Centered Touchpad

It's a real problem trying to find a laptop with a centered touchpad.  For some reason, ALL laptop manufacturers have moved the touchpad to directly underneath the left wrist.

And why have they done this?

To include a 10-Key.  (For non-accountants, that's a number pad)

How many of you use a number pad?  Is it because you use a lot of numbers or because you are just lazy and don't know how to type?

So, we're left with crummy laptop design.

Don't think that's a problem?

When was the last time you tried to type while balancing the entire laptop on your right leg?  It's possible with a 15" monitor, but when you get into those 17" monitors that weight 7lbs, well, you tell me if you're pushing down with your left wrist to hold the laptop in place or it will take a sommersault off your right knee.

Otherwise, you have to type to the left.  Like, literally.  If you balance the laptop in your lap evenly, then you have to shift your whole typing posture to the left.



There are already tons of people complaining of right shoulder pain from having to stretch across...and numb right elbows because the laptop cuts into you forearm in that position.  Don't even get me started on the wonders it does for those with carpel tunnel disease.

So, that's fun.


You just have to wonder who they pulled in for customer experience votes on this.  From my personal history, I know that companies claim that they're doing a "customer usability test" and it's the token 3 to 6 complainers that they know of.  Those complainers set the tone for the entire project...and they're used as "mean averages"...like, this is what most people want.

I did do some digging...ok, a LOT of digging.  It turns out that manufacturers do offer a laptop with a central touchpad...in crummy resolution and 10-13" screens.  So, if you want a central mousepad (which would be the most common users of the laptop), you can't get a good monitor- just something small and pixelated.

My husband had an excellent suggestion:  why not make the mousepad movable?  Like it can be locked in place or slid to one side or the other.  And while they're at it, why not make it so that there's a little "tilt keyboard" button that allows you to tilt the keyboard to the correct ergonomic agile for typing?

So, Samsung, Toshiba, HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, Asus...you all suck.  You should have done your won studies.

Only MSI and Sony offer a 15" or larger laptop with a central mousepad (and those guys only make one)

Guess which one I'm buying...

(and, yes, Apple does only make a centralized touchpad.  Kind of interesting, actually, because it's the only feature I like on a Mac...they're also twice as expensive)