, I feel lucky to be able to take advantage of all pointing devices (touchpad, trackpoint, and touchscreen) so I can easily switch among different brands.

[Theokretes]

I first started using the trackpoint a few years ago when I discovered it on my first thinkpad: a T60. I use it since you can constantly input input without moving your finger back and fourth, and since you don't have to move your hands off the keyboard like with a touchpad.

Another benefit is no touchpad wear, especially on Tx10 to Tx30 series (and x series) where the touchpad has a rough texture that peels off overtime with use!

Yeah it's nice having to just replace a rubber cap instead of a whole touchpad. Although palm rests are subject to wear as well. But not nearly as bad.

----------

Re: pianowizard-- my intentions were not to turn this into a debate nor try to argue out someone of their opinions-- because you cannot change someone's mind. Only they can change their mind.

Since I work in I.T. I get to test out every new HP, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba and Apple laptop. Therefore I am exposed to every single touchpad and trackpoint implementation in existence whether I want to or not. If I were to choose a touchpad it would be the macbooks-- the HPs have *terrible* touchpads and you know that (with that said the T6x touchpads are horrible too-- and you also know that).

I prefer the trackpoint (especially over low quality touchpads) since-- and as per *Ted Selker's* original thesis-- requires no hand movement off the keyboard and is a continuous input device. You'd only be able to match the trackpoint with a macbook touchpad in my humble opinion.

Yeah I'm a musician too, but I only see people argue back and forth about personal taste in interpretation and instruments rather than instrument difficulty.
For example, someone will come along playing Bach (most of which requires two registers) on a *single register* piano in *equal temperament* at *440 Hz* and call it the greatest interpretation ever. Or then if it is played on a harpsichord or organ (most of which it'll still be in equal temperament at 440 Hz) people will be going back and forth scourging the harpsichordist/organist or the sound of the instrument-- and not look at the big picture, or even simply enjoy it.

In other words the people making the arguments aren't even exposed to the whole picture-- so they are stuck arguing within their limited 440 Hz understanding if you want to put that in musical terms.

My initial statement with the "staunch touchpad" users was from personal experience at work/school. Everyone usually gives me a hard time about it and I never have to bring it up (it's like if someone says they're a vegetarian and it suddenly becomes an 'issue').
Another frequent one is people telling me my thinkpad "looks old". Sure it's boxy and lacks aluminum trim, but I quite enjoy that aesthetic.

[mikemex]

The world is changing but not always for better. With phones for example, there is the false notion that a touchscreen only devices are the future. My current phone, a P870, is the only device that I've ever had without a physical keyboard and while the screen is sightly larger, I don't think it's a step forward. Other people might have forgotten it by now but not me; modern phone user interfaces are grotesquely huge just for the goal of allowing your fat thumb hit them with any accuracy. But I previously had a Motorola ES400 and a Samsung Epix, both phones running Windows Mobile with an "optical mouse", with onscreen mouse pointer and all. Navigation with them was accurate and you could have more content at once, kinda like a laptop high resolution screen. Typing was fast and without errors.

Trackpoints were designed for such "traditional" tasks in mind: having stuff on screen and providing you with an accurate method to pick what you need. Not saying a touchpad can't do that, but emphasis on touchpads lately is more about gestures than anything else. And gestures are a remedy for devices that are crippled by not having dedicated hardware buttons. Spiral / pinch zoom: what for if you can simply scroll pressing ctrl at the same time?

Even Windows is going this path. And I don't blame Microsoft: it's the users who have dumbified their computers. In my first one, a Pentium 60 MHz with 8MB of RAM, I could launch Corel Photopaint and do image editing. I could also compose and record music using MIDI Orchestator. I could play games like DOOM. And I could make nice programs in BASIC. One would assume that, with hundreds of times the processing power of such ancient machines, people would be routinely doing gene decoding by now. But it's exactly the opposite: the more powerful the computers are, the less that capacity is used. And it's not surprising because most people don't even know what they can use their computer for, so how are they going to miss that functionality anyway? I laugh when I hear people saying that you can replace a laptop with a tablet. How exactly are you going to print a document with your 5 year old printer if you do that? There is people who says paper is a matter of the past but I bet they never get their hands dirty. Things like fabricating a piece from a drawing in your shop or having a few pages of a service manual with you while you work on your car's suspension. Oh wait, people assumes that such things happen magically nowadays.

