A pointing stick (or trackpoint, also referred to generically as a nub or nipple) is a small analog stick used as a pointing device typically mounted centrally in a computer keyboard. Like other pointing devices such as mice, touchpads or trackballs, operating system software translates manipulation of the device into movements of the pointer on the computer screen. Unlike other pointing devices, it reacts to sustained force or strain rather than to gross movement, so it is called an "isometric" [1] pointing device. IBM introduced it commercially in 1992 on its laptops under the name "TrackPoint", and patented an improved version of it in 1997 (but the patent expired in 2017). [2] It has been used for business laptops, such as Acer's TravelMate, Dell's Latitude, HP's EliteBook and Lenovo's ThinkPad.
The pointing stick senses applied force by using two pairs of resistive strain gauges. A pointing stick can be used by pushing with the fingers in the general direction the user wants the pointer to move. The velocity of the pointer depends on the applied force so increasing pressure causes faster movement. The relation between pressure and pointer speed can be adjusted, just as mouse speed is adjusted.
On a QWERTY keyboard, the stick is typically embedded between the G, H and B keys, and the mouse buttons are placed just below the space bar. The mouse buttons can be operated right-handed or left-handed due to their placement below the keyboard along the centerline. This pointing device has also appeared next to screens on compact-sized laptops such as the Toshiba Libretto and Sony VAIO UX.
Pointing sticks typically have a replaceable rubber cap, called a nub, which can be a slightly rough "eraser head" material or another shape. [3]
The cap is red on ThinkPads, but is also found in other colors on other machines. It may be gray, pink, black or blue on some Dell models, blue on some HP/Compaq laptops, and green or gray on most Toshiba laptops produced before the 2000s.
Button configurations vary depending on vendor and laptop model. ThinkPads have a prominent middle mouse button, but some models have no physical buttons. Toshiba employs concentric arcs.
In the early 1990s, Zenith Data Systems shipped a number of laptop computers equipped with a device called J-Mouse, [4] which essentially used a special keyswitch under the J key to allow the J keycap to be used as a pointing stick.
In addition to appearing between the G, H and B keys on a QWERTY keyboard, these devices or similar can also appear on gaming devices as an alternative to a D-pad or analog stick. On certain Toshiba Libretto mini laptops, the pointing stick was located next to the display. IBM sold a mouse with a pointing stick in the location where a scroll wheel is common now.
Optical pointing sticks are also used on some Ultrabook tablet hybrids, such as the Sony Duo 11, ThinkPad Tablet and Samsung Ativ Q.
On the Gateway 2000 Liberty laptop the pointing stick is above the enter key on the right side of the keyboard.
A pointing stick was featured in the New Nintendo 3DS as a secondary analog stick, known as the C-Stick.
The IBM TrackPoint III and the TrackPoint IV have a feature called Negative Inertia that causes the pointer's velocity to "overreact" when it is accelerated or decelerated. Negative Inertia is intended to avoid the feeling of inertia or sluggishness when starting or stopping movement. [5] Usability tests at IBM have shown that it is easier for users to position the pointer with Negative Inertia, and performance is 7.8% better. [6]
Another challenge with pointing stick design is identification of the zero position (the position where no motion is desired). Because the amount of motion is small, the sensitivity of the sensors must be high, and they are subject to noise interference.
A typical solution, which assumes that pointing sticks frequently go out of calibration, is to interpret a variation below a certain threshold (over a given interval, perhaps one or several seconds) as being a neutral stick. However, the recalibration can also allow brief periods of 'drifting' (movement of the pointer while the user is not moving the pointing stick). [7]
In practice, if the re-calibration interval is set too short and if the user applies moderately consistent pressure to the stick for such an interval, this method results in an incorrect zero point. Additional pressure again moves the pointer, but the calibration may occur again, requiring even more force. If the user releases pressure at this point, the change will be interpreted as an instruction to move the opposite direction. In time, the software will re-calibrate and stop the motion.
