A Laptop Question

[Mups]

The touch-pad on my laptop is getting a bit worn.
Does anyone happen to know whether these touch pads are replaceable,  or would it mean a new machine?
Ta muchly.

[Dextrous63]

I'd be inclined to revert to a mouse or an external touchpad.

[Mups]

I'd be inclined to revert to a mouse or an external touchpad.

Why do you say that, Dex?

[klondike]

I always use a mouse except touch'screen phones and tablets.

I imagine any wear is only cosmetic and has no effect on how well the touchpad works anyway.

[Dextrous63]

Why do you say that, Dex?

I find that it's easier than faffing around with a small square on a laptop.  Just personal preference Mups. I'd also imagine that the cost of replacing an internal one would be prohibitive, unless you can source an identical replacement and are prepared to do the work yourself.  No idea if it is soldered into place or not🤷🏻�♂️

[Mups]

I have got a mouse somewhere,  I used it when I first got the laptop quite a while back now.
Do you have to replace batteries in cordless mice  which haven't been used for a long time?

I do remember it tending to get in the way of typing though,  when its stuck on the space below the keyboard all the time.

I will have to give this some more thought.

Thanks Dex and Klondike. 

[Dextrous63]

Yes, battery (usually AA) will need replacing.  And you'll have to try to find the usb dongle, which usually plus into the side.  No idea why it's get in the way of the keyboard for typing purposes 🤷🏻�♂️

New cordless mice cost less than a tenner from Amazon.

[Michael Rolls]

Puzzled by 'gets in the way'. Hate touch pads, always use a cordless mouse to the right of the laptop, never interferes with typing.

[Mups]

Yes, battery (usually AA) will need replacing.  And you'll have to try to find the usb dongle, which usually plus into the side.  No idea why it's get in the way of the keyboard for typing purposes 🤷🏻�♂️

New cordless mice cost less than a tenner from Amazon.

I think I'm even more gormless than ever then. 

I was trying to use the mouse with it resting on the laptop itself,  along the metal part just underneath the keys,  and that's why I said it gets in the way when I want to type something.
I thought it had to be in contact with the laptop,  touching it.    So will it work standing next to it on the desk instead? 

[klondike]

Yes. Work well on most surfaces. Might want a mousemat if you are fussy about the surface not being marked at all or the mouse doesn't work well on it. Lot easier to use then a touchpad IMO,

This is how I use mine on the dropdown lid of a bureaux. I use a vertical mouse to reduce wrist strain which is why you may think it looks odd.

[Dextrous63]

As Klondy says, yes.

In fact, back when I used to do such things, when I projected a PowerPoint onto a screen, I held the (wireless) mouse from the other side of the classroom and clicked the button to progress the slideshow along.  

[Mups]

Thanks again, folks.

Certainly cheaper than taking my laptop in for a new touch pad, I'll bet.   

[Dextrous63]

Thanks again, folks.

Certainly cheaper than taking my laptop in for a new touch pad, I'll bet.   

Less worrying too.  I'm always suspicious of what private detail stuff can be found by tech fellas.  After all (and absolutely not what may be on my devices!!!), Gary Glitter was first exposed after he took a laptop in for repair, and the repairers found some somewhat unsettling stuff on there!!

[Mups]

Less worrying too.  I'm always suspicious of what private detail stuff can be found by tech fellas.  After all (and absolutely not what may be on my devices!!!), Gary Glitter was first exposed after he took a laptop in for repair, and the repairers found some somewhat unsettling stuff on there!!

Ooh, I never thought of that - not that I have would have anything I shouldn't,  but I'd be worried about losing any info/photos etc I had saved.

[klondike]

Be more worried about losing personal details like password to accounts. If you let your browser sign into stuff by saving the password you may as well enclose a paper list. Luckily banks usually need more.