Erratic trackpad behavior

do you have 3 finger drag enabled?

and yeah it does the first thing you said but i thought that was my wireless mouse interfering

 

I also have this problem (MBP 2012, 10.8.5). The cursor sometimes goes crazy: moves, drags, and clicks; annoying.

It is not a wifi-bluetooth issue; it happens with both off.

I looked around for a solution sometime ago, but did not find a firm solution. Hardware-wise, I read that it may be due to loose internal connections or battery problems. However, I think it is a software issue.

I will try disabling the three-finger drag and will report back if the problem persists. If this does not work, I will try external mouse/trackpad.

 

This did not work for me. Disabled three finger drag and the problem still persists. Also, using an external trackpad, the problem still continues.

Is there any way to disable the built-in trackpad and use only the external?

 

I haven't got erratic clicking/dragging, but the mouse does jump around and while scrolling webpages seem to stutter horizontally at a rapid pace (even on websites that have no horizontal scrolling, very weird).

Also, just using Safari I was getting delays and weird GUI artifacts while closing tabs. They disappear very quickly, but it's still noticeable.

My old 2010 Macbook Pro actually seems smoother so far.

Should I return the new MBP?

 

My problems started similar to these sometime ago. Later, the MBP started clicking on things and moving stuff around … really annoying.
After some tests, I think it is a hardware issue. I do not know if the reports on the new MBPs are related or are a software problem. If you can, I would return it and get a new one.

 

Thanks, I ordered from Amazon so I have up to 30 days to return it. I wouldn't mind just replacing it, but it looks like they're out of stock at the moment!

 

I'll be shipping it back to Amazon.

Do you think Cook is trying to boost profit margins at quality's expense?

 

Lowering quality will reduce cost and increase profits. So, if Apple can lower it, within their standards, they will. The issue is what their standards are, and if they are meeting them. I still have some 80's and 90's Macs and Apple peripherals that still work perfectly. However I have had to take in for repairs almost all newer stuff. I am a small sample, but for me it shows a [my] trend.
Thus, to answer your question, yes, I think Apple is lowering quality; I cannot be sure if it is to boost profit or to satisfy other requirements, such as volume or meet a schedule.

Although off-topic, I will say that I feel that the largest quality control issue is with software. Consistency, stability, and continuous improvement are not the same now. Now I am afraid to get updates, particularly, operating system updates. This never happened to me before (say in the 1990s or early 2000s).

Apple is not the same as it used to be.

 

I was doing some maintenance, and had to repair permissions (for another issue). Since then, my cursor has behaved normally. It has been OK for about 3-4 days. You may want to try it. I have a 2012 MBP, with 10.8.5
Please let us know if this worked for you.

 

This may sound weird but have you guys tried wiping the trackpad with a microfiber cloth? It's a long shot but i'm thinking maybe sweat or oil from fingers might interfere with the capacitive sensors of the trackpad. Because of the light color of the trackpad you might not even notice it.
It sounds stupid to me too but it's worth a try.

 

I have this happening on both my new rMBP, but also my 2009 MacMini with a Magic Trackpad, which was upgraded to Mavericks. I think it might be a bug related to Mavericks, not Tim Cook scamming you.

 

I had this issue with the Bluetooth track pad, after I gently (LOL) disposed of the $70 track pad apple refused to replace, turned out to be loose screws.. might fix your issue

 

I started having this issue some time ago and initially thought my 18 month old macbook was ready for the bin! I have since realised it only happens in humid or damp conditions, or if the mac is really cold.

I cure it this way:

Thoroughly clean the track pad with an alcohol computer safe cleaner
Take a small hair dryer and use it on low to dry out the are around the track pad, holding down the buttons on either side to allow the air to go underneath the pad...

presto!!

If I get sweaty palms or touch my hair and then the track pad the problem will also occur, so basically be really careful about what comes into contact with it, and keep it clean and dry