Lenovo's mobile keyboard "ThinkPad" is comfortable with TrackPoint [Today's life hack tool]

ThinkPad is a bit special for PC users since the days when PCs were still called PC / AT compatibles or IBM PC compatibles.

Speaking of IBM (currently Lenovo) notebook PC "ThinkPad", the trademark is the red track point installed so as to be surrounded by the G, H, and B keys. Even today, that identity has been passed down.

Lenovo "ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard" is an external keyboard that looks like the keyboard is removed from the ThinkPad.

It is an item that can be used not only for mobile applications but also for desktops.

Advantages and disadvantages of TrackPoint

If you remember keyboard shortcuts and often type while using the TAB and cursor keys, you may find it a bit "difficult" just to reach for a mouse far away from your home position.

However, recent UIs (user interfaces) often require mouse operations, and we cannot help but use the mouse.

TrackPoint, which allows you to operate the cursor while keeping your hand in the home position, is a merit in such a situation.

However, TrackPoint also has the disadvantage that it is difficult to perform detailed operations.

In order to deal with this problem, the cursor is slow at the beginning of movement and gradually accelerates, which is a unique movement, but I think that many people find it difficult to use until they get used to this movement.

As a result, you may be worried that even if you want to move the cursor quickly, it will be delayed by one tempo.

Use with mouse as needed

Therefore, it is recommended to use it together with a mouse.

If you want to set the mouse anyway, I don't think you should just use the mouse, but if you can click with your left hand (the opposite hand to your dominant hand), it will be much more convenient.

To give one example, when you select multiple cells while holding down the CTRL key in spreadsheet software, you can work much more comfortably than moving and clicking the cursor with just your right hand (mouse).

Even when browsing leisurely, if you press the scroll button between the left and right click buttons, you will be able to scroll at the track point, so it will be easier than turning the mouse wheel.

Good for mobile use

Furthermore, it is also an ant to use as a mobile keyboard.

It's made very slim and you can even feel that it's designed for mobile.

Even if you are presenting on a smartphone or tablet or typing characters, you do not need to carry a mouse, so a thin business bag will suffice.

However, it is necessary to separately prepare a conversion plug for USB-A and the terminal on the smartphone side.

However, with his keyboard II, the successor ThinkPad TrackPoint that can be connected via Bluetooth, this connection problem can be cleared.

This ease of use that you can see if you try it for the time being. Please check it.

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Sentence / Photo: Hirokazu Tanaka

Source: Lenovo