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

Next MacBook to Include Glass Trackpad, Due in September?

If you've ever used one of the VNC apps on a jailbtoken iPhone, you'll notice that the slick glass is great for tapping and occasional dragging that is normal iPhone usage. But when you use it as a trackpad to control a Mac, the glass gets in the way, your finger sticks to it, and your sweat dries on it and it's just terrible after a while.
New Macbook trackpads are very rough on the surface and get shinier after weeks of usage, then they get glossy and sticky.

So my question is this: will it just be roughed up glass so it doesn't wear down as fast and retain that "new" feel? I'd like that. Think of the iPhone multitouch surface without the display behind it. I'm not sure how a display might be useful in my trackpad. Also, Apple likes to keep things simple. 2 displays = needlessly complicated. You would have to lift your finger to see what's on there and look way down...

So I say: trackpad will be made of glass to make it more durable. No display there. Eventually, people will notice that rough glass does not show fingerprints much and people will embrace rough glass touch screens.
 
olakthepolak said:
I really doubt this rumor, but if it goes through **** apple...

...even so I don't like the sound of a glass trackpad...
Click to expand...

yours is one of the funniest posts i've ever seen: you don't LIKE the new feature that might be introduced on the MB, but if they DO introduce it, **** them, because you just bought one without the feature.

PLEASE tell me you see the irony (stupidity?) in that? You have a chance to redeem yourself here with introspection...

:)
 
EwanP said:
A glass trackpad? That just doesn't sound right!
Click to expand...

well..it's just like imagining an iphone or ipod touch where the trackpad is...without the actual LCD screen underneath. just a multitouch pad...i don't see wuts so bad about that..

anyways... yay for new upgrade!! time to upgrade my laptop anyways.. =D
 
Doesn't the article say
"The trackpad on the new notebook is to be made of glass and support multi-touch and the use of gestures, but the notebook will not incorporate a multi-touch screen."

Why's everyone getting all excited over the prospect of an ipod-touch like screen as the trackpad? He specifically says it's not a screen. I mean, if we're going to converse about an article, the least everyone could do is to actually read it. I normally wouldn't pick at this sort of thing, but it seems like one person speculated that it might be a screen, and then it just snowballed and everyone started talking about it like the article says 100% guarantee we'll see a screen. It just isn't true yet, and I just wanted to reel everyone back to reality.

Here's My Speculation on why the switch to Glass:
Maybe the glass, being inflexible and solid, will make the whole trackpad depress-able, and the whole thing can act as a button (maybe 2 depending on which side of the trackpad you push in?). Then they could do away with the space consuming button.

That kind of 'gloss' will give consumers more reason to pay the $500 premium that macbooks generally command over similarly spec'd machines.
 
Ugh. If I knew for sure that it was coming out in two months, I could say "that's fine, I'll buy the current one and get an ipod touch. Not up to date, but I will live". It's the uncertainty that gets me; the fact that theoretically I could order one today and have the new one announced tomorrow. This torture should be illegal!
 
They better release them in time for the back to school specials. I mean if not new macbooks for the students, then who the hell is their target market? Macbooks are aimed toward students and budget minded consumers. The back to school specials are perfect for releasing the new macbook.

I want it! Damn you Apple, why must you make me wait! :D
 
i've kind of glanced over this thread, so it's probably been mentioned, but this would only be for the macbook, not the macbook pro, correct? At least as far as he put it?
 
corinhorn said:
$500? You may want to do the research before making a claim like this. Compare spec-to-spec. Here's a side-by-side to get you started.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this link. I always hate it when people say macs are too expensive because it not true. Yeah you can get a $800-1000 laptop but it doesn't come close to the mac in terms of power and quality.

dmb8021 said:
i've kind of glanced over this thread, so it's probably been mentioned, but this would only be for the macbook, not the macbook pro, correct? At least as far as he put it?
Click to expand...

