Abstract: An input control device (21, 121, 221) includes a touchpad (25, 125, 225) located near an associated keyboard (23, 123) for use with a computer-related apparatus (120). The touchpad (25, 125, 225) is positioned so that it can be reached by the user's thumbs (40) during normal operation of the associated keyboard (23, 123). The location of the touchpad (25, 125, 225) is such that a ridge (39, 139) protruding near the edge of the touchpad (25, 125, 225) is encountered by the user's thumbs (40) both when moved inadvertently during normal typing operations and when intentionally moved toward the touchpad (25, 125, 225). In this way, the ridge (39, 139) signals the boundary with the touchpad (25, 125, 225) so that the user can proceed to activate it if desired, or can avoid activating it if not desired.