Touch pad for a T23

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twodisks · #1 Post by **twodisks** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:15 pm

Hello Everyone

I just picked up a nice T23, but the one item I wish it had is the additional touchpad/glide pad. Is there anyway to swap out the original keyboard and palm rests for one that has the touchpad

Thanks!
Bill

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:47 pm

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Sorry to say that I don't believe that this is possible. As far as I know, IBM never provided an option for the touchpad (Ultranav) for the T2x series. I believe that started with the T30s. For that system, the keyboard remained the same between the two versions. In other words, the touchpad is part of the keyboard bezel assembly.

Stargate199 · #3 Post by **Stargate199** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 4:42 pm

Like rkawakami said, the hardware for a touch pad is physically not there. Even if you had a modified one, the motherboard has not connectivity for one.

pianowizard · #4 Post by **pianowizard** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:32 pm

twodisks, if you want a touchpad because the trackpoint cap hurts your finger, replace it with a Soft Rim.

The Spirit of X21 · #5 Post by **The Spirit of X21** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:13 pm

Agreed. The soft rim made a huge difference for me. The classic dome used to make my finger ache. Because its inverted the soft rim requires less force to use than the other two kinds of trackpoint covers.

dr_st · #6 Post by **dr_st** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 10:59 am

I only really like the soft dome (which comes by default now).

pianowizard · #7 Post by **pianowizard** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:24 pm

dr_st wrote:I only really like the soft dome (which comes by default now).

Use the Soft Rim for a day and you'll most likely change your mind.

kieran · #8 Post by **kieran** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:09 pm

i very much dislike the original sandpaper type of trackpoint cap, if you love your thinkpad as much as i do, you are using all the time and it makes your finger very sore.

props to the person who invented the Soft rim. i like that you can ride the rim and have a great level of control (sorry if that has some weird conitations).

#9 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:18 pm

Getting this thread back on track to the original question that was posed...

About the only way that I know you would be able to use a touchpad on the T23 would be a USB solution. Google "usb touchpad" for some references.

Xenomorph · #10 Post by **Xenomorph** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 4:31 pm

i feel the exact opposite with Laptops.

i wish they could ALL have a TrackPoint, and NOT the touchpad.

the touchpad takes up too much space. makes it too easy move the mouse pointer when not wanted. it wears out after a while (get a faded or "rubbed off" looking center).

plus it has dead zones. if you dont move your finger fast enough, you have to keep picking up your finger and re-centering it to get the cursor moving again.

one of the biggest issues with Touchpads: really bad clicker settings. if the buttons are raised, its easy to click them. i used a Gateway 400-something series, and the buttons were level with the rest of the bezel. it was hard to click them, and found myself many times just pushing down on the plastic because i thought my thumb was above the button. this resulted in a very sore thumb after 2 days use.

the TrackPoint, or "nub" as i call it, works great. its like a joystick. no dead zones, no accidents in moving it, etc.

dr_st · #11 Post by **dr_st** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:52 am

pianowizard wrote:
dr_st wrote:I only really like the soft dome (which comes by default now).
Use the Soft Rim for a day and you'll most likely change your mind.

I tried it on your suggestion, and you were right! I happily use the rim now. I tried it once before and didn't like it, probably because the sensitivity was too low. Now that my trackpoint sensitivity is set to high, the rim is very convenient to use, and indeed is easier on the fingertips. One small disadvantage is that it sticks higher out (or so it seems) and is easier to hit accidentally when typing. But seeing as my soft dome is worn out after almost two years of use, I happily switched over to the rim.

furiousmonkey · #12 Post by **furiousmonkey** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 12:50 pm

Just an freindly FYI at one point you could buy PS2 Touchpad, I picked one up about 4 years ago for $5 canadian.

I often thought while having the convience of an external small USB mouse, there are times when traveling that these become totaly useless, due to space.

Touch pad for a T23

Touch pad for a T23

Soft Rim will rock your socks!!

touchpad

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