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Comment by grannyg00se | Hacker News Reader

I'm not sure about their production status. A quick search does seem to indicate that you are correct.

I have a 2013 Thinkpad so I know about the new keys and I don't mind them at all. And I really like that they've gotten rid of the trackpad completely on the new models since I hate trackpads even more than a separate mouse.

But I do rest my palms on the area beside the trackpad. Looking at the new models that area seems like it might be a bit short. I'm not sure where my wrists would rest there and I fear they may be in some in between zone not completely on the keyboard and not completely off of it. That would probably be annoying. Hopefully that's not the case. I'm tempted to order one of these just to find out whether I find them okay or not. If I don't, I'll have to scour the internet for older models and buy a few. Thanks for the heads-up :)

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Don't you miss the convenience of multi finger gestures on the touchpad?

I haven't got used to the trackpoint but that's because I tend to use the touchpad more. I guess I should disable the touchpad completely and force myself to learn/adapt to the trackpoint.

I think a split keyboard with mechanical keys, without a number pad, and with a trackpoint (on both sides so lefties are happy) would make for a great keyboard.

Miss? I've never used multi-finger gestures on a touchpad. Mostly because I don't use touchpads. I think that kind of interaction feature came about after I had already written them off as annoying. But it seems like I'd have to significantly remove my focus from the home row to do that - instant disdain.

I just looked it up and it appears as though these gestures you speak of are used for scrolling, swiping, zooming, and alternate clicking just like on a tablet.

I use the alternate button (left mouse button for me) for alternate clicking.

I use the middle button for scrolling.

Swiping, I think is to switch apps? That would be alt-tab.

Zooming is usually some key combination or key in combination with a left or right mouse button drag.

If you don't use the pointer it's probably just a matter of getting used to and tweaking the settings. Make sure to go into the mouse settings and play with both the trackpoint firm-touch, light-touch sensitivity as well as the operating system's pointer speed. Then just practice. I've even gotten to the point where I can do a half decent job playing a FPS with the trackpoint. I wouldn't try to compete in Quake Arena with it, but for casual single player use it's quite alright.

> I use the middle button for scrolling.

Great tip, didn't know about this. It works for both vertical and horizontal scrolling.

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