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MagicWand Physically Connects Your Keyboard and Magic Trackpad
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I think if I wanted them stuck together I would have done it myself already. A small bit of tape on the backs of each would work fine. I thing someone invented a $30 solution to a $0.25 problem
That just sticks them together. They can still bend apart and tape wears out quite quickly after a few hours of that kind of stress.
I do agree though, $30 is a bit steep.
What? You're not using 3 finger swipe to navigate? I would be lost without that.
I wish Apple would add 3-finger dragging just in the top bar, but 3-finger back/forth paging anywhere else on the window. That would be awesome...
I'd like to buy one of these but alas their shipping options outside of the US are ridiculous. The cheapest option to the UK is $41.36!! Ridiculous.
Ridiculous.
Mine's arriving tomorrow -- they're coming from South Carolina so UPS Ground to Charlotte is overnight shipping.
I saw this at MacWorld. Seemed like a great product and very well built. Really expensive though ($129).
Mine's arriving tomorrow -- they're coming from South Carolina so UPS Ground to Charlotte is overnight shipping.
LOL that's the exact opposite to me. I live in Seattle and from Charlotte it says February 24! Gah!
wow, $29.99.
Yeah 12south stuff is mega overpriced... but I want it all haha. I just cant bring myself to pay thoese prices. If they had a sale i would drop so much $$
Looks great but its very pricy as most apple stuff.
Only thing that worries me with it is when you run out on battery, you need to pop that thingy out. My wireless tend to dry up in a week as I use it alot :/
Only thing that worries me with it is when you run out on battery, you need to pop that thingy out. My wireless tend to dry up in a week as I use it alot :/
That wouldn't be very helpful for left-handed users. At least you can switch with the MagicWand.
Idea: $0, at a bar or cafe or at your desktop
Mechanical Engineering: ($500)
Manufacturing Documentation and Management: ($5000)
Tool Up Fee: ($10,000)
Video Production Fee: ($5000)
Promotion: ($10,000)
Initial production run of 10,000 units: ($5000)
Assuming first lot built sold at full retail Price $300,000
About $250,000 profit for about a month of work. Not bad, not bad at all.
Mechanical Engineering: ($500)
Manufacturing Documentation and Management: ($5000)
Tool Up Fee: ($10,000)
Video Production Fee: ($5000)
Promotion: ($10,000)
Initial production run of 10,000 units: ($5000)
Assuming first lot built sold at full retail Price $300,000
About $250,000 profit for about a month of work. Not bad, not bad at all.
$290,000 actually - sounds pedantic, but $10,000 is quite a big difference.
What about materials? Alumin(i)um isn't cheap. And what about markup prices for selling to chain stores? Markups can be more than 50% sometimes. And sales, marketing, salaries of staff... All need to be included.
Your profit of $250,000 is a huge overestimate. Even if they eventually made a decent return of $100k per month, that kind of profit for a small company sounds about right.
Am I the only one who thinks $29 sounds an okay price?
Got Mine
Well, it does what it says -- it holds the keyboard and trackpad together as though they were one solid piece.
But the H-bar (which goes between the keyboard and trackpad) is a REALLY tight fit. And I've noticed a couple of times now that vigorous typing on the side of the keyboard where the trackpad is docked can inadvertently cause trackpad clicks due to the two things being wedded together. I'm going to have to adjust my typing technique slightly, and pay more attention to the screen when I am typing, if I keep this thing.
So I'll give the Magic Wand a B- (EDIT: C-). What I really want is for Apple to come up with an integrated keyboard/trackpad (with the trackpad on the left side, or interchangeable sides, please).
EDIT: The inadvertent clicking issue when I hit the SHIFT key on the left side (where the trackpad is docked) is just too aggravating to deal with. I'm returning my Magic Wand. It's a good concept, but the trackpad's physical click can't be turned off as far as I can tell and this is a near-fatal flaw. I can't be expected to check my typing constantly for mouse clicks when I'm never actually touching the trackpad or mouse.
Well, it does what it says -- it holds the keyboard and trackpad together as though they were one solid piece.
But the H-bar (which goes between the keyboard and trackpad) is a REALLY tight fit. And I've noticed a couple of times now that vigorous typing on the side of the keyboard where the trackpad is docked can inadvertently cause trackpad clicks due to the two things being wedded together. I'm going to have to adjust my typing technique slightly, and pay more attention to the screen when I am typing, if I keep this thing.
So I'll give the Magic Wand a B- (EDIT: C-). What I really want is for Apple to come up with an integrated keyboard/trackpad (with the trackpad on the left side, or interchangeable sides, please).
EDIT: The inadvertent clicking issue when I hit the SHIFT key on the left side (where the trackpad is docked) is just too aggravating to deal with. I'm returning my Magic Wand. It's a good concept, but the trackpad's physical click can't be turned off as far as I can tell and this is a near-fatal flaw. I can't be expected to check my typing constantly for mouse clicks when I'm never actually touching the trackpad or mouse.
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Uh-Oh ... that is going to be a problem for sure!
I prefer tap-to-click personally, and never press hard enough to activate the mechanical click with the trackpad. But, with the keyboard attached that could present a real problem, since, as you say, you can't turn off the mechanical click! 12South may have to come up with a small utility program to deal with this issue. I should receive my MagicWand on Tuesday ... so I will see.
-howard
I prefer tap-to-click personally, and never press hard enough to activate the mechanical click with the trackpad. But, with the keyboard attached that could present a real problem, since, as you say, you can't turn off the mechanical click! 12South may have to come up with a small utility program to deal with this issue. I should receive my MagicWand on Tuesday ... so I will see.
-howard
One additional comment: If your plan is to use the Magic Wand to combine your keyboard and trackpad and then put the whole thing in your lap, I'm sure the possibility of accidental trackpad clicks while typing would be reduced since the physical sensors on the bottom of the trackpad will either be up in the air or pressed against something soft, like your leg.
But when it's on a hard surface like a desk, the accidental trackpad click problem is VERY real.
But when it's on a hard surface like a desk, the accidental trackpad click problem is VERY real.
Nice idea, poor execution.
Wait for Apple to actually release a combined KB/Trackpad I`d bet it`s coming.
Wait for Apple to actually release a combined KB/Trackpad I`d bet it`s coming.
It's ok, but....
$130
And it would not fit on most desks with a slide out keyboard drawer/tray.
oh, and really. putting velcro on our expensive apple products. Plus velcro does wear out after a while, and the velcro tape would eventually peel off leaving you with a sticky mess - then you will be heading to the nearest craft shop to buy more velcro tape.
I think the Twelve south version is better, but I would have a problem. I am left handed. I would have to take it apart to replace the batteries - thus I would be afraid of breaking the plastic tab.
I always figured with the plywood I have in my shed, I will make me a component. First thing I may make would be a cool pad that uses desktop case fans, so they don't break / stop working within the first few months. PLus then I could have one with the fans positions where you need it the most. I have 2 warm spots on my macbook that my cool pad does not hit.
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I use my trackpad and keyboard to operate a closed-case MBP so I can use a bigger monitor. The tap to click does take a bit to get used to as lingering fingers bring up odd windows at times.
I'd like to buy one of these but alas their shipping options outside of the US are ridiculous. The cheapest option to the UK is $41.36!!
In the regents street store in London, some lad (I'm assuming it's a staffer keyboard rather than a display model) has used a small 30cm school steel ruler and some duct tape to hold the keyboard and track pad together. May not look as swanky but certainly does the trick.
Man, thats AWSOME. When I get around to getting a magic trackpad for my iMac (in addition to my magic mouse) I'm so getting that