Laptop touchpad embedded in computer desk.

So I got bored and did this in like 15 minutes...





Ignore the white tag. That came off the backside of the pad and I forgot to throw it in the hole when I glued it down. It's the model information and such for the pad.

Story behind this.

I was just cruising around online checking fanfiction and stuff. I was trying to use my pad there but problem was that it kept sliding around since there was nothing holding it down. I've seen many computer builds where the guts are built into the desk and thought "why can't I do the same with this?" Searched around online to see if anyone else has done it. I found nothing.

Doing this was very easy. I just traced the pad out on the desk with a razor and started cutting with same razor and a pocket knife. Once it fit in there good enough for me I mixed up some Loctite 5 minute epoxy and set 'er in. It sits pretty level with the desk too. I know I could have run the cord out the bottom for a completely embedded look but I didn't wanna cut through the bottom of the desk and was lazy...

What do you think? Cool? (YAY!) Stupid? (Fuck you then!) Ideas on how you would do something like this? Don't bother with tips to make it look better because this desk is a 30 year old piece of particle board based shit. Besides, I'm a "function over form" sort of guy and like the tacky "worn" look of it.

 

That's damn cool, but I have to ask why not just plug in a mouse?

 

I have a mouse...
You can barely see it to the far right in the first picture.

I just like using the touchpad from time to time. Good for when my arm is tired. Just have to move fingers then.

 

Now I want to do this with my Wacom. Great idea. ::high five::

 

Where'd you get the trackpad from? Some USB model one or ripped from a laptop?

 

It's PS2 and ripped from some HP laptop from around 2005. finding the proper pinout took some doing since not all models have the pinout available. Luckily finding the power wires was easy and the 2 data lines I found from another model that has a close matchup. Everything worked first go.