Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

maryunani

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 9, 2015
56
22
It just suddenly went.

The last time I used my rMB was four days ago, everything was fine. But then, when I used it again now the haptic feedback in the trackpad is suddenly missing. Funnily enough it's still sounding like a click when I disable "Silent clicking", and force touch still works. Is it in anyway related to El Cap? (Me uses a beta version 15A278b).

Any help appreciated. Am backing up in Time Machine now, in case a clean install might help.
 

JD92

macrumors 6502a
Apr 14, 2005
934
31
It just suddenly went.

The last time I used my rMB was four days ago, everything was fine. But then, when I used it again now the haptic feedback in the trackpad is suddenly missing. Funnily enough it's still sounding like a click when I disable "Silent clicking", and force touch still works. Is it in anyway related to El Cap? (Me uses a beta version 15A278b).

Any help appreciated. Am backing up in Time Machine now, in case a clean install might help.

I haven't had this myself, but I did notice when I was in an Apple Store that there was a MacBook with the same issue which you're describing. I asked one of the specialists and they said it was broken. You should take it in to the Genius Bar!
 

ws07

macrumors member
Jul 26, 2011
39
5
I haven't had this myself, but I did notice when I was in an Apple Store that there was a MacBook with the same issue which you're describing. I asked one of the specialists and they said it was broken. You should take it in to the Genius Bar!

I'm on my second 12" MacBook for this exact same problem... and today it died again. It was a slow death - i started to notice it a little weaker, and now it's entirely non-vibrating. Still functions as a trackpad, but with no click feedback, etc it's incredibly difficult to use.

Back to the Genius bar yet again - there is definitely a reliability issue here. The keyboard and trackpad are both very unreliable on this machine. It's too bad I love the form factor so much or I'd be right back to the pro...
 

ZipZap

macrumors 603
Dec 14, 2007
6,112
1,467
If the haptic is gone there is no sense of click. No sound. Nothing. The OP reports a sound...which is impossible. So something else may be wrong. To ask if its an EL Cap issue is to imply you just upgraded..true?
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
As much as I like the new trackpad, I do rather feel it`s a very complex solution for a simple requirement, and to some extents completely unnecessary...

That's my thinking, its an overly complex solution to a problem that really doesn't exist and being so complex may have a propensity to fail
 

Queen6

macrumors G4
That's my thinking, its an overly complex solution to a problem that really doesn't exist and being so complex may have a propensity to fail

I really like the "Force Touch" trackpad, equally I tend to agree it`s likely to bring more issue due to the additional complexity, and Apple being Apple will likely just want to replace the entire top case in the event of failure.

It`s rather like someone sat down and decided to come up with the most complex possible mechanism for a trackpad, this being said it does work, nor do we see an abundance of issues on the forums, time will tell no doubt.

Q-6
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
I really like the "Force Touch" trackpad, equally I tend to agree it`s likely to bring more issue due to the additional complexity,
For me it seems like a solution in search of a problem. Yes, Apple probably needed to do something because traditional trackpads may not work with the thinness of the rMB, but I think instead of making computers wafer thin and then creating complex components to account for that thinness, make the computer a but thicker and the traditional (virtually bulletproof) components. Just my $.02 :)
 

Samuelsan2001

macrumors 604
Oct 24, 2013
7,729
2,153
For me it seems like a solution in search of a problem. Yes, Apple probably needed to do something because traditional trackpads may not work with the thinness of the rMB, but I think instead of making computers wafer thin and then creating complex components to account for that thinness, make the computer a but thicker and the traditional (virtually bulletproof) components. Just my $.02 :)

I can't agree, when you set out to make the most portable laptop then thinness and lightness is at the heart of it, developing new technology to allow this has pushed the envelope for interaction with this and other devices (force touch screens in the iPhone etc).

There is no logic in berating Apple for not using the latest chips and not staying up to date and then bashing them for developing and using new technology (and on the whole getting it right first time).

They had a problem and they solved it and developed a top bit of technology at the same time can't ask for more than that.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
I disagree, because mostly I see apple's obsession with thinness more form over function. At some point a product is too thin, its thinness actually impacts how well it works the consumer. I'd say that the Retina MacBook has approached that point, where the touchpad and keyboard are seeming having some issues due to the new design of both, when they could gone with something a bit more substantial and perhaps less likely to fail and the only shortfall would have been the laptop being only a few centimeters thicker.
 

ZipZap

macrumors 603
Dec 14, 2007
6,112
1,467
Considering that all owners of the rMB are beta testing the tech, I expected to see these issues in the product and know they will be resolved for the benefit of future owners.

My only complaints, other than price, are that the keyboard is too cramped and there needs to be 1 additional USB-C port.
 

Queen6

macrumors G4
I disagree, because mostly I see apple's obsession with thinness more form over function. At some point a product is too thin, its thinness actually impacts how well it works the consumer. I'd say that the Retina MacBook has approached that point, where the touchpad and keyboard are seeming having some issues due to the new design of both, when they could gone with something a bit more substantial and perhaps less likely to fail and the only shortfall would have been the laptop being only a few centimeters thicker.

Time will tell on the reliability side; the new trackpad is unequivocally more complex. Personally I thinks it`s a little too soon to make a call on reliability, however the complexity implies greater potential. Apple are undoubtedly looking at form over function, to some extents they always have done, however Apple has clearly learnt that the marriage of technology, design and kudos sells in volume, even at the expense of functionality.

