Take a look at Apple's new Magic Trackpad. This stand-alone wireless device replaces a mouse and gives your desktop Mac a multi-touch interface like newer MacBooks.
Comments: 16 Responses to “MacMost Now 431: Magic Trackpad”
forkboy1965
14 years ago
First let me say that I've been waiting for many years to see someone come out with a trackpad input device for desktops. I love them on laptops and have long wondered why it's taken all these years for one to be developed. I'm truly hoping it is everything for which I have longed.
Second, have you tried placing the trackpad at the bottom center of your keyboard? If so, did you find the raised front of the pad interferes with typing on your slim Apple keyboard? Personally, I think I would prefer to emulate the style of laptop keyboards/trackpads than to have the pad off to the right, especially since I have the longer keyboard with the number pad.
And as you allude, do you think Apple will develope (soon) an all-in-one version that includes both keyboard and trackpad?
I've got mine directly to the right of the keyboard. Basically, exactly where my mouse used to be. It is a little tough because I have the full-sized keyboard with the numeric keypad. I may try the small keyboard as an alternative.
I don't think the keyboard+trackpad device will be soon -- I'm thinking this time next year.
Bruce
14 years ago
I understand this is a bluetooth device and currently I have bluetooth turned off.
Are there any security risks in having bluetooth turned on?
Not really. Bluetooth is very short-range. Same room, more or less. If you have someone malicious in the same room as you, then Bluetooth hacking is probably a lesser problem :)
But serious, bluetooth has a very rigorous security system that requires both the device and the computer to confirm before connecting.
Anthony Burokas
14 years ago
I've been waiting for a laptop like solution for desktops for a while. I like the Magic Trackbad but its a bit pricy for me.
Don't forget the TAM had a keyboard with a built in trackbad, so Apple has already built a desktop with that HUI. I look forward to its return.
One big caviat, which rules me out as a customer is that it requires 10.6.2 or the latest & greatest. My 10.5 and 10.4 machines, including anything PPC based, seems to be deliberately obsoleted. They could have at least shared the love with 10.5 which does multitouch beautifully with my MacBook Pro.
Paul Brainerd
14 years ago
I still can't activate Spaces with a gesture. Sure, I could program the secondary click in the lower right corner to do it, but then I would lose my contextual drop down window with a two finger tap.
I'm not going to use multiclutch or 3rd party apps either. Just want Apple to give me the Spaces option in the 4 finger swipe, instead of the awkward "application switcher."
Will Hains
14 years ago
Agree!!!
Phyllis S.
14 years ago
I miss being able to click the scrollbar on my mouse to activate Dashboard. Is there a way to set that up on the MT?
Well, there's no scrollbar to click on, of course. But you can go into System Prefs, Expose & Spaces, Expose and assign either screen corners to start Dashboard or an F key. Since the trackpad is probably next to your keyboard, the right-most F key is kind line clicking on a button on the trackpad.
You can also use the same system pref to assign the "secondary click" to Dashboard. But that means you can't use it for other things.
brian
14 years ago
I just got magic trackpad and its great.
Now i also just got Apples wireless keyboard and its terrible. Very clunkey, no recessed / bevealed keys, delayed reaction time etc
Logitech dinovi was suppose to be defacto best on market, but they stopped making and aren't supporting. (but will still sell you keyboard)
Any good keyboards to go with the new magic trackpad?
I use an Apple wireless keyboard. In fact, they come standard now, so lots of people do. I've never experienced any delayed reaction time at all, and I'm not heard of that being a problem. Perhaps something is wrong with your keyboard or setup?
I love the newest APple keyboards -- both USB and wireless. Best ones I have ever used. And as a writer, I have tried a lot of different ones.
You can use just about any USB or wireless Bluetooth keyboard with a Mac. Though Mac-specific keyboards will have the keys labeled "Command" and "option." But I would just go to a store where you can try out different models. Obviously you are looking for something that feels right to you, so there is no substitute for trying them out.
brian
14 years ago
Thanks Gary for your reply. I'm surprised you like this keyboard...
Maybe i am comparing the new wireless keyboard to the macbook pro built-in keyboard. Its backlit, with bevealed keys for easy and fast typing. Do you agree the macbook pro keys are better? Ok, i won't belabor the point anymore.
I've got my new MacBook Pro right here next to the wireless keyboard (hooked up to my Mac Pro) and the keyboards are pretty much the same. Just white keys versus black keys, and the backlighting. But the same basic shape and action.
brian
14 years ago
ps - i use a macbook pro with a second monitor
brian
14 years ago
ok
the pronounced bevelled keys on the macbook pro (first edition)are NOT on the the wireless keyboard. The wireless keyboard is clunkier, even the sound is hollow. Maybe its the type of plastic used. Now i am comparing both on a hardwood desk, so you hear the wireless keyboard keys more on the wood, not being absorbed by the notebook chasis.
Again, i am surprised at your promotion of this product, when it is clearly inferior to the deep bevelled, backlite, smoother macbookpro keys.
Are you supporting due to an au-gratis arrangement with Apple? My apologies for this rash statement, since i have trusted your opinions in the past.
The portability / wireless capability of the new keyboard are probably enough for me not to return it though. Thanks, Gary and respect.
Ah, the "first edition" MacBook Pro. You didn't mention that before. I assumed you meant the current MacBook Pros. The older MacBook Pros did have a bevel to them, though I didn't think the "action" was particularly great.
I do not have any "arrangement" with Apple -- if I did, I would say so. I like Apple products, which is what I have this site and do the show. But when I don't like something (AT&T exclusivity, iWeb, Mini DisplayPort) I say so.
