TRACKPOINT CAPS COMPATIBILITY

Message

Guest · #1 Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:10 am

I was going to orders some replacement trackpoint caps and it said that only the classic can be used. All other models can use the two other types.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... TU#cappics

"
TrackPoint Caps - Ordering caps for ThinkPad systems and TrackPoint Keyboards

Applicable countries and regions

· Types of TrackPoint caps
· Systems supported
· How to order

Types of caps

IBM has developed three different types of TrackPoint pointing stick caps to suit varying preferences for comfort, accuracy, and ease of use. Depending on when the model was released, some ThinkPad systems are shipped with all three cap types:
NOTE: Click the images for a larger view. Classic Dome: The Classic Dome cap is for users who prefer the touch and feel of the cap traditionally associated with the TrackPoint.
Soft Dome: With a large, convex surface area and soft texturing, the Soft Dome cap provides a soft touch and feel.
Soft Rim: The large, concave design of the Soft Rim cap provides a completely different touch and feel and creates a mechanical advantage whereby less force is required for pointer motion.

Systems supported

All three cap types are compatible with the following IBM systems:
ThinkPad A-series
ThinkPad G-series
ThinkPad R-series
ThinkPad T-series
ThinkPad X-series
IBM keyboards with TrackPoint
The Classic Dome cap remains compatible with older ThinkPad systems."

I really like the soft XXX type and was wonder if someone has purchase the IBM TrackPoint Cap Collection (6 caps) from IBM website? Do the other ones work too?

If the soft types do not work with the 600X; is there a model number that I can just order the "classic trackpoint caps"?

Thanks!

HarryWild · #2 Post by **HarryWild** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 12:32 pm

Only the classic trackpoint caps work; as it indicates in teh document!
I try to order the classic only from IBM but they don't have that item only the assortment!

#3 Post by **pkiff** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 3:46 pm

I am almost certain that you can get all the classic TrackPoint caps you need from Bill Morrow at www.thinkpads.com.

If you want to try a different kind of cap, you might consider the SofPoint caps, which are wide, convex nubs (like the IBM Soft Rim caps) instead of the classic concave points. These are the ones that I use on both my 770Z and my 600X and I quite like them, though they are an acquired taste -- some people find them too "mushy" I think. And some people might think they are overpriced as well. If these interest you, then you would want "Type 1" caps to fit your ThinkPad.

[Edit: I can no longer endorse these SofPoint caps due to problems with their durability -- read my follow-up posting further down this thread for more information - Phil.]

I have no relationship, business or personal, with the SofPoint folk in Michigan, but I have ordered from them in the past.

Phil

#4 Post by **JaneL** » Mon Nov 22, 2004 8:47 pm

If Bill is out of them, try http://www.compu-lock.com/tpcap.asp

#5 Post by **carbon_unit** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 7:12 am

I will sell you a pair of genuine IBM classic dome caps for $7.00 shipped.

HarryWild · #6 Post by **HarryWild** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 11:20 pm

Just order the assortment trackpoint caps from IBM! They throw in the shipping cost and just charged for tax! $10.69 total!

Guest · #7 Post by **Guest** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 5:03 am

Been using a brand new "classic" for a week on my new X31 (hadn't used trackpoint for 5+ years!) and it' already worn out...and building a hole in my finger!

Are the other two any softer or would I have to go softpoint for that ?

I've just asked them if they shipped to Europe.

GpsPasSion · #8 Post by **GpsPasSion** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 5:38 am

Sorry about the previous message

Been using a brand new "classic" for a week on my new X31 (hadn't used trackpoint for 5+ years!) and it' already worn out...and building a hole in my finger!

Are the other two any softer or would I have to go softpoint for that ?

I've just asked them if they shipped to Europe.

#9 Post by **pkiff** » Sun Feb 06, 2005 4:24 pm

If you want to try a different kind of cap, you might consider the SofPoint caps, which are wide, convex nubs (like the IBM Soft Rim caps) instead of the classic concave points. These are the ones that I use on both my 770Z and my 600X and I quite like them, though they are an acquired taste -- some people find them too "mushy" I think.

I feel compelled to post a qualification/correction follow-up to my earlier endorsement of these "SofPoint" caps, since I've just had one of them disintegrate beneath my finger on my 600X! The tiny little rubber nibs on the top of the cap just started to rub off yesterday and within an hour or so the whole cap was more or less useless. This is after using the cap only for about 6 months or so.

I've reverted now to the old classic dome style and am finding it more responsive than I remember, so am planning now on moving all my machines back to the classic style again.

Maybe I had some kind of chemical agent on my fingers that caused the nibs on the SofPoint caps to start to disintegrate, I don't know. But I've never had a problem like that with any classic dome caps over the past 10 years or more, so I suspect there is something less durable with the kind of plastic/rubber being used in the SofPoint caps, than that used in the OEM IBM Trackpoint classic dome caps.

Oh, and as I said in my earlier post, I have no relationship, business or personal, with SofPoint, other than being a customer in the past.

Phil.

TRACKPOINT CAPS COMPATIBILITY

TRACKPOINT CAPS COMPATIBILITY

SofPoint Caps Redux - Possible Durability Issue

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