Touchpad or Eraserpoint (Laptop owners)

Okay all you laptop owners out there, I've got a question for you. Which do you prefer using, a touchpad or the eraser-tip pointer? My old laptop had a touchpad and got somewhat used to it. However my new laptop, a Dell Inspiron 4000, has both the touchpad and eraser-tip.

Personally, I find myself switching back and forth between thte two depending on what task it is I need to use the mouse for. For example, dragging something is far easier using the eraser-point whereas moving the cursor on the screen is easier to use the touchpad (and quick too if you use the two finger tap method).

Thoughts anyone?

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I have had a toshiba that used an eraser point, a fugitsu that used an eraser point and a compaq that used a touch pad.
I found that my fingers aren't exactly tailored to suit the eraserpoint therefore the touchpad was my preference. Of course if I am using a laptop for any length of time and I am not away from home or the office I will indeed use a mouse.
The eraser point was fine but clunky to me at times. The touchpad does indeed have a tendency of going out because the grease buildup that is caused by human skin would cause it to get grimey. To fix that problem I ensured that the touchpad was under warranty because once that goes out it is a pricey thing to fix from what I heard. I hardly use my laptop now and I no longer own the fugitsu or the toshiba for other reasons.
I think it is up to you but I say touchpad...if dell has both (which we all know dell kicks ass) then yay for them!

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DavidK

Join Date 03/2001

I use a mouse... but when I'm in a hurry to just grab a file, or check my mail, and don't plug in the mouse, I find I can't decide which one is better (or worse). I have a Dell Inspiron 8000 which has both the stick and the pad.

I think I agree with your assessment Robbie... each has its place and neither one is perfect for everything. I like the fact that you can tap on the pad for a mouse click but the stick seems more precise...

I'd like to see a wacom tablet built in...

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I haven't used an eraser point much, since my laptop only has a touchpad. In general, it's useful for some applications, tolerable in others, and for some I really need a mouse or else I get really frustrated. Photoshop is one of those - far too many things need the precision of a mouse.

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Neither are particularly good, the best solution I've seen short of pluggin a mouse in are the little trackballs that clip on the side of your notepad. The eraserpoint is by far the most unuseable though.

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Most definitely an eraser point mouse. I can't stand touchpad since I can't navigate with it.

But most people like touchpad since it's "cool"..at least...from people I've asked.

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Eraser point most definitely. Touchpads are a pain but after ya get used to the eraser point it's much better since you don't have to take your finger off to go from one end of the screen to the other.

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I have to agree with a few of you above that a mouse is definitely the way to go WHEN you can use one. Whenever I'm using the laptop on a table-like surface a mouse gets plugged in. I couldn't imagine using either the eraser-point OR the touchpad for any type of graphics or design work. (Note: I have experience with either as my graphical abilites are limited to stick people. My experiences with graphic programs are designing logos using mostly text or cropping and resizing pictures for my websites)

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Most definitely an eraser point mouse. I can't stand touchpad since I can't navigate with it.

But most people like touchpad since it's "cool"..at least...from people I've asked.

by Sir Elfkura - 7/1/2001 7:43:20 PM

Eraser point most definitely. Touchpads are a pain but after ya get used to the eraser point it's much better since you don't have to take your finger off to go from one end of the screen to the other.

by Developer l0c - 7/1/2001 10:03:25 PM

Whoa... Does enyone else notice the similitarities in speash here???

Use of phrase "most definately"

Substituting "since" for "because"

strangeness.....

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Hehe, of course buzz she stayed at my house for a week, what do ya expect

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OK, I have a dark, secret past so I know more about this than I should. Forgive me. I've been using the TrackPoint (eraser) on my ThinkPad notebooks for years, and believe it is the way to go. You get much finer control than with a touchpad. With the touchpad, you need to "swipe" again and again to move long distances on the screen. With the TrackPoint you just keep the pressure and go where you want. I also know that IBM has done some things to improve the heuristics, so manufacturers who licensed the earlier technology might not be getting the same performance. The placement is optimal for touch typists (your hands don't have to leave the keyboard), resulting in better performance. Alrighty then.

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My first real computer was a little Sharp that had a touchpad, so I'm pretty much used to that. I have a Dell I8000, that until recently had the slight issure of the trackpoint and touchpad not playing well together. The new drivers fix that, but I just can't get used to a trackpoint. How the hell can you click on anything with one of those??

Touchpad all the way for me.

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I like the Eraser... Reminds me of a nipple... it also offers more control

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I have a touchpad and hate it...
I use a Mouse for everything except, the quick
file grab. I hate it because I invariably, accidentaly swipe the darned thing when typing, and jump to some other line of text, or whatnot, and it gets confusing and causes problems.
Also I seem to Swoosh the pointer all over the place with a Touchpad. I have optical mice on everything, and wouldn't trade them for the world... Well, cept for my tablet...

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