My 13" MacBook Pro is one week old. Does anyone ełse feels like the trackpad has a slight bounce while using it?
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Macbook Pro glass trackpad (on ultrabooks, now)
- Thread starter Panini
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How typical of an Apple fanboy.
If function for Apple is that unimportant then why don't they just make the trackpad not work at all
The more gestures that I fit into my workflow the more I love apple trackpads over any mouse (except when gaming).
How typical of an Apple fanboy.
If function for Apple is that unimportant then why don't they just make the trackpad not work at all
I'm pretty sure I didn't say one was better than the other, that's just how Apple operates. I'd say is more typical of a fanboy to try and brag about how many (or, in some cases, how few) Apple products they own, maybe enhancing it will cute little pictures on the Apple logo on both sides in case we were confused about the type of computer they have.
1) The trackpad is in the middle of the computer! Apple doesn't slap on an unnecessary numpad which I am thankful for. I hated having to cock my whole body sideways/left to type on the machine.
2) Perfect amount of drag on the trackpad. Windows plastic trackpads were always either too grippy or too slick, depending on your finger dampness.
3) The trackpad is a button! No need to pick up your finger, just click where you like.
That's right
I bought the rMBP because it was nice, not because it was an product.
Apple's Trackpads are better both in term of hardware and software.
No other Trackpad has its level of accuracy and sensitivity, even in Boot Camp.
On OS X it's even better since Apple is in total control of both their hardware and software so they tweaked everything perfectly so that OS X uses Mac trackpads to their full potential.
If Windows laptops wanted to have a similar trackpad, they would first need to have good drivers. Even then, maybe even part of Windows would have to be rewrited to have the same kind of smoothness you get on OS X.
Then PC manufacturers would have to step their game up on hardware and stop cutting corners to bring price down. Build quality generally sucks on Windows PC in all departments, not just the trackpad, because they target a price point and do everything accordingly instead of having as a goal to make a laptop that's actually good. Some "high-end" Windows laptops like the Asus Zenbook are better than the average Windows laptop, but they still cut some corners to make it a bit cheaper than a MBA.
Windows laptop manufacturers have just given up on beating Apple on quality and just try to undercut their price with almost as good quality. There's no way a PC manufacturer will get to sell laptops more expensive than Macs for the same specs unless it has better build quality, which has literally never happened because they're not able to.
In other words, don't expect a better trackpad from Windows OEMs any time soon. As it is their goal is still to undercut Macs' price point, not beat them on quality.
What does this have to do with the topic?
What everybody's agreeing with is that Mac Trackpads are more functional than any other trackpads. The fact that they also look good doesn't change anything to it.
If anything this just proves that making something look good doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing functionality.
IMO it's more like:
Apple: Make what they consider the perfect computer first. Price follows.
Everyone else: Aim a selling price first. How the computer is follows.
Call me a fanboy for saying this but that's how their business model actually is.
No other Trackpad has its level of accuracy and sensitivity, even in Boot Camp.
On OS X it's even better since Apple is in total control of both their hardware and software so they tweaked everything perfectly so that OS X uses Mac trackpads to their full potential.
If Windows laptops wanted to have a similar trackpad, they would first need to have good drivers. Even then, maybe even part of Windows would have to be rewrited to have the same kind of smoothness you get on OS X.
Then PC manufacturers would have to step their game up on hardware and stop cutting corners to bring price down. Build quality generally sucks on Windows PC in all departments, not just the trackpad, because they target a price point and do everything accordingly instead of having as a goal to make a laptop that's actually good. Some "high-end" Windows laptops like the Asus Zenbook are better than the average Windows laptop, but they still cut some corners to make it a bit cheaper than a MBA.
Windows laptop manufacturers have just given up on beating Apple on quality and just try to undercut their price with almost as good quality. There's no way a PC manufacturer will get to sell laptops more expensive than Macs for the same specs unless it has better build quality, which has literally never happened because they're not able to.
In other words, don't expect a better trackpad from Windows OEMs any time soon. As it is their goal is still to undercut Macs' price point, not beat them on quality.
What does this have to do with the topic?
What everybody's agreeing with is that Mac Trackpads are more functional than any other trackpads. The fact that they also look good doesn't change anything to it.
If anything this just proves that making something look good doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing functionality.
IMO it's more like:
Apple: Make what they consider the perfect computer first. Price follows.
