Ploopy’s new mouse brings the ThinkPad TrackPoint to any PC
▼ Summary
– The Ploopy Bean is an open source mouse alternative that uses a red pointing stick, similar to a ThinkPad TrackPoint, instead of requiring physical movement.
– The device features four buttons surrounding the pointing stick and is designed as a travel-friendly, non-wireless mouse that connects via USB cable.
– It is available for preorder on Ploopy’s website for CA$69.99 (approximately US$51).
– The Bean comes in a pre-assembled, 3D-printed enclosure, allowing users to print their own replacement parts.
Ploopy is back with a fresh take on computer input, and this time it’s all about the pointer stick. The Canadian hardware maker, known for its open source touchpads and trackballs, has unveiled the Ploopy Bean, a compact mouse alternative that forgoes traditional movement in favor of a red pointing stick reminiscent of the iconic ThinkPad TrackPoint.
At first glance, the Bean looks like a tiny, travel-friendly mouse. But instead of sliding it across a desk, users keep it stationary and control the cursor with a small, pressure-sensitive nub surrounded by four physical buttons. This design echoes the input method IBM popularized on its ThinkPad laptops, long before Lenovo took over the brand.
Ploopy has priced the Bean at $69.99 CAD, which works out to roughly $51 USD. It is available for preorder now through the company’s official website. The device ships with a pre-assembled, 3D-printed enclosure, and the open source design means owners can print their own replacement shells or modifications. Under the hood, a highly-sensitive sensor from Texas Instruments handles the pointing duties.
The Bean is not wireless, so it connects via USB cable. But for fans of the TrackPoint who want that precise, finger-driven control on any PC, the Ploopy Bean offers a dedicated, customizable solution backed by the company’s commitment to open source hardware and QMK firmware support.
(Source: The Verge)
