Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Future Mac Notebooks Could Feature 'Buttonless' Trackpad Design
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
No, you don't.
You don't need the button press for anything, since there's an option that allows you to drag windows with double tap on the edge of the window.
Here's how to enable it (Mavericks): Go to Sistem Preferences > Accesibility > Trackpad and Mouse > Trackpad options > Activate the second option, and also you can choose to block that action, in order to be able to drag windows without keeping your finger touching the trackpad all the time.
That's the best way I've found to explain it; sorry, I don't speak english every day.
I have been using the tap thing since I bought my MacBook Pro in 2010, and never been a fan of that "clack" of the trackpad.
I know what people are saying... this is supposed to be an improvement, and they're keeping the ability to "click" the trackpad. That's all well and good.
But if it's not good enough for me and they release it on the new Macbook Air this year, then I will NOT be buying the latest Macbook Air.
How the trackpad functions is very much a make-or-break feature for me.
But if it's not good enough for me and they release it on the new Macbook Air this year, then I will NOT be buying the latest Macbook Air.
How the trackpad functions is very much a make-or-break feature for me.
Actually it works surprisingly well. Six or seven years ago we put together a slot machine that used haptic feedback. In addition to the main display we replaced the buttons with an LCD. When you would press the on screen buttons it would vibrate and feel like a normal button press. It was a big hit in the back room demos we gave at that year's G2E show.
People liked it even though our implementation was a bit clunky. I'm sure Apple's version would be that much better.
----------
Easier perhaps but the current design doesn't function consistently.
This is a good idea: it is currently almost impossible to drag and drop comfortably with a single hand and to cover the entire trackpad area while doing so. Your thumb has to press the lower part of the trackpad, and your index finger can then hardly move to drag. If the whole thing was clickable, you would finally be able to drag and drop like with a mouse, like good old times. You'd use a single finger, move the pointer, press harder to click, and move your finger somewhere else and release. Simple!
There is only one physical "button", but if you enable two-button clicking in the system preferences then an invisible line gets drawn down the middle of the trackpad so you can right click and left click.
The idea is that a bit of software would mimic the "click" feel based on sensing your fingers. without looking it would feel the same. but with no moving pieces.
Thus continues Apple's war on moving pieces. Because movingbpieces need repairs.. That leaves the Power button and Keyboard....
As you're an owner of a Retina MacBook Pro, I'm a little shocked you're saying that. It's simply the best notebook on the market. Go back to the MacBook Pros of 2008 and you'll see just how much Apple's notebook line has evolved.
thats actually likely the hard drive or battery that are mounted directly beneath the trackpad. if you have a first gen unibody macbook pro, its easy to remove the battery panel and press on the corners of the hard drive to see if the shock mounts are loose. with the later gens, you'd have to remove the screws that attach the entire bottom panel to get at the drive.
Click, click, click
I think what a lot of people are griping about regards clicking and dragging, such as moving a file from one folder to another, or moving an icon on the desktop. However, with the sensors in the new trackpad and the actuators, nobody will be missing the "clicky" feeling of the older trackpads.
I think what a lot of people are griping about regards clicking and dragging, such as moving a file from one folder to another, or moving an icon on the desktop. However, with the sensors in the new trackpad and the actuators, nobody will be missing the "clicky" feeling of the older trackpads.
Dragging
if you go into the accessibility settings and choose "Mouse & Trackpad" then trackpad options, you can enable dragging (I prefer without drag lock). Then, to drag, simply double tap, but hold the second tap and slide around to drag. I find it easier than the three-finger shuffle, but YMMV.
EDIT: Oh, and if you run out of real estate on your trackpad, simply keep that finger down on the trackpad but use another finger to slide in the direction you want to drag, and the dragging continues. Of course, if you change your mind, hit ESC and the dragging is cancelled.
if you go into the accessibility settings and choose "Mouse & Trackpad" then trackpad options, you can enable dragging (I prefer without drag lock). Then, to drag, simply double tap, but hold the second tap and slide around to drag. I find it easier than the three-finger shuffle, but YMMV.
EDIT: Oh, and if you run out of real estate on your trackpad, simply keep that finger down on the trackpad but use another finger to slide in the direction you want to drag, and the dragging continues. Of course, if you change your mind, hit ESC and the dragging is cancelled.
The one thing that I do feel is annoying about the MBP is the click on the trackpad. It almost makes the computer unusable at night when trying to browse the web and your spouse is trying to go to sleep. And I know - it is a minor gripe - but I think I would prefer something that doesn't make a click noise.
Yes, which is what I was pointing out is clearly mentioned in the article - if anything the "clicky feeling" will be enhanced not taken anyway! They've read the title and turned their brains off.
Just remove the physical button all together. Tap to click with drag lock is easier, faster, and uses no moving parts. The button is redundant.