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Laptops w/o Trackpads?
Leave Blank asks: "Are there any laptops out there anymore that -don't- have trackpads? I can't use them properly at all (for whatever reason - my current theory is that it's linked to my severe Raynaud's - some days I can activate a trackpad from a bit under a centimetre above it, other days it just doesn't work at all, so I always carry around an external trackball with my current laptop. Does anyone on Slashdot have recommendations I mightn't have managed to google?"
"A trackpad is just pointlessly annoying for me, because I have to remember to turn it off or I'll 'hit' it accidentally while typing (sometimes just by waving my hand over it, remember), and even if it is off, I'm left with a nagging feeling it's wasting space, which annoys my tender european design sensibilities. So, what are my options? - I want a top-of-the-range in processor/gfx laptop, I quite like the little keyboard, um, nubbins, but I can't find a _new_ laptop with one but without a trackpad, and ultra-pricy tablet PCs typically actually come with a freaking trackpad too. Seems to me a laptop without a trackpad might even be smaller, and I'm quite prepared to live without one as outlined."
For some reason, many of these pads have "tap for click" turned on. This causes nothing but problems: you'll get erroneous mouse-clicks registered just by dragging and moving stuff around the screen. "But I never intended to drag that to the trash can!" Turn this off to make things more bearable.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
And while you are at it, take out all the guts and paint your laptop camo (don't forget the keyboard!) so you can have that "Hackers" look.
Great ideas often receive violent opposition from mediocre minds. - Albert Einstein
Get an IBM X-Series (just the pointer) or a T-Series and replace the wrist-rest with one that doesn't include a trackpad. It's extremely easy to do and costs $20 or so.
Condemnant quod non intellegunt.
Get a ThinkPad.
I do the same thing, accidentally while typing on laptops with trackpads. I haven't seen any without them in awhile, though.
it seems that every late model laptop has a trackpad these days. which sucks because i can't stand trackpads.
thinkpads (and probably most laptops) let you disable the trackpad, in favor of the mouse button, which i greatly prefer, personally.
so while finding one without a trackpad might be difficult, getting a laptop with a mouse "nipple" and disabling the trackpad is definitely possible.
IBM Most of their models still do not have touchpads, still clinging on to the archaic touch stick (nipple as some would affectionately call it). This is one of the reasons I won't go with IBM (the price is also a turn off).
http://www.shogunatedesign.com
I have an IBM with the nub, and a touchpad. I never use the touchpad, and it only causes me problems as I hit it accidentally. I don't have any problems with it registering without touching however, that one seems pretty unique. I may be able to disable it... (now to check the settings).
i think all of them at least have that nubby thing if you turn the touchpad off, but this x series seem to not have the touchpad at all.
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http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/
hope that link isn't cookie dependant.
Buy a top-of-the-line laptop and place ducttape over the trackpad. The cost of the trackpad is negligible in comparison to the overall price of the laptop and duct tape is cheap. You can get a roll of white for your iBook, chrome for your Vaio, or manila for your Walmart PC. As long as you cover the pad, your hand brushing over won't be recognized (conductivity is often measured).
IBM Invented the trackpoint or whatever they call it.
You know, the little 'eraserhead' that goes in the middle of the keyboard?
Toshiba might still use a similar device as well.
Have you considered a TabletPC?
I also greatly desire a laptop without a touchpad. I hate the damn things, they're basically useless to me. The nub is better, but not perfect either. If you're going to have a built-in pointing device it should be like back in the day when there was a trackball in the laptop. Or on one really old 486 laptop I remember it had a trackball that snapped onto the side of it. Or even better, do like the sony U101 has the gamepad style grips. Tablet pcs of course have a stylus. Basically if you aren't going to have a useful pointing device, don't have one at all and I'll plug something in every time.
The GeekNights podcast is going strong. Listen!
I must have been pretty bad for lefties, and having the clickers on the outside of the case dictaed the the machine be kept in a case. Plus every scrolling wheel system needs to be cleaned from time to time.
Still, it was way better than Nicholas Negroponte's mid-keyboard nubbn'.
.\.\att Clare
In windows 2000 you can open the device manager and disable any piece of hardware, including the trackpad. I'd be surprised if this wasn't possible with other operating systems.
