I think that's a clever idea. I'm inclined to agree with the majority that it probably isn't something I would want, but I would be interested in trying it out before I passed judgment. The Trackpoint would be the main competition, and it would be hard to beat.
I would not want a printer built in. It would add size, weight, and cost for something I do not need. I've pretty well stopped using paper, both at home and at work. I print something maybe once every couple of months.
Does it come with a subwoofer and doubles as a coffee maker? In that case no…
I’m torn between “uh, what” and “no.”
Not in a million years.
There is no such thing as a perfectly accurate touch pad "click". Most people (myself included) tend to see their finger slip (even just a millimeter) to the right or the left when pressing down to click on a touchpad. It leads to go knows how many times that my cursor in the middle of typing has suddenly jumped to a completely different line. In fact, it's why they implemented the option to turn off the touchpad when typing.
So now let's introduce ANOTHER use to that part of the keyboard. Not only do we have to deal with a wandering cursor, but we have to deal with random spaces popping into existence every time we try to scroll.
Screw that.
That sounds awful. We already have trackpoint to use a mouse in a compact device.
The printer would add so much bulk that it would no longer be a compact laptop anymore. I know you personally want one (from your recent post), but just carry a separate device or velcro it to the back of the laptop.
Yup, trackpoint is the solution here, that plus three mouse buttons below the spacebar is amazing, and why it's so hard for me to consider a Framework laptop over a Thinkpad despite loving the repairability.
Honestly? No.
Sounds like too much integration, so when something goes wrong with one part you now have a wonderful, probably expensive, machine with 70% functionality that you can't justify replacing outright.
Now you end up with a dongle to replace that 30% function you lost that ends up working better than the original part and you realize you should have just done that from the start.
I'm probably just bitter, but "Fool me once..."
I can't remember the last time I had to print something out on dead trees. Pass.
I already carry a mouse with me when I travel because I hate laptop touchpads. So double pass on an even smaller area of integrated touchpad/spacebar.
No.
But I would immediately buy a new laptop with a track ball and mouse buttons like this one
I've only seen one irl, and they are incredibly intuitive to use, and you don't accidentally move the mouse while typing
Nice! That seems like it would rival the TrackPoint for me.
No, but can you make one with spacebar heating?
No, I don't really have a use for an A5 printer.
I'm also not sure if a spacebar-sized touchpad would be all that great.
Edit: I checked back on this post out of curiosity. Some people really are a bit dramatic when it comes to touchpads.
Are they the best pointing device ever?: No. Will they cause your fingers to wither away and your hair to fall out?: also no.
Could be nice to have a Steam Deck trackpad on either side instead of one main trackpad. Could make for interesting CAD use.
It wouldn't
Ignoring the printer aspect... I do everything I can to avoid laptop trackpads anyway. I've never used one that didn't make me want to smack the designers of.
Some of the first-gen ThinkPad Edges had a touchpad that presses in to left-click... under very light pressure. I considered it unusable; constant accidental clicks. Luckily I only have to service them, not do work on them.
From Mac to Vaio to Thinkpad to Yoga to Logitech, I can't stand any of them.
Absolutely not. I loathe gestures my touchpad and disable everything I can.
why do I want to carry a printer with me? no. this sounds more like a point-of-sale device.
Exactly. I almost never need to print anything, and if I do, I want full size sheets or can cut them myself. If I need to print on the go, it'll be photos, in which case I'll use one of those portable photo printers.
nope.
Nope. Too much hassle for the once a decade that I need a printer.
I print roughly two or three things per year, and they're always bigger than A5, so that would be a completely useless feature for me.
The first thing I do with any new laptop is figure out show to disable the trackpad. I've never liked them and they've been getting worse as more manufacturers make apple-like ones (physical buttons are nicer). So I'm disinclined to own something that, for me, just introduces a ton of new ways for my spacebar to break.
I wouldn't personally buy one, but provided the spacebar was big enough, it probably wouldn't be terrible to use. Not so long ago, mouse touchpads weren't that big, so it could potentially work.
But for someone who cared about such a compact thing, I have to wonder if they would prefer a mouse nipple over a spacebar-mouse.
No, it’s been years since I printed anything, and I’m not willing to start now.
Here's what I use mine for:
Parent survival pack!
Yup.
I didn't have a printer when I was single, I'd just go to the library to print schoolwork or whatever. I got it initially for my SO's immigration paperwork, and kept it for all of the above. We went w/ a B&W laser printer, which has been fantastic for us. If I ever need color prints (e.g. for my kids' schoolwork), I'll just go to the library that's a mile away ($0.10/sheet IIRC).
Depending on the specs, that sounds like it could be fun. Like a quirky street performance thing for artists to draw, print & sell art all at once?
Should use Craigslist or something bro. But how much are you asking out of curiosity?
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