Pointing stick?

Question

Do any of the newer high-end Inspiron models come with pointing sticks in addition to the touch pad?  From what I could tell by looking at the 9300 and XPS 2, there weren't any....rather dissapointing!   Personally I much prefer a pointing stick to a touch pad as I don't have to remove my fingers from the keyboard....plus with a pointing stick you can disable the touch pad so your palms don't accidentally move the mouse cursor.  I currently have an Inspiron 8100, and although it's old it's nice because it has both types of pointing devices.  If there aren't pointing sticks now, I hope the 9400 and/or XPS 3 will have them...I guess it just seems like on a high-end model, it would be a minor upgrade they could include which would make life easier for people who use them.   Thoughts, ideas?

bynum3 · Answer

I would like to second your request for a pointing stick.  I also have an 8100.  Expect to replace it in the next 12 months.  I have mentioned this before in the forums, but have heard not a word from Dell.  I would even pay something extra for the pointing stick option.  I really dislike the touch pad.

skywise · Answer

I'll third that suggestion.

jjc132 · Answer

I completely agree with the previous posts. I just got an Inspiron 9300, which has a brilliant 17" widescreen display. However, when I first opened the computer, I was shocked that there is no pointing stick. I started using the pointing stick a few months ago after getting some nasty wrist pains from using the touch pad year after year. Using an external mouse is inconvenient because I don't sit at a desk.

After getting used to the pointing stick, I was thrilled at the preciseness and quickness I could move the mouse to - faster than any other method because, as stated previously, you don't have to move your hands from the home keys. And best yet, my wrist pains went away completely. In short, the pointing stick is the best type of mouse in my opinion, and I think Dell should bring it back to their notebook computers.

It is a shame that the Dell is phasing out the pointing stick. Other than this major flaw in my 9300, I am very impressed with this laptop's speed and display.

Now I just need to find a wireless keyboard with a built in pointer stick.

Josh

Message Edited by jjc132 on 07-12-2005 07:57 PM

compupc1 · Answer

I wonder if there is a place we can submit an official request or suggestion.  I doubt posting here will make much difference.   Honestly, two of the things I appreciate most about my 8100 is two pointing options and the ability to have a swappable 2nd cd drive/2nd battery in addition to the fixed drive -- both features the newer models do not have.  Too bad.  The later I can understand I guess, as it would make the computers even larger, but the pointing stick?  That one still gets me.   If anyone knows how to submit a more formal suggestion/complaint, I'd love to hear about it.

Eduardo Barilla · Answer

I have an Inspiron 8200 and I actually play with the trackstick, and I am dissapointed too by the lack of it in the newer high end models. But I was looking at the pictures of the XPS gen2 in this site, and I thought that the keyboard looks generic and very much alike to the one in the 8200 sans the trackstick. I was wondering if the keyboards might be swappable. Of course I've never had one infront of me, so maybe if I looked up close they are not much alike at all.

jjc132 · Answer

Unfortunately I don't think you can swap keyboards. I looked into swapping a 9100 keyboard (with pointing stick) into my 9300. I was told that the interfaces are different and it would not be possible to do this.

For people who really want the pointing stick on their keyboard, I suggest going to pckeyboard.com. They offer such a product. Unfortunately the cost is $100.

Another option is to go with the IBM Thinkpad that does offer a pointing stick in their keyboard.

Attention moderator: Do you have a response to this post? Apparently there are many people who think the pointing stick is the best type of mouse, and would greatly appreciate it if Dell would put this device back in their notebook computers. Personally, I would be willing to pay extra to have the pointing stick... I think others would as well.

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Pointing stick?

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