To be completely honest, I don't use the nub. The trackpad was 5/5 on the MBP, but I feel the trackpad is 4/5 on the X1. It's plenty fine to use... I also carry a portable mouse in my laptop bag.
I haven't met a PC trackpad I like though.
Main benefits:
+ hands stay on homerow while using mouse, so I can switch from keys to mouse to keys very fast and without losing my place.
+ Don't need extra space for a physical mouse
+ Easy to use at certain angles
- Not easy to use at other certain angles
> - Not easy to use at other certain angles
Any tips on what the correct angle is? Every few month for the past 3 years I've been trying to get used to the trackpoint on my lenovo. I never stick with it longer than an hour. It's just so much slower than the trackpad. Am I doing something wrong?
I used to have trackpoint send the cursor across the screen pretty efficiently when pressed harder, while keeping it quite reasonably accurate when pressed gently.
The same applies to mice, but the threshold(s) for a trackpoint differ(s) from mouse's, so it pays to tweak it until you're comfortable.
Protip: Lenovo makes different styles of nubs that you can buy. "Soft Rim" is easiest to use IMO ( amazing grip), followed by the "Classic Dome" (great grip but rubs off easily).
Makes using 3D software on a laptop much easier, and also allows using X11's "middle-click to paste".
I've been idly thinking of getting a new laptop, and it's been disappointing to see how few have a true middle mouse button.
its been about 4 months of using nothing but a trackpad and even though its really good im fairly certain I'll be sticking with trackpoints from here on out.
one thing that's really starting to bug me lately is the accidental clicks from your palm hitting the edge of the trackpad. I don't know how people manage with those new macbooks with the oversized trackpads
Have new MacBook, never had this problem. Mabye they're detecting accidental inputs?
The other reason for selling it was two failures of the awful keyboard in six months - I wanted shot before the warranty ended.
The x1 has what feels like a full sized keyboard in a lightweight package, lightweight like a macbook air but with a nice mechanical keyboard. The dell feels like a netbook that found some big boy pants. It's keyboard is atrocious/typing feels cramped.