Trackpoint on powerbook
I hopefully sometime soon will be able to get a powerbook of my own, the only problem is that I hate trackpads. I have been spoiled by the trackpoint on my aging Thinkpad 380ED.You need two basic components to make a trackpoint, a microcontroller and the actual trackpoint stick.
It seems that SemTech is the only company currently producing microcontrollers. Phillips made some chips with IBM's microcode for trackpoints, these would be ideal, but the TPM754 TPM749 chips are both discontinued and impossible to find.
CTS makes trackpoint sticks, probably some other people do to. I have an extra keyboard from with a dead CTRL key that I can steal a trackpoint stick from, so all I need is the microcontroller.
Here is an interesting read on some of IBM's trackpoint research;
http://www.almaden.ibm.com/cs/people/barrett/neginertia.html
well, that's it....
Update August 3, 2004
Woo hoo, I've finally found my new laptop. It's an iBook on ebay with a broken backlight for $324.01(including shipping). I should get it in about a week and then start work on getting a trackpoint in it (as well as replacing the CCFT and/or backlight inverter). I don't know how much I want to mod it until after the Dec 18, 2004 deadline. Once the laptop goes completely out of waranty I get to repaint it's case, the iBook is very unique in that it actually has a clear case. Apple puts a coat of white paint on the inside of the laptop, which gives it it's distinct look. Some people have gotten really creative.
I'm starting to think that the best way to get a trackpoint controller is to buy a USB IBM trackpoint keyboard and salvage parts, anyway, that will be my first attempt. hopefully I'll be able to fit everything inside the iBooks case. Now I just need some more money.
Update February 18, 2004
Well, I haven't made any progress, mainly because I'm being lazy, but also because it's hard to get a controller.
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