Thinkpads got rid of the rubberized coating a few years ago.
Which honestly I fully support because I'm tired of it turning sticky over time.
this post was submitted on 30 Mar 2025
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What is the new stuff on the new gen stuff that’s like plasticish feeling?
It’s just textured ABS plastic. They dropped even the carbon fiber reinforcement.
The Thinkpads all have trackpads too. I don’t use the trackpoint myself but the trackpad tracks well.
Oh I know, but I’m just curious at what else exists out there.
I feel like a major appeal of thinkpads is the trackpoint and I don’t want to pay for something I won’t use.
I’m fine with getting one if no other laptops use that rubberized coating though.
There’s SO much more going for thinkpads than just the trackpoint. I would count durability as the highest point on the list, beyond the rubberized coating, the frame, the hinges, the serviceability (even in newer models with part of the RAM soldered) far exceeds most other offerings.
I dont currently own because I have a desktop that meets all of my needs, and my partner has a MacBook that I can use when a laptop is helpful. But if I was planning to buy a laptop, maybe as something to take out of town for work, it would likely be a thinkpad.
Oh I agree completely, I used to own a t480!
I’m just curious about other offerings because I’m buying a new laptop for the first time in a while and mostly just miss the coating material and keyboard from the t480. I never used the trackpoint and feel like I can get a more powerful laptop for the price.
If I could find a more powerful laptop with the same coating and keyboard without the trackpoint I’d be in heaven lol
Yeah I don’t know as far as the coating is concerned. I have personally had great luck with Asus products, but even by manufacturer I feel like there’s hits and misses as far as build quality. Wish you luck in your hunt.
Thanks friend
Nah, my company buys them because they work well for the price and support multiple monitors. I haven’t seen a single person I work with use the Trackpoint. Just about everyone uses the trackpad and some have traveling mice.
Yeah I had a t14 provided by my last job, like everyone else got. Solid little laptop but I also never saw anyone touch the point
I rarely touch the track point, but I use its buttons (above trackpad) all the time.
I used those a lot too