Additionally, if "press-to-select" is enabled, the software may generate unexpected click events by touching the pointing stick during typing.
In 1984, Ted Selker, a researcher at PARC, worked on a pointing stick based on a study[ citation needed ] showing that it takes a typist 0.75 seconds to shift from the keyboard to the mouse, and comparable time to shift back. Selker built a model of a device that would minimize this time. It was only three years later, working at IBM, that Selker refined his design, resulting in the TrackPoint product [8] for which IBM received US patents in 1996 [9] [10] and 2000. [11]
Pointing sticks were the dominant pointing device for laptops before the advent of the touchpad. During later years, they faced a decline in popularity as most laptop-producing brands switched to touchpads, although as of 2021, some manufacturers like Lenovo still produce laptops with pointing sticks. [12]
The pointing stick can be used in ultra-compact netbooks [13] where there would be no place for a touchpad.
The pointing stick is positioned such that the hands do not need to be removed from the home row to manipulate the mouse pointer. [14]
Some people find them more appealing for mobile gaming than a touchpad, because the trackpoint allows infinite movement without repositioning. [14] This is because a user's finger may run off the edge of a touchpad while positioning the pointer, requiring them to reposition their finger in order to continue. [15]
Some users feel that pointing sticks cause less wrist strain because a user does not need to avoid resting wrists on a touchpad, which are usually located just below the keyboard. One criticism is that because the pointing stick depends on the user's applying pressure, it can cause hand cramps (although this can be partly solved by setting the sensitivity higher and lifting the finger when the pointer is not being moved). Another criticism is that it stresses the index finger and may lead to repetitive strain injury.
A number of ergonomic studies to compare trackpoint and touchpad performance have been performed. [16] [17] Most studies find that touchpad is slightly faster; one study found that "the touchpad was operated 15% faster than the trackpoint". [18] Another study found that average object selection time was faster with a touchpad, 1.7 seconds compared to 2.2 seconds with a trackpoint, and object manipulation took 6.2 seconds with a touchpad, on average, against 8.1 seconds with trackpoint. [19]
Name | Brand | Current Models | Past Models | Color |
---|---|---|---|---|
Acer | FineTrack | None | TravelMate 6410, 6460, 6492, 6492G, 6592, 6592G, 6593 | Green |
Asus | SensePoint | ExpertBook P2 | S200, S200N, S200Ne, S300N ASUS pro: B8230UA; ADVANCED BU201 | Black/Gray, Blue/Gray |
Casio | ? | Cassiopeia Fiva MPC series | ||
Dell | TrackStick, Dual Point | None | Latitude: 13": E4300, E4310, E6320, E6330, XT3; 14": E5400, E5410, E5420, E5430, E5440, E5450, E5470, 5480, 5490/95, E6420, E6430, 6430u, E7440, E7450, E7470, 7480, 7490; 15": E5530, E5540, E5550, E5570, 5580, 5590, E6500, E6510, E6520, E6540 Retro Latitude: D400, D410, D420, D430, D600, D610, D620, D630, D800, D810, D820, D830, XT; Precision: M2300, M2400, M4300, M4400, M4500, M4600, M4700, M4800, M6700, M6800, M6400, M6500, 3510, 3520, 3530, 7510, 7520, 7530, 7540, 7710, 7720, 7730, 7740; Inspiron: 4000, 8100, 8200, 8600, 9100; L | Blue, black or gray |
Elonex | Mouse emulator | None | Elonex ONE | Black |
Fujitsu | StickPoint, QuickPoint, Quick Touch [20] | None | Lifebook T2010, T2020, S7110, S7210, S7220, B2400/2500/2600 series, E8310 (optional), E8410 (optional), E8420 (optional), U1010/U810/U50, U820/U2010, P1100/1500/1600 series, P1620, P1610, P1630, P2120, | Black or blue |
GPD | ? | None | Pocket 1 | Blue |
