I use the twelvesouth magic wand. I use it on my lap with no problems, I fine it stable. I just have the track pad set to touch to click. The only piece I dont really like is the rubber above the H beam. It looks bad and is not very secure when moving the unit around.
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Tray to hold Apple Wireless Keyboard + Magic Trackpad?
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johnnyturbouk
macrumors 68000
I'm a big fan of the Twelve South's MagicWand. I actually just reviewed it yesterday on my new site (I'm totally pimping it, sorry!).
www.bighugenerd.com
I really believe that less is more with this idea, and the MagicWand really is excellent.
+1 i have the magic wand and it works superbly
was really pissed s spent £30 ($50) on some plastic at first - but hated the fact the trackpad would always wonder when i would type.
tanking the keybaord/trackpad is really not as hard as some ppl make out; i do not slide the, in/out but click them into place - so much easier!
simple and elegant design and as its plastic it really does not add any significant weight.
Apparently Jake from BulletTrain is being cloned here: MacDec.
They even ripped off his "levitating" keyboard design as well...
Another review here and here
The BulletTrain is at least made of aluminum and matches the keyboard and trackpad well for less.
Grief, I hope Jake's pending patent is proceeding well!
They even ripped off his "levitating" keyboard design as well...
Another review here and here
The BulletTrain is at least made of aluminum and matches the keyboard and trackpad well for less.
Grief, I hope Jake's pending patent is proceeding well!
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Apparently Jake from BulletTrain is being cloned here: MacDec.
They even ripped off his "levitating" keyboard design as well...
Another review here and here
The BulletTrain is at least made of aluminum and matches the keyboard and trackpad well for less.
Grief, I hope Jake's pending patent is proceeding well!
I'm having a hard time getting my indignation up on Jake's behalf. His patent pending design doesn't pass my personal non obviousness threshold. Voodebah's self made deck is a lot like this one, only he wasn't lazy not to make the keyboard flush.
It's not hard to find prior art of the Apple wireless keyboard/trackpad concept online. I doubt that this application gets granted (though with USPTO incompetence, you can never tell) on obviousness and prior art.
Also, it would look to me that the mechanisms between the two are significantly different. Jake's design concave on the bottom (always wondered about the balance on these things) and uses velcro. These guys' design is flat and uses magnets.
Just saw this at the aTrack Kickstarter site:
Hopefully this is for real otherwise I may just ride the BulletTrain.
I indeed bit the Bullet and jumped on the BulletTrain Express.
All I can say is "WOW"!
I'm sitting with my feet up on my desk typing this post on the BulletTrain and this is absolutely the solution for the Wireless Keyboard + Magic Trackpad mounting.
The ergonomic layout with the raised keyboard and wrist rests eliminates any unintended trackpad input.
The central location of the trackpad below the keyboard is also just natural to use.
Besides the functionality, the whole unit is just spectacularly attractive.
I added a TopCase Black Silicon keyboard cover for the keyboard and this enhances the beauty of the total package.
Although somewhat pricey you indeed get what you pay for!
If you are even considering any other solution ... Don't!
All I can say is "WOW"!
I'm sitting with my feet up on my desk typing this post on the BulletTrain and this is absolutely the solution for the Wireless Keyboard + Magic Trackpad mounting.
The ergonomic layout with the raised keyboard and wrist rests eliminates any unintended trackpad input.
The central location of the trackpad below the keyboard is also just natural to use.
Besides the functionality, the whole unit is just spectacularly attractive.
I added a TopCase Black Silicon keyboard cover for the keyboard and this enhances the beauty of the total package.
Although somewhat pricey you indeed get what you pay for!
If you are even considering any other solution ... Don't!
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I looked at the BulletTrain Express video. I dont think that guys analysis is right.
I never have had my hand hovering above a mouse...ever. And the advantages of the trackpad being below the keyboard are just not true. Its placed there because thats the only spot it can be placed on a laptop.
Further, you cannot really use the trackpad while keeping you wrist on the wrist rest, take a look at how he has to twist his hand. So one still has to lift their hand and move it downward to correctly use the trackpad (one of the things I just hate about builtin trackpads).
IMHO, the trackpad was meant to be on the side close to the keyboard.
He should offer a BulletTrain Express in that configuration.
I never have had my hand hovering above a mouse...ever. And the advantages of the trackpad being below the keyboard are just not true. Its placed there because thats the only spot it can be placed on a laptop.
Further, you cannot really use the trackpad while keeping you wrist on the wrist rest, take a look at how he has to twist his hand. So one still has to lift their hand and move it downward to correctly use the trackpad (one of the things I just hate about builtin trackpads).
IMHO, the trackpad was meant to be on the side close to the keyboard.
He should offer a BulletTrain Express in that configuration.
