Post 2785607 by kaniini@pleroma.site
(DIR) More posts by kaniini@pleroma.site
(DIR) Post #2784968 by kelbot@fosstodon.org
2019-01-09T00:28:59Z
2 likes, 3 repeats
I don't understand GPD's obsession with cramming trackpads on their mini computers. They take so much space away from the already tiny keyboard but are too small to be pleasant to use. Just use a trackpoint fer cryin out loud!
(DIR) Post #2785607 by kaniini@pleroma.site
2019-01-09T00:55:45.216619Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kelbot i need this in my life
(DIR) Post #2785834 by bhtooefr@mastodon.social
2019-01-09T01:05:52Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kelbot I'm guessing the older models having mixed success (with the pointing stick on the Pocket, and the BlackBerry-style optical trackpad on the Pocket 2) might have lead them to that?I know a lot of people just *do not* understand pointing sticks, and want a big trackpad... I wonder if putting the trackpad on the back of the lid might work, though.
(DIR) Post #2785868 by jeffalyanak@social.rights.ninja
2019-01-09T01:06:43Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kelbotThe GPD that I have has a trackpoint on top of a touchscreen, I think that's as much as they can reasonably fit in there.
(DIR) Post #2786880 by bhtooefr@mastodon.social
2019-01-09T01:29:38Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kelbot Of course, that whole idea reminds me of the Toshiba Librettos, with a pointing stick on the front of the lid, and buttons on the back of the lid(Image source: http://www.notebookreview.com/review/toshiba-libretto-100ct-mini-notebook-review/ )
(DIR) Post #2786919 by kelbot@fosstodon.org
2019-01-09T01:50:08Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@bhtooefr That thing is awesome! I hadn't seen one before now.
(DIR) Post #2786978 by bhtooefr@mastodon.social
2019-01-09T01:52:23Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kelbot Welcome to the genre of laptop that netbooks killed, the $2500 Japanese subnotebook, where all sorts of wacky cost-is-no-object ultraminiaturization happens!(And many of them didn't even make it to Western markets, although that's one of the better-known model lines.)(Basically, netbooks killed it because a lot of people just wanted small and didn't care about quality or performance, and $300 was a lot better than $2500 for "small".)
(DIR) Post #2787130 by urso@bear.community
2019-01-09T01:59:54Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kelbot omg what is this, frankenstein's monster?I have a Thinkpad a lot of people turn up their noses at the trackpad without even using it onceand this is the very form factor a trackpad would've been most useful
(DIR) Post #2789414 by kelbot@fosstodon.org
2019-01-09T03:45:50Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@urso I think you meant to type trackpoint and I agree. It is certainly the most space saving solution for a mini device like this. They have been around for a long time and work well. I use the one on my thinkpad exclusively over the trackpad and I love it. I get annoyed at having to use a trackpad when switching to other laptops.
(DIR) Post #2789506 by kelbot@fosstodon.org
2019-01-09T03:50:54Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@jeffalyanak I had forgotten that the first Pocket had the trackpoint. I wish they hadn't moved away from that with their newer devices. The specs have gotten better but the input devices have gotten worse.
(DIR) Post #2790080 by jeffalyanak@social.rights.ninja
2019-01-09T04:18:11Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kelbotYeah, I use mine pretty heavily as a thin client with X11 forwarding and I value form factor more than pure specs, so I really appreciate that.It's hard for me to judge completely, though, since I haven't had personal experience with the later models. There will always be a sacrifice with that sort of form factor.