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CES 2012: BulletTrain eXpress Enclosure for Magic Trackpad and Apple Keyboard
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Not only that, but it would make the laptop less usable for half the population, no matter what side you put the trackpad on. It's like the new wave of PC Laptops out there with the trackpad shifted to the side a bit. Nice idea, but only works for half of your customers. Trackpad in the middle will work equally bad for everyone.
Does the trackpad work with the iPad like they have in the pic?
Does it wobble if you rest one hand on the palm area? (Push down to the table)
Good idea .. I think I will make one out of wood today with the trackpad to the right and a little lower and maybe a slight palm rest. I'll use high tech wood and $20 paint job. No Kidding. Actually painting is more involved so Natural wood finishes would be the extra $20. Into production with slight profit = $69 and $89 retail. and you could rest your hand on the corner.
I like "the idea".
Does it wobble if you rest one hand on the palm area? (Push down to the table)
Good idea .. I think I will make one out of wood today with the trackpad to the right and a little lower and maybe a slight palm rest. I'll use high tech wood and $20 paint job. No Kidding. Actually painting is more involved so Natural wood finishes would be the extra $20. Into production with slight profit = $69 and $89 retail. and you could rest your hand on the corner.
I like "the idea".
Been using portables my entire life ( 91 notebook up to 07 MacBook ) . Got an iPad and decided to ditch my last MacBook and move on to an iMac ( which I truly love ) but ... Never used a mouse in my entire life ... Hated it so got an magic trackpad and would love to have the same feeling ( keyboard , palm rest / trackpad ) I have been using all these years ...
So yeah , I will give it a try .
Regards
So yeah , I will give it a try .
Regards
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I hate it
>>>I agree. The design of the MagicWand is more like the design of the keyboard and trackpad. Plus it is simpler and doesn't take up more room on my desk.
>>>I agree. The design of the MagicWand is more like the design of the keyboard and trackpad. Plus it is simpler and doesn't take up more room on my desk.
And where does it say anywhere that it's intended to stack your keyboard and trackpad just like laptop? It's sure flooding stupid today
If that's the case, Apple would release it from the beginning.
Magic trackpad and keyboard strong point is because it's separated and easy to move. Not bound like on most laptop, that's why me going with iMac desktop :super rolleyes:
Ouch the storm of stupidity hurt me eyes :Qudraple rolleyes:
I simply assume that because, well, what sense would such enclosure make if it was only to position the things inside "right"?
I could as well move my trackpad centered in front of my keyboard (on the table) if I wanted to, without buying this thing (or moving it to the side and not buying the MagicWand).
But see, what these things allow you to do is you can carry them easily with just one hand, putting them somewhere without a flat plain surface like your knees, your sofa, you name it.
Ergonomics & compactness FTW.
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That thing is pretty cool.
I'm always repositioning it on my desk to give my OCD a break, but I think my wrist and arm like it mobile, so it can float around as I move.
When I am at home with my laptop I use a mouse on purpose! Why the hell would someone want the same compact (non-ergonomic) setup they have on their laptop at home?? Not sure what this guy is thinking (or smoking).
The location of a trackpad on a notebook isn't for ergonomic reasons, it's a tradeoff due to size constraints!
I don't understand why anyone would do that voluntarily on a desktop setup - I guess this just isn't the product for me...
I don't understand why anyone would do that voluntarily on a desktop setup - I guess this just isn't the product for me...
Re: BulletTrain eXpress...
I was checking out the website the other week for the eXpress enclosure...
1.) It's a GREAT product enhancement if you're using an HTPC... using a PC or Mac hooked up to an Home Theater setup. Most 'keyboard' remotes and mice just don't do the trick for such setups. This product brings the very best of a Mac (ie. the keyboard / trackpad for MacBook Pros) to such setups. I don't think most buyers will use it at a desktop, which seems to be what most posters here think, but rather for an HTPC or 'Media Center' computers...
