Unicomp EnduraPro: Is the track point worth it?
I'd like to have some opinions before I order. I use a Thinkpad and I absolutely love the trackpoint. Is the EnduraPro really so much different?
Posted Apr 12, 2014, 4:55 PM UTC
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This is relevant to my interests. I'm also a big Thinkpad fan, and I just can't use a computer without a nipple mouse any more.
While we're asking about Endurapros...
I understand that they changed it so that they could standardise their membranes, but the single-unit modifiers on the bottom row of their new keyboards look pretty ugly to me. Since I use the [F1]...[F3] keys as mouse buttons anyway, I wonder if they'd be able to put an EnduraPro board in a Classic 101 shell, or put the mouse pointer on a 101-key board.
I guess an easier solution would be to find some arrangement of keycaps so that the single-unit keys are covered: could [CTRL] be replaced with a [SHIFT] key or something?
With the rumours of a new SSK board with a nipple mouse, I wonder if they'll update the mouse across the line.
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They used to sell the EndiraPro guts in a Classic shell; I think they called it the on-the-point.
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Oh cool, I thought that was just what they called the EnduraPro before they renamed all their products a couple of years ago.
I know that these days they sell neither 101-key Ultraclassic shells, nor Classic shells with mouse cutouts.
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Sorry, but I don't get all of what you say. What did they change? What is the SSK board?
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What did they change?
http://pckeyboard.com/mm5/graphics/ProductNews7-25-13.pdf
See the difference in the bottom row between the "New Ultraclassic 104" and the "Old Ultraclassic 104".
There's no functional difference, but I thought the narrow keys looked kind of silly.
What is the SSK board?
They announced that they might start making a new, smaller keyboard sometime in the future, and that it would have an optional nipple mouse. Since it's a new design, there's a chance they might use an updated Trackpoint, and if that were the case they could transfer it to the Endurapro boards as well.
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I got a second hand EnduraPro, noticed the mouse was really poor and ordered a replacement pointing stick from Unicomp (which cost a ridiculous price for what it is). With the new pointing stick it's a little more responsive, but even with full accelleration settings it's still piss poor.
My advise is not to waste your money on the EnduraPro, the useless pointer gets in the way and it isn't worth the extra money.
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I remember reading that it's just a shitty pointing stick and IBM, and now Lenovo, have retained the patents and technology for it.
The complaints I've heard are that: