Who else can't stand tapping the touch pad?

[Evander]

I got my own laptop (used model from 2001) for the first time last october with touchpad. I thought it must have been broken- accidentally dragging files, starting up programs just by hovering the icon over my desktop icons, etc. Little did I know the pad was touch sensitive so that it double clicks if you put pressure on it. Installing the newest drivers and poking around the settings took care of that, but to me it was a foolish decision to leave that enabled by default. When you move your finger over to the pad, it's only natural that sometimes (oftentimes) you will put enough pressure on it to cause a clicking action. This could cause critical problems if you're browsing around in file explorer, and accidently move an important folder out of say, the windows folder or another critical program folder.

The reason i bring this up is b/c on the weekend i was trying to fix a simple program on my friend's brand new p4 laptop, and just moving the pointer around i was accidentally opening up things like excel (and then waiting to close it), which was hindering my progress. I guess i can understand the usefulness of it, but must it be so damn sensitive by default? I know you can change the sensitivity, if you know where to look, but still. So who else gives a thumbs down to clicking touchpads?

/End of rant

 

[modedepe]

I rarely have problem with it, and I don't have my sensitivity turned way down either. It's a lot easier than always hitting the LMB...

 

[corkyg]

:thumbsdown:

For me, the touchpad is an abomination. It is slow and inaccurate. A pointing stick is better - more precise - but the best of all is a small scrolling mouse like the Targus with the retractable USB cord. It is small, and very accurate, and does not emit RF signals.

My next favorite device is the on/off switch on my laptop's touchpad.

In summary, . . . :thumbsdown:

Also, when I use the keyboard, my wrist movements are on the touchpad, and that screws things up royally.

 

[Hacp]

I like the touchpad better than the pointing device. You can get more done with the touchpad, you just have to customize it a bit. Its like customizing a mouse to fit your needs. Sometimes, it goes too fast. Sometimes too slow. You need to get all the settings/shortcuts/gestures just right.

 

[The Linuxator]

What is a touchpad ? :goes back to using his beloved trackpoint;

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

i love tapping. Other than using a real mouse, tapping a touchpad is the second most effcient pointing device, IMHO

 

[roguerower]

Can't stand them. That's why my laptop has a nipple mouse.

 

[CrispyFried]

I love touchpads personally. some allow you to turn of the "click by tap" action but still allow you to move the mouse. my bro has his set up like that.

 

[antyler]

The touchpad comes in quite handy. I do have a problem with my large hands rubbing it when I type sometimes and it gets annoying. Lucky for me, it has a simple on/off switch.

 

[The Linuxator]

Originally posted by: roguerower
Can't stand them. That's why my laptop has a nipple mouse.

If you look at it in a certain way, I rather play with a nipple, than slide my finger across a butt cheek

 

[Trippytiger]

I've never ever had a problem with the tap-to-click function on my touchpad. I find it quite handy, in fact.

I have the same thing enabled on the Trackpoint, though, which can cause problems when I'm typing. Still, it's more convenient that using one of the buttons, generally.

 

[Rottie]

I prefer trackball over touchpad but I got to get used with touchpad so far I don't have any problem with it.

 

[rainypickles]

tapping is so much easier than the actual button. no force needed, no need to move your finger. i would say 95% of my clicks are taps. so convenient!

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: antyler
The touchpad comes in quite handy. I do have a problem with my large hands rubbing it when I type sometimes and it gets annoying. Lucky for me, it has a simple on/off switch.

An IBM technician told me he replaced three mobo's for a client because he said the pointer would "wiggle" when using the trackpoint. After that still didn't fix the problem, they finally realized he was rubbing against the touchpad.

 

[eastvillager]

tapping is a real pain if you're not used to it.

If I have to work on somebody else's laptop, i ask them to turn it off before I start.

If I turn it off myself, then I end up having to walk them through turning it back on, so better just to have them do it up front.

 

[Raduque]

I hate both touchpads and the IBM nubs, but it's a tossup to which I hate more. Touchpads interfere with typing and the nubs are impossible for me to control. The one thing I'm going to miss most going to a Dell from my HP, is the little button above the touchpad to turn it off. Of course, the optimal solution is an outboard wireless mouse. I remember some laptop years back (think mobile 486) that came with a little trackball mouse that clipped into the side of the screen frame. You could also set it on the desk and connect it with a cord. It was the only cursor control option. :thumbsup:

 

[NewBlackDak]

I enjoy touchpads. I can run it with my thumb without ever taking my hands off the keyboard. Seems pretty efficient to me.

 

[sigs3gv]

Touchpads sometimes freak out on me. The cursor refuses to go where I want it to go. Good thing I have a trackpoint :thumbsup:

 

[DBSX]

I like touchpads, can't stand the little erasers.

\Dan

 

[vegetation]

I enjoy touchpads as long as they aren't one of those on a subcompact or have a lack of configurability. Setting up scroll and tapzones is just so enjoyable with viewing webpages.