2.) That said, the $139 list price on their website is way too expensive, even for a product such as this, machined in small quantities. Hopefully if they've upped their manufacturing ability, they are now able to drop the price down to $79... which, despite protest from other posters is perfectly reasonable for what it allows in an HTPC setup...
3.) Unless they've addressed the underside of the eXpress in the last few weeks, the bottom looks very unfinished... and needs either a 'pillow' bottom (such as old 'lap desks' had) or a rubberized non-sip bottom (like the Logitech lap desk i'm using for my wireless keyboard/mouse right now)...
4.) While I think the invention is GREAT, the guy hawking it is ridiculous... It's no where near as revolutionary as he's making it out to be, and 95% of his website is pure marketing fluff... I remember all my professors in college complaining about how long my essays were bc of all the unnecessary 'BS' I loaded them with... yeahhh, this guy would def get a stern talking to from my professors for saying the same thing in 99 diff ways to promote his product...
5.) Don't hate on me... I'm using an HTPC setup w/ a Dell still... But, knowing that this BulletTrain eXpress product is available (and knowing how much I LOOOVE my MacBook Pro), it makes me wanna run out and get a Mac MINI, and wireless keyboard / trackpad, and, well, this BulletTrain eXpress product.
Thoughts?
I was checking out the website the other week for the eXpress enclosure...
1.) It's a GREAT product enhancement if you're using an HTPC... using a PC or Mac hooked up to an Home Theater setup. Most 'keyboard' remotes and mice just don't do the trick for such setups. This product brings the very best of a Mac (ie. the keyboard / trackpad for MacBook Pros) to such setups. I don't think most buyers will use it at a desktop, which seems to be what most posters here think, but rather for an HTPC or 'Media Center' computers...
2.) That said, the $139 list price on their website is way too expensive, even for a product such as this, machined in small quantities. Hopefully if they've upped their manufacturing ability, they are now able to drop the price down to $79... which, despite protest from other posters is perfectly reasonable for what it allows in an HTPC setup...
3.) Unless they've addressed the underside of the eXpress in the last few weeks, the bottom looks very unfinished... and needs either a 'pillow' bottom (such as old 'lap desks' had) or a rubberized non-sip bottom (like the Logitech lap desk i'm using for my wireless keyboard/mouse right now)...
4.) While I think the invention is GREAT, the guy hawking it is ridiculous... It's no where near as revolutionary as he's making it out to be, and 95% of his website is pure marketing fluff... I remember all my professors in college complaining about how long my essays were bc of all the unnecessary 'BS' I loaded them with... yeahhh, this guy would def get a stern talking to from my professors for saying the same thing in 99 diff ways to promote his product...
5.) Don't hate on me... I'm using an HTPC setup w/ a Dell still... But, knowing that this BulletTrain eXpress product is available (and knowing how much I LOOOVE my MacBook Pro), it makes me wanna run out and get a Mac MINI, and wireless keyboard / trackpad, and, well, this BulletTrain eXpress product.
Thoughts?
$139 Aluminum vs. $79 Glass-reinforced Polycarbonate
Just saw MacRumor's update... there is sitll a MORE expensive model (their original BulletTrain eXpress) in machined Aluminum selling for $139...
What Iiiii'd like to see would be for a competitor to create an even cheaper WOOD "eXpress" enclosure... Something in the same grain and 'inviting' light color that Apple uses for all it's desks and such in their stores!
How cool would that look? Same functionality of the aluminum or glass-reinforced polycarbonate, but WOOD w/ a light stain... Get to it, carpenters!!!
Thoughts?
Just saw MacRumor's update... there is sitll a MORE expensive model (their original BulletTrain eXpress) in machined Aluminum selling for $139...
What Iiiii'd like to see would be for a competitor to create an even cheaper WOOD "eXpress" enclosure... Something in the same grain and 'inviting' light color that Apple uses for all it's desks and such in their stores!
How cool would that look? Same functionality of the aluminum or glass-reinforced polycarbonate, but WOOD w/ a light stain... Get to it, carpenters!!!
Thoughts?
Man, I can't believe how many whiners are posting on here. I see one purpose for this thing and it looks like it will fit the bill perfectly - using my htpc Mac mini sitting on my couch.