Q-6
 

NT1440

macrumors Pentium
May 18, 2008
15,092
22,158
As much as I like the new trackpad, I do rather feel it`s a very complex solution for a simple requirement, and to some extents completely unnecessary...

Q-6
Apple has MUCH more in the pipeline for Haptics, which requires the taptic engine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jgelin

jgelin

macrumors 6502a
Jul 30, 2015
905
1,073
St Petersburg, FL
Apple has MUCH more in the pipeline for Haptics, which requires the taptic engine.
I am going to agree with this. It seems overly complicated at the moment because it is still bridging the newer ideas for the software with the users older perceptions of how exactly the tech should work. This is seeming to me more of a breadcrumb than a whole slice type of feature, and I expect for there to be a larger collection of crumbs as OS X continues to develop.
 

NT1440

macrumors Pentium
May 18, 2008
15,092
22,158
I am going to agree with this. It seems overly complicated at the moment because it is still bridging the newer ideas for the software with the users older perceptions of how exactly the tech should work. This is seeming to me more of a breadcrumb than a whole slice type of feature, and I expect for there to be a larger collection of crumbs as OS X continues to develop.
It's going to be a VERY interesting WWDC this year ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: jgelin

MrAverigeUser

macrumors 6502a
May 20, 2015
895
397
europe
For me it seems like a solution in search of a problem. Yes, Apple probably needed to do something because traditional trackpads may not work with the thinness of the rMB, but I think instead of making computers wafer thin and then creating complex components to account for that thinness, make the computer a but thicker and the traditional (virtually bulletproof) components. Just my $.02 :)

Time will tell on the reliability side; the new trackpad is unequivocally more complex. Personally I thinks it`s a little too soon to make a call on reliability, however the complexity implies greater potential. Apple are undoubtedly looking at form over function, to some extents they always have done, however Apple has clearly learnt that the marriage of technology, design and kudos sells in volume, even at the expense of functionality.

Q-6


I agree with you both 1000%…. they took the wrong (Jonny Ive´s "Form over function" thin-gimmick-philosophy) way already since 2011/2012… (Steve Jobs died in october 2011) and it´s getting worse and worse since then…
 
Last edited:

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
Personally I thinks it`s a little too soon to make a call on reliability,

Agreed, but by the same token what we do see can be construed as troubling, i.e., a number of members here have reported a lot of issues with the keyboard.
 

Queen6

macrumors G4
I agree with you both 1000%…. they took the wrong (Jonny Ive´s "Form over function" thin-gimmick-philosophy) way already since 2011/2012… (Steve Jobs died in october 2011) and it´s getting worse and worse since then…

This now is Apple`s design philosophy, we have simple choices as consumers; buy or disregard. Apple will continue deeper on this path as it will appeal to ever more average users, who mostly focus on Apple`s kudos. Those of us needing more will need to look elsewhere.

I find myself now considering Windows based hardware for the first time in decades, not that I think Apple is designing & producing substandard computers, rather the systems are not working for me as well as I would like. Should the 2016 13" & 15" rMBP fail to impress, my current Retina MacBook`s will remain or more likely be replaced with Windows based hardware.

Q-6
[doublepost=1453222136][/doublepost]
Agreed, but by the same token what we do see can be construed as troubling, i.e., a number of members here have reported a lot of issues with the keyboard.

It`s a very small sample, and my mind is open, so far I have not personally incurred issue. I do think that "thin & light" has literally become an obsession with Apple, and sadly the industry as a whole. Phones are a great example thiner & lighter than ever, however a power bank is now almost mandatory as a result :rolleyes:

I like my rMB for what it is, equally I don't want the rMBP to be just a bigger version. I would far rather prefer to see more utility, than millimetres & grams shaves off here & there, equally it is what it is; consumer product for the masses, nor do you require too much "utility" for FaceBook...

Q-6
 

MrAverigeUser

macrumors 6502a
May 20, 2015
895
397
europe
This now is Apple`s design philosophy, we have simple choices as consumers; buy or disregard. Apple will continue deeper on this path as it will appeal to ever more average users, who mostly focus on Apple`s kudos. Those of us needing more will need to look elsewhere.

I find myself now considering Windows based hardware for the first time in decades, not that I think Apple is designing & producing substandard computers, rather the systems are not working for me as well as I would like. Should the 2016 13" & 15" rMBP fail to impress, my current Retina MacBook`s will remain or more likely be replaced with Windows based hardware.

Q-6


For my part,
the "old" MBP of 2011/12 are far enough performing for my needs - the newer MBPs are not really performing significantly more (just +10-20%) - so I´d prefer to buy another 2012 MBP second-hand one day - just to be shure I can use one for years… the one I write here got all I need because I upgraded already with 1 TB SSD and 16GB RAM.
For heavier performance I can use and/or upgrade my classic MacPro 4,1 8-core to a fast 12 Core with some hundred EUR… 3rd party GPU is already purchased as also SSD on PCIe… :)

CPU/GPU Performance, storage place/RAM: for 99% of people no longer a barrier or real-world problem no more.
 
Last edited:

ZipZap

macrumors 603
Dec 14, 2007
6,112
1,467
A really very good article about "classic" and "new" apple-philosophy, read it from "
"Misguided Chutzpah"
on….

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/new-macbook-type-c-apple-hubris,news-49896.html

Love that article. So true.
But then I am reminded of the Macbook Air stupidity when it first released.

In truth this is really an Apple business plan to Extract the most $ from your customers.
So why not release an inferior rMB.
Then in a year another.
And in a year, another.

Revenue streams baby.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.