Re: Why no laptops with an f-ing TRACKBALL!!!!!! (new, price no object)

jakdedert wrote:

Werner R. Schilling wrote:


<see.my.sig.4.addr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in a message:

Why the hell can no laptop manuf. make a laptop with a damn trackball on
the "wrist rest" area anymore?



I agree! More than ten years ago I had a Toshiba Satellite 1950 (?, don't remember the model exactly) which came with a trackball to clip on to the machine on the right side. That thing tought me the advantages of a trackball vs. a mouse. Ever since then I have only worked with trackballs.

On a laptop even an external trackball has many advantages over a mouse because you really can use it on your lap, regardless what your wear. -- An integrated trackball would be even better, of course.

Werner

I once bought a keyboard with an integral trackball. Of course, it was a POS, but handy while it still worked. It got dirty and clogged up within a week. When I tried to clean it, I discovered there was no way--short of disassembling the entire keyboard--to clean the ball and rollers.

Possibly, this is related to the reason they are not available on laptops. Providing for disassembly, then fielding the inevitable flood of service calls for mere cleaning, would make the unit less than attractive from the manufacturers POV...much easier to provide something with few or no moving parts...less useful, but much more reliable.

jak

Old Dell lattitudes had a trackball. I had one for years and it was great- very easy to clean. It's still in use by one of my kids friends.
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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Why no laptops with an f-ing TRACKBALL!!!!!! (new, price no object)
    ... Werner R. Schilling wrote: ... More than ten years ago I had a Toshiba Satellite 1950 which came with a trackball to clip on to the machine on the right side. ... When I tried to clean it, I discovered there was no way--short of disassembling the entire keyboard--to clean the ball and rollers. ...
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