Laptop Input while on the road

I think Laptops are becoming increasingly popular workstations for
running Solidworks. I've got a Dell M65 that I swear by. For the most
part, I am at a desk with an external mouse plugged in, but from time
to time I use it on the move and dont have a good surface to mouse
with. I'm wondering what solutions others have come up wtih to
effetively use solidworks while on the go.

My biggest issue is that there is no scroll wheel on the laptop and it
only has two buttons. I've been able to emulate a middle button click
by clicking both buttons together. I also tried to use the trackpad
scroll area to emulate the mouse wheel but it only scrolls around the
Solidworks window instead of zooming like my mouse does. I'm curious
what other experienced mobile users have to say!

~ds

 

I bought a mouse. It's a Kensington. It has a slick retractable USB
cord. Stores nicely and needs no batteries. Also has scroll/3rd
button.

 

I use a wireless laptop mouse. When space is limited I use it on the
flats of my laptop with good success.

 

I have a tiny mouse that I run on my leg.

WT

 

www.radtech.us

The produce the small BlueTooth scroll wheel-middle button mouse which
you can hide in your hand.

They have just released new models that are rechargeable via a USB
cable and also have higher resolution. I have the "older" BT 500 with
AAA batteries, and rechargeable makes good sense.

I run it on the palm pad area to the right of the trackpad on my Dell
M60, and it is perfect for work in tight places, whether in the shop,
or hospital, or in flight.

Bo

 

How important in your mind is the docking station to a
laptop?

And.....can the M65 be used with a true docking
station?

It seems most of the Insprions can not be used with a
docking station and I'm not sure if that's a deal
breaker in a laptop or not? Hence the question.

I'm assuming that with the Insprions you can hook up
external monitors and peripherals but I guess a docking
station makes this MUCH easier, correct?

I'm dumb abt docking station capabilities so can you
give me a feel on whether you think it a necessary
thing in a laptop..a deal breaker?

 

I looked at docking stations, but I move around so much, that I didn't
see the benefit.

When I wanted a 2nd screen, I could connect a 2nd screen if I needed
it, but then I'ld rather be on a desktop if I'm going to my 23" screen.
Also, what I noted on my Dell M60 is that the laptop nVIDIA graphics
card only does mirroring at the same resolution as the built-in screen,
which is very limiting use for an external screen.

My Apple MacBook Pro and earlier machines would take any resolution up
to a certain limit, and allow 2 independent screens, which is much
better.

Hence, be sure you understand what you will REALLY get with a docking
station, and not what you WANT, as those two may be different. I have
NOT looked at the technical video specs on the recent M65 and M90
machines.

Bo

 

I might add that the BT 500 I use did not require any software to work
right on XP SP2.

Bo