Apple Magic Trackpad first impressions

By on Jul 30, 2010 at 6:49 AM
Hardware July 30, 2010

What seemed pretty far-fetched at one point in time actually doesn’t seem so out of bounds now that we know what it is, right? If you haven’t been keeping up on all things Apple, you can think of the Magic Trackpad as a much larger MacBook Pro trackpad with the same rough design identity as Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard. It has 4.5 inches of multi-touch and gesture-capable glass, and even will click thanks to the fact that the feet underneath… click. Using something like this on a desktop is a little disconcerting at first, as most everyone is used to having the trackpad right under the keyboard, not next to one. After a day of work usage, we’re pretty comfortable with the peripheral. Though, we’re just not sure yet if we’ll be moving the AA batteries in our Magic Mouse elsewhere just yet.

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  • Nick

    I’m feeling a Magic Mouse vs. Magic Trackpad battle/comparison?

  • hype22

    please deposit $70.00 into the apple bank before continuing….please suck my money from me…..i must have a useless device ,but it is magical….yeah

    • Ernie

      You tell ‘em hype22. We Android fans (aka Apple Haters) hate ANY APPLE product. We are not sure WHY we hate them, since we are not the wisest of the bunch, but nevertheless, we have been trained by our fellow Fandroids (aks Apple Haters) to HATE absolutely HATE anything Apple. I know, I know, there’s no reason for this other than just making our fellow Fandroids happy, but I qualified this by saying we are not the “wisest” of people, we are smart, but NOT very wise and I am ok with that!

      • uhhh

        Actually everyone who isn’t a Mac product feels this way but we don’t really hate Mac, we are just jealous. I would have never thought people would pay absurd prices for low end hardware but Steve Jobs figured it out before me and everyone else. Good for him!!

        By the way, do apple mice have 2 buttons yet?

      • Ernie

        Actually, you are wrong, it’s just the Apple Haters (aka Fandroids) and you are not the first person to ask this about the mouse. The apple mice work 10 times better than any other mice and the O/S is fine without the 2 buttons.

        The components YOU may consider low end, but you are not the first person to look at my BMW and say that I am buying a cheap KIA imitation (which by the way, I also own) but typically they are just jealous, like you that can’t afford it.

      • Dara

        Ernie,

        It seems that, like Jarrett, you’re plenty happy in your little walled garden.

        Congrats.

        People who point out what a rip off Macs are are not just looking at a sticker price and saying “too much” though.

        They’re probably also considering the absolutely incredible computers that can be built with today’s technology, and wondering why you’re spending so much on last years model.

        The more apt analogy might be you sitting in a 318i and making fun of somebody who’s just driving a Nissan…. GT-R.

        And Apple makes, at best, mid range mice. Sorry but it’s the truth. Your mighty mouse cowers in front of my decidedly mid-range Logitech MX5000 Laser for about 20 reasons, only 6 of which are buttons.

    • http://palfrei.blogspot.com palfrei

      I use Android, don’t like and distrust Apple but I sometimes find their products interesting and well thought. This is not a tablet but supports gestures and multitouch, it’s small and can be placed anywhere anyone might like it to be. It seems to be really nice. I really don’t like Apple marketing and ideology and I don’t support them by not buying their products but this one is pretty interesting.

      There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging that or I’ll be like Steve Jobs trashing flash for the simple fact that it ruins its business model. I’m better than that.

  • Mohammad

    next

  • Author unknown

    @ hype22. Seriously?? You have nothing better to say than to tell people how they should spend their money? I mean I may not want it either but what right do we have to throw our opinions at someone else like they matter. As my wife has learned, me (and other people) are gonna spend money on what we wanna spend it on regardless of what people think. So take your troll comments to another board.

    • Known_Author

      Seems hype22 got you. It’s troll worked! Now just check off the minus sign next to It’s post. No need to post how you feel. We know you you feel now. We feel the same way. So…you are married? What’s it like?