My main consideration in purchasing a Wireless Keyboard + Magic Trackpad mounting was for use controlling my laptop computer attached to the HDTV from my lap sitting on the coach.
In the past I would have to either lean forward to use the keyboard and mouse on the table or lay on my belly to input data directly to my laptop.
I personally am extremely pleased with the size, stability, and configuration of the BulletTrain mounting specifically for this use.
Although I too do not hover over the mouse, I do keep one hand resting on top of the mouse when I am not using it.
The side by side configuration in your lap will, by its nature, be wider and therefore somewhat less stable as the edges of both the keyboard and the magic trackpad will extend over the width of your thighs.
I do appreciate that on a desktop the side by side configuration may be more natural but then the need for a mounting is probably redundant.
I was seriously considering the aTrackt Go, but as they are still not shipping I finally decided to ride the BulletTrain.
No regrets here!
Just re-watched the aTrackt! video and snipped the attached photo at the 39 second mark.
Apparently the antenna is indeed blocked by the aluminum housing of the aTrackt!.
The attached pictures from Apple show the back of the Apple Wireless Keyboard (Late 2009) with the centered antenna window.
I noticed that the aTrackt units are being shipped and some people have received them.
I would really be interested if anyone that gets one posts if they encounter any antenna signal issues.
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just use duct tape
ooohhhh, I have some hot pink duct tape! Or how about camo duct tape?
Mark here!
Hi all! It's Mark here... the creator of the aTrackt! and aTrackt Go! Yes, the units just started shipping but there's still a pretty big back-order of 2-4 weeks since I got slammed at the end. Apparently the first reviews have been great!
As far as the signal attenuation issues, that was considered when designing the aTrackt! and aTrackt Go! We designed the back bar to be low enough to minimize any interference with the bluetooth signal and have successfully used the keyboard and trackpad up to between 15 and 20 feet using the standard Go! variant. (We didn't test with the others.) Truthfully, further than that and the devices themselves start to have issues, at least with our Mac Mini. So if your mac is in a closet or in another room, you may have issues, but I'm guessing you'd have issue either way. If however you have a Mac Mini near your TV and you're not in a cavernous room, you should be just fine.
Also, I have more products coming out that I'm sure will be even more exciting, especially for the home theater crowd. I can't say what's coming just yet (patent protection reasons) plus people (myself included) can't stand when you plug yourselves in comments, but if you have any questions about the products, feel free to contact me at info@inertialdesign.com (We just set up the mail server tonight so it may take a little while for the DNS to replicate. If you get a bounce-back, just try again.)
Hi all! It's Mark here... the creator of the aTrackt! and aTrackt Go! Yes, the units just started shipping but there's still a pretty big back-order of 2-4 weeks since I got slammed at the end. Apparently the first reviews have been great!
As far as the signal attenuation issues, that was considered when designing the aTrackt! and aTrackt Go! We designed the back bar to be low enough to minimize any interference with the bluetooth signal and have successfully used the keyboard and trackpad up to between 15 and 20 feet using the standard Go! variant. (We didn't test with the others.) Truthfully, further than that and the devices themselves start to have issues, at least with our Mac Mini. So if your mac is in a closet or in another room, you may have issues, but I'm guessing you'd have issue either way. If however you have a Mac Mini near your TV and you're not in a cavernous room, you should be just fine.
Also, I have more products coming out that I'm sure will be even more exciting, especially for the home theater crowd. I can't say what's coming just yet (patent protection reasons) plus people (myself included) can't stand when you plug yourselves in comments, but if you have any questions about the products, feel free to contact me at info@inertialdesign.com (We just set up the mail server tonight so it may take a little while for the DNS to replicate. If you get a bounce-back, just try again.)
I was interested in the BulletTrain Express Aluminum Keyboard Platform until I saw that its already high introductory price of $99 had been increased to $129. Worse, there is a waiting period between ordering and delivery plus a shipping charge of $10. Thanks but no thanks. At first I considered ordering a Magic Lapdesk for Apple Magic Trackpad for a delivered price of less than $65. The Magic Lapdesk is not nearly as nice as the BulletTrain Express but it is significantly more cost effective, at least it seems so to me. Now, I am thinking of getting the aTrackt Go from Inertial Design. Unfortunately, they are all sold out at the moment so I am simply going to wait awhile. Anyway, this is an interesting thread and I'm glad I found it.
Like many of you, I use my Apple wireless keyboard and trackpad to control a Mac Mini that I use as an HTPC in my HT setup.
Like many of you, I use my Apple wireless keyboard and trackpad to control a Mac Mini that I use as an HTPC in my HT setup.
Apparently some of the aTrackt! products have come
Unfortunately it appears that the aTrackt! option is in for more delays.
Although the BulletTrain Express is expensive, it has performed flawlessly for me!
