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What good is a glass trackpad?

204467

204467

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 13, 2008
821
0
Philadelphia, PA
Not sure which forum to put this in, but I'll put it here since that's where I've heard the most rumors. I want to know something; what is the point of a glass trackpad? I'm sure that it wouldn't break, the build quality would be better than that, I'm just wondering why bother. Wouldn't it cost more and have a much different feel to it than a regular trackpad? I've used the iPhone and iPod Touch before and I don't think that putting glass in a notebook for the trackpad would be too good of an idea. Tell me what you think, or give reasons as to why you want one.
 
I'm inclined to agree with jpmittins. What is the point of a glass trackpad? Sure, it may be a selling point with the marketing people, but what, or where is the advantage or point of the technology? Just because it is there?
 
Im thinking it will be a screen, like the iPT and iP, normal use as trackpad with multitouch etc, and then it can also be a screen, for certain apps etc.
 
A glass trackpad wouldn't develop that nasty shiny surface in use, and it could be configured with illuminated marked out zones for more sophisticated touch-style manipulation.
 
what would happen if someone dropped the mb, would the glass trackpad be completely safe from it?
 
John585 said:
what would happen if someone dropped the mb, would the glass trackpad be completely safe from it?
Click to expand...

This would depend on a number of things

  • How high it was dropped from
  • What it was dropped on to
  • Whether it was subsequently run over by a tractor

Firstly of course it would need to exist...
 
It'd be something different, I suppose. That's enough reason for some. That and what other users have said about not showing signs of wear / tear. However I still seriously doubt it's going to be introduced to the macbooks.
 
calculus said:
This would depend on a number of things

  • How high it was dropped from
  • What it was dropped on to
  • Whether it was subsequently run over by a tractor

Firstly of course it would need to exist...
Click to expand...

that made me lol like no other.
 
Hey guys,

I own a iPod touch and I know for a fact that the screen is glass, and the touch has multi-touch gestures. Does that ring any bells? Glass is stronger, easier to clean, and plastic is not environment-friendly. And glass looks cool with steel/aluminum. I'm guessing it will have multi-touch, maybe some cool FX lighting like Alienware does on theres. <-- scratch that, maybe just a backlight so ppl can see it in the dark.
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
Hey guys,

I own a iPod touch and I know for a fact that the screen is glass, and the touch has multi-touch gestures. Does that ring any bells? Glass is stronger, easier to clean, and plastic is not environment-friendly. And glass looks cool with steel/aluminum. I'm guessing it will have multi-touch, maybe some cool FX lighting like Alienware does on theirs. <-- scratch that, maybe just a backlight so ppl can see it in the dark.
Click to expand...

Dead on (with the environmental thing). The whole transition from plastic to glass and aluminum means cutting out as much plastic as possible. If the touch pad doesn't need to be plastic, why make it plastic? Plus, glass is more durable. If they made the glass matte, then it wouldn't wear down nearly as quickly as the current plastic surfaces do. As far as a backlight, I haven't a clue what use people could possibly have for a backlit touch pad, as it has no markings of any sort and is easily found by touch because it is usually recessed somewhat on most notebooks.

As far as breaking a glass touchpad, keep in mind it will be surrounded by aluminum on all sides, giving it additional rigidity. That said, glass is a primary structural support in the automotive industry; the windshield helps to support the weight of a convertible if it flips over, so the area above the beltline (the line formed by the bottom of the windows on a car) isn't completely collapsed. Roll bars help too, but its also the reason why in a convertible the beltline rises so high towards the back and the back seats are so low. It's also why Jeeps have rollcages now, unlike Jeeps made before the mid-1960's.
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
Hey guys,

I own a iPod touch and I know for a fact that the screen is glass, and the touch has multi-touch gestures. Does that ring any bells? Glass is stronger, easier to clean, and plastic is not environment-friendly. And glass looks cool with steel/aluminum. I'm guessing it will have multi-touch, maybe some cool FX lighting like Alienware does on theres. <-- scratch that, maybe just a backlight so ppl can see it in the dark.
Click to expand...

I was pretty much going to give most of these points! Another benefit to users is that it wouldn't wear like the plastic trackpads do... plus no staining!
 
My concern is just that its harder to scroll around on glass than it is on a plastic tracpad. Kind of like on an old ibook when the trackpad is worn down and shiny.
 
hookem12387 said:
My concern is just that its harder to scroll around on glass than it is on a plastic tracpad. Kind of like on an old ibook when the trackpad is worn down and shiny.
Click to expand...

umm.. MULTI TOUCH... sorry just had to shout that out. the current ipod touches have no problem scrolling, i think they'll ditch the two finger and go multi touch gestures just like the iphones and ipod touches.
 
jpmittins said:
Not sure which forum to put this in, but I'll put it here since that's where I've heard the most rumors. I want to know something; what is the point of a glass trackpad? I'm sure that it wouldn't break, the build quality would be better than that, I'm just wondering why bother.
Click to expand...

If they put one in there, they'll have a reason for doing so. I don't mean that to be funny, I mean that if glass touchpads show up in the new range of laptops they won't just "be there", they'll be tied to some new and cool feature that will get a lot of air time in a demo.

Combined touchpad and drawing tablet maybe?
 
I agree. I picture the glass trackpad serving as a second iPhone/iPod Touch like screen. Perhaps you could access options such as music or email by touching icons on the trackpad. I can also see being able to show or hide these icons to toggle whether the trackpad is functioning as a trackpad or a multi-touch screen.
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
Hey guys,
I'm guessing it will have multi-touch, maybe some cool FX lighting like Alienware does on theres. <-- scratch that, maybe just a backlight so ppl can see it in the dark.
Click to expand...

HAHA i would LOVE to see them add aluminum to the macbook - i have seen sooo many issues with the plastic - sorry "polycarbonate" casing in the current macbooks -- if they do switch to aluminum i cant WAIT to see what the blackbook would look like - it would be 100% awesomeness - a metallic black. and then, if they added backlit keyboard, it would be even better :D

maybe they will add alien FX lighting to the MBP - just to set it apart -- i can imagine an apple store manager saying "the ordinary macbooks give you a lit keyboard - but the macbook pro lets you color your keyboard to fit your mood :D" LOL
 
eb201 said:
I agree. I picture the glass trackpad serving as a second iPhone/iPod Touch like screen. Perhaps you could access options such as music or email by touching icons on the trackpad. I can also see being able to show or hide these icons to toggle whether the trackpad is functioning as a trackpad or a multi-touch screen.
Click to expand...

that would look smexy :D
 
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