      • Ernie

        You tell ‘em Known_Author. We Android fans (aka Apple Haters) hate ANY APPLE product. We are not sure WHY we hate them, since we are not the wisest of the bunch, but nevertheless, we have been trained by our fellow Fandroids (aks Apple Haters) to HATE absolutely HATE anything Apple. I know, I know, there’s no reason for this other than just making our fellow Fandroids happy, but I qualified this by saying we are not the “wisest” of people, we are smart, but NOT very wise and I am ok with that!

  • T Man

    “Though, we’re just not sure yet if we’ll be moving the AA batteries in our Magic Mouse elsewhere just yet.”

    Well that’s why they have the magical battery charger available for only 2 times the cost of other solutions. It’s a new Apple innovation.

    • RattyUK

      Actually with the batteries included it’s around the same price as the duracell solution.

      • Red

        AND the charger is designed to not draw unneeded power when it’s not in use, unlike MOST EVERY other charger made. Oh, and the batteries have an estimated 10 year use life. I’m considering buying a couple of them to replace the Energizer setup I have. Those batteries don’t hold up that well.

      • pizzoe

        That’s why you buy Eneloop rechargable batteries!

    • NoComment

      Where to do you get six LSD-NiMh batteries with such a charger (with so little vamir drain)?

    • The Masked One

      Go get eneloop’s from Costco in the big pack. 10 batteries (8 AA and 2 AAA) and 4-battery charger for the same price as Apple’s overpriced equivalent, or the 12 pack of pre-charged AA (with no charger) for 30. (Don’t want to be a shill for Costco, but…)

      As for Magic Trackpad, I need to try it first before I pass judgement. I love the magic mouse, just wish it had multitouch pinch/zoom and rotate.

      • Arthur P. Johnson

        @The Masked One, rotate? educate me.

      • The Masked One

        On the trackpad built into my MacBook Pro, I can use a two-finger gesture (say one finger at 10 and my thumb at 4 on a clock face) and rotate clockwise (finger ends up at 2 and thumb at 8). This is enabled in iPhoto, for example, to rotate a picture. It’s shown in the “Trackpad” system preferences panel under the “Two Fingers” gestures.

        I’d like these kinds of features enabled in the Magic Mouse – I fully expect the Magic Trackpad to support it.

  • Red

    After owning a MacBook with the multi-touch trackpad, I find this to be the perfect companion to any desktop Mac. I will now actually strongly consider buying a Mac Mini or iMac because of this.

    • Cha_pimp

      that is the same thing i said.. this with a mac mini sounds niceeeee

      • Arthur P. Johnson

        Cha_pimp, bingo. Perfect for HTPC. I’m hoping this could be the controller for a (web-browsing, iOS4, app-ready) new Apple TV.

  • Kimberly

    I’d rather try this out than the Magic Mouse .Magic Mouse was more for aesthetics than functionality , profile was too low and I end up cramping my hand sooner than later.

    Whatever , I think I’ll like this track pad more .

  • Android

    LMAO. TrackPAD. iPAD. LOL.

    • Ernie

      You tell ‘em Android. We Android fans (aka Apple Haters) hate ANY APPLE product. We are not sure WHY we hate them, since we are not the wisest of the bunch, but nevertheless, we have been trained by our fellow Fandroids (aks Apple Haters) to HATE absolutely HATE anything Apple. I know, I know, there’s no reason for this other than just making our fellow Fandroids happy, but I qualified this by saying we are not the “wisest” of people, we are smart, but NOT very wise and I am ok with that!

      • Rob D.

        Wow man. You must be really proud of that comment. Since you posted it 3 times now.

    • Teco221

      So, how about PALMPAD? Is it fun to you, too? If a company comes out an ANDROID PAD Name will you have the same reaction? I don’t find it funny at all. Grow up!

      • Ernie

        Now that’s a different story. I don’t care if it’s called “crappad” but if it is from Google, I LOVE IT and so do ALL fandroids (aka Apple Haters.) Learn to live with the fact we are not that dissimilar to you. We buy and BELIEVE EVERYTHING Google tells us because Google does NO EVIL!!!! They are God as far as us Apple Haters (aka Fandroids) are concerned. Deal with it!

