A Raspberry Pi CM5-powered handheld with a 10,000mAh battery, TrackPoint, and tactile keyboard is preparing for launch. Its open-source pitch sounds familiar, but the execution might not be.
The idea is that you can move the cursor without leaving the keyboard. For some very keyboard-centric workflows, this is very handy! I don’t personally use one, I’m fine with my trackpad, but I know a lot of people who love the trackpoint nub.
for small devices half the appeal is that you don’t need a big fucking rectangle taking up space on the device.
Personally i think a GOOD trackpoint (one that isn’t miserably stiff, and is well-calibrated) plus a touchscreen is perfection for something like a laptop. The trackpoint lets you do most things without taking your hands off the keyboard, and the touchscreen is a touchpad but… Borderline objectively superior in every way.
Like… There’s a reason phones have touchscreens, the idea of using a phone with a touchpad is insane.
Idk why people are so into the trackpoint. I could never get the hang of it.
The idea is that you can move the cursor without leaving the keyboard. For some very keyboard-centric workflows, this is very handy! I don’t personally use one, I’m fine with my trackpad, but I know a lot of people who love the trackpoint nub.
for small devices half the appeal is that you don’t need a big fucking rectangle taking up space on the device.
Personally i think a GOOD trackpoint (one that isn’t miserably stiff, and is well-calibrated) plus a touchscreen is perfection for something like a laptop. The trackpoint lets you do most things without taking your hands off the keyboard, and the touchscreen is a touchpad but… Borderline objectively superior in every way.
Like… There’s a reason phones have touchscreens, the idea of using a phone with a touchpad is insane.
Back when screens were smaller and lower resolution they were a lot easier to use.
But look at what needed to happen to trackpads for them to stay relevant. Physics only allows you to do so much with a pressure sensor.
basically a stubby joystick.