Pointing Stick Keyboard Roundup

An anonymous reader writes "Blogger pettijohn went on the search for the best USB external keyboard with a pointing stick. He found exactly three products that fit the bill in the market, so he bought all three and wrote a proper roundup review."

Comments

It's not a pointing stick...

[AccUser]

It's a clit mouse.

Re:It's not a pointing stick...

[FooAtWFU]

On an IBM^H^H^H^H Lenovo laptop, it's a TrackPoint. Much more convenient than the lame touchpads most computers have (with the possible exception of Apple) and can give you much finer control. And you don't need to move your hands from the typing position at all, so it's even more convenient than an external mouse for quick tasks.

The one downside is that it will start to chafe your fingertip if you use it for hours and hours and hours on end.

Re:It's not a pointing stick...

[RobertM1968]

On an IBM^H^H^H^H Lenovo laptop, it's a TrackPoint. Much more convenient than the lame touchpads most computers have (with the possible exception of Apple) and can give you much finer control. And you don't need to move your hands from the typing position at all, so it's even more convenient than an external mouse for quick tasks.

The one downside is that it will start to chafe your fingertip if you use it for hours and hours and hours on end.

Nah, not really. IBM/Lenovo usually shipped them with at least two different types of trackpoint caps... the original cats tongue and a domed, wider, more rubbery one with little raised grippy dots on it. And there are about 3 more aftermarket styles to choose from as well (commonly found on eBay).

I prefer the cats tongue ones myself, but they wear down a lot quicker than the others. But new out of the box, they seem the most responsive. Once old, the "grippy-dot" ones become the best - and the cats tongue ones start to slide under your fingertip, which may be the cause of the "chafing" you are noting. I thoroughly hate the concave aftermarket ones and find them near unusable. Some of the convex aftermarket ones (that are different than the two original options) are ok - but not as good as the two original designs. At least in my opinion.

I'm a proud owner of one of the IBM ThinkPad TrackPoint keyboards (which btw, also came with a neat carrying case (leather or pleather or something), and multiple IBM M13 Trackpoint keyboards in black and beige (which are IBM Model M keybeasts... err, keyboards... with trackpoints).

For those looking, the IBM Thinkpad TrackPoint keyboard reviewed in the article comes in two "styles" I remember. Mine is a Model SK-8845 (the BETTER model). The difference between the two are one (mine) is not Thinkpad branded (simply IBM branded), the other is Thinkpad branded. The SK-8845 model comes with a USB hub and two USB ports, uses only one USB connection to your computer, and has dual height adjust legs (2 legs on each side - a short set, and a taller set), and a cut-out compartment to tuck the cable into when travelling with it (no tie-wraps or rubber bands needed). There's also a slight difference in key layout. The insert/home/del/end/pgup/pgdn key row and the escape key on the model I have is actually normal.

AND the other major difference (which I hate) about the model I have, is that it also comes with a touchpad, and two additional (Right/Left) mouse buttons below the touchpad. With the IBM/Lenovo drivers, one can select "use both" or "use Trackpoint" or "use touchpad" - without, both are enabled. Followed by one other big difference... there is no mic control/microphone in the model I have.

Regardless, if you are looking for one, I'd recommend the model I have.

Re:Love Thinkpads..

[damn_registrars]

Anyone use one in Linux?

I have the full-sized lenovo UltraNav (with the numeric pad and touchpad) hooked up to my Linux workstation at work. Works great; although I haven't bothered to setup the scroll function for the third button - it is worth more to me as a "paste" function in X.

Overall it's great. I bought it to replace the M2 I had with a pointing stick in it - which I replaced only because the person I share my office with was annoyed by the sound of the buckling spring keyboard (and offered to buy me a new, quieter keyboard).

Pretty Good Article

[DarkKnightRadick]

This is actually a pretty good article. Good run down on features and problems with each. I like the Unicomp-style keyboards too much though.

Re:Ouch

[Anonymous Coward]

You can get one that is concave instead. It's much more comfortable than the "eraser tip" style. Below is a link to a set of different styles you can buy from Lenovo.