HP | PointStick | All EliteBooks excluding 1000 series and Folio; Some ZBooks excluding Studio series; ProBook 6450b, 6455b & 6550b | All EliteBooks excluding 1000 series; all models ending with p or w; all models starting with nc, nw or c; 6445b (optional), 6545b (optional), tc4200, tc4400; Presario models starting with v, 8500 | Black, orange or blue (older models) |
JVC, Victor (InterLink) | Pointing Stick, Trackpoint | MP-XP3210, MP-XP5220, MP-XP7210, MP-XP7220, MP-XP7230, MP-XP7250, MP-XP731, MP-XP7310, MP-XP741, MP-XV631, MP-XP831, MP-XV841, MP-XV941 | Blue/Gray | |
IBM, Lenovo | TrackPoint | All ThinkPads, excluding most Chromebooks; Travel Keyboard with Ultranav | Most ThinkPads, Space Saver II, Model M13, Model M4-1, Trackpoint IV, Trackpoint USB Keyboard, TransNote, Trackpoint Mouse | Red |
NEC | NX Point | None | EasyNote MX45, MX65, S5 | Dark Gray |
Nintendo | C-Stick | None | New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL and New Nintendo 2DS XL [21] [22] | Gray |
Samsung | Pointing stick | Series 6, Ativ Q | Series 4 | All colors |
Sony | Pointing stick | None | Sony Vaio Duo 11, Sony VAIO P series, BX series, C1 series, U8 series, UX series, X505, Sony PS3 Wireless Keyboard [23] | None |
Sprintek | FlexPoint | SK8702/SK8703 for Laptop/Tablet PC/Netbook/Industrial Keyboard | None | None |
Dynabook (formerly Toshiba) | AccuPoint | Tecra R Series, Z Series and W Series, Portege Z Series and R Series | Portégé (not current models 06/2007), 300-7000 series, T3000 series; Tecra series 500-9000, A7, A8, A9, A10, A11, M2, M5, M9, M10, M11, S Series; Satellite Pro series 400-4000, T2000; Satellite 100-4000 series, Libretto 50CT, 70CT, 100CT | Green, blue |
Unicomp | Pointing stick | EnduraPro (for desktop) | On-The-Stick, Mighty Mouse | Red |
Various informal names have been invented, including "nub", [24] "clit mouse", which is an intercommunity term, usually seen on ThinkPad forums, and "nipple mouse". [24] [25]
While typically employed on a computer keyboard, IBM included one on its Trackpoint Mouse product; suggested uses included scrolling (as with a scroll wheel) or a dual-cursor system. [26]
A pointing device is a human interface device that allows a user to input spatial data to a computer. CAD systems and graphical user interfaces (GUI) allow the user to control and provide data to the computer using physical gestures by moving a hand-held mouse or similar device across the surface of the physical desktop and activating switches on the mouse. Movements of the pointing device are echoed on the screen by movements of the pointer and other visual changes. Common gestures are point and click and drag and drop.
A trackball is a pointing device consisting of a ball held by a socket containing sensors to detect a rotation of the ball about two axes—like an upside-down ball mouse with an exposed protruding ball. Users roll the ball to position the on-screen pointer, using their thumb, fingers, or the palm of the hand, while using the fingertips to press the buttons.
ThinkPad is a line of business-oriented laptop computers and tablets, the early models of which were designed, developed and marketed by International Business Machines (IBM) starting in 1992. IBM sold its PC business, including laptops to Lenovo in 2005, and since 2007, all new ThinkPad models have been branded Lenovo instead. The Chinese manufacturer further developed the line, and is still selling new models in 2024.
A touchpad or trackpad is a type of pointing device. Its largest component is a tactile sensor: an electronic device with a flat surface, that detects the motion and position of a user's fingers, and translates them to a position on a screen, to control a pointer in a graphical user interface. Touchpads are common on laptop computers, contrasted with desktop computers, where mice are more prevalent. Trackpads are sometimes used on desktops, where desk space is scarce. Because trackpads can be made small, they can be found on personal digital assistants (PDAs) and some portable media players. Wireless touchpads are also available, as detached accessories.
