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Apple Releases the Magic Trackpad

Picked one up today to try out.

It's OK so far - not sure it's gonna replace my Performance MX though...

I'm going to keep it for a couple of weeks and see how I get on with it - if it doesn't work out I'll just take it back.
 
MagnusVonMagnum said:
That is because Windows represents "extra" sales to Apple so they will support it while they want to FORCE Leopard users to upgrade to Snow Leopard so the won't support it. They just added some gesture support to "older" Macbook models, but my September '08 (not even two years old) Macbook Pro isn't one of them. That's Apple for you. Don't add new features for older hardware so they can try and milk you some more.
Click to expand...

In most cases, I may not agree, but in this case with this product, I agree that it seems to be the forced upgrade path, ignoring older users. Who knew that old was less than 2 years ago.
 
For size comparison:

photo2vs.jpg
 
chillywilly said:
In most cases, I may not agree, but in this case with this product, I agree that it seems to be the forced upgrade path, ignoring older users. Who knew that old was less than 2 years ago.
Click to expand...
I still don't see why this is such a huge deal. So far the only gestures that appear to be unavailable on the two year-old MBP trackpad are three finger dragging (as opposed to three finger navigation which is there) and assigning a trackpad corner for secondary click.

Snow Leopard BTW is only $29. As stated my MBP is older than the one that appears to be now obsolete, yet runs SL perfectly. Hence it's got all the gestures mentioned above.

Really, what's the issue here? I don't get it.
 
Got mine from the Solihull Store (UK) earlier. It's taking a little while to get used to it (not too sure if I prefer tap to click or real click)

Very nice unit, only wish you could configure the swipe gestures out of the box as you can with BetterTouchTool.

magictrackpad_1.jpg


Looks a bit odd next to the big keyboard. I feel I might be falling into the Apple trap of buying other stuff
 
Queso said:
What gesture didn't they add? The three finger navigation swipe? Works fine on my early 2008 MBP :confused:
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"In particular, recent MacBook and MacBook Pro models receive support for the inertial scrolling that debuted on Apple's current MacBook Pro models, in addition to the new three-finger window dragging gesture that it included on the Magic Trackpad. The MacBook Air, as well as "Early 2008" MacBook Pro models gain only inertial scrolling."

I see no technical reason to exclude those features. Apple seems to enjoy playing "if you want this feature, buy a newer [insert device here]" just like with the iPhone where many features clearly work on 3rd party hacks, but Apple reserves them for only the current and possibly one or two generation previous machines. I'd find a corner 2nd button pretty useful given that Apple cannot seem to manage to include a 2nd mouse button for some bizarre reason (some throwback to the old one-button mice ought to be good enough for anyone routine where they cannot admit they were wrong about ANYTHING)? Two-finger right click can be awkward at times. Heck, one finger click and drag can be awkward, which is why I cannot fathom why anyone would actually prefer a trackpad to an actual mouse on a desktop machine.
 
Using one right now. Bought one for each system today in Tampa. Funny thing was, the sales rep didnt even realize they were out on the floor. I think, so far, that its great. If you want to lean back, its on your lap, and its all good. Does NOT work with apple TV, yet. Tons of possibilities with this thing. I like it.
 
lilo777 said:
I am not sure that new size makes sense. Track pads are good for finger-swipes. Unless someone has huge hands, the new size is a waste of space and may not bring any benefits compared to MBP pads.
Click to expand...

Don't have this yet, tomorrow. But Apple's large MBP trackpads are infinitely superior to any PC laptop I've ever touched. A little more size makes it much easier to move around the screen (esp today's ever-growing screens) in normal daily work. Even with super fast tracking, your average Dell is painful to use, MBPs are wonderful. Imagine this with a 27" screen with all those pixels.

Oh, and yes, huge hands.
 
MagnusVonMagnum said:
Two-finger right click can be awkward at times. Heck, one finger click and drag can be awkward, which is why I cannot fathom why anyone would actually prefer a trackpad to an actual mouse on a desktop machine.
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I cannot fathom why anybody would willingly put fungus in their mouth, yet mushrooms seem to be quite popular the world over.

Relax.
 
Just got mine. So far so good.

For anyone who is interested, I'm running Synergy server on my Mac Pro so I can share a keyboard/mouse with a Windows 7 box. On the Windows box the Magic Trackpad (via Synergy) works perfectly fine for the basic functions - movement, single click, double click, double click drag, two finger right click, secondary click and two finger vertical scroll. Pinch/rotate/horizontal scroll do not translate, but that's fine for what I use it for. Vertical scrolling on the Win PC is actually smoother than it was with the Logitech Trackman I had hooked up previously.

Overall very pleased so far.
 
mw12a said:
Just got mine. So far so good.