      • Rob D.

        This comment is interchangeable with Apple and the Ifans.

        Only difference is. When talking about Apple. It’s mostly true.

  • Dara

    Seems like a good idea, once the hacked bluetooth drivers for other platforms are available. I can only assume that they’d have to be hacked even though you could choose to make this a universal input device, if you were a company other than Apple.

    I was wondering why everyone was talking about “vampire draw”, then realized that it was in the Apple propaganda package for this product.

    You guys do realize that when you do your learning from marketing materials, you actually get dumber and not smarter, right?

    • Arthur P. Johnson

      Windows 7 drivers already available from Microsoft. I would guess it’s plug and play. I’ll find out later today.

      • Dara

        Just like I thought, hacked drivers ;)

  • Jayrodathome

    wow. That leaked picture from months ago was real!

  • artie

    I’m sorry, but I just don’t get this one. A trackpad is somewhat of a necessary evil on a laptop – one that the MacBook’s implementation of is fantastic. However, it only exists because an external mouse isn’t available. Why on earth would anyone want to use a trackpad, no matter how great, when they can use a mouse?

    • my name is joe

      multi touch and gestures

      • artie

        Right, but everything we use multi-touch for is easier with a mouse (or a fast keyboard shortcut – I’ve never understood the hype about “rotate” gestures when most image programs map that function to a single key.)

        I guess if you are a person who has mapped in 500 gestures to do everything, it makes sense, but as much as I like those features on a MacBook, I know I’m much faster with all of them at a desktop with a full keyboard and mouse.

      • dpc

        It’s not about mapping gestures, it’s about approximating direct manipulation: Drop a note card on your desk. Rotate it.

      • Len

        Is it safe to say that this is just a gimmick? I don’t really see how this adds any extra functionality when compared to a mouse.

        Outside of fancy gestures, and being “cool”, what does this offer?

    • Arthur P. Johnson

      Artie, for places where a mouse is impractical, like sitting in front of your TV. With the right interface, this could be the ultimate remote.

  • 5wany

    The inertial scrolling and gestures on the MBP trackpad are awesome. It’s very efficient in my opinion. Anyone want to buy a magic mouse?

  • IAMAFKINGENIUS

    NO IM NOT SORRY FOR THE CAPS. STARCRAFT 2 IS SWEEEEET I NEED A MAGIC PAD FOR MY WOMAN.

  • Obj_me

    While harsh I would have to agree with Ernie, this board is absolutely I mean absolutely filled with trolling androids that hate everything Apple, often times just because Apple made. Kind of reminds me of the Apple vs MS flamewars of the ’90s. I would have to guess that these trolls are probably teenagers however as it is pretty immature and closed minded to think that one OS, product or whatever is the only thing of substance and value out there and everything else sucks…they all have there own flaws and benefits, now I know that this is a stretch but would it be so hard to have constructive conversation here and in the dev world maybe learn from other technologies and to improve your own? Of course not because all of the fanboys will immeadiately call it theft! It just such BS, this site has some great articles but the same can’t be said for alot of those commenting. Now as far as this magical new product; hasn’t used it so it’s hard to offer an opinion of it’s performance however it could be said that along with the magic mouse and other iDevices that this new product is indicative of Apples strategy for OS X and perhaps a desire to drastically change the way a user interacts with their computer. In my opinion that speculation is what may be the most important tidbit about this new product….

    • Jonathan

      Well, I’m in the same boat you are. I originally started coming to this site to, like you said, have constructive conversation, but in time fanboys on both sides (particularly the android side) just seem to fester on any apple post. I see apple fans on android postings too, but not as blatantly rampant as the apple haters. I would even welcome healthy debates on different issues, but its extremely hard to do here when each side is adamant that their devices are the best. I always thought its all in the users preference, but if you even mention you have an Iphone the name calling begins. Eventually you can start to weed out who is just BSing for kicks and who is really mature on their commenting. I have ordered a Magic Trackpad, cause I think it will conserve space on my already cramped workstation not having to move the mouse constantly. I think its really going to fit well with my Imac. BGR should at least have some kind of moderating system here and not have obnoxious name calling with nothing to contribute to the debate.