A scroll wheel is a wheel used for scrolling. The term usually refers to such wheels found on computer mice. It is often made of hard plastic with a rubbery surface, centred around an internal rotary encoder. It is usually located between the left and right mouse buttons and is positioned perpendicular to the mouse surface. Sometimes the wheel can be pressed left and right, which is actually just two additional macros buttons.
Edwin Joseph Selker, better known as Ted Selker, is an American computer scientist known for his user interface inventions.
Subnotebook, also called ultraportable, superportable, or mini notebook, was a marketing term for laptop computers that are smaller and lighter than a typical notebook-sized laptop.
Pen computing refers to any computer user-interface using a pen or stylus and tablet, over input devices such as a keyboard or a mouse.
IdeaPad is a line of consumer-oriented laptop computers designed, developed and marketed by Lenovo. The IdeaPad mainly competes against computers such as Acer's Aspire, Dell's Inspiron and XPS, HP's Pavilion, Envy, Stream, and Spectre, Samsung's Sens and Toshiba's Satellite.
In computing, an input device is a piece of equipment used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system, such as a computer or information appliance. Examples of input devices include keyboards, computer mice, scanners, cameras, joysticks, and microphones.
A 2-in-1 laptop, also known as 2-in-1 PC, 2-in-1 tablet, laplet, tabtop, laptop tablet, or simply 2-in-1, is a portable computer that has features of both tablets and laptops.
The ThinkPad X series is a line of laptop computers and convertible tablets produced by Lenovo with less power than its other counterparts. It was initially produced by IBM until 2005.
The ThinkPad W series laptops from Lenovo were described by the manufacturer as being "mobile workstations", and suit that description by being physically on the larger side of the laptop spectrum, with screens ranging from 15.6" to 17.3" in size. Most W series laptops offered high-end quad-core Intel Core processors with an integrated GPU as well as an Nvidia Quadro discrete GPU, utilizing Nvidia Optimus to switch between the two GPUs as required. Notable exceptions are the W500, which has ATI Mobility FireGL integrated workstation-class graphics, and the W550s, which is an Ultrabook-specification laptop with only a dual-core processor. The W series laptops offered independent software vendor (ISV) certifications from various vendors such as Adobe Systems and Autodesk for computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D modeling software.
The ThinkPad Tablet is a tablet computer made by Lenovo as part of its series of Android-based tablet devices and is targeted towards business users. Lenovo's tablet offerings are available in both ThinkPad and IdeaPad variants. While the ThinkPad Tablets are designed for business, the IdeaPad tablets, like the laptops of the same name, are meant for home and personal use. These tablets are different from Lenovo's X Series tablets, which are laptop/tablet hybrids and which use Microsoft Windows as their operating system.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 is a convertible laptop created by Lenovo and first announced at the International CES 2012 in January. The Yoga 13 gets its name from its ability to take on various form factors due to its screen being mounted on a special two-way hinge.
The ThinkPad X1 series is a line of high-end ThinkPad laptops and tablets produced by Lenovo.
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix refers to two generations of 2-in-1 convertible tablets that can be used as both a conventional ultrabook and a tablet computer. The first-generation Helix was announced at the 2013 International CES and was released on 21 May 2013. A second-generation Helix came out in 2014.
The ThinkPad Yoga is a 2-in-1 convertible business-oriented tablet from Lenovo unveiled in September at the 2013 IFA in Berlin, Germany. It was released in the United States in November 2013.
Lenovo ThinkPad 10 refers to two generations of 10-inch business-oriented tablet computers manufactured by Lenovo.
ThinkBook is a line of business-oriented laptop computers and tablets designed, developed and marketed by Lenovo aimed at small businesses.
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