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Problems with Palm Touching Trackpad?

G

gcortes

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 13, 2011
90
1
Redwood City, California
I'm holding out for the next version of the 13" MBA. In the mean time, I had my HP laptop on cafe table doing a lot of typing. Since the keyboard was high, my palms rested on the base of the keyboard. While typing my palm would occasionally touch the trackpad causing the cursor to move. It was a real pain. I'm tempted to go out and buy a reburb MBA instead of waiting. It crossed my mind that I might have the same problem on the MBA. I'll try it in the store before getting one, but I was curious if anyone has had this problem

Thanks,
Curt
 
ezramoore said:
  1. Change your typing position.
  2. OS X has a setting to prevent "accidental trackpad input," but most people don't seem to need it.
Click to expand...

I would have to put it in my lap to do so and remain comfortable. I was typing for two hours.

I just checked a photo of the MBA. The HP's trackpad is about one key width farther to the right than the MBA and was my right hand that was causing the problem. Even without the setting you describe, the centered position of the MBA trackpad should prevent the problem.

Thanks
 
Accident

I use a mouse and go into settings that disables the trackpad. I had the same problem as you. When the mouse is not connected by bluetooth, the trackpad works.
 
I believe the new MacBook Air uses fingerprint scanning to ensure that you are using a finger on the trackpad instead of your palms.
 
Every Windows laptops I've used with a touchpad has had this issue. I've always turned them off and used a regular mouse or a nipple mouse in the keyboard.

Neither on my MBP or MBA have I experienced this issue though.
 
bogatyr said:
Every Windows laptops I've used with a touchpad has had this issue. I've always turned them off and used a regular mouse or a nipple mouse in the keyboard.

Neither on my MBP or MBA have I experienced this issue though.
Click to expand...

My experience as well. Using a Macbook Air Touchpad is nothing like using junky generic windows PC touchpad. It just works. I've never, ever accidentally moved the mouse cursor while typing.
 
I have big hands and I have never accidentally touched the trackpad with my palms. I would say the issue is adjusting your typing position to relieve this issue.
 
Here’s the poor’s man version of the fix. Use two pieces of ducktape on top of each other, on both sides of this monstrosity of a touchpad (4 pieces in total). A single piece on each side won’t work – taps still register. However, if you tap in the middle and slide your finger over the two pieces of ducktape, the pointer movement will still register. This has the added benefit of warning you when dragging smth that you are about to reach the end. This won’t work with three pieces of ducktape. done!
 
I am guessing that in the 8 years since this thread was created the OP has resolved his typing issues. How are you doing, OP?
 
this version of the mac has been around for 8 years?! I'm really a late bloomer
 
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