why are touchpad shifted left? anyone makes right shifted ones?

[TheStu]

Well you can buy one that is right-skewed then.. think of trackpad position as a feature no different from the colour or shape or the processor of a laptop; there is no 'right' choice... you just have to try to find a laptop that matches as many of your preferences as you can.



Oh you can probably uninstall the ALPS drivers and install the Synaptics drivers... but don't quote me on that

I use a mouse at work anyway, so it is moot. The laptop spends 95% of its time docked at work.

 

[rabbitz]

Thanks, that actually looks quite intersting, even if I don't care particularly about the gaming aspect of it.

It is ridiculously expensive though... I think the reason you do not see that form factor that often is because manufacturers believe that people would rather have a keypad there when there is enough space.

For example, I would never buy a laptop like this but I can see why most people would choose the extra 'feature' of a keypad over having the trackpad simply relocated.

 

[Zap]

I believe the touchpads are centered with regards to where your hands will be on the home keys for touch typists. Just look at your notebook. Find the mid-point between the home keys (basically between G and H keys), and the center of the touch pad should line up with that.

 

[DrDoppio]

...For example, I would never buy a laptop like this but I can see why most people would choose the extra 'feature' of a keypad over having the trackpad simply relocated.

Yes, I get your point. The trackpad does not need to be positioned as in the Razor Blade, but merely on the right hand side below the keyboard.

I believe the touchpads are centered with regards to where your hands will be on the home keys for touch typists. Just look at your notebook. Find the mid-point between the home keys (basically between G and H keys), and the center of the touch pad should line up with that.

I know this argument and I don't buy it. It seems a completely arbitrary decision. I either type or use the pointer, the OS makes a clear distinction between text entry and UI navigation -- why shouldn't the hardware make this distinction then, and instead ties the position of the trackpad to some random keys on the keyboard?

 

[likedamaster]

Wife came up with an idea of a sliding touchpad on the right side, and a button where you can switch between the two. Currently, I hate where it is but understand why. Oh well.

 

[moriz]

...For example, I would never buy a laptop like this but I can see why most people would choose the extra 'feature' of a keypad over having the trackpad simply relocated.

<br />
<br />
Yes, I get your point. The trackpad does not need to be positioned as in the Razor Blade, but merely on the right hand side below the keyboard.<br />
<br />

I believe the touchpads are centered with regards to where your hands will be on the home keys for touch typists. Just look at your notebook. Find the mid-point between the home keys (basically between G and H keys), and the center of the touch pad should line up with that.

<br />
<br />
I know this argument and I don't buy it. It seems a completely arbitrary decision. I either type or use the pointer, the OS makes a clear distinction between text entry and UI navigation -- why shouldn't the hardware make this distinction then, and instead ties the position of the trackpad to some random keys on the keyboard?

Two reasons:
-the touch pad centered on the spacebar means that your palm won't press on it when you type,
-it is easier to reposition you hand (left or right) when the touch pad is directly under the spacebar, than off to the side. People DO need to rapidly switch between typing and moving the cursor, and having the pad be where it is, is the best location.

I'd suggest going to a bestbuy and trying out the design yourself. You'll very likely like it.

 

[DrDoppio]

Two reasons:
-the touch pad centered on the spacebar means that your palm won't press on it when you type,
-it is easier to reposition you hand (left or right) when the touch pad is directly under the spacebar, than off to the side. People DO need to rapidly switch between typing and moving the cursor, and having the pad be where it is, is the best location.

I'd suggest going to a bestbuy and trying out the design yourself. You'll very likely like it.

I'm sorry, but I couldn't disagree with you more. People should not have to move the cursor with the touchpad while typing -- that's what the arrows are for, navigating in the text field without clicking or changing your focus. Anything else is bad typing habits. I type using three different alphabets, respectively keyboard layouts, and I know what I'm talking about.

I have tried all available designs and I know what I like or not. The problem is that the only design that I would like to try (right-shifted touchpad) simply does not exist, in BestBuy or anywhere...

 

[Meaker10]

Lol, I have just adapted to having my hand sideways when using the touchpad *shrugs* I think there are more important features.

I have my razer orochi for precision movement anyway. Excellent mouse that just uses my inbuilt bluetooth so no dongles.

 

[virtuality]

So, have you came up with the solution on why trackpads came off-centered in recent years? (My simple explanation is just the PC industry is doomed, period.)

Anyways, some say they are centered precisely under the space bar to facilitate better touch typing.

Then, do you have an explanation for this:
http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/professional-model/NX.VA1AA.003
As the link says, professional. Pay attention to the touchpad's relation to the space bar.

Any consistency of which brands (or, certain lines within brands) still offer the touchpad in the center? (Apple: all lines.) You know, I'm just a little OCD, I need it to be centered.

 

[TeknoBug]

One of my Acer laptops has the trackpad shifted to the left, I'm left handed so it's a benefit for me although I use a mouse so I disable the trackpad (wrist always hits it causing the mouse to move).

 

[Commodus]

I've never understood this. It's as if PC makers believe that everyone's an accountant or mathematician, and they're willing to compromise ergonomics to make that work. It's one of the smaller reasons why I use Macs... Apple, at least, is in tune with reality.