Trackpoint? I would buy it, would be quite the jump from my classic keyboard modded x230/T430.
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This is the only thing preventing me from buying a Framework. Many shops and other areas almost exclusively use Thinkpads because of their trackpoint. Any work done in the field (especially with gloves) at these places, basically requires a trackpoint. I really hope Framework or a third party through the market place creates this. As soon as this is possible, I will buy a Framework in a heartbeat.
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Having a TrackPoint (pointing stick) on my laptop is an extremely important feature for me. ThinkPads have really dropped the ball over the last few years with soldered memory, and Iâd be first in line to buy a Framework Laptop whenever an pointing stick keyboard option is available.
Please note that there needs to be three buttons directly under the keyboard (left-click, scroll/middle-click, and right-click), not two. Some non-ThinkPad laptops cheap out and only provide two buttons (left-click and right-click), omitting the scroll/middle-click button that makes the pointing stick worthwhile. Please donât do that, since it would be such a waste.
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The two things holding me back right now from buying a Framework are Touchstick/Trackpoint and a touchscreen w/stylus. I am coming from an X1 Yoga w/Arch Linux, which I really love, but donât love the memory limitation of 8GB on it.
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I personally like the ThinkPad keyboards, I even bought a ThinkPad II wireless keyboard that matches my X1 perfectly so when I dock I am on the exact same keyboard and my muscle memory is not uninterrupted, which I think everyone should do too, it makes a big difference in switching from dock to mobile.
So, I actually would prefer the ability to swap in a real ThinkPad keyboard. e.g.
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Here is the external matching ThinkPad Keyboard II w/TrackPoint:
(* I could only post one embedded photo as a new member so had to make a 2nd post)
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I am looking to replace my Thinkpad X270. I would much rather get a Framework laptop than the new X1 carbon, but I have preferred using the trackpoint since the mid 90s.
It seems the best option would be a replacement keyboard bezel/palm rest which could accommodate a thinkpad keyboard.
I look forward to seeing the marketplace open.
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with or without a trackpoint device, I admit that I miss having the keyboard close to the edge of the laptop (no track pad) Never really used the trackpoint even when I have one.
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@Ben_Henry Also coming from the X270. It is the best form factor Iâve ever had in a laptop. But being only dual core has made it age before itâs time. Excited for the Framework with or without a Trackpoint. But the moment one is available, Iâll be shelling out for that upgrade.
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Agreed with many of the posters above - a trackpoint and touchscreen are required for any notebook. Trackpads are unusable IMHO.
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Thinkpad style trackpoint would basically make the surface laptop a guaranteed buy in my book, doubly so if/when they come with ryzen hardware. so absolutely +1 to this needed a trackpoint keyboard option
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I purchased a DYI I-5 but would love to replace the keyboard with one that has trackpoint
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I love that this thread is so long, and that so many people love the trackpoint. I love it as well!!! It would be great if we could get a keyboard upgrade (as that is how I would classify it) with a trackpoint.
For all of you saying you would instant buy one, consider buying one and trusting in the companies goal of making 3rd party upgrades and parts a reality. The companyâs vision is worth it.
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+1 to @2disbetter Expecting mine to arrive in November and I will do my best to re-learn some touchpad wizardry (Pop_OS has some pretty cool touchpad gestures built in). Looking forward to seeing either a trackpoint keyboard or some type of adapter to allow us to hack in a Thinkpad replacement keyboard. They are certainly plentiful enough on the market. That may be a harder engineering problem than just building one from scratch for the Framework, but I love the possibilities.
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@everett Nichey? The two companies that mainly produce machines with TrackPointâs control half of the market, thatâs HP and Lenovo. And Lenovo has most machines that are not completed low-end and HP on all business machines. They donât have because they control half of the market, but they control half of the market because they supply businesses and TrackPoint is a productivity tool and requirement of many people. There are like 30 million laptops with TrackPointâs made every year.
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Sadly this is not true anymore. HPâs trackpoint has been rapidly disappearing over the years. The only models that have it anymore are the 14" and 15" Elitebook 800 series and the Zbook equivalents. So effectively 2 models.
Same story with Dellâs business line.
@Radomir_Polach Pointing stick true believers are less common than hardware shipping stats would have you think.
Iâve worked at a company where standard-issue equipment was once HP Elitebooks and later Dell Latitudes. I never, ever, ever saw anyone use a pointing stick, and if Iâd point out that they were neglecting the best pointing device ever would get responses ranging from âOh, I didnât know what that thing wasâ to âIt doesnât work well; the cursor just goes everywhere.â But mostly the former, which more suggests a lack of curiosity.
Similarly, I spend time on r/thinkpad on Reddit and the number of desk shots where you see this self-selected group of ThinkPad enthusiasts with a mouse or trackball is astoundingly high. When it comes up in the comments (which it doesnât often; people tend to treat it as normal) attitudes often range from âMouse is betterâ to âTrackpad/gestures are betterâ to âTrackPoint is good but only on-the-go where a real mouse isnât convenient.â The TrackPoint benefits that you and I understand can be easily lost even on people whoâve bought the right hardware and really should know better.
Itâs hard to blame the people whoâve actually tried TrackPoint and given up on it. The first-time UX of TrackPoint is absolutely one of the worst Iâve ever seen. You have to get used to much finer motor movements than youâd expect, while other pointing devices (at least seem to) map physical movements 1:1 to cursor movement. And itâs frustrating to try to get things done while youâre getting good at it.
Iâve long thought that Lenovo should ship a utility with their Windows installs that briefly educates the user on the benefits of TrackPoint and shows them how to set the sensitivity to a level they feel comfortable with, because understanding these are table stakes for creating a new TrackPoint enthusiast. And maybe it should include a simple game. Most people donât have an enthusiast leaning over their shoulder going âYou really need to learn this thing. Itâs going to change your life.â
Bringing this back on-topic, this is all to say that while I donât have hope of TrackPoint becoming an official option on Framework, itâs heartening to see thereâs energy enough here that maybe weâll end up with some kind of good community solution.
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@everett Thatâs hard to believe as I know so many people who use TrackPoint. Using a mouse or TrackBall is nothing against using TrackBall, there is a Lenovo mouse in front of me as well, but I hardly ever use it. And I am a daily visitor of r/thinkpad and I post there as well. I should make a poll there.
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So, I investigated and I can disassemble my ThinkPad keyboard and extract TrackPoint together with Teensy make it into a USB device. Can you just make a hole and some space?
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Two weeks on my new Framework. The only think I miss from my Thinkpad X1 Carbon is the trackpoint. And I do miss it.
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