While I agree the asking prices are a bit steep (I think you'd boost sales by double if you knocked $20-30 off them), they're not totally unreasonable. My apple kb slipped off of my lap due to my dog wanting attention. I caught it wih my feet, then it fell 4" to the ground. The aluminum around the button bent from the tiny drop rendering the keyboard useless. It essentially cost me $75. Something like this would definitely make my life easier.
Just because you don't understand a good use for an item doesn't mean you should totally bash it and trash talk it. I have no affiliation with this company. I just felt all the trash talking was completely over-the-top. If they run a sale, I'll definitely pick one up.
While I agree the asking prices are a bit steep (I think you'd boost sales by double if you knocked $20-30 off them), they're not totally unreasonable. My apple kb slipped off of my lap due to my dog wanting attention. I caught it wih my feet, then it fell 4" to the ground. The aluminum around the button bent from the tiny drop rendering the keyboard useless. It essentially cost me $75. Something like this would definitely make my life easier.
Just because you don't understand a good use for an item doesn't mean you should totally bash it and trash talk it. I have no affiliation with this company. I just felt all the trash talking was completely over-the-top. If they run a sale, I'll definitely pick one up.
Wow. The way people are railing on this you'd think the guy had made it out of puppy skins and kittens eyeballs. It mimics exactly the same layout as an Apple notebook, but you don't hear anyone complaining about the ergonomics of a MacBook. I agree with the poster who said this was useful for an HTPC setup - it's not for everyone, but to claim this has no use whatsoever is just dumb.
I've been using one of the aluminum ones for about three months and it's been great. I'm a developer and spend ~60 hours a week at my machine. I've had crippling RSI in my left wrist, and this thing has helped me enormously. I've tried the big plastic ergo keyboards that MS sells and found them unusably mushy and obnoxious.
Just because something doesn't appear useful to you doesn't mean it's not useful to anyone. Get some freaking perspective.
Just because something doesn't appear useful to you doesn't mean it's not useful to anyone. Get some freaking perspective.
Trackpads are usually aligned with the middle of the letter area of the keyboard. With 15-17" notebooks often having numeric keypads, this shoves the trackpad to the left, which would be ergonomically correct.
Until notebooks have some kind of integrated trackpad/keyboard, such as those demonstrated by some Apple patents, you're not going to have an ideal layout for a notebook.
I have been using the original BulletTrain Express for over a year and it is the absolute perfect solution for your Home Theater PC.
This subject has an extensive thread on MacRumors Tray to hold Apple Wireless Keyboard + Magic Trackpad? which provides an extensive discussion of the various alternatives.
One of the major complaints about the original BulletTrain eXpress was the cost; everyone was hoping the manufacturers would do something about bringing the cost down.
Now that this has been done and the product improved we have a number of people still complaining.
The BulletTrain eXpress is the best solution available and I for one am going to purchase the new $79 Glass-reinforced Polycarbonate unit once I decide on the color to buy.
This subject has an extensive thread on MacRumors Tray to hold Apple Wireless Keyboard + Magic Trackpad? which provides an extensive discussion of the various alternatives.
One of the major complaints about the original BulletTrain eXpress was the cost; everyone was hoping the manufacturers would do something about bringing the cost down.
Now that this has been done and the product improved we have a number of people still complaining.
The BulletTrain eXpress is the best solution available and I for one am going to purchase the new $79 Glass-reinforced Polycarbonate unit once I decide on the color to buy.
That's idiotic. I am actually considering purchasing a Magic Trackpad to make my working environment more comfortable when using my MacBook Pro.
Why would anyone want to reproduce the poor ergonomics of a notebook when using a desktop?
Why would anyone want to reproduce the poor ergonomics of a notebook when using a desktop?
Do you really believe MacBook Pros have poor ergonomics?
The ability to sit back in a chair or on a couch and control your HTPC and/or desktop without have to use a separate keyboard and mouse is why so many manufactures are creating trays to combine the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple Magic Trackpad.