[Tutorial] Adapting Thinkpad trackpoint caps to Dell Latitudes

Having come from numerous Thinkpads, the trackpoint on my Latitude really bothered me, One of the biggest annoyances is that the cap is simply too short compared to the trackpoint caps on Thinkpads or HP Elitebooks.

Thinkapd trackpoint caps won't fit on Latitudes without a bit of modification, but fortunately, it's very easy to do and only takes a few minutes. The Thinkpad "classic dome" caps work best for this, since they have a sligntly smaller diameter than the Latitude caps and will fit inside the outer rim of the Latitude cap.

Comparison between the E6320 cap and the Thinkapd "classic dome". Note how much taller the Thinkpad cap is.




Take a Xacto knife or razor blade, and cut the top 1/3 to 1/4 of the Thinkpad cap off. (NOTE: do not make the Thinkpad part too tall or your Latitude's LCD may not close properly over the taller trackpoint cap). Then, get some 2-part epoxy, use a toothpick to spread it onto the Dell cap, and glue the top 1/3 of the Thinkpad cap onto the Dell cap. Wait a few hours, and you're good to go. Since the bottom 2/3 is still the original Dell cap, the fit will be perfect.

Comparison of the hybrid trackpoint cap to the Thinkpad "soft rim" cap.

 

Good job!

I have not modified or found a suitable replacement for my E6510 trackpoint cap. I've just been using my T500 more lately. I love the FHD screen in my E6510 but it seems in my case the keyboard/trackpoint/trackpoint button (so much more tactile and easier IMO to identify by touch) arrangement on the T500 are paramount and matter so much more in my daily usage that I gravitate towards the T500.

I never would have thought to turn that classic dome into a cap for the Dell! How significant does the mod feel now that the trackpoint is sitting higher?

 

How is it holding up after a week?

I am not too confident about the glueing to be honest, but again I just ordered the classic dome on ebay to try myself!

 

Working great!

I'm sure the type of glue that is used will affect the durability, so I recommend going with a strong epoxy that can bond rubber surfaces. Some of the better superglues may work as well.

It feels much like what the trackpoint on a Thinkpad would feel like. Better texture and also better leverage due to the added height. I think it's a significant improvement.