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:show-category-with-items?category-id=44A77E4BFC554CEBA4D064394A24A0B8

The lenovo is good, but not perfect

[damn_registrars]

I've been using the full-sized variant of the Lenovo UltraNav keyboard at work for a few years now (not sure if they still sell it). Mine has the numeric pad as well as a two-button touchpad underneath the regular keyboard (with the nipple).

I do have a couple complaints for it though:

• The finish wears off - just like my laptop keyboard. You can definitely tell that I tend to hit the space with my right thumb much more often than with my left. For that matter you can tell which non-letter keys I use the most (such as space and enter) based on what remains of the finish on the keys. Fortunately the letters themselves are still adequately visible.
• Recently the left trackpoint button seems to have lost its spring. It doesn't have the resistance that it used to have, although if you can accept that it works pretty well. I now often use the touchpad left button instead.
• The touchpad itself is too close to the trackpoint buttons; I often click a button and then end up moving my mouse cursor due to a clumsy thumb.
• There is no obvious way to disable the touchpad as far as I have seen - in Windows or Linux.

Otherwise, its a great keyboard. A bit expensive but worth the money IMHO.

Re:Ouch

[Jeffrey Baker]

When you buy a thinkpad new in the box, it comes with a little bag of replacement pointer tips in various styles. I prefer the original dot texture, but I do hate that it collects filth easily.

Re:Ouch

[Francis]

I found a "replacement nib" pack for Lenovo Thinkpads for a dollar. There's actually 3 different shapes that you can get, maybe one's more comfortable for you?

I have no opinion on these sellers, but they have a picture of the 3 different types:
http://www.6store.net/other-accessories/328/
http://www.machinaelectronics.com/store/buypart/Lenovo_Thinkpad_R61_E/91P8421

(PS. What the heck are you doing that you give yourself a blister on your trackpoint? I personally have never had a problem, nor has anyone I know who uses a Thinkpad. They're standard issue at work, so I actually do know quite a few people who use them.)

Re:Pointing Stick?

[natehoy]

A company called Unicomp is still making the Model M with the same gear IBM used to use in Lexington Kentucky back when they made the Model M. A few IBM retirees bought up the gear when IBM stopped making them, and have been making keyboards with it ever since. They are located at http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/index.html

The "classic" model M is now called the "Customizer", http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/cus101usenon.html

But they're not just making the old ones, they've been busy reworking the design. You can get one with a titmouse if you want. http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/en104wh.html

They don't only sell buckling spring, so look at the product descriptions carefully before you buy...

Re:Where are the trackballs?

[j_sp_r]

You know you can configure them to move the whole screen in one swipe? Does take a bit of practise but it is almost as good as a screensaver lock ;-)

The EndoraPro is a Model M

[ThousandStars]

I believe the Unicomp EnduraPro is the same basic design as the Customizer/Space Saver keyboards, which are reviewed at the link, and those in turn are modern Model Ms.

For those of you seeking the One True Keyboard, take note.

Re:chiropractor

[Rantastic]

But, yeah, claiming to cure cancer by doing an adjustment is off in oogy-boogy land, and gives the competent bone manipulation folks a bad name.

Actually, you've got that backwards. Claiming to cure whatever ails you by adjustment is exactly what Chiropractic is all about.

That some practitioners also practice physical therapy (with good results) lends undue credence to an otherwise completely bogus profession.

Re:chiropractor

[rueger]

In my case, the problem was simple - I was shoveling gravel, moved wrong with a heavy shovel extended, and shifted a bone ever so slightly out of place

I'm sorry, but is that even possible? As far as I know (IANAD or AC)all of our bones are pretty much solidly in place thanks to muscle, ligaments and other stuff. I suspect that if a bone became "out of place" you'd be writhing around in the back of an ambulance, not trekking to mall to find a chiropractor.

Now if you can tell me that a trained medical professional (aka "real" doctor) using diagnostic imaging equipment made that diagnosis I may be convinced. Otherwise I'll assume you had nothing more than a strained muscle.