Question about touchpad placement

[llee]

Does anyone know why various laptop companies sell laptops with integrated touch pads that are placed on the left side of the computer? I'm talking about computers from Dell, HP, and Acer to name a few.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/uploads/tx_nbc2/HP-DV7-1245DX.jpg
http://www.computers.netne.net/images/dell-laptop/dell-laptop-picture-85.jpg
http://laptop-computer-planet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/acer-aspire-5742-red.jpg

I highly doubt that lefties are taking over the world so I don't think it serves a utilitarian purpose. The left side touch pad placement is more common in laptops with 15"+ screens and the trend seems to have stopped recently. Any info or expertise is appreciated, thanks.

edit: i'm using one of those laptops right now and it's extremely annoying to have to move the cursor back in place every time my palm bumps into it. argh!

 

[Brainonska511]

They assume you'll keep your hands close to the home position while using it. Touchpads traditionally go under the space bar. At least 2 of those computers had separate number pads on the keyboard

 

[corkyg]

Because the center mounted touchpad is a big time annoyance to typing. Everytime the wrist brushes the pad, it makes the insertion point jump and wierdness happens to the document being worked on. Putting it to the side helps this situation.

My solution is to disable the stupid touchpad and use a small, wireless mouse. Much more accurate and less frustrating.