Ploopy Bean brings a standalone QMK trackpoint to any computer

Ploopy is taking preorders for the Bean Pointing Stick, a standalone trackpoint device that revives the IBM-style nub pointer as a peripheral you can plug into any machine via USB-C. The unit ships fully assembled with a 3D-printed housing, custom PCB, and the usual mounting hardware, and is positioned for keyboard hobbyists who want ThinkPad-style cursor control without being locked to a specific laptop.

Firmware is the interesting part: the Bean runs QMK out of the box, the same open-source firmware that powers much of the custom mechanical keyboard scene. Owners can reflash it with QMK Toolbox or the Configurator, and Ploopy publishes both assembly documentation and a modder’s guide for people who want to tweak the hardware.

The product launches 6 May 2026 with tiered preorder shipping windows of immediate, 8 weeks, or 20 weeks depending on order timing. Ploopy points to its prior preorder track record as reassurance, and flags that ad-blockers can break its checkout flow.