Comparing In-Keyboard Pointing Devices: Considerations for the Practitioner

Abstract

Pointing sticks and touchpads are the leading integrated pointing devices for portable computers. Yet research shows that users are frustrated with these devices. With WIMP interface firmly entrenched and mobile computer use drastically rising, attention must be paid to the virtues and limitations of integrated pointing devices. This article offers a mixture of qualitative and quantitative findings that clarify the issues and the design factors that affect performance and satisfaction with integrated pointing devices. Findings indicate that the rate-control pointing stick is a more efficient and preferred pointer to the position-control touchpad device, but that other design factors such as palm rest size, LCD technology differences, and device implementation differences might account for more variance in pointer effectiveness and user satisfaction than the device type itself. Contradictory findings in the recent literature are explained in terms of differences among these other factors. Practitioner guidelines for these technologies are also discussed.