I have even set the keyboard and trackpad up to work perfectly on my VAIO using Windows 7 thanks to links provided on the BulletBlog.
Quality remains long after cost is forgotten!
rtheb -- I have no doubt that the BulletTrain Express is a quality product but its 30 percent price increase and the long delays involved in getting one have caused me to look elsewhere. I posted a request on the aTrackt site yesterday requesting notification when they had product in stock. Fortunately, I am not in a huge hurry. As a stopgap I have been holding my wireless keyboard and trackpad in my lap, atop my closed 17 inch Macbook Pro. It's far from a perfect solution but it works.
This is a joke right? you are doing nothing special with what you are making here. There are thousands of people and shops that could perform this same miracle......
I think most of us agree that the BulletTrain Express is a high quality product. The problems I have with it are that (1) it is nearly 50 percent more expensive than the competing aTrackt and (2) the BulletTrain guy's claim that his product is the result of a uniquely inventive and painstaking manufacturing process is unconvincing.
The price was indeed the biggest deterrent for me as well.
However, the fact that the MagicWand was $37.00 for a plastic tube was even harder to justify; especially since you totally lose the HTPC benefits of a stable platform, and the physical clicks.
The aTractk! and aTrackt! Go are unknowns because the antennas of the keyboard and trackpad are behind a piece of aluminum and we only have the manufacturer's claim of no antenna issues at this time.
I have used the keyboard and trackpad mounted in the BulletTrain Express from over 40 feet and it is working fine. The cursor is pretty tiny at that distance, but they are indeed functioning.
I'm sure the increase in the price of aluminum and the fact that BulletTrain is making these in the USA are probably factors in the price increase as well.
Perhaps we here on MacForums should petition BulletTrain to produce a less expensive Silver Plastic Version which would by necessity be far cheaper to manufacture.
Magic wand cannot work trackpad from your lap
My main reason for this combo was to control the tv from my lap across the room. The MagicWand does a great job of holding the pad and keyboard together, but you cannot press the pad buttons from your lap.
Also could not bring myself to fork out $120 for the other aluminum tray solutions and then have to wait for weeks to get the part made, waste of time.
Did anyone else see this 'solution' on eBay? Looks like it could do the job...
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140554471804
My main reason for this combo was to control the tv from my lap across the room. The MagicWand does a great job of holding the pad and keyboard together, but you cannot press the pad buttons from your lap.
Also could not bring myself to fork out $120 for the other aluminum tray solutions and then have to wait for weeks to get the part made, waste of time.
Did anyone else see this 'solution' on eBay? Looks like it could do the job...
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140554471804
Diy
I just bought a magic trackpad and wireless keyboard. I work at an anodizing plant where we have alot of scrap aluminum and a milling machine. Not to mention I can choose from colors. Reading this forum has inspired me to do it myself. I'll share what I come up with when im done...
I just bought a magic trackpad and wireless keyboard. I work at an anodizing plant where we have alot of scrap aluminum and a milling machine. Not to mention I can choose from colors. Reading this forum has inspired me to do it myself. I'll share what I come up with when im done...
A piece of wood
Hey, actually, I am quite happy with just a very simple piece of wood. I put some magnets in for holding the remote control. The keyboard and the trackpad don't fall off, because they are heavy enough. Also this way I can move them around to just the right distance...
Does anyone have problems with the bluetooth range of the MBP ? I am now using a USB Bluetooth adapter, but I have some new issues when reconnecting it or rebooting: problems with usb bluetooth & wireless keyboard + workaround
Any suggestions for this ?
Hey, actually, I am quite happy with just a very simple piece of wood. I put some magnets in for holding the remote control. The keyboard and the trackpad don't fall off, because they are heavy enough. Also this way I can move them around to just the right distance...
Does anyone have problems with the bluetooth range of the MBP ? I am now using a USB Bluetooth adapter, but I have some new issues when reconnecting it or rebooting: problems with usb bluetooth & wireless keyboard + workaround
Any suggestions for this ?
Anyone noticed you can just use the box they come in?
Perhaps not the classiest, but its apple branded...
Perhaps not the classiest, but its apple branded...
great solution- Magic Connector www.magicconnector.com
Here is a great solution to joining keyboard and trackpad. www.magicconnector.com
Here is a great solution to joining keyboard and trackpad. www.magicconnector.com
Looks like our complaints about cost have really hit home. The price of the BulletTrain Express is now up to $149 (but with FREE shipping, haha).
Has anybody actually tried the Magic Connector? Right now at $33.95 delivered it looks like the best option out there. The $149 BulletTrain Express is unappealing to me for obvious reasons and it looks like the outfit that made the Trackt Go is no longer interested in it because the site has shown the Trackt Go as being Out of Stock for weeks if not months. I am willing to risk $33.95 on the Magic Connector but thought I would ask if anyone else here has tried it.