  • bob

    This is the stupidest thing ever! These have been on laptops for years. Now all apple does is make a larger version of it for a desktop and they are gods! I had this idea when I was like 4 years old

    • Omar

      ” I this idea when I was like 4 years old”

      I bet you can remeber since that was like 2-3 years ago. Right?

  • MonkeyCheese

    Why would I want to get the very thing I hate on laptops as a replacement for my mouse?

  • goestoeleven

    Love the Magic TrackPad!!!!

    I have a MacBookPro with the built-in trackpad, and I’ve been waiting for a year for this thing.

    I previously bought a Magic Mouse, which pales by comparison to the TrackPad.

    If you’re a fan of the MBP’s trackpads, and you want an external device to go along with your external keyboard, YOU NEED THIS!

  • Idaho Jones

    Why is it engadget is the only site that’s mentioned the Bamboo trackbpads that have been out forever?

  • Len

    I don’t own any Apple or Android products, and don’t know much about this magic trackpad, but what functionality does this provide which a mouse cannot provide?

    I assume this is “multi-touch”, you can pinch to zoom, stretch etc. and what not, but can’t the same be achieved with click and drag with the mouse?

    It seems to me like this is a product which would make the user feel “cool” when their using it, perhaps this is the advantage over a mouse, but in terms of functionality and efficiency, what is the advantage of the magic trackpad?

    • Mark

      Len,

      I am new apple product user. I have a Macbook, which has a multi-gesture pad. Yes, it has pinch, rotate, and multi finger gestures. It recognizes between 1 and 4 finger gestures that are very intuitive and work well with Apple OS. Honestly, the only thing is it doesn’t do well is dragging and dropping. It’s a little difficult with the pad. A mouse is superior in that aspect only; albeit, it’s a pretty big aspect. I have never used a magic mouse, but I would guess it’s the best of both worlds in my opinion.

  • Graham

    Seems to me that Apple has simply come out with another product that their users have been asking for. I use a Magic Mouse and love it, I also love the trackpad on my MBP. I don’t think I would buy the track pad for my iMac though because the Magic Mouse does all that I need it to and has more precision for some things than a track pad does. Now… As for the two buttons, all I have to do is tell the OS what I want secondary click to be and i have “Right Click” on both my track pad and my “Single Button” magic mouse. Since I work in both the world of Mac and the world of PC it is a necessity for me.

    It really sucks that in order to get to any of the real comments, you have to go through all the Fanboy and Hater messages. What the hell happened here???

    If you like Android, great, if you like iPhone great… Who really cares! This product has nothing to do with EITHER!

    • Rob D.

      Why does someone who dislikes this product have to be a Android fanboy?

      Can’t people just not like something without being labeled as something else?

      Also why is this Apple vs Android? This isn’t a smart phone. What product does Google make that is similar to this that makes it Apple vs Android?

      • Graham

        Exactly!

      • Jonathan

        Here, here!

  • lee

    really need review for win 7…

    would love to use this with my hdtv.

  • BoB B

    Well the Magic Trackpad arrived today.

    I must say I really like it. Very easy to use, and I was not aware of all the different swiping options..

    Great work Apple!

    • Jonathan

      Mine should arrive tomorrow, and I will keep the magic mouse in conjunction with the trackpad too.

  • http://seacat.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/plastic1.jpg Ash

    Great. More litter for the planet.

  • Ash
  • Scott

    So I played with the trackpad at the Ape store today and walking in the door I was all set to walk out with one…I must disclose I am a full blown Apple fanboy lol

    Anyways I found regular gestures pleasant but all of a sudden after using for about 5 minutes my hand started getting very cramped and my fingers were exhausted. I am sad to say I left apple without one. Am I nuts? Has anyone used for a long time & had similar issues?

    Thanks for the feedback, I really loved the concept for my iMac…

    • jarrett

      Were you sitting down or standing up for the duration?

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