The decline of the usage of the Trackpoint is just a sign of decline for computing in general. It's hiding the complexity of computers from the public rather than teaching people how to extract useful work from it.

[dr_st]

But with Thinkpads becoming increasingly disappointing and with most other laptops lacking trackpoints, it's now more worthwhile than ever to learn to like touchpads because it would enable one to choose from other brands.

Well, for example, how do you deal with the problem I presented in my post, namely:

Sometimes they don't register when I want to tap-to-click, and sometimes they out of the blue start click-n-drag while I only want to move the pointer

[ZaZ]

so let me correct it for you

I'm sorry, who is it that has superiority complex?

I happen to prefer a good trackpoint over a touch pad, but I'm for whatever floats your boat.

I was a touch pad person for a long time, but when I got my X200, I had no choice. The X200 offered such great value, I couldn't overlook it because of the one thing I didn't like. It took me a good while to get comfortable, but now I wouldn't go back.

[twistero]

Because it is there.


In college, before owning any ThinkPad, my personal laptop (also the first computer I ever owned) was a cheap Asus with an ElanTech touchpad. It has its faults: the plastic surface was glossy and utterly unusable if there was any sweat on my fingers. But it's still the best touchpad on any computer I've owned since, and it's hard to say whether I prefer TrackPoints or touchpads more.

One of the reasons I liked that touchpad is because it had multitouch, therefore I could use two-finger scroll and middle click with two-finger tap, which Lenovo's TrackPoints still can't do on Windows.

It's also perfectly usable without taking my hands off the keyboard. Moving, clicking and dragging can be done with my right thumb, scrolling and middle-click can be done with two thumbs at the same time, right clicking requires the hardware mouse buttons but they are well in reach of my right thumb too. In a way it's even better than TrackPoints because the index finger never leaves F and J, so I can start typing a fraction of second faster than when using the Trackpoint - How often is the first keystroke "space" after you moved your mouse? How often is it a letter key?


It's unfortunate that none of the laptops I owned since have a comparable touchpad: ThinkPad X41t, X60t, T60, T61, and now Surface Pro 3 (which has a tiny and horrendous touchpad on its Type Cover). On the ThinkPads I use the TrackPoint with Soft Rim covers, and as I have said it's difficult for me to say whether touchpad or TrackPoint is better, but the default dome-shaped cover is definitely much more fatiguing than touchpads.

[Cigarguy]

Forced to use the trackpoint when I got my first X60T as there was no touchpad option. Got half decent with the trackpoint but never ever felt comfortable with it. I still prefer a touchpad for basic stuff but prefer a mouse over anything else. Probably because I'm not superior or I'm an idiot compared to some here.

Or maybe, just maybe I see all these machines as a working tool and whatever works for the particular person is good with me. Anyhow, what or how someone do what they do is none of my business. If it works, is productive and the person is happy, then it's all good with me. Never believe in dictating how someone should live their lives, if someone wants to sky dive without a parachute and it makes them happy I've always been one to tell them to have at her.

[jdrou]

My first trackpoint was actually in a Toshiba Portege 660CDT I got from ebay in late 2000 (about 4 years after its introduction). My previous laptops had trackballs and almost every laptop since has had trackpoint. Keeping my fingers on the "home keys" is part of it but I admit it's probably mostly that I learned trackpoint first and haven't had enough reason to change so far.

[mpcook]

Whenever the ThinkPad 500 came out, mid 90's I think. No touchpad on the 500, and mice were primitive then. Loved it ever since.

[pianowizard]

my intentions were not to turn this into a debate nor try to argue out someone of their opinions

Since you are fairly new to this forum, I should have explained. The trackpoint vs. touchpad debate has been going on for years on this forum, and I saw this as episode 289 (if not 515) of this debate.

Since I work in I.T. I get to test out every new HP, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba and Apple laptop. Therefore I am exposed to every single touchpad and trackpoint implementation in existence whether I want to or not. If I were to choose a touchpad it would be the macbooks-- the HPs have *terrible* touchpads and you know that (with that said the T6x touchpads are horrible too-- and you also know that).