I also write books, so I tap out a lot of words on my keyboards. I like some keyboards and have certainly hated some. I do like the current line (on my MacBook Pro and the USB and wireless ones) after lots and lots of use. If I didn't, I would say so.
First let me say that I've been waiting for many years to see someone come out with a trackpad input device for desktops. I love them on laptops and have long wondered why it's taken all these years for one to be developed. I'm truly hoping it is everything for which I have longed.
Second, have you tried placing the trackpad at the bottom center of your keyboard? If so, did you find the raised front of the pad interferes with typing on your slim Apple keyboard? Personally, I think I would prefer to emulate the style of laptop keyboards/trackpads than to have the pad off to the right, especially since I have the longer keyboard with the number pad.
And as you allude, do you think Apple will develope (soon) an all-in-one version that includes both keyboard and trackpad?
I've got mine directly to the right of the keyboard. Basically, exactly where my mouse used to be. It is a little tough because I have the full-sized keyboard with the numeric keypad. I may try the small keyboard as an alternative.
I don't think the keyboard+trackpad device will be soon -- I'm thinking this time next year.
I understand this is a bluetooth device and currently I have bluetooth turned off.
Are there any security risks in having bluetooth turned on?
Not really. Bluetooth is very short-range. Same room, more or less. If you have someone malicious in the same room as you, then Bluetooth hacking is probably a lesser problem :)
But serious, bluetooth has a very rigorous security system that requires both the device and the computer to confirm before connecting.
I've been waiting for a laptop like solution for desktops for a while. I like the Magic Trackbad but its a bit pricy for me.
Don't forget the TAM had a keyboard with a built in trackbad, so Apple has already built a desktop with that HUI. I look forward to its return.
One big caviat, which rules me out as a customer is that it requires 10.6.2 or the latest & greatest. My 10.5 and 10.4 machines, including anything PPC based, seems to be deliberately obsoleted. They could have at least shared the love with 10.5 which does multitouch beautifully with my MacBook Pro.
I still can't activate Spaces with a gesture. Sure, I could program the secondary click in the lower right corner to do it, but then I would lose my contextual drop down window with a two finger tap.
I'm not going to use multiclutch or 3rd party apps either. Just want Apple to give me the Spaces option in the 4 finger swipe, instead of the awkward "application switcher."
Agree!!!
I miss being able to click the scrollbar on my mouse to activate Dashboard. Is there a way to set that up on the MT?
P.S. I love your Tweets, e-mails, and apps!
Well, there's no scrollbar to click on, of course. But you can go into System Prefs, Expose & Spaces, Expose and assign either screen corners to start Dashboard or an F key. Since the trackpad is probably next to your keyboard, the right-most F key is kind line clicking on a button on the trackpad.
You can also use the same system pref to assign the "secondary click" to Dashboard. But that means you can't use it for other things.
I just got magic trackpad and its great.
Now i also just got Apples wireless keyboard and its terrible. Very clunkey, no recessed / bevealed keys, delayed reaction time etc
Logitech dinovi was suppose to be defacto best on market, but they stopped making and aren't supporting. (but will still sell you keyboard)
Any good keyboards to go with the new magic trackpad?
I use an Apple wireless keyboard. In fact, they come standard now, so lots of people do. I've never experienced any delayed reaction time at all, and I'm not heard of that being a problem. Perhaps something is wrong with your keyboard or setup?
I love the newest APple keyboards -- both USB and wireless. Best ones I have ever used. And as a writer, I have tried a lot of different ones.
You can use just about any USB or wireless Bluetooth keyboard with a Mac. Though Mac-specific keyboards will have the keys labeled "Command" and "option." But I would just go to a store where you can try out different models. Obviously you are looking for something that feels right to you, so there is no substitute for trying them out.
Thanks Gary for your reply. I'm surprised you like this keyboard...
Maybe i am comparing the new wireless keyboard to the macbook pro built-in keyboard. Its backlit, with bevealed keys for easy and fast typing. Do you agree the macbook pro keys are better? Ok, i won't belabor the point anymore.
But the trackpad is a hit!
I've got my new MacBook Pro right here next to the wireless keyboard (hooked up to my Mac Pro) and the keyboards are pretty much the same. Just white keys versus black keys, and the backlighting. But the same basic shape and action.
ps - i use a macbook pro with a second monitor
ok
the pronounced bevelled keys on the macbook pro (first edition)are NOT on the the wireless keyboard. The wireless keyboard is clunkier, even the sound is hollow. Maybe its the type of plastic used. Now i am comparing both on a hardwood desk, so you hear the wireless keyboard keys more on the wood, not being absorbed by the notebook chasis.
Again, i am surprised at your promotion of this product, when it is clearly inferior to the deep bevelled, backlite, smoother macbookpro keys.
Are you supporting due to an au-gratis arrangement with Apple? My apologies for this rash statement, since i have trusted your opinions in the past.
The portability / wireless capability of the new keyboard are probably enough for me not to return it though. Thanks, Gary and respect.
Ah, the "first edition" MacBook Pro. You didn't mention that before. I assumed you meant the current MacBook Pros. The older MacBook Pros did have a bevel to them, though I didn't think the "action" was particularly great.
I do not have any "arrangement" with Apple -- if I did, I would say so. I like Apple products, which is what I have this site and do the show. But when I don't like something (AT&T exclusivity, iWeb, Mini DisplayPort) I say so.
I also write books, so I tap out a lot of words on my keyboards. I like some keyboards and have certainly hated some. I do like the current line (on my MacBook Pro and the USB and wireless ones) after lots and lots of use. If I didn't, I would say so.