I hope so because I just bought a Macbook Pro.
 
the glass trackpad does sound very interesting...

maybe a screen in it aswell, which changes according to the program our using? or am i just being stupid?
 
MrCrowbar said:
If you've ever used one of the VNC apps on a jailbtoken iPhone, you'll notice that the slick glass is great for tapping and occasional dragging that is normal iPhone usage. But when you use it as a trackpad to control a Mac, the glass gets in the way, your finger sticks to it, and your sweat dries on it and it's just terrible after a while.
New Macbook trackpads are very rough on the surface and get shinier after weeks of usage, then they get glossy and sticky.

So my question is this: will it just be roughed up glass so it doesn't wear down as fast and retain that "new" feel? I'd like that. Think of the iPhone multitouch surface without the display behind it. I'm not sure how a display might be useful in my trackpad. Also, Apple likes to keep things simple. 2 displays = needlessly complicated. You would have to lift your finger to see what's on there and look way down...

So I say: trackpad will be made of glass to make it more durable. No display there. Eventually, people will notice that rough glass does not show fingerprints much and people will embrace rough glass touch screens.
Click to expand...

I have a "rough" film screen cover on my iPhone and I clean the screen about once every two weeks now. Previously I was cleaning about every two days. The display looks weird at first, but aftter a while you don't even notice anymore. I have no issues with my fingers sticking with this. Wet or not.
 
Tallest Skil said:
Since the last update is the ONLY time they've been done together, let's freaking hope not.

August 5th or tomorrow, guys. I'm going to Ireland for four months and everything's twice the price there!
Click to expand...

I'm with you. It better be out by the fifth...
 
The "2 weeks to go :D" on the mockup makes me somewhat hopeful. Please God Of Apple, make this happen!
 
You know ... I'm really happy that I just ordered a new MBP with a student discount (and free ipod touch). Here's why:

1) I loath first gen. hardware. Despite the looming concern over nvidia's problems, at least the MBP is at its peak. Apple care should protect me. And, I've had enough problems with 1st gen stuff before.

2) Design. I personally like the MBP just the way it is. I don't like the Air and I like the feel of a click when I type as well.

3) ipod touch/iphone like trackpad? As it has been mentioned previously ... I use my notebooks to work ... not to play.

4) hey a free ipod. was going to ebay it but after reading some reviews I am going to keep it.

Don't get me wrong ... I can see how many would relish this idea and opportunity ... it's just not for me and I am more than happy to have just ordered a couple of days ago (knowing full well that some sort of update was coming).

All these rumors keep us apple junkies entertained. Maybe we should just thank them and be happy with what we have and will get. I know I am.

Duca
 
The most logical marketing plan for Apple is to release the new laptops on August the 5th and include them in the back to school promo. The sales will sky rocket and clear out the iPod cache instantly, clearing the way for the fresh batch of revamped iPods in September just in time for the holidays. This way they tap into the "back to school" market as well as the "Holiday-shopping" market.
 
corinhorn said:
$500? You may want to do the research before making a claim like this. Compare spec-to-spec. Here's a side-by-side to get you started.
Click to expand...

sorry, I was speaking in general terms and my price knowledge is more in line with macbook pros than macbooks. I'm not here to argue, but I stand by what I said. Apple computers generally command a premium over similarly spec'd PC counterparts. You can always find exception to the rules if you look hard enough. If you don't agree, then stay in your RDF as long as you like.

PS - I just spec'd that very DELL and it costs $1199 vs the $1299 mac.
 
Since they dropped the price on the iPhone 3G, is it a possibility for the new notebooks?:confused:
 
That's absolutely phenomenal.

The glass trackpad could be blank for regular mouse use, and when needed, turn on with different kinds of virtual buttons for different applications. Can be turned off also to save battery.

That's why I really, REALLLLLY love Apple and will probably get on the Apple ship soon.

I mean, how do they think up this sh*t?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back