IBM trackpoint cap

...began my adventures with the IBM TrackPoint.

At first it is a bit difficult to navigate with it. But after about and hour of use, I was happily playing slow-reaction games (Chicken Invaders, Kahuna Reef and the like). After a few days of use, I was playing faster paced games such as Zuma.

The little red button works in a way akin to the analogue sticks on Playstation controllers. The harder you push the fast it moves. ...
...but I still think the IBM TrackPoint is a fantastic controller. I'm using the classic 'sandpaper' type, which probably goes some way to explaining my callous! However, those who don't appreciate hardened skin, can still use the Trackpoint, as different little red buttons are availible readily in shops as mainstream as PCWorld. There is one which is raised like the classic type, but rubber, with tiny rubber nodules for traction, and another which ... more

When I first opened my Thinkpad, I was impressed, as you'd expect when opening your first laptop. However, when I came to try and move the cursor I was stumped. I looked all over the keypad, and couldn't find anything I recognised as a way to move the cursor. I had only ever used laptops with Touchpads (the little window you slide your figner over to move the cursor).

Eventually (yes, shamefully it was a good 10-15 minutes), my brushed against the small red dot in the centre of the keyboard that I had mistaked for a microphone, or perhaps some device to stop the screen touching the keys when closed.

The cursor moved!

And so began my adventures with the IBM TrackPoint.

At first it is a bit difficult to navigate with it. But after about and hour of use, I was happily playing slow-reaction games (Chicken Invaders, Kahuna Reef and the like). After a few days of use, I was playing faster paced games such as Zuma.

The little red button works in a way akin to the analogue sticks on Playstation controllers. The harder you push the fast it moves. Once conquored, this allows for a great degree of sensitivity of movement.

I've had my laptop for just over a month now, and I love my TrackPoint. It moves smoothly, I can control slow and fast movement with mere changes in pressure of my index finger. My whole arm doesn't get tired like it did with a conventional PS2 large mouse. If my index tires I can move to my middle finger with ease.

The only downside is that after playing for several hours my finger developes a dent. Occasionally I find a callous-like area of toughened skin over the part of my finger that I navagate with.

This sounds like a huge turn-off, but I still think the IBM TrackPoint is a fantastic controller. I'm using the classic 'sandpaper' type, which probably goes some way to explaining my callous! However, those who don't appreciate hardened skin, can still use the Trackpoint, as different little red buttons are availible readily in shops as mainstream as PCWorld. There is one which is raised like the classic type, but rubber, with tiny rubber nodules for traction, and another which is also rubber, but which is concave, to hold your fingertip in place. Both those alternative sound great, though I haven't tried them.... yet!

Another great point about the TrackPoint, is that if it gets old, worn, dirty, it can be easily repaced by just poping it out, and slotting a new little red button in it's place.

Whatever you do, don't let the IMB TrackPoint put you off buying a laptop. Even if you're use to TouchPads, it's an easy conversion to make. And hey, it's always good to be versitile! (And if you really don't like it, you can plug a mouse in!) 

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