Product Description All ThinkPad notebooks and all IBM and Lenovo TrackPoint-enabled keyboards can now use the three styles of TrackPoint caps. This collection includes two of each of IBM classic styles: The Classic Dome, Soft Dome, and the Soft Rim.
Customer Reviews:
IBM TrackPoint Cap Collection - six capsJuly 25, 2008 These are the real thing, the genuine ThinkPad TrackPoint Cap Collection, and it includes three TrackPoint cap styles that you can use with your ThinkPad notebook. Six caps are included in the package, as follows:
- Two Classic Dome Caps - this is the classic cap included with all ThinkPad notebooks, and the one that had the sandpaper feel of a cat's tongue.
- Two Soft Dome Caps - this one is a new style with a softer feel and rubber dots for added traction.
- Two Soft Rim Caps - this is another new style with a recessed dome that holds your finger in place, and looks like an upside-down frisbee or a doggie dish.
See the photos that I've added to this page so that you can see the differences better.
According to IBM and Lenovo, these TrackPoint Caps are supposed to be used in an environment from 32 degress F to a maximum of 104 degrees F. That is just one more reason to not leave your ThinkPad in the trunk of your car. Some say that these caps should be replaced every six to twelve months, but many of us might argue that this all depends on how much use they get.
On the other hand, if you purchased your ThinkPad used, you might want to replace the TrackPoint Caps, if only to get a new "feel" out of your notebook. Some people cringe at the thought of where the original TrackPoint Caps might have been.
Back in 2006, the folks at Lenovo took a poll to see if TrackPoint users had a preference. Over 850 people participated, and the results were as follows:
1st place: the Soft Dome Caps took 35% of the votes and seemed to get the most enthusiastic support in the comments.
2nd place: the Classic Dome, the original IBM cap and the one that has the texture of sandpaper (or a cat's tongue), came in second with 20% of the votes.
3rd place: the Soft Rim Caps, the Touchpad, an external mouse, and command line interface all generally of tied at about around 15%.
In any case, with the TrackPoint Cap Collection you can try them all out and see which one that you prefer. Must admit that I did install the Classic Dome on my ThinkPad when I got these last winter, and though I want to try the Soft Dome Cap, keep forgetting to change it.
And yes, it's a highly personal choice.
Nice Replacement Track CapsOctober 1, 2007 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The track cap replacements are just fine. They actually work really well. My issue...The cost. You cannot justify this cost for three. Maybe 15 of them but not three. If you are going to buy them...get them here as Amazon has probably the best pricing on them. They also work on the OQO handheld UMPC.
Keywords: Thinkpad(r) Trackpoint(r) Cap Collection, Three Styles Of Trackpoint Caps, Inclu, Computers & Add-Ons, Computers, Consumer Electronics, Home Electronics