If you want to find a tablet PC without a trackpad, look at the TC1100 from HP/Compaq
It has tablet mode and can pivot around to use a keyboard which has only two buttons and a clitoris/nippple/eraser.
My HS had a whole program of rolling them out to students and they're very nice machines.
...and that's all there is to it.
I actually like the touchpad in my HP laptop. It's a good Synaptics pad which uses capacitance instead of pressure. The control panel has lots of knobs, including adjustable palm check which nicely prevents movement while typing. Theres also stuff like tap zones: I have it set for tap in the upper right corner for a right click, or in the upper left for maximize. I always tap; I never use the buttons. There's even a GPL'd driver for XOrg and XF86 that has all the features.
After a little practice, I can use it just as well as a mouse for controlling a cursor. It does suck for FPSes, though.
Most new compaq laptops have touchpads which can be turned off.
--Forest C. Adcock--
Most of the Thinkpad's have either both or just the trackpoint thingy in the middle of the keyboard. Some even now have a scroll button. My X31 has it and it's great!
-m
http://www.invisik.com
.. can have it's touch pad turned off in the bios.
"Derp de derp."
For the majority, you can disable the trackpad in the BIOS.
Trackpads don't work for you because your fingers are too cold. This is a result of you being dead. I hate for you to find out this way, but its true. You've been dead for a while now. There was actually a slashdot story on it, maybe you missed it? It was duped twice. Seems you died after a 36 hour starcraft session at a cybercafe. As your body lay there lifeless, your soul has been carying on and seriously the slashdot posts from the after life are kinda freaking us out here. If you dont mind, just walk towards the bright light and leave us alone. Oh, and give a word up to big J.
Im dreaming ofa big bndwdth, That can resist the
And learn how to use it, it is so much better than the un-geek like crossnig of arms to move cursor and use buttons...
I like to use the keyboard exclusively anyway - it annoys me when sites don't support tab properly.
(tab tab tab space)
#hostfile 0.0.0.0 primidi.com 0.0.0.0 www.primidi.com 0.0.0.0 radio.weblogs.com
External Mouse
in the System control panel, you can disable any hardware individually -- forever. :-)
The case is that it seems the OP does not know how to do it. This is not a hardware problem, is a support issue
It's better to be the foot on the boot than the face on the pavement. ~~ tkx Kadin2048
My last laptop (stolen, alas) was a Sony Picturebook with a pointing stick (useful in a clumsy sort of way) and a jog dial (not). Sony still sometimes makes laptops with pointer sticks, but I've been turned off by their high prices, lack of compatibility, and nasty "antipiracy" features. If I can ever afford to replace my Picturebook, I may just abandon the whole laptop concept -- there's no good solution to the pointing problem, and the keyboards are seriously unergonomic. Instead, I'll get a tablet PC. When I don't have a table to work on, I'll use a stylus and an onscreen keyboard. When I do have a table, I'll plug in a USB keyboard and mouse.
I use an ix104 tablet, no trackpad and great digitizer pen/touchscreen options. The cpu (866P3) is a bit slow, though.
1st generation now available at several surplus sites, got mine at isellsurplus.com for ~$1000
Yes, I wondered if anyone else would remember these. What may be confusing others is that, probably because in those days LCD screens were relatively expensive, the Compaq had a substantial "frame" around the screen; the ball was built into the frame, near the right edge.
This was the only laptop-integral pointing device I've found tolerable. I've been using mouse-equipped systems since 1983, and currently carry a small external mouse with me whenever I take my laptop along.
I decided that behaving ethically was the most nihilistic thing I could do. - Paul Pavel
my asus W1N has a physical click button for turning it on and off it is a pricy laptop but I love it.
Looks like they too made the mistake of not putting the device in the center. The 10% who are leftiees are shut out of using this thing.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
If you get a high end gfc laptp the trackpad is not the space (though your design sensibilities may still be irked).
The high end Dells have a nipple and a touch pad. The touchpad can be disabled and stays such forever, you can still use the nipple and a mouse, and the touch pad is not wasted space, just ugly at that point because the whole case is packed with stuff.
Wow, sent an e-mail as suggested when clicking on "use classic" banner, and got a fast response that addressed my msg
Actual mice don't have the problem of registering bogus clicks just by using the "point" part of the interface. Why should trackpads by any different?
