I prefer the trackpoint (the little rough pencil-eraser thing stuck into the keyboard on older IBM laptops and some dell laptops, also known as a pointing stick) over newer trackpads. At first the rough texture of the trackpoint really bothered me on my thinkpad t22 but now I don't mind it. IMO, trackpoint is much more responsive to directions and pressure and doesn't require me to move my finger around (my finger movements and the pointer always feel out of sync on a trackpad). Unfortunately, trackpoint is becoming harder to find these days.


Discuss.

I like trackpads. Those little hamster dicks (you call them trackpoints) come in a close second place.

I'm personally a fan of an external mouse... but if I had to use one on a laptop, trackpad.

Mouse then the pad.

Oddly enough I just plugged in my mouse to my laptop and found it really wierd. Trackpads (plus Tiger's double finger scrolling) ftw.

I've only recently got this laptop, and I kind of prefer the trackpad. It did take a lot of getting used to (still select things by accident from time to time because I went to scroll and changed my mind after pressing the pad :o), but I'm getting better at it. For gaming on here, though, I plug in a trackball. Just because it's easier really, although I have tried NWN with the trackpad and it wasn't too difficult. I did keep pausing it, though

i'd just carry a mouse round in the case.

Trackpads suck for many reasons:

1. The mouse gets moved by your wrists when typing
2. It's slower than a trackpoint (trackpoints can move the mouse in one direction forever).
3. It's closer to your lap, so its hard to use when its actually ON your lap.
4. Many trackpads will stop working once the pad gets heated up (after a short while of use) which gets aggarvating cause you have to wait for the thing to cool down before it'll detect your finger again >.>
5. Trackpads don't feel as accurate.
6. If you really want to, you can play an FPS with a trackpoint. You can't with a trackpad.

[QUOTE=Cool Matty]Trackpads suck for many reasons:

1. The mouse gets moved by your wrists when typing
2. It's slower than a trackpoint (trackpoints can move the mouse in one direction forever).
3. It's closer to your lap, so its hard to use when its actually ON your lap.
4. Many trackpads will stop working once the pad gets heated up (after a short while of use) which gets aggarvating cause you have to wait for the thing to cool down before it'll detect your finger again >.>
5. Trackpads don't feel as accurate.
6. If you really want to, you can play an FPS with a trackpoint. You can't with a trackpad.[/QUOTE]
Although I'm not entirely sure about trackpoints and how they work, I have to disagree on some of those points.
1) I'm resting my wrists on either side of the trackpad and I've never accidentally brushed it.
2) I can concede this one.
3) They're not supposed to be operated whilst on your lap, technically Burns and such.
4) I've never heard of that =/ I know I've used this laptop for a long period of time since I bought it (hours on end), and while it has grown warm and the touchpad itself has been warm to the touch, it's never stopped working or even reduced in efficiency. Although obviously my own personal experience with this laptop is not going to be enough to debunk that point if it's a widespread problem as you claim.
5) I suppose that's a matter of opinion. This trackpad feels plenty accurate to me. It's very responsive and points where I'm trying to.
6) I've played Deus Ex with very little difficulty using this trackpad

And two finger scrolling in Tiger is amazing.

Yes, I'm repeating myself, but I don't care

depending on the laptop, some have on/off switches for them, its not that hard to tap that before you start typing to turn it off

You have baby hands :p


"LAPtops"


There might be different types. Many register touch based on the heat of your finger. This way the mouse doesn't get moved when stuff gets put on top of the pad. If you can move the mouse using a pencil eraser or something, then yours isn't heat-sensitive but purely touch sensitive.



It always feels like I have to track back and forth to get on an icon or link, mostly because I have the speed set so high to compensate the restrictive movement.


You're just looney :p

Honestly I'd either use a mouse or a damn PC. I hate the wee trackpoint things and the pads.

[QUOTE=Cool Matty]You have baby hands :p[/QUOTE]
Heh, slender maybe

Aren't they called 'notebooks' in the US for that exact reason, though? To stop the companies who make them getting sued? If I had the documentation to hand I'd quote the warning from the manual.

I never said I wouldn't prefer a good trackball

I don't think anyone would disagree with that

I prefer the trackpad with considering the alternative, but I pretty much bring a mouse with me wherever I go.