What is a Pointing Stick?

A pointing stick is a pointing device mainly used in notebook computers. The pointing stick was invented by scientist Ted Selker and is used in multiple laptop brands, including ThinkPad, Dell, HP, and Fujitsu. Different notebook computer manufacturers often refer to their pointing stick products differently, ThinkPad calls it "TrackPoint", and Dell calls it "Track Stick." The pointing stick is also sometimes mounted on some mouse and desktop computer keyboards.

Pointing stick

The pointing stick is a kind of

The pointing stick usually consists of a pointing stick and

When an external force is applied to the pointing stick, the ceramic piece at the bottom of the pointing stick is slightly deformed immediately, and the resistance of the ceramic piece changes accordingly, so different electrical signals are generated. The circuit can analyze these different electrical signals to determine

The pointing stick is particularly popular with typists, because it is one of the few that can operate the mouse without removing the finger from the reference key.

The 3rd and 4th generation TrackPoint introduced a technology called "Negative Inertia", which makes the pointing stick not too fierce in response to external forces, making the pointer movement more gentle and stable. IBM tests have shown that TrackPoint with this technology can make manipulation easier.

But what frustrates those who prefer a pointing stick over a mouse or touchpad is that the pointing stick has a declining trend. At present, only a few notebook computer manufacturers use pointing sticks, and these notebook computers are usually only for high-end business people, and the price is high, so there are not many users who can reach the pointing stick, and even fewer users are skilled in operating the pointing stick Little. In order to maintain market share, some manufacturers (such as IBM) are forced to use a pointing stick and a touchpad design on some products to facilitate users who do not use the pointing stick.