What I'd like to see is a compact trackpoint module that can be snapped in place to an "off the shelf" board. Probably would have some framework that fit around a bunch of surrounding key switches to add stability. I've thought about trying to add one to my existing board, but it seems like it involves drilling mounting holes through the plate at least, and probably through the PCB so that the screws can be accessed.
There are a few standalone trackpoint products-- they look to be basically evaluation devices that end up with a PCB footprint the size of a mouse, 98% of which is blank, but that's completely ill-suited to the proposed use case.
I'm using macOS and unfortunately I didn't find a good way to adjust its acceleration. IMO the firmware default is too sensitive and it's difficult to hover over the right elements, you end up jumping over them. I'm not sure whether on Windows or Linux the issue can me improved.
Eh, they have built in sensitivity adjustment with Fn+n where n is keys 1-9. Though I go with 7-9 as once you get used to sensitivity, it's easy to control and much less hand stress.
I have found them to be as good as the best ThinkPad TrackPoints (some in the past have been terrible, but they've been back to good form last couple of ThinkPads I've had).
Just replying in case you don't see my grandchild reply, they are adjustable direct on the keyboard, and IMO the performance is as good as any ThinkPad TrackPoint, and better than many.
What I want is this, in full width with numpad, and buckling spring switches...
I still use a M13 as my daily driver, and unicomp makes what I described, but with an ancient trackpoint design from when 800x600 was 'hi-res'. Have to use insane acceleration settings to make it functional.
I know it's not ergonomic, but it's quite comfortable for me (I also had RSI) because it doesn't have the nav block and numpad, so the mouse stays in a pretty comfortable position. It feels a bit like a laptop keyboard, the trackpoint helps too!
Shinobi gang! I built one in the pandemic and then when back to the office I had to build another.
I can't do without the TrackPoint and if I'm going to do staggered qwerty a ThinkPad layout is second to none. I particularly appreciate the short space key.
Kind of boomy case. Well worth putting sound deadening in.
I would like to play with split ortho, 34 key or less but my insistance on a TrackPoint makes that more of a project than I'm ready for.