Laptops with coating similar to Thinkpad? (programming.dev)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Please feel free to lmk if this isn’t the right place to be asking.

I can’t seem to find any other laptops that use a similar rubberized coating to what the thinkpads have. Do any exist out there?

I think the thinkpads are great but I don’t care for the trackpoint.

Thanks!

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[-] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

My Dell Latitude 7280 has a similar rubbery coating both inside and out, and the keyboard is really nice, similar to Thinkpad keyboards I remember from the past. It's also got a magnesium chassis, and seems to be quite durable.

I read a bit more of your comments before posting and it seems like you're looking for a new, more powerful laptop... At least that exact Latitude model is a few years old, and low-power (and small, only 12" screen), but I'll leave it here as an interesting note. I use it as a field-capture device for my astrophotography camera that can be powered by a big USB C power bank. Works great for that use, and is small thin and light.

[-] [email protected] 11 points 2 months ago

Thinkpads got rid of the rubberized coating a few years ago.

Which honestly I fully support because I'm tired of it turning sticky over time.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

What is the new stuff on the new gen stuff that’s like plasticish feeling?

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

It’s just textured ABS plastic. They dropped even the carbon fiber reinforcement.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

The Thinkpads all have trackpads too. I don’t use the trackpoint myself but the trackpad tracks well.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

Oh I know, but I’m just curious at what else exists out there.

I feel like a major appeal of thinkpads is the trackpoint and I don’t want to pay for something I won’t use.

I’m fine with getting one if no other laptops use that rubberized coating though.

[-] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

There’s SO much more going for thinkpads than just the trackpoint. I would count durability as the highest point on the list, beyond the rubberized coating, the frame, the hinges, the serviceability (even in newer models with part of the RAM soldered) far exceeds most other offerings.

I dont currently own because I have a desktop that meets all of my needs, and my partner has a MacBook that I can use when a laptop is helpful. But if I was planning to buy a laptop, maybe as something to take out of town for work, it would likely be a thinkpad.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Oh I agree completely, I used to own a t480!

I’m just curious about other offerings because I’m buying a new laptop for the first time in a while and mostly just miss the coating material and keyboard from the t480. I never used the trackpoint and feel like I can get a more powerful laptop for the price.

If I could find a more powerful laptop with the same coating and keyboard without the trackpoint I’d be in heaven lol

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Yeah I don’t know as far as the coating is concerned. I have personally had great luck with Asus products, but even by manufacturer I feel like there’s hits and misses as far as build quality. Wish you luck in your hunt.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Thanks friend

[-] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Nah, my company buys them because they work well for the price and support multiple monitors. I haven’t seen a single person I work with use the Trackpoint. Just about everyone uses the trackpad and some have traveling mice.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Yeah I had a t14 provided by my last job, like everyone else got. Solid little laptop but I also never saw anyone touch the point

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

I rarely touch the track point, but I use its buttons (above trackpad) all the time.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

I used those a lot too

this post was submitted on 30 Mar 2025

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