Apple's Magic Trackpad: The Battery-Guzzling Equivalent of an Alcoholic.

[nightmaresonwax]

Hello...
Is it a usual for Apple's Magic Trackpad to go through batteries like nobody's business?
I've been using Apple's rechargeable batteries/charger, and whilst the Wireless Keyboard is still on the same charge since May, I reckon I've been changing batteries in the Trackpad near enough every week or so!
I understand the Keyboard requires a lot less juice to run, but really?!?! I used to use the Magic Mouse before I got the Trackpad, and I remember changing around every month or so... Surely the Trackpad can't be hungry every week?!
Or is it Apple's rechargeable batteries that are the weak link? I was using Duracell batteries when I had the Mouse...
I will continue to feed this beast because I love it so, but I fear I may end up getting eaten if I ever run out of charged batteries!

 

[ugahairydawgs]

First thought is that it is your batteries. Switch to some non-rechargeables and see what happens.

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

I too have a Magic Trackpad - and stopped using it over the battery issue. (I used rechargeable, then non and the issue was still horrid)

So that said, the battery life could have been improved via design change that wasn't made for reasons unknown. But - the way touch pads work, they will always use more power than a keyboard or mouse simply because of how they work. Keyboards are closing switches - so they use very little power to get this job done. A mouse powers up a laser - which again, can be very low power. A touch pad usually has to charge the surface and measure the difference in capacitance - and with multi-touch, it must use even more. All of those examples assume they're wireless, and I understand the RF radio also uses power.

 

[tums]

I haven't had any problems with my trackpad. I have had it since March and have replaced the batteries once.

 

[Herdfan]

Bought my iMac the Saturday after the refresh (5/7?) and am still using the batteries than came with it and according to the battery life indicator, I am still at 40%.

 

[dreamersofeden]

You should use this (works with the Magic Trackpad too):

http://www.mobeetechnology.com/products/the-magic-bar.html

 

[JasonR]

My magic trackpad does not eat batteries...had it since December and I don't even think I've changed batteries once. Well maybe once...

My magic mouse on the other hand...

 

[drambuie]

Are you turning the trackpad off when it's not being used? If not, it will be in sleep mode, which still uses battery power. To power the magic trackpad off, press the button for 4 to 5 seconds until the green LED goes off. To turn it on, give it a single press, and it will connect to your Mac. The capacitive sensing grid on the trackpad uses less power than the magic mouse's laser.

 

[CuriousB]

Keyboard and trackpad last 3 days!

I have the same issue -- for 6 months I had to change my keyboard and trackpad's batteries every 3 days. The keyboard runs out before the trackpad. I got used to having a set of extra batteries ready for replacement.