I used to own a T60, and have also used quite a few HPs. All of their touchpads are easy enough to operate. I have had bad trackpoints -- the ones that require excessive force to move -- but other than clickpads, I don't recall ever encountering a bad touchpad. The worst touchpad might be the one on an HP Mini 5101 that I once had, because it got sticky whenever I had sweat on my finger, but even that was acceptable once I learned to minimize the area of contact, by using the very tip of the finger.

I prefer the trackpoint (especially over low quality touchpads) since-- and as per *Ted Selker's* original thesis-- requires no hand movement off the keyboard and is a continuous input device. You'd only be able to match the trackpoint with a macbook touchpad in my humble opinion.

Is this because the MacBook touchpad is huge, so each swipe can move the pointer farther? I dislike making big swipes on a touchpad. I get the pointer to move far by maximizing the pointer's speed within Mouse Properties. Thus, even tiny touchpads work perfectly fine for me.

Yeah I'm a musician too, but I only see people argue back and forth about personal taste in interpretation and instruments rather than instrument difficulty.

You haven't been with enough musicians.

My initial statement with the "staunch touchpad" users was from personal experience at work/school. Everyone usually gives me a hard time about it and I never have to bring it up (it's like if someone says they're a vegetarian and it suddenly becomes an 'issue').

I was referring to people on this forum. Here, trackpoint fans routinely call touchpadders novices, uneducated, idiots, etc. etc.

The world is changing but not always for better. With phones for example, there is the false notion that a touchscreen only devices are the future.

Well, they are the future, but I agree that they aren't better. Both of my first two smartphones -- a Palm Centro and an HTC Touch Pro2 -- had mechanical keyboards. Last month, I upgraded to a keyboard-less Samsung Galaxy Note and typing has been frustrating. Not only I am typing at half the speed, I am also constantly mistyping.

Thus, I find the new BlackBerry Passport very appealing. Too bad it's a BlackBerry.

Trackpoints were designed for such "traditional" tasks in mind: having stuff on screen and providing you with an accurate method to pick what you need. Not saying a touchpad can't do that, but emphasis on touchpads lately is more about gestures than anything else.

Well said. I am not at all interested in gestures on huge touchpads. For me, a small touchpad with high pointer speed is the perfect touchpad, like the one on the Dell Latitude E4200. If I remember correctly, I didn't even need to maximize pointer speed on that laptop.

Well, for example, how do you deal with the problem I presented in my post, namely:
Sometimes they don't register when I want to tap-to-click, and sometimes they out of the blue start click-n-drag while I only want to move the pointer

For the former problem, I just tap once more. I would rather have this than a trackpoint drifting once in a while (sometimes "a while" can be only 5 minutes!). For the latter, I don't recall what I do because it has happened to me only a couple of time, ever.

I'm sorry, who is it that has superiority complex?

I started showing superiority only in response to the nasty things trackpoint users say about touchpadders, to make them realize they aren't the geniuses they think they are.

the default dome-shaped cover is definitely much more fatiguing than touchpads.

Yes, the Classic Dome hurts pretty badly. The Soft Rim is far better.

[Utwig]

My first laptop in 2005 was A21 and it didn't have a touchpad. The guy who sold it to me said people who work for IBM disable trackpoints on latter notebooks.

The problem with touchpad is that you have to lift finger and reposition it to complete a move, while with trackpoint I can play first person shooters rather OK. I don't think anyone could beat me in Unreal or Wolfenstein with touchpad against trackpoint.

And I'm good with touchpad - for a while I also had an HP laptop which only had touchpad and I use many other people's notebooks with touchpads.

Another benefit of touchpad is that it's more ambidextrous. For example I often browse internet with left hand while holding a drink or cigarette in my right hand.