For anyone who is interested, I'm running Synergy server on my Mac Pro so I can share a keyboard/mouse with a Windows 7 box. On the Windows box the Magic Trackpad (via Synergy) works perfectly fine for the basic functions - movement, single click, double click, double click drag, two finger right click, secondary click and two finger vertical scroll. Pinch/rotate/horizontal scroll do not translate, but that's fine for what I use it for. Vertical scrolling on the Win PC is actually smoother than it was with the Logitech Trackman I had hooked up previously.

Overall very pleased so far.
Click to expand...

Tried one at a store Wednesday - will be getting one with a new iMac.

Wonderfully responsive, accurate and smooth.

Sure beats the hell out of reaching outward and smudging the screen - a much more sensible way to bring multi-touch to the desktop.
 
I got mine yesterday and I love it so far. It is smooth, has good accuracy and it looks great. I don't think I want to use my Magic Mouse anymore.
 
I've been using mine for the past day or so, and let me tell you — it is EXTREMELY comfortable. I hardly have to move my hand whatsoever, just the tips of my fingers. Also, it's great for my laptop as well.

If I'm laying down, I'll often prop my MacBook Pro on my chest. I can just set the Magic Trackpad down to my side, and surf without having to put my hands in an awkward position. Of course, on a desktop machine it works just as good.

Definitely try it out, it blows the mouse out of the water.
 
petvas said:
I got mine yesterday and I love it so far. It is smooth, has good accuracy and it looks great. I don't think I want to use my Magic Mouse anymore.
Click to expand...

I got mine yesterday too. Now hooked up to the Mac Mini on the TV and it's just bliss not to have to sweep the mouse all over the floor or the coffee table!
 
The more I use the Trackpad, the happier I am with it. It has officially replaced my Magic Mouse for all tasks except video editing (dragging, dropping, holding is still too delicate to do on a trackpad over and over again without some frustration).

The trackpad is particularly useful for anybody who has a large screen, like a 27" iMac. I no longer have to toss the mouse around to get the cursor across the ginormous screen. This could also be thanks to better acceleration software for the new Trackpad.

And I'm definitely a no-click person, I love the fact I don't have to clickety clack all day long anymore :).
 
Queso said:
I still don't see why this is such a huge deal. So far the only gestures that appear to be unavailable on the two year-old MBP trackpad are three finger dragging (as opposed to three finger navigation which is there) and assigning a trackpad corner for secondary click.

Snow Leopard BTW is only $29. As stated my MBP is older than the one that appears to be now obsolete, yet runs SL perfectly. Hence it's got all the gestures mentioned above.

Really, what's the issue here? I don't get it.
Click to expand...

I'm running Snow Leopard on an early to mid 2008 15 inch MacBook Pro (bought in April 2008), and three-fingered swiping works. I didn't expect it to, but it does. In fact, it works with Firefox, too. I'm not sure why support says otherwise; maybe they think that it is not up to performance snuff on these models, but it seems to work fine. I would have been happy without it, but am super happy to have it, as it makes web browsing a breeze.

Oh, to clarify, it does three-fingered dragging, too. However, you have to choose one or the other, so I choose the three-fingered navigation.
 
Question - for the right click 1 or 2 fingers? Also is it as responsive and accurate with the mouse pointer as the Macbook trackpad?
 
PerfSeeker said:
Question - for the right click 1 or 2 fingers? Also is it as responsive and accurate with the mouse pointer as the Macbook trackpad?
Click to expand...

The Magic Trackpad is just as customizable as the MacBook trackpad, and is probably even more accurate.

That being said, to right-click, you can either use two fingers (default), or change the settings and just use one finger to click down on the lower right side.
 
Kebabselector said:
magictrackpad_1.jpg


Looks a bit odd next to the big keyboard. I feel I might be falling into the Apple trap of buying other stuff
Click to expand...

So it doesn't fit flush with the wired aluminium keyboard? Damn it. Was thinking of getting one to replace my really rather rubbish Mighty Mouse, but I have the older wired keyboard (which I prefer due to the number pad).

I'll probably still end up getting it anyway.
 
I have to say I bought the tracpad as sort of a novelty item because I rarely use the tracpad on my MBP because I almost always an at a desk with a second monitor with an attached keyboard and standard 5 button mouse.

I have never gotten the full use out of the inertial scrolling because of the scroll wheel sucks and the magic mouse didn't support expose or else I would use that. I got the tracpad friday, and I couldn't be more happy with my purchase.

I still have the mouse hooked up by never use it. The angle at which the tracpad sits is absolutely perfect to my ergonomics. The physical click is also a great feature that pretty much makes the device feel complete.

An absolutely welcomed addition my peripheral arsenal and will soon entirely replace the 5 button mouse. For some reason, I like the feel of it A LOT more than the tracpad on my computer. I think the added size and tilt make for a much more usable experience.
 
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