Ultrabook with SSD & "joystick mouse"?

[Dougmeister]

1) What is the *technical term" for the little joystick-like thing on some laptops that can be used to move the mouse pointer? Lenovo ThinkPads and some Dell Latitudes have them...

2) If I want an Ultrabook (13.3" or 14") with that feature, can you recommend anything other than those two brands/models?

3) I see some have a combo SSD and hard drive; I'm trying to keep the price down ($400-$500), so I think that's probably the way to go.

I'm going for small screen, light weight, no optical drive, and "joystick thingy".

Thanks.

 

[rsutoratosu]

Track point ?

I really only seen it on the x1 carbon..

Some ultrabook do not even use a 9mm or 7mm drive... they use the msata drive.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

1) What is the *technical term" for the little joystick-like thing on some laptops that can be used to move the mouse pointer? Lenovo ThinkPads and some Dell Latitudes have them...

Trackpoint is the IBM/Lenovo trademark. Nib mouse is the polite, generic term I use.

I like 'em.

 

[corkyg]

Trackpoint, Pointing Stick, are two I know of. Also, sometimes called eraserhead.

It is available also on the Lenovo 230X Ultrabook.

http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/laptop/thinkpad/x-series/x230/

I don't know of any other brand that has that feature.

 

[kevinsbane]

1) What is the *technical term" for the little joystick-like thing on some laptops that can be used to move the mouse pointer? Lenovo ThinkPads and some Dell Latitudes have them...

2) If I want an Ultrabook (13.3" or 14") with that feature, can you recommend anything other than those two brands/models?

3) I see some have a combo SSD and hard drive; I'm trying to keep the price down ($400-$500), so I think that's probably the way to go.

I'm going for small screen, light weight, no optical drive, and "joystick thingy".

Thanks.

Lenovo X1 Carbon is the only ultrabook with a trackpoint I can think of.

You want an ultrabook at $400? No, they don't exist. You want one with a trackpoint? One doesn't exist at less than $1000.

Your options:
1. Thinkpad X1 Carbon. Pay ~$1200-1500 for what you actually asked for in this thread. (Note: no HDD available)
2. Thinkpad X230. Pay ~$750-850 for what you really actually want, but it's not an ultrabook. It is, however, small, lightweight, and has trackpoint and dual drive capable (mSATA + SATA).
3. Thinkpad x120e. Pay ~$400-500 for what you are willing to pay, but it's a netbook little better than atom netbooks. Be prepared to buy your own (large) SSD.

 

[Dman8777]

Ultrabook at 400 - 500$? You crazy? Companies are still over-charging for SSD's so good luck finding any laptop (let alone an ultrabook) with an SSD in the 500$ neighborhood.

 

[Dougmeister]

I know that $600 is more than I was looking to spend, but this was one of the things that got me thinking about buying one:

http://www.staples.com/Toshiba-Satel...product_931368

 

[dave_the_nerd]

So... used Thinkpad, install SSD?

 

[pelov]

Why do you even want an Ultrabook? They're not any lighter and don't offer anything you won't find in a regular laptop. In fact, they're often worse and more expensive

 

[Kantastic]

Wait for the Lenovo T430u, it's the ultrabook version of the T430. It's thinner than the current slim version of the T430 (T430s).

Why do you even want an Ultrabook? They're not any lighter and don't offer anything you won't find in a regular laptop. In fact, they're often worse and more expensive

They are thinner, they are lighter, and they offer better battery life. If you're talking about laptops that some manufacturers claim as ultrabooks but don't fall within Intel's ultrabook specifications, then you're misinformed.

 

[pelov]

They are thinner, they are lighter, and they offer better battery life. If you're talking about laptops that some manufacturers claim as ultrabooks but don't fall within Intel's ultrabook specifications, then you're misinformed.

Huh? There's only a handful of Ultrabooks that weigh 3lbs while the vast majority are over 4lbs. The battery life is limited by size and the ULV chips don't offer anything extra as far as power consumption goes when you consider most computing is done at idle.

And if it's called an Ultrabook, it means it's passed Intel's requirements for an Ultrabook.

 

[kevinsbane]

I know that $600 is more than I was looking to spend, but this was one of the things that got me thinking about buying one:

http://www.staples.com/Toshiba-Satel...product_931368

That's a pretty good price for an ultrabook.

Problem is, you're not even killing to spend that much.... and that is already 33% off an already inexpensive (relatively) ultrabook. And that particular ultrabook is a bottom of the line ultrabook.

You're not looking for a bottom of the line ultrabook. You're looking for a premium (track point automatically means business nowadays) ultrabook. You're looking to spend below bottom feeder prices on premium products of a premium line... not going to happen, sorry. The product you are looking for does not exist at your budget. Look for something else, or raise your budget. My three recommendations are the only three I can give, and only one of them is actually an ultrabook.

 

[Turbonium]

The "Trackpoint" thing is eerily accurate, but I can't help but get a bit of "restless leg syndrome" when using it. Does anyone else?

Trackpads (or touchpads if you prefer) for me all the way, and for aesthetic reasons too.

 

[pelov]

The "Trackpoint" thing is eerily accurate, but I can't help but get a bit of "restless leg syndrome" when using it. Does anyone else?

For the first week I had trouble using it. It just felt really strange.

With the 3-button + Trackpoint the X220 has, I've found myself preferring it over the typical touchpad, particularly considering Win7's horrible trackpad gesture support. The middle button to open new tabs and close tabs while the left and right still act like your typical left and right click. The middle button in tandem with the trackpoint allows for easy scrolling too. The trackpoint allows me to keep my hands on the keyboard and makes typing far easier. And like you've said, it's also much more accurate.

If you're the person who uses lots of hotkeys, you'll probably prefer the trackpoint over a touchpad.

 

[kevinsbane]

The "Trackpoint" thing is eerily accurate, but I can't help but get a bit of "restless leg syndrome" when using it. Does anyone else?

Trackpads (or touchpads if you prefer) for me all the way, and for aesthetic reasons too.

Occasionally I'll see the cursor wander. I lift my finger off for about 1-2 seconds and it fixes itself.

 

[Fayd]

Wait for the Lenovo T430u, it's the ultrabook version of the T430. It's thinner than the current slim version of the T430 (T430s).



They are thinner, they are lighter, and they offer better battery life. If you're talking about laptops that some manufacturers claim as ultrabooks but don't fall within Intel's ultrabook specifications, then you're misinformed.

better battery life? since when? you're stuck with the low capacity battery that it sells with. given my choice, i'd rather upgrade batteries.

 

[WildW]

sorry, just had to leave this here.