Precision pointstick vs ThinkPad trackpoint.

That's my favorite!

 

I used the Classic Dome on my dad's work laptop back in the day (T or R series? sometime in the early 2000s) and disliked the feel on it. Though I was pressing hard in the nub whenever I used it, so....

All I know is that I love the Soft Dome.

 

Soft dome is also good. With the classic dome you have to set sensitivity to max and use light touch to avoid any discomfort. I got to level 70+ in Diablo 2 using the classic dome, that was some fun.

 

Nothing compares to Trackpoints, nothing ever has. But I use my pointstick on my 6510 as my default as I'm not a big fan of touchpads. It's not the worst thing in the world and FAR FAR better than HP's versions. All HPs I've had used to go the pointer drift thing so often I thought my computer had Alien Hand Syndrome (look it up), and so bad that sometimes I couldn't even actively counter it, my Dell only rarely does the pointer drift.

 

Well, trackpoints have pointer drifts as well but they recover quickly. That's one of the reasons I'm using the classic dome. At max sensitivity, it only requires a gentle touch.

 

The Trackpoint on the Dell are really bad, I gave up my Latitude E6410 after a month because it was really frustrating to use. It was hard work to get from one end to the other and the shallow nib and buttons didn't help either. I went back to ThinkPads after and the difference is like night and day as it was far more responsive and comfortable to use.

I don't know if you seen this review but it could be an interesting read relating to your topic.

 

Thanks for the input, guys! Great review, Hearst! Alas, Lenovo W530 is no match for the upcoming Dell M4700 in terms of features (upgradeable GPU with a FirePro option, IPS RGBLED screen, more ports, etc) and also price (I can get 30% off on Precisions through our business channel).

 

Being a semi long term thinkpad user and dell business fiend Id say the thinkpads have a large margin on the dell pointstick. BUT I did get a classic style cap for my precision m4400 and m4600 that made it alot better as well as made it function enough to not cry when I look at my old thinkpads. I wouldnt worry too much about converting from a thinkpad to a dell precision. I did it and Im just fine.