That one is also USB. Comes with a 1m cable. Read your spec sheets, friend 
Well, itâs Chinese spec. They show the dimensions on picture without USB interface, and 5 of 6 pictures donât show the USB interface, so itâs likely not present.
As with all Chinese stuff you order something, and they send something most of the time, not necessarily what you ordered.
Note also there are competent sellers that would show consistent product images, and detailed information like pinout or part number but thatâs not the case here.
Search âThinkpad keyboardâ on eBay: there are currently at least a dozen replacement keyboards with TrackPoints for less than $25 U.S., skipping included. Thatâs barely half the price of this TrackPoint-only component on AmazonâŚ
Salvaging the TrackPoint from a keyboard assembly does result in a keyboard surplus to requirements, which is somewhat wasteful. But itâs the cheapest way to get an âofficialâ TrackPointâŚ
1 Like
Alternatively, at that point, just⌠adapt the entire Thinkpad keyboard? Youâd need to custom-manufacture a new Input Cover anyway so why try to salvage a Trackpoint if you can just use the entire keyboard. Thereâs a couple options limited although weâd need to assemble a current-day production run of the adapter to even try to make it work.
4 Likes
there are a good number of mods that use (basically the input cover; minus the trackpad; on older versions the palmrest split at a line between the keyboard and trackpad).
Sourcing a few Thinkpad parts as a consumer and mod them to be Wireless/Bluetooth (coupled with 3D printing) is totally doable, but it wouldnât work at scale.
Our school runs Thinkpad T14s and I would be able to get my hands on (relatively) multiple keyboard (+ Trackpoint)/palmrest assemblies from laptop replacements; salvaging the keyboard shouldnât be difficult.
But, they start at 14 inch, so âŚ
Trackpoint is indeed a great feature. One of those items why I prefer Thinkpads over Macbooks. This little know makes the whole like lot easier once you get used to it.
2 Likes
Long time Thinkpad user here whoâs been wanting to get a framework laptop. I would despiratly miss my Thinkpads track point but my Thinkpad is getting old. If they announced plans to release a track point keyboard in the future Iâd probably just buy a laptop sooner rather than later and upgrade it later on once it was released. The trackpoint is a feature on most business oriented laptops. HP uses them and I canât remeber if Dell does.
Bring us a trackpoint keyboard please!
5 Likes
This! I struggle with all sorts of random inputs from the Trackpad. Its especially bad in low humidity.
1 Like
I found the link below, a trackpoint module at the Reddit r/TrackPoint_Builders
SurnQiee TrackPoint Keyboard Mouse Red Cap Soft Dome Laptop Pointer for IBM Lenovo ThinkPad Touchpad Keyboard PCBA Solutions - Visit the SurnQiee Store -
The 6th picture has the message "Orders >= 3000 sets support customization. The product in the picture is an example.
So, can someone add it to Frameworkâs keyboard?
4 Likes
a trackpoint with three mouse buttons and NO touch pad would make my framework ideal.
9 Likes
Implementing this for the new Framework 16 form factor may be more feasible.
(Full announcement can be found here. It starts at 26:50, and the portion about the new form factor starts at 39:45).
The new âInput Module Systemâ looks particularly relevant.
Thoughts?
7 Likes
Im just here to say. Long time framework fan. But never order one due to not having Trackpoint (w thinkpadlike buttons). With that you would get a new loyal user. Thanksss.
1 Like
Just here to add my voice. I have been using thinkpads for 20+ years (just installed windows 10 pro on my X60 with IBM-logo, btw) and while they kinda suck now, the trackpoint is still the major sticking point for me. I HAVE HATED TRACKPADS EVER SINCE I FIRST USED A TRACKPOINT. Just the far superior option. PLEASE MAKE TRACKPOINTS FOR FRAMEWORK LAPTOPS!
2 Likes
I would also like a keyboard with trackpoint. This is what keeps me at Thinkpads.
5 Likes
This. Honestly, if we get 3rd party proper manufacturers on it, we could see some really high end custom hardware developed for this wonderful platform.
Also, maybe itâs just me, but Iâm actually surprised how many people are still used to a trackpoint - but I guess that makes sense for people who use their laptops as their main machine and have for many years, when trackpoints were popular. Either way, the FW16 is going to be a hell of a game changer.
Also welcome to the community @Istvan_Molnar, @Miguel, @Denis_Kreso, @lectrode, and welcome back @ayan!
4 Likes
This is 100% why I havenât gone full send on framework.
Digging into the info for the new input modules this seems like it should be 100% doable. As a long time thinkpad and trackpoint user I would love to dive in if anyone is working on this project. If not, anyone else interested contact me. I will spearhead this.
I daily drive A T430 as my personal laptop. I have a T420 that I use as a vehicle diagnostics tool. I have a T60 that was my first thinkpad (it has a crack magnesium chasis from and ubfortunate bag failure). My father daily drives a T61p to this day, he has a spare T61P purchased for plastic parts, he has my moms old T60p that she was never happy with for silly reasons. So I have access to a plethora if thibkpad hardware to play with.
At work, we use HP elitebooks that have touchstyk but only mouse 1 and mouse 2 buttons and it infuriates me because I could be so much more efficient if I just had mouse 3.
I am a programmer, mostly small stuff like discord bots, but am active. I am a plastic modeler, but I donât have a 3d printer. I am not a good at CAD but I have experience.
Sorry for this post being all over the place, trying to keep it short.
4 Likes
+2
Me and a friend want a trackpoint as well!
5 Likes
This is pretty fair, and I would love to see the community push a trackpoint keyboard version, even evenually for the FW16.
Any interest in messing with GPT-4 API by chance for a discord bot?
Also welcome to the community!
1 Like
Thank You, and while Iâve not got enough interest, or a community thatâs interested, it would be fun to dive into GPT-4
1 Like