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
My Latitude D600 has an option to disable the trackpad and eraser-thingy in BIOS, or to have it enabled only when something else isn't plugged in. Most Dells I've seen have this same option.
I was shopping for a new laptop recently, to replace my still-working but very slow IBM Thinkpad A22p (800MHz).
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I have tried time and again to get used to touchpads, but I never feel like I have good control with them. The experience is always frustrating
So, my #1 criterion for a new laptop is a non-touchpad pointing device, a la IBM's trackpoint, i.e., the "nipple"-type pointing stick.
I looked far and wide on the net. Of the major vendors, I found that IBM, Dell, and Toshiba all still make laptops with pointing stick devices. Note that Dell and Toshiba only offer the "stick" on certain models. I have used both vendors' pointing devices and, while not as good as a TrackPoint, they're FAR better than a touch pad.
I ended up buying a new ThinkPad anyway, mostly because I have a bunch of accessories that are thinkpad-specific and also because I know that, like it or not, ThinkPads are some of the most durable, long-lasting notebook computers out there.
Does anyone out there know if it's possible to put an IBM keyboard (with the TrackPoint goodie in it) into another vendor's laptop? Is the keyboard form factor and interface standard?
If you still want to keep the trackpad working, then cover it with something thick. My father does this since he still wants to use it once in a while. It works well on two Toshiba notebooks so far.
I personally can't use the finger control (don't know the term for this) with my fingers (have physical disabilities). I prefer trackball (my old Pentium laptop had one) and track pad if mice don't exist.
Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
Although the Apple LT comes with a trackpad, it is not needed anymore once you get this new keyboard from Fingerworks:
m l
http://www.fingerworks.com/MacNTouch_product.ht
I don't own it (yet) but from what I see so far, they are going down the right path.
I was the happy owner of a IBM 570e and now of a T41p. Unfortunately contrary to the 570e, the T41p has both the red IBM thingy and the pad.
However, there exists a palmrest without pad (part #91P8399, see http://www.indexcomputer.net/91p8399.html) but I could not get precise information about what happens to the warranty if I buy and install it myself. Thus, the pad remains (and I hate it).
Sony's tiny VAIO laptops (the Picturebook series, the X505) have generally been made without a trackpad, simply because the laptops are so small. They all have trackpoints to handle pointing. I much prefer this design because the trackpad + "wrist rest' design of most laptops is horribly un-ergonomic for me.
I always wondered- are those Sonys hard to type on? B/c there is no hard surface to rest your wrist when you type like with other laptops. Good looking little laptop though.
to go with your whine? Jeezuz christ you crying little bitches who fuckin have to bitch about every fuckin thing that you pussy bastards don't like about computers or isn't fair. Get a fuckin mouse ya damned retard.
Personally, I've always preferred the tactile feel of a mouse, particularly a small one. Macally has a nice optical Bluetooth mouse called the BTMouseJr. As an optical mouse, it will function on almost any non-reflective surface. As a Bluetooth device, no cable is required. (They have the OptiMicro if you don't have Bluetooth or don't want to deal with batteries.)
To avoid the possible problem of needing to use your laptop without an available mousing surface, just slap some gaffer's tape to the right of your trackpad, or cover it entirely. I've found that you need surprisingly little space to mouse accuratly. In addition, most current operating systems will allow you to disable the trackpad when a mouse is connected, and some can disable it entirely on command. Gaffer's tape is similar to duct tape, but is matte rather than reflective. (It's usually black.) You can also find more elegant solutions vis-a-vis adhesive mouse pads, though you will need to trim them to fit. (Hint: mark out your lines beforehand, or you'll likely end up with crooked edges. Ask me how I know.) ;-) Alternatively, there are a number of super-thin mouse pads to be had for very little that can simply be glued into place, or kept loose to be stow-able to protect your laptop's finish.
If you prefer a trackball to a mouse, you may already have your best solution, unless you want to use one of those annoying little button that comes on the Thinkpads. (No offense to Thinkpad users intended; I've just never liked the feel or apparent lack of close accuracy that I associate with it.) If not, a small, portable mouse may be your best bet.
