MBA M1 trackpad issues

[francofx]

Hello!

I had a 8GB/256GB MBA M1 with Big Sur I just sold to upgrade to a 16GB/512GB MBA M1 here w/ Monterey. No issues on the first unit.

The second unit though has a funky trackpad: it present has short, and seemingly random episodes of unresponsiveness while still moving my finger on the pad. It happens specially when clicking for example I tap a Safari tab and then inverting tracking direction (up -> down, left -> right). Also, I have an overall feeling of bad performance in this computer (random text input, tab/desktop switching, freezes, etc). It is just not as snappy as the previous unit, probably related to the trackpad performance. I've been unable to determine if there are CPU spikes at those moments and its driving me insane. Upgrade to Ventura did no difference.

I've had little luck googling and with YT. Anyone experiencing this or knows what the issue is being referred to as for better googling?

Edit: bought used, no applecare

 

[DeltaMac]

Have you talked to AppleCare support?
Are you still within the return period for your new MBAir?

 

[francofx]

@DeltaMac forgot to mention I bought second hand.

 

[DeltaMac]

You might be able to pin the problem to the trackpad: Try a mouse, any mouse. USB wired mouse might be better, wireless might not tell you what you want to find out. You would want to find out if that same clicking on a tab, causes a similar "inverting" of the mouse cursor movement (don't touch the trackpad for this kind of test.)
If you don't see the "inverting" with a mouse, then you should go ahead with replacing the trackpad, I think.
If the mouse also has the "inverting", then problem is more likely something in the system software.
You should almost never need to try a clean erase and reinstall of the system on a silicon M Mac - however, this MBAir is new to you, and you really don't know what the previous owner did (and the trackpad issue, and the other issues that you see, might be the reason for selling that MBAir) - so, in this case, I might suggest the full wipe and restore to whatever system you want to have installed.

 

[francofx]

hey Delta! Update on the issue:

There are no issues with a USB Mouse, much more pleasant experience, so it indeed looks like a specific trackpad controller or straight hardware issue. On the performance topic, it seems to depend whether I'm on battery power or plugged: everything is smooth at home with a monitor and periferials. Whenever I go out I experience the aforementioned. This should be expected though. Nonetheless, performance on battery is worse than the 8gb MBA.

Anyways, I'll check with a local tech support for a better diagnosis.