[onesvi]

I started using the trackpoint on 1sth Oktober this year, when I bought my first thinkpad (a T530).
I tried out a thinkpad 3 years ago, but sadly only for one day. Since this day I wanted to have a thinkpad (especially because they have a trackpoint) and now I have one

And It's great to use a trackpoint instead of the touchpad

[Puppy]

I bought my first notebook in 2004, it was 15" SXGA+ R51. I was used to use PC keyboard and mouse till that so I also bought external bluetooth wireless mouse. After few years I wanted to try a small 12" model so I got refurbished X31 but it did not have bluetooth. I tried the trackpoint because it was the only pointing device available. After one week I started to love it I don't use any external mouse anymore, just the trackpoint. It is the best.

[FryPpy]

I am trackpointer an this is my story;)
My first notebook was Samsung P25 and it was... 12 or 11 years ago. It was 15" SXGA+ has touchpad only. And from that moment i began to use the desktop (PC) less and less. Now i have to use desktops at my work but most things i do from the black bento box.
When i have got P25 it have small mouse as a gift from the seller... but i don't remember that i have used it;)
4 or 5 years after that P25 become more error prone (more and more cracks and scars became appearing on body, and more body pieces began to fall off) and i decided to move on the next unit.
I have walked at computer marketplace and noticed... all notebooks have changed and not to the good... All have strange screens - yes the world become wider;) And after some time i have found this black stuff;) It have the same size and go to my lovely briefcase as it ought to be. It has SXGA+ as i liked for years. And it was T60 not IBM but it have IBM logo on palmrest;) And yes it was in 2007. I didn't know anything about Thinkpad, APS, IPS, R&R and Trackpoint - i only want SXGA+ 15" notebook and i have got it;) Understanding of all power of Thinkpad came later.
These days i was only thinkpad user. I have used touchpad for everyday work but find trackpoint very useful... for magnifying (second function of middle button). BUT I WAS TOUCHPADDER. I can game in CS (Counter Strike) 1.6 well from touchpad only in tiny company of my coworkers;). 4 years after acquiring Thinkpad left button of touchpad have broken!!!! And i began to use left trackpoint button with touchpad and rarely with trackpoint. 1 years after that i find synaptics multitouch drivers for thinkpad - but understand it is useless for me. I can better use side scrolling than 2 finger scrolling. Double click with 1 finger is not a problem. Zoom can be done with keyboard or keyboard + scroll.
And that year i have first met X41!!!! A friend of mine asked me to install some software and help him with it. And i have use it for a couple of days. This was a lovely thing and it has no touchpad???!!!!! And i begin to transform!!! Mutate!!! From Thinkpad User to real Thinkpadder. Yes i was thinkpadder by that day - i have disassembled and reassembled T60 many times. But i didn't see a world of Thinkpads out of T60.
A year later i have got X61 Tablet and X61 notebook. And make frankepad from T60. I can train trackpointig all day when working on X61. And it makes all thing better.
Now i have more Thinkpads: T20, T43, W500, original T61, X201, X201t and many spares and parts. I remember "Thinkpad Cabinet" and it is great. I don't want to go further because the abyss of 16:9 begins from this boundary. I am waiting for W1

Now i am using trackpoint only. The middle button configured for scrolling and this is better than mouse with wheel for me. This forum notes that i am "Sophomore Member" and i think this is true. I can't use "tap to select" and drag and drop on "red nib only" 100% effective. One day i have tested my skills of trackpoint in CS and this was difficult. May be because the speed and reaction of trackpoint not adequate for me. May be it can be reconfiguring for gaming. But more interesting experience was with X61T - try to fight CS with fingers or stylus - this was something;)

IMHO only. Trackpoint vs touchpad (touchscreen) is like content creating vs "content eating". Gestures and touchpad is more preferable where one rarely using keyboard (only for typing in URLs or simply words) and mostly using pointing for browsing or scrolling. When i using trackpoint for long time for browsing the index finger becomes very tense (tired) and track pint begin drifting. I am using soft dome from the first day of my thinkpad - may be it is time to feel different? . And what experience with classic dome?
Trackpoint is good for heavy typing and simple pointing. It has no zooming or rotating functions. It has worse drag and drop function (for me). But when one working with huge amount of texts it is rarely needed. Ultranav is good for both tasks. I can use both devices but prefer trackpoint over touchpad in 99% cases.

About bad pointing devices (thinkpad vs apples - this is nothing;) - some days ago i have acquired ToughBook. No trackpoint and rugged touchpad without any configuration - it can kill fingers!
.

