Touchpad: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Compaq touch pad.jpg|thumb|300px|The touchpad, a big space for the finger to scroll and two buttons for left and right clicking]] |
[[File:Compaq touch pad.jpg|thumb|300px|The touchpad, a big space for the finger to scroll and two buttons for left and right clicking]] |
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A '''touchpad''' (also called a '''trackpad''') is a type of [[input device]] for [[computer]]s that does the same things as a [[computer mouse]]. It is made up of a flat, [[touch]]-sensitive [[surface]] which the user [[wikt:slide|slides]] one or more [[finger]]s on to move the [[cursor]] on the [[Computer monitor|screen]]. Next to the touchpad are [[push-button]]s that work just like mouse buttons, including left-clicking and right-clicking. In some newer touchpads, there are no actual buttons, and clicking is done by pushing near the button of the touchpad itself. |
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A '''touchpad''' (also trackpad) is an area that imitates (does the same) functions of a [[computer mouse]]. |
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There is no need of an external device like a mouse. The user just runs over the small sensitive pad with one or more fingers. |
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Touchpads are mostly found on [[laptop]] computers. They are also more and more used on devices like mp3 players (Apple [[iPod]]) and [[mobile phone]]s as well, though they are becoming rarer due to increasing use of [[touchscreen]]s. |
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Unlike computer mice, touchpads stay in one place when they are being used. This makes it easy to build them into [[Computer hardware|hardware]]. They are mostly found on [[laptop]] computers because, when the user is travelling, sometimes he or she cannot use a mouse. But most laptops do allow the user is able to attach (connect) a separate mouse. Besides laptops, touchpads are also more and more used on [[mobile device]]s with a [[Graphical user interfaces and consoles|GUI]], including [[MP3 player]]s (a well-known one being the [[iPod]]) and [[mobile phone]]s (such as the [[BlackBerry]]). However, touchpads on today's mobile devices such as [[smartphone]]s and [[tablet computer]]s have been replaced with the [[touchscreen]], which is used much like a touchpad except the screen is built into the touch-sensitive surface itself so that no mouse cursor is needed. One can just touch anywhere on the surface to choose what is on the screen at that part. |
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It is good to have the touchpad, because when the user is travelling, sometimes he can not use a mouse. When the laptop is used at home, the user is able to attach (connect) a separate mouse. |
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| ⚫ | Most touchpads have the function of tapping, which imitates the left-click button on a mouse. New models of touchpads often do more things because they can respond to the [[pressure]] of more than one finger. This is called [[multi-touch]] and makes it possible to do things like [[wikt:scroll|scroll]] though, [[wikt:zoom|zoom]] in and out, and [[wikt:rotate|rotate]] a page or part of the screen. The user can choose and change which functions happen if the user does certain moves. For example, the normal function for tapping on the pad is the left-click on the mouse. The user can change it in the settings section to the right-click of the mouse, if the user likes it better. |
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New models of touchpads often have more functions because they are pressure-sensitive. Many have the function to scroll up and down a page or the volume field. |
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| ⚫ | Most touchpads have the function of tapping, which imitates the left-click button on a mouse. The user can choose and change |
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==Related pages== |
==Related pages== |
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* [[Computer mouse]] |
* [[Computer mouse]] |
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* [[Touchscreen]] |
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* [[Input device]] |
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[[Category:Computer hardware]] |
[[Category:Computer hardware]] |
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Latest revision as of 17:05, 18 February 2019
 | This article does not have any sources. (March 2018) |
A touchpad (also called a trackpad) is a type of input device for computers that does the same things as a computer mouse. It is made up of a flat, touch-sensitive surface which the user slides one or more fingers on to move the cursor on the screen. Next to the touchpad are push-buttons that work just like mouse buttons, including left-clicking and right-clicking. In some newer touchpads, there are no actual buttons, and clicking is done by pushing near the button of the touchpad itself.
Unlike computer mice, touchpads stay in one place when they are being used. This makes it easy to build them into hardware. They are mostly found on laptop computers because, when the user is travelling, sometimes he or she cannot use a mouse. But most laptops do allow the user is able to attach (connect) a separate mouse. Besides laptops, touchpads are also more and more used on mobile devices with a GUI, including MP3 players (a well-known one being the iPod) and mobile phones (such as the BlackBerry). However, touchpads on today's mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers have been replaced with the touchscreen, which is used much like a touchpad except the screen is built into the touch-sensitive surface itself so that no mouse cursor is needed. One can just touch anywhere on the surface to choose what is on the screen at that part.
Most touchpads have the function of tapping, which imitates the left-click button on a mouse. New models of touchpads often do more things because they can respond to the pressure of more than one finger. This is called multi-touch and makes it possible to do things like scroll though, zoom in and out, and rotate a page or part of the screen. The user can choose and change which functions happen if the user does certain moves. For example, the normal function for tapping on the pad is the left-click on the mouse. The user can change it in the settings section to the right-click of the mouse, if the user likes it better.