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But why is the Track Pad So large ? Bad design bad use of space.

I don't think the larger track pad will make a big difference, it may help with some gestures. I feel it also looks worse due to its size.
 
One thing I've learned, owning and using Apple products of various versions for years; is that sometimes you've got to use it to "get it". Not always! I'll admit!

I was a longtime holdout of the iPhone because I just knew that on onscreen keyboard was INFERIOR to my plastic keyboards on my Palm and later Windows devices; and since I wrote a lot of e-mails from my phone; I just couldn't handle a "toy" like that. Of course, once Apple released the Retina display on the iPhone 4 and had a phone I just HAD to have, I got it, and within a week, was typing way faster than with the plastic keyboard.

There are other examples. And it's, of course, very likely that the trackpad WILL just be some big clunky trackpad and the touchbar will also be "meh". But when I get it, I'll know for sure eh? (Or go play with one in a store, etc.)

When they showed off the massive trackpad I had hoped they'd announce support for Apple Pencil; ala wacom tablet. Unfortunately, that's not the case...
 
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Bryan Bowler said:
Why is it a waste of space?
Click to expand...

That's my question too. Putting the old trackpad in just means more aluminum. The size of a laptop is determined by the display. So the 'base' is going to be just as big no matter how big or small the keyboard or trackpad are. I suspect there's no real performance advantage to this; despite the fleeting claim from Phil Schiller saying it's better for gestures (without showing us how or demoing any great new gestures). This was probably purely aesthetic. Frankly, I think Apple just thought it looked better, and were confident enough in how good their trackpad is at Palm rejection; that they figured it wouldn't be detrimental to the user.
 
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I'd love to see the entire lower area go fully trackpad. This is brilliant.

And then someday becoming a secondary display to sketch on (with pencil maybe), display status info, etc...
 
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It's a placeholder for pencil use followed by an OLED inlay.
No issues with the current size nor possible future of it as surely the palm detection is solid by now.
 
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It is definitely huge, but what could be more important to put there instead?

Seems convenient now you don't have to need your hands to be in the middle.
 
I'm hoping this is in preparation for compatibility with the Apple Pencil. Would be nice to do engineering homework and stuff without having to use a Wacom tablet.
 
Bryan Bowler said:
Why is it a waste of space?
Click to expand...


I can't believe you need to ask.
If you're flying over the desert and your plane crashes leaving you as the sole survivor with limited resources and no communication mechanisms, then the additional aluminium will be needed to singal passing aircraft (or aliens) towards your location so you can be rescued. The trackpad just won't cut it compared to the aluminium in this case.
 
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Howard2k said:
I can't believe you need to ask.
If you're flying over the desert and your plane crashes leaving you as the sole survivor with limited resources and no communication mechanisms, then the additional aluminium will be needed to singal passing aircraft (or aliens) towards your location so you can be rescued. The trackpad just won't cut it compared to the aluminium in this case.
Click to expand...

I know you're being sarcastic; but the Trackpad is made of glass. The aluminum is anodized; a process literally meant to reduce the amount of light the aluminum reflects in order to give it a more matte finish. The glass trackpad would probably make a better signaling device.
 
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Bryan Bowler said:
Why is it a waste of space?
Click to expand...
cos they coulda prolly put a tad bit more battery in

RE Size: I agree with the sentiment that it's a bit of a waste without Apple Pencil support. If it was intended to be used as a new input means for the Pencil then the big size would be nice but otherwise.. meh.

Just to prove the point, for those that have used windows trackpads that wear out over time, how many times have you seen a trackpad genuinely wear out edge-to-edge? most of the times I see wearing out in the middle.
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Is anyone but me worried about your palms hitting the track pad as you type and causing it to freak out?

I rest my palms on the aluminum. Now, I think half of my palms will be hitting the two sides of the track pad. Maybe it is smart enough to ignore that?
 
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pedzsan said:
Is anyone but me worried about your palms hitting the track pad as you type and causing it to freak out?

I rest my palms on the aluminum. Now, I think half of my palms will be hitting the two sides of the track pad. Maybe it is smart enough to ignore that?
Click to expand...
I think Detroitborg covered it in his YouTube review. It was exactly my first thoughts as well and supposedly it's okish. No mis-touches or anything.
 
ssong said:
cos they coulda prolly put a tad bit more battery in

RE Size: I agree with the sentiment that it's a bit of a waste without Apple Pencil support. If it was intended to be used as a new input means for the Pencil then the big size would be nice but otherwise.. meh.

Just to prove the point, for those that have used windows trackpads that wear out over time, how many times have you seen a trackpad genuinely wear out edge-to-edge? most of the times I see wearing out in the middle.
Click to expand...

Because most of the time windows trackpads aren't used for multitouch gestures, and certainly not the full range of macOS gestures.
 
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Have people already forgotten about palm rejection?

It's not new to Apple, either -- it didn't begin with the iPad Pro. OS X, and at least back to OS 9, used to have a trackpad setting with a checkbox for "Ignore accidental input", but it's not even necessary anymore.

I can see being skeptical if you're coming from a crappy Windows laptop that reads every light touch as a click-and-drag, but come on...

(shakes head)
 
Using the new MacBook Pro for purely work purposes, so this involves so some deep thoughtful narrative writing with no issues on the touch pad. Aside from the narrative writing, heavy use of terminal as well. Largely my name consists on typing e-mails, writing documents, and doing command line code via terminal. No problems with the larger trackpad at all. I am just having second doubts on not getting the touch bar model (which I most likely will get) especially if I can develop some neat terminal quick commands, but it looks as if the the auto correct feature on the touch bar has me sold. I am generally looking to increase productivity along with a little fun (maybe WoW will have some great touch bar features (doubtful))
 
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