[pianowizard]

May be because the speed and reaction of trackpoint not adequate for me.

I feel the same. The trackpoint has an inertia, which increases the effort needed to get it to start moving. Also due to this inertia, I find it easier to overshoot on trackpoints than on touchpads, and so I have to set the pointer at a lower speed for the former than for the latter. Thus, even though I can move my right index finger from the "J" key to the trackpoint slightly faster, I end up being able to move the pointer to the destination faster through the touchpad.

As I have said before, if I stick with the default 50% pointer speed for both input methods (which I suspect many of you do), the trackpoint works better for me because in this case it's actually faster than the touchpad. This is why I preferred the trackpoint when I first started using laptops; I didn't know touchpads would benefit so much from maximizing pointer speed.

[theterminator93]

Easy answer for me.

The first laptop I was lucky enough to have owned was a ThinkPad 755CE... then a few years later I bought an off-lease A22m. No touchpads to speak of on either.

[FryPpy]

I feel the same. The trackpoint has an inertia, which increases the effort needed to get it to start moving.

This is not a problem for me (i don't feel this) at normal work with windows, browsing and text editing. But in 3D shooter i can feel this lag. I am using trackpoint at default setting in windows and i haven't adjusted mouse settings in game when switched from touchpad to trackpoint in test run. I think that ingame mouse sensitivity can be configured for trackpoint and it can make trackpoint deadly as sharp knife;)

Interesting observation. On UXGA moving from left to right corner of screen can be done in a moment with trackpoint. But with a touchpad (on default settings) i can "walk" only 2/3 of the screen with the fastest slide. After that i must to lift finger and begin new "slide". That is very slow. It become more slow on 16:10 thinkpads of that era (the same touchpad but horizontal resolution even bigger). I know that i can enable sticky edges function. I have used this only for drag'n'drop to move objects to the distant areas.

[pianowizard]

Interesting observation. On UXGA moving from left to right corner of screen can be done in a moment with trackpoint. But with a touchpad (on default settings) i can "walk" only 2/3 of the screen with the fastest slide. After that i must to lift finger and begin new "slide".

Yep, that's the problem with touchpads at the default speed, and is why I didn't like touchpads initially. At some point, I started experimenting with higher speeds, which enabled me to move the pointer farther, but overshooting also happened more often. It took me a while to learn to move the pointer very fast while not overshooting. After ~3 months of learning, I finally started to prefer touchpads over trackpoints. Thus, I consider "mastering the touchpad" to mean using it comfortably at maximum pointer speed, plus being able to move the finger from the keyboard to the touchpad super fast -- being a pianist probably helps with the latter!

Even at maximum speed, the typical touchpad still requires two swipes to move the pointer across a 1920x1200 screen, but that's fine because we usually don't need to move the pointer that far. Even when we do need to add an extra swipe, I think the touchpad is still at least as fast as the trackpoint.

[ajkula66]

The first ThinkPad that I ever encountered - a work-issued T20, still alive and well today - was also the first laptop I've actually used and the idea of programming a fiber shelf in some dark basement while using an external mouse got old *really* fast...

I'm a TrackPoint user who disables touchpad on all of his ThinkPads. Have no problem with other people - including my daughter who mastered the touchpad quite well - having different/opposite preferences. Do whatever you want with your machine by all means, just don't touch mine. Noli me tangere...

With my ToughBooks I still use an external mouse since their touchpad leaves a lot to be desired IMO.

[JeffCullen]

The first ThinkPad I used was a 760ED, so trackpoint was The Only Option.

I disable the touchpad on my ThinkPads as it prevents inadvertent palm-mousing.

I use a variety of oooooooooold keyboards when at my desk, right now mainly a Northgate OmniKey 101, and an old Logitech thumb-operated trackball. But there are some tasks where so much back and forth between typing and mousing is required that trackpoint really is the ultimate setup!

[600X]

My first ThinkPad was a 600X, which also didn't have a touchpad, so one thing led to another and now I sometimes use trackpoints as well. I was a happy touchpad user before and still am, because using the trackpoint sometimes needs to much effort and causes strain on my fingers. So I use both these days.