Everyone else: Aim a selling price first. How the computer is follows.
Call me a fanboy for saying this but that's how their business model actually is.
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Another big problem Windows manufacturers have is that they have to pay a pretty decent license fee for Windows. The amount Apple has to pay its engineers in comparison is next to nothing when divided over however many million macbooks they sell.
I agree with everyone about how the Macbook Trackpads are the best, one of the reasons why I just got a new Macbook Pro after not having a Mac laptop for awhile.
On a slightly unrelated note (figure I ask here instead of making a new thread), does anyone have signs of wear on the glass trackpad after extended use? I'm kinda anal about the condition of my Macs, so ordered a full body "InvisibleShield" (Wrapsol) to put on it. I'm debating if I should apply the trackpad film since it will diminish the "gliding" feel of the "naked" trackpad. Since its made out of glass maybe it won't get "glossy" over time like most PC laptop trackpads and the old white/black Macbooks?
On a slightly unrelated note (figure I ask here instead of making a new thread), does anyone have signs of wear on the glass trackpad after extended use? I'm kinda anal about the condition of my Macs, so ordered a full body "InvisibleShield" (Wrapsol) to put on it. I'm debating if I should apply the trackpad film since it will diminish the "gliding" feel of the "naked" trackpad. Since its made out of glass maybe it won't get "glossy" over time like most PC laptop trackpads and the old white/black Macbooks?
I have no idea, but until it changes, it's going to make which type of computer I buy in the future a lot easier.
I just don't get this either. I've yet to use a windows laptop (including business class ones for work) where I didn't feel forced to bring a mouse to do any serious work. Meanwhile on my personal Mac I never bring a mouse, ever.
I just don't get this either. I've yet to use a windows laptop (including business class ones for work) where I didn't feel forced to bring a mouse to do any serious work. Meanwhile on my personal Mac I never bring a mouse, ever.
It's simple really.
The fact that they've patented the technology is just a given.
It's more about Apple putting in more time, resources, and focus on building a world class trackpad. They've done a massive amount of testing, refining and tuning to get it "just right".
I have other laptops with very good trackpads, so they do exist.
Yet compared to Apple it's simply no contest. Apple's gestures are so well done, in concert with a corresponding amount of work on the OS, that no other system can compare.
The fact that they've patented the technology is just a given.
It's more about Apple putting in more time, resources, and focus on building a world class trackpad. They've done a massive amount of testing, refining and tuning to get it "just right".
I have other laptops with very good trackpads, so they do exist.
Yet compared to Apple it's simply no contest. Apple's gestures are so well done, in concert with a corresponding amount of work on the OS, that no other system can compare.
The trackpad is great just because its just the way it's integrated into the OS. Windows has no kinetic, pinch to zoom, show desktop, widget viewer integrated seamlessly into the OS (I've used trackpad++ on windows but still...). I never use the trackpad when I'm under bootcamp its horrendous with absolutely 0 functionality. OSX I use it all the time even though I have a mouse. The gestures are awesome. I still agree though, Macbooks have the best trackpads
The trackpad is great just because its just the way it's integrated into the OS. Windows has no kinetic, pinch to zoom, show desktop, widget viewer integrated seamlessly into the OS (I've used trackpad++ on windows but still...). I never use the trackpad when I'm under bootcamp its horrendous with absolutely 0 functionality. OSX I use it all the time even though I have a mouse. The gestures are awesome. I still agree though, Macbooks have the best trackpads
It isn't native Windows functionality. Most of what you mentioned is handled by drivers.
The reason why bootcamp has no functionality is because Apple did not wish to supply the drivers to do so.
The biggest reason why the multitouch trackpad works better in OS X than Windows on the MacBook Pro/Air (and why other manufacturers haven't been able to duplicate its success) is because Apple is designing the hardware and software together. Apple can customize the OS to take advantage of the trackpad's features, whereas Lenovo/Sony/etc have to conform to Microsoft's specifications and OS requirements. Windows 8 does address some of these limitations but not all of them, largely because of their emphasis on the touch interface in the new UI.
Until other manufacturers have the same support on the driver/OS side that Apple has, they will imitate the trackpad's fluidity and flexibility, but won't be able to duplicate it.
Until other manufacturers have the same support on the driver/OS side that Apple has, they will imitate the trackpad's fluidity and flexibility, but won't be able to duplicate it.