Reviews for Magic Trackpad

After purchasing the new magic mouse I thought it would be a replacement for my new MBP multi-touch trackpad, but it didn't allow all of the same features. This is a great addition to my bluetooth keyboard & compliments my Waycom pad for photo work. I'm not sure if it's really 'worth' the upgrade over the magic mouse, but it is nice to have such a large gesture-based surface, much like the iPad. Props to Apple for thinking outside the box on this one, although the possibility & 'idea' of this technology could have happened a few years ago.

First off, I really like the Magic Trackpad - I found it to be easier to use, especially once gesture controls were introduced.

The only draw-back I see to it, is that there will always be somethings that mice are better at then trackpads. Gaming, for instance, can be a bit of a pain... especially first-person shooter types. Also, dragging and moving can be a bit of a hassle, since you're limited by the surface of the trackpad.

All-in-all, I think it's a great product. I've grown so used to having gesture controls, that I get a little irritated when I have to use a mouse for something... the trackpad just makes working through OSX a breeze. Get one, you won't be disappointed.

I purchased the M Tp yesterday and quickly noted that the wrist angle was going to be an ergonomic issue. Then I noticed the below suggestion from another reviewer that enables you to easily change the orientation (& therefore wrist angle) when using the M Tp!

A big thanks to the reviewer "CT from San Francisco" who shared it!! The M Tp would have been returned had I not seen this...


Some have complained about the slant angle, but there is a hidden default that lets you invert or flip it as needed. Enter this command in Terminal (will prompt for root password), then restart your Mac or reconnect the Magic Trackpad:

sudo defaults write com.apple.MultitouchSupport ForceAutoOrientation YES

Now place the Magic Trackpad in desired orientation on your desk and drop all 5 fingers on it (outstretched towards the edges not scrunched up). The coordinates of the trackpad automatically flip so all cursor and gesture motions match the new hand orientation.

I switched from the magic mouse to this device as soon as it came out largely based on the positive review here in the mac store. After 3-4 weeks of using it, I've switched back to my magic mouse.

I really like the trackpad and wanted to keep on using it but I started having pain in my wrist and in my forefinger knuckle which I've never had before. Using this device for long periods of time causes you to lift your wrist and forefinger into non-resting positions that will put a strain on these joints and muscles creating chronic pain.

If you use your mouse a lot then do yourself a favor and DO NOT use this device. It works great if you only use your mouse occasionally but otherwise, save your money and stick to your mouse.

5 out of 5 for quality of construction, look, performance, software, etc.

2 out of 5 for ergonomics. The Trackpad is built upside down. The fat end (the battery compartment) should be closest to your wrist so that your wrist is not angled up to place your fingers on the surface. There should be an option in the software to invert the device so it can be used "upside down".

Barring that, or in conjunction with the software inversion option, there is good opportunity for someone to release a stand that raises the end of the pad closest to your body and includes a palm rest such that your wrist drapes over the pad.

Make sure that you have Mac OS X 10.6.4 as the Magic Trackpad requires Snow Leopard in order to work.

This is the perfect successor to the mouse. Smooth, versatile and highly configurable, it's also a great solution for people with a glass desktop, or small desks with limited space. No more mousepads or dedicate space to move your mouse around on your desktop. It feels fantastic, looks beautiful (especially next to the Apple Keyboard!), and is deceptive in it's simplicity. Let's face it, we're all getting used to touch-sensitive devices. iPod Touches, iPhones, iPads, tablet computers, they are all slowly phasing out the mouse. And this is the perfect next step for the desktop computer. Bravo, Apple.

I was hesitant to purchase a Magic Trackpad because I already had a Magic mouse, but for those of you who have a Magic Mouse, multitouch is second nature to said mouse (and with Lion [I have a dev. preview], it makes for a better experience to have a logical method of multitouch input). So I hustled on down to the Apple store and picked up a Magic Trackpad as well as the battery charger for my keyboard, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad. I have to say, I have yet to be let down! The clicking actions feel thick and smooth, and tracking is a breeze with such a large surface. My only complaint is that if you go from using this to, say, a MacBook Pro's trackpad, you will notice your finger drag off the specified surface. Otherwise, highly recommend for anyone with intensive mouse use due to the ergonomically correct design of the Magic Trackpad.

In sum: this is a great device and will especially be useful for those of us who are already used to a Mac portable's built-in trackpad and who want to use a trackpad when either a) our laptop is being used in clamshell mode (i.e., with built-in screen shut and computer attached to external monitor) or b) for desktops.

I own a Magic Mouse, so why did I turn to also getting a Magic trackpad?
It's because I want to give my hands a variety of handheld devices to use alternatively so that I don't develop Repetitive Stress Injury. My hands and fingers are prone to that. One day I will use the Magic Mouse, the next day I'll switch to the trackpad, or I can switch alternatively hour to hour.

My minor quibble with this device is:

1. the trackpad is actually NOT FLUSH with the Apple bluetooth keyboard! When I align the bottom edge of the trackpad with the bottom edge of the aluminium Apple bluetooth keyboard, the top edge of the trackpad overhangs but about 1/16 to 2/16 of an inch. This seems to be an oversight on Apple's part. They don't usually let these things past through QC

2. The physical right and left click is a bit more harder to engage than I would like. One could still use the tapping motions to simulate right and left click though.

As a several-year user of a MacBook trackpad and a more recent iMac Magic Mouse user, Magic Trackpad was a very easy transition. The Trackpad is more sensitive (as well as, of course larger) than the MacBook versions, but it is also almost immediately more comfortable than even the Magic Mouse, which I had likewise found to be a worthwhile upgrade from its predecessor. You will need to adjust device preferences to, for example, enable single-tap as select, but after that sort of customization, I found it to be clear sailing.

Note, though, that if you upgrade to 10.6.4 (from 10.6.3 at least, which was in the box with the version I picked up at an Apple store today along with the Trackpad), as required to use the Magic Trackpad, you may not get all of the Trackpad-related updates you need unless you go to Apple > About This Mac > Software Update; the instructions seem to suggest that Apple > Software Update will accomplish this, but that was not my experience, so try both avenues to make sure you install everything you need.

As a final note, comfort level seems good at this early stage; I hunted for a while to find the most comfortable wrist rest for the wireless and Magic mouse, but the Magic Trackpad seems OK without padded accessories -- possibly because the wrist stays at rest while the fingers do the tracking. But try it for yourself.

And almost without needing mention, the form of the Magic Trackpad complements the aluminum-clad keyboard perfectly.