trackpoint good? ALSO best EXTERNAL dvd-rom (1.1)

[Mellow]

ok, ive been shoppin around for a laptop for back to school, and it seems to me like the ibm x20's on ebay are my best bet. they look nice enough, seem feature full (as many features as a $450 laptop has anyways) and fits my budget perfectly. the only catch is that they only have those little red knob-a-jangles for pointing devices. now, as im pretty new to the laptop scene, i havnt gotten used to a pointing pad thing, but they seem more widely used and popular. the problem isnt going to be "getting used to the pointer thing as opposed to the trackpad, but more of "getting used to the pointer as opposed to crying" also, i really want to keep this laptop portable, so "get a small usb mouse" isnt really the answer im looking for. so pointing stick users, take the stage.. how is it?

ALSO, as im in the market for a laptop that uses an external cd-rom/floppy unit. i was wondering if anyone knew of a good usb 1.1 dvd-rom? i really dont need to pay for the combo drive (cd-rw) and i want it as small as possible. preferably a slot loading thin external dvd-rom for less than $50 (does it exist?)

 

[cy7878]

track point -- you either love it or hate it. I love it. Best to try the pointer at a local shop before you buy to see how you react.

 

[Abzstrak]

personally i love it too, I hate touchpads.... just a matter of personal preference really.

 

[ultimatebob]

My Thinkpad T30 has both a touch pad and a Trackpoint. I don't think that I've even touched the touch pad in the past week or two, mostly because the Trackpoint has an easier to reach location on the keyboard. Once you get used to being able to move the mouse without taking your hands off the keyboard, you'll probably like it.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Trackpoint feels much more natural when you're typing. I'm a Trackpoint lover too.

 

[DaWhim]

I am a hardcore tracpoint user. I don't even use a mouse with my laptop ever! once you get used to using this nipple, you will like it.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Just to add, trackpoint is more precise than a trackpad and you don't have to worry about locking your trackpad when you're typing. That's my biggest turn off with trackpads. The fact that you can accidentally click with your wrists when you're typing.

 

[Mellow]

ahh, sounds like the trackpoint is quite nifty!

 

[fbrdphreak]

The trackpoint is cool, but to me sometimes my fingers get a little stiff if I'm scrolling around a lot. What I personally do is use the trackpoint in most situations, but if I have enough room (i.e. on desk, etc) I use the touchpad. The cool thing about the touchpad is configuring the scrolling and touch zones at the four corners to do whatever you want them to do!
A side note: If you're looking at IBM, see if your school has IBM's in the bookstore or what kind of educational deal IBM will give you direct. I got my T42 for a pretty good price @ my bookstore.

 

[Yomicron]

I much prefer the trackpoint. As a plus ThinkPads have a center scroll button, which makes scrolling way easier and nicer than using the edge of a trackpad or a scroll wheel.

 

[jdiddy]

Its not all that hard getting used to the trackpoint. The only really big drawback in that the trackpoint and center scroll don't work in Firefox!!!! If anyone has a fix to this please let me know. Aside from that the trackpoint is cool

 

[AmigaMan]

I hate trackpoints, and I love my touchpad. I also have an HP NC8000, so being that it's not an IBM trackpoint might have something to do with it. I also hated it on my Dell C840. Never have used an IBM trackpoint, but it seems that everyone who has an IBM swears by them. Oh well, my touchpad is precise enough for me but if i need more precision, I'll just plug in my MX500.

edit: Changed trackpad to touchpad.

 

[cy7878]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
I hate trackpoints, and I love my touchpad. I also have an HP NC8000, so being that it's not an IBM trackpoint might have something to do with it. I also hated it on my Dell C840. Never have used an IBM trackpoint, but it seems that everyone who has an IBM swears by them. Oh well, my touchpad is precise enough for me but if i need more precision, I'll just plug in my MX500.

edit: Changed trackpad to touchpad.

Remember also people who love the Trackpoint will tend to buy IBM as opposed to other brands. The IBM pointer is for sure better than the ones on Dell because it isn't as stiff IMO.

I actually avoided getting the new T series because of the Pad on the bottom. I don't like the duo setup.

 

[Yomicron]

Originally posted by: cy7878
I actually avoided getting the new T series because of the Pad on the bottom. I don't like the duo setup.

Just so you know, you can order the touchpad-less palm rest from the IBM Maintenance parts store. (FRU# 91P8399 for the 14.1" T4x series)

Link to a thread w/ pics

 

[cy7878]

Originally posted by: Yomicron

Originally posted by: cy7878
I actually avoided getting the new T series because of the Pad on the bottom. I don't like the duo setup.

Just so you know, you can order the touchpad-less palm rest from the IBM Maintenance parts store. (FRU# 91P8399 for the 14.1" T4x series)

Link to a thread w/ pics

Ahhhhhhhhhhh

I didn't know before I bought my X31. I would have definitely considered the T42 if I known the palm rest is replaceable....

Thanks.

AT least that opens up possibilities for the next Thinkpad..