pointless thoughts on trackpad design

to: hp customer service
from: kip austin hinton
subject: why are hp trackpads on the left side of the computer?

i have a dv5000 (made in 2006). the trackpad is centered, equal distance from the left and right sides of the computer. all older models i have found had their trackpads centered.

i was thinking of a new laptop. but on your website, all the models i'm interested in have the trackpad on the left side. i don't mean slightly to the left - one edge of the trackpad lines up precisely with the center, and 100% of the trackpad is to the left of that edge. at bestbuy, it was very awkward for me to reach and use the new hp trackpads, because i am right handed (fun fact: the majority of humans are right handed). to be specific: i type with my right fingers on the right side of the keyboard, so if i want to push the "enter" or "delete" button, i use my right hand, never my left hand; if i plug in a mouse, i place that mouse on the right side of the computer, never on the left side.

so a few questions -

1. are you primarily marketing your laptops toward left-handers?

2. with the new laptops, how long will my right wrist last before i develop carpal tunnel?

3. seriously, can i special order a laptop with the trackpad on the right side?

Comments

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