Microsoft Precision Touchpad, not very precise

Anonymous
2015-03-02T22:40:42+00:00

I recently purchased a laptop from Microsoft (2015 Dell XPS 13") that uses the Microsoft Precision Touchpad. 

There are a few issues I'm having with this touchpad that I've never noticed with other laptops and I'm wondering if anyone else is experiencing these or if there are any fixes. 

  1. There is a noticeable delay when trying to make slow light movements. My finger can move several millimeters before the cursor responds. It may not sound like much, but if you're trying to make subtle movements in photoshop, or select a specific character anywhere it's very noticeable and difficult to use. 
  2. The majority of the time when I lift my finger the cursor will jump several pixels, often moving away from the object I'm trying to target. 
  3. If you use any browser besides IE, two finger scrolling is very choppy and has a similar delay that's experienced in the first issue. 

There are a few other minor annoyances, like poor palm detection and using two hands (one to move the cursor and one to click with) but the issues above are the biggest annoyances, ordered by most annoying to least. 

If anyone has any ways to fix these issues or install different drivers, I'd love to hear about them.

Thanks!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Search, touch, and mouse

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-05-07T12:35:52+00:00

    I urge you MVP's to read this thread on the Dell community forums. (Specifically around pages 6-8)

    http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19616659?pi239031352=8#20760800

    Also read this AMA on Reddit to one of the Precision Touch Pad developers. 

    http://www.reddit.com/r/windows/comments/1hky29/precision_touchpads_the_future_of_touchpads_on/

    Also this follow up comment by the same MS PTP developer.

    "Dell's correct that there's nothing they can do for this - it's entirely on our end. While I'm not working on PTPs this release, I've forwarded your feedback to the current owners."

    So as an end user it still appears that this is a MS problem and not a Dell problem as you so hastily put the blame on.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-03-03T22:58:20+00:00

    Shawn is correct. Microsoft only created the specification and not the hardware or drivers.

    Rob - SpiritX

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  3. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2015-03-03T22:08:16+00:00

    Microsoft provides a options panel for precision touchpads, but Microsoft did not build your touchpad nor the software drivers that control it.  I looked up who did build it, and it was built by the Synaptics corporation on behalf of the Dell hardware vendor.  Since Dell packaged it, they will provide support for these issues.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-03-03T19:11:56+00:00

    Hi,

    The hardware was built by Dell and the drivers were provided by Dell and probably customized.

    As OEM is absolutely responsible for the proper operation of both the hardware and Windows.

    So regardless of the cause it is theirs to resolve. And there may be something wrong that requires

    repair or replacement. You have a full warranty and should use it.

    Please ask Dell.

    Rob - SpiritX

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-03-03T18:23:39+00:00

    I ordered a Dell MS Signature Edition Laptop from the Microsoft store. A laptop that uses Microsoft drivers for it's touchpad hardware. It's my understanding that these are the only Drivers available for this hardware. 

    I thought that Microsoft would be interested in customer feedback about a Laptop purchased from Microsoft that uses Microsoft drivers. So I decided to post my feedback here as well as on other community forums.

    It feels pretty crappy when you take the time to post to what's supposed to be a helpful community (run by the company who sold you a product that uses the operating system and drivers of that company) just to be told to read a manual or go someone else.

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