(Ted Harding) wrote:
On 12-Sep-10 08:42:00, Chris G wrote:
I'm considering a new laptop/netbook and, having a selection around belonging to other members of the family, I'm still convinced that the standard traackpad is a truly awful pointing device. Are there really *no* laptops/netbooks available with other pointing devices?
I have a very nice little wireless keyboard that we use with one of our computers that has a trackball in the keyboard and that works beautifully, can't manufacturers put one in a laptop?
I guess I'll have to buy a laptop and add a trackbll of some sort but even then there seem very few which are aimed at the portable market.
This isn't *just* a rant, any pointers to useful devices would be very welcome. (Linux friendly of course)
-- Chris Green
I totally share your feelings about trackpads/touchpads. The result is that I always use a standard mouse plugged into a USB port on the laptop. Much better control and no unwanted effects (unless you happen to brush over the touchpad by accident, e.g. when typing).
I've disabled the trackpad and clicketty-by-mistake bar, and only use a mouse.
If I forget to take it with me, I'm often stymied, because the Eee will often boot-up and rrefuse to work with the keyboard. It may mean several reboots before it gets the idea...
One variety of mouse that I find very handy for laptops is the Technika (very cheap, I've found mine for about £7 in Tesco; yet they seem totally reliable). The merit of this is that the cord has a 2-way spring-loaded spool halfway along it, and initially is wrapped onto the spool, each end just poking out of its separate aperture. When you use it, you start by pulling out the two ends to the desired length. When putting it away, you give the two ends a little pull which unlocks the spool and the spring then pulls the two halves of the cord back in.
I took a Targus mouse down from its hook, and the shoprietor pointed me at a Targus pooterbag - "For just another fiver, you can buy this bag, and there's the same mouse thrown in at the price."
Guess...