Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
no-battery Magic Trackpad USB Power mod
- Thread starter markbog
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I would buy it in a minute!!!
I have kids and they all stay on the mac for hours at a time and that poor wireless mouse can't handle it. It needs new batteries in days 2 to 3 weeks at most. I looked for a wired magic mouse but it appears they don't make one. This will solve that problem. No sticking mouse balls and no blue-tooth signal to lose because of weak or dead batteries. I would buy it in a hot minute. It's a no brainer to me.
I have kids and they all stay on the mac for hours at a time and that poor wireless mouse can't handle it. It needs new batteries in days 2 to 3 weeks at most. I looked for a wired magic mouse but it appears they don't make one. This will solve that problem. No sticking mouse balls and no blue-tooth signal to lose because of weak or dead batteries. I would buy it in a hot minute. It's a no brainer to me.
My attempt
Here's my attempt. I used four instead of three of the diodes and I will be taking one out soon as it's telling me to replace my batteries. I hate drilling into the thing but it looks better hidden.
Thanks to the original poster for the idea.
Here's my attempt. I used four instead of three of the diodes and I will be taking one out soon as it's telling me to replace my batteries. I hate drilling into the thing but it looks better hidden.
Thanks to the original poster for the idea.
Attachments
Do you still need Bluetooth? Would be a great mod for my upcoming Lion installation since I can't get Bluetooth working on my machine.
Yes, Bluetooth is still required. The USB connection in this modification only provides power.
I need a Windowscomputer because the software for my practice is only supported on Windowsplatform.
To work with handgloves on (medical) I want to use the TrackPad with USB and without BlueTooth.
Is this possible?
Thanks for comments.
ErikLimburg
To work with handgloves on (medical) I want to use the TrackPad with USB and without BlueTooth.
Is this possible?
Thanks for comments.
ErikLimburg
No, the usb cord here is only used to provide power.
It doesn't change the way of the trackpad connects with the computer.
There is not way at the moment to use it without bluetooth
Thanks for your answer.
The power supply was clear to my.
I am not so happy with all wireless things today because of radition effects....
Do you or somebody know if the bluetooth connection between Magic Trachpad and a real Windows-7-computer will work? Then I have to give in a little bit about the radiation subject. You can't have no radiation today anymore!
Thanks all the way!
Erik
The power supply was clear to my.
I am not so happy with all wireless things today because of radition effects....
Do you or somebody know if the bluetooth connection between Magic Trachpad and a real Windows-7-computer will work? Then I have to give in a little bit about the radiation subject. You can't have no radiation today anymore!
Thanks all the way!
Erik
Last edited:
Same question here. I am sick and tired of swapping batteries on my trackpad when it sits right next to my wired keyboard.
Instead of drilling in the trackpad's shell, I drilled the battery compartment cover...
Feel free to checkout my take on the no-battery Magic Trackpad.
Feel free to checkout my take on the no-battery Magic Trackpad.
i am using a new usb mouse and keyboard with an old mac book pro (10.4 OS)
works fine but i would like to use a track pad also
i was told the bluetooth products require a newer operating system than the one i have on my old macbookpro
as i said the usb products work fine with my current computer
if i do your mod on the track pad to make it usb do think it would work with out further updates
thanks
rick
works fine but i would like to use a track pad also
i was told the bluetooth products require a newer operating system than the one i have on my old macbookpro
as i said the usb products work fine with my current computer
if i do your mod on the track pad to make it usb do think it would work with out further updates
thanks
rick
No. The mod only allows the Magic Trackpad to draw power from a USB port. It still connects to the computer via Bluetooth. You'll still need a newer OS for it to work.
USB power adapter for Trackpad
A friend and I designed an adapter that goes into the USB. We tried Kickstarter for funding, unfortunately they rejected it saying the project is "not right fit" for them. So instead we put it on Indiegogo:
USB Power adapter project on IndieGoGo
Here is the design that we have:
and here is how it will look like:
Check out the video on the IndieGoGo page to see the prototype.
A friend and I designed an adapter that goes into the USB. We tried Kickstarter for funding, unfortunately they rejected it saying the project is "not right fit" for them. So instead we put it on Indiegogo:
USB Power adapter project on IndieGoGo
Here is the design that we have:
and here is how it will look like:
Check out the video on the IndieGoGo page to see the prototype.
Last edited:
So I just put in my backing. Anyway you could make an option for a shorter cable? I plug mine directly into my wired apple full keyboard. I have spread the word. I'm really excited to see your project take off.
Thanks for backing
Joe, thank you for backing the project with in the first hour. We are excited too.
As for the shorter cable, yes it is possible. Once we get funded, we will contact you for your preference.
Appreciate you spreading the word. Thanks again.
Joe, thank you for backing the project with in the first hour. We are excited too.
As for the shorter cable, yes it is possible. Once we get funded, we will contact you for your preference.
Appreciate you spreading the word. Thanks again.
Brilliant idea!
Works perfectly fine for me with a short cable plugged into the right side of the keyboard.
I noticed though that the black cable has to be wired to the threaded part of the casing, where the cap closes it. On any other part of the tube it did not work.
I put a copper rim around a 12mm wooden peg and connected the black cable to that. The copper rim fits neatly into the tube of the trackpad. A small hole in the top to put the red wire wire trough tidies up the whole affair. The red wire is connected to a copper screw at the top end of the peg.
Thanks a lot for this post.
Works perfectly fine for me with a short cable plugged into the right side of the keyboard.
I noticed though that the black cable has to be wired to the threaded part of the casing, where the cap closes it. On any other part of the tube it did not work.
I put a copper rim around a 12mm wooden peg and connected the black cable to that. The copper rim fits neatly into the tube of the trackpad. A small hole in the top to put the red wire wire trough tidies up the whole affair. The red wire is connected to a copper screw at the top end of the peg.
Thanks a lot for this post.