Good luck! :-)
Instead of looking far and wide for a non-trackpad version of a laptop, find whatever laptop you like best, whatever your criteria is for selecting one, and IF it has a trackpad on it, disable it. It will then become just a little square on the front of your laptop that isn't used for anything. You would always then have the option of using it again (say you're on a plane and your mouse breaks) if you need it.
Don't remove that which doesn't need to be removed. Just push it to the side. You never know when it will come in handy!
And they said zombies weren't real!
I don't know about laptops without tap pads but mine has a button to disable it. Plus, usually it shows up as a pointing device or something so you can just disable the whole device. That's what I do and then rock the wireless mouse.
You'll have that sometimes...
I carry around this mini mouse for my laptop... It's so small it really takes no space, plus, it's optical, so it works correctly on any surface.
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Trackpads work by reacting to the elctrostatic charge from your skin.
High humidity or a build-up of sweat/grease on the trackpad can significantly increase the sensitivity of the unit - I have used one in a service workshop which would follow my hand as I waved it about an inch above the unit.
Usually you can adjust the sensitivity of the trackpad in software on the laptop in question, other things you can do are as follows:
* Clean the trackpad regularly with a damp cloth - either warm water or perhaps Windex (nothing stronger). Make sure you thuroughly dry the trackpad before trying to use it.
* Some users find placing a small self adhesive mailing label over the trackpad reduces the sensitivity without disabling the unit
* Keep a clean cloth nearby for wiping your hands if they become sweaty - not a tissue, as the alcohol in the tissue will trigger increased oil build up on your hand to protect them from drying out.
* Try not to use the unit in excessively humid environments.
Hope this helps.
Sara
Designer, Gamer, Macgrrl in an XP World
I agree that the trackpoint sucks.
I refuse to buy one that does. For what I do, and the way I want to do it, I much prefer the Touchpoint.
Currently, I know that both of the HP Tablet PCs have them (TC-1000 and TC-1100) as well as many of the IBM laptops. In the not too distant past some of the Sony Vaio laptops (only the Picturebooks) had these, as well as some Toshiba laptops.
By the way, does anyone else remember IBM's ScrollPoint Mouse? Basically it was a mouse that had a touchpoint on it (this was before the scroll wheels were popular).
But where is it ?
I can never find it.
rmmod psmouse
Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
Reference to severe Raynaud's explained here.
I think ergonomic design dictates that you need an area to rest your wrists, lest your hands get tired from just hanging in midair. So even if the laptop comes without a trackpad (a la IBM) the designers still leave empty room for that purpose.
I personally use the little thimble/nipple type thing in the middle of the keyboard and find it the best for me. I can touch type and operate the pointing device without moving my hand position. Compaq / HP laptops come with both trackpad and thimble/nipple pointing devices, which is great for the flexibility.
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They use capacitance: whenever two electrical conductors (fingers are a good electrical conductor) move alongside each other, they influence (slightly) each others electrical field. These minute changes are detected by the touchpad circuitry and translated in a 'touch' at a specific coordinate on the touchpad.
I don't see how an attack of Reynaud would influence the capacitance of ones fingers enough to mess up trackpads though.
Okay... I'll do the stupid things first, then you shy people follow.
[Zappa]
I believe some ThinkPads still come with the eraser-nub. It acts like a miny-joystick, and is actually decent once you get used to it. But many have tapping as well, so I definately suggest disabling that.
My old laptop (Dell Inspiron 3700) had both Trackpad and thumbstick. And even though the drivers were buggy, you could set it to use both or just one of them. I wound up turning off the trackpad because these bear-claws I call hands kept tapping it while I was playing Half-Life.
Good luck.
Alot of Ultra-portables, particularly the japanese imports, have the nipple exclusively.e riesbean.do?series=P1
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And as an added bonus, they're so cute! *drools*
I quite like the little keyboard, um, nubbins...
The technical term is "keyboard clit."
Sent from my iPhone
They come with a touchpad, but it has a handy little button on top of it that will disable it.
Consider getting a cordless presentation mouse. The kind that doesn't need a surface and either rocks, or has a knob on it for use. You can get 'em at staples for pretty cheap and they do work.
I prefer the Thinkpad nipple, and abhor the touchpad -and-go-the-opposite-way. The presentation mice work as a weak substitute.