MacBook users who pine for their trackpad when they're sitting at their desktop computer can now limber up their fingers for the Magic Trackpad, which brings multi-touch gestures to your desktop set-up.
The Magic Trackpad doesn't actually use the dark arts, but it can partner or replace your mouse for flinging your pointer around the screen. You can tap to click or double-click anywhere on the surface, and use two fingers to scroll, flip pages, or rotate an image.
Apple says that it's the largest multi-touch trackpad there is, but apparently it expects us to use magic to figure out how big, because it doesn't give the dimensions of the Trackpad. Apple does say that its area is 80 per cent bigger than the trackpad on the MacBook Pro, and it's the same height as the Apple Wireless keyboard, so it's 113mm tall. Calculate that, Mac fans.
The Trackpad is wireless, so you'll need a Bluetooth enabled Mac to use it. You'll also have to be running Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.4 with the latest software update.
The Trackpad isn't pressure-sensitive and uses your finger, not a stylus, so doesn't compete with graphics tablets like the Wacom Bamboo Fun Touch. It will set you back £60 from the Apple store, and Apple suggests you drop another £25 on the most spectacularly over-hyped battery charger we've ever seen.
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Comments 8
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Pokeh 27 July, 2010 14:50
Okay seriously - you're on a desktop machine. Why would you possibly want to use a trackpad when you can quite easily have a mouse?
weetanhops 27 July, 2010 15:01
I can think of a few gestures that I'd like to make toward the Magic Trackpad.
With laptops, there's clearly a necessity for there to be a trackpad, because it can be built in to the machine and it will do basic functions without a hitch. But why on Earth would you want a trackpad for your full-size desktop machine? Better still, why would you pay £60 for the privilege of crippling your productivity when you can pay more than half that for a really good mouse that will allow you to do anything you want on your PC.
I've already seen people I know that have the Magic Mouse say they'll be getting one of these. I may need to sever my associations with them soon because they're quite clearly insane.
anonymous 27 July, 2010 15:10
I'd use it - I use a graphics tablet instead of a mouse.
When Apple brought out the Magic Mouse with multitouch, I said it was a waste of time and they should just make a touchpad. I expect my royalty cheque from Jobsy is in the post.
anonymous 27 July, 2010 15:11
To clarify: I'd use it -- but I wouldn't buy it. 60 quid?!
sinaplenty 27 July, 2010 16:48
Someone, somewhere has "designer of Apple Battery Charger webpages" on their CV...
gregkelly1985 27 July, 2010 16:55
If you don't have a MacBook or MacBook Pro, you will 100% not see the advantage of this (exception possibly being HTPC fans). Using the trackpad from the MacBook family is an absolute joy. I purchased my MacBook Pro about 2 months ago and the trackpad has established itself as a genuinely ingenious piece of kit. I'm not saying other laptops aren't as good, actually to heck with it, yes I am! I've had Dell's, Sony's, Acer's, Asus', HP's, Toshiba's and Samsung's (either mine or one of my families) and the MacBook completely wipes the floor with them. The added functions make it so easy to use, it's almost second nature. When I first purchased the MacBook, I thought I'd miss the scroll wheel you get with a mouse (which I always plugged in to my laptop as the trackpads were generally awful) but now I enjoy using it more. Comparing it to a mouse, it can't match the pace and I'm not going to lie and say that it doesn't have it's flaws, but it is more natural than a mouse and can serve a purpose where having a mouse just isn't an option (uneven surfaces).
Lastly, the price is ludicrously bad but what was everyone expecting, it's right in line with all the other Apple input devices so go figure!
Mark Anderson 27 July, 2010 21:38
I have a late 2008 unibody Macbook with a touchpad and, for a laptop, it's the best input device going. However, for my desktop I use a mouse because it's a far, far superior instrument in terms of versatility, usability and precision.
This thing is OK I suppose and I suspect it'll replace the abject failure that was the Magic Mouse on some Apple fans' desktops but I don't think it's going to really interest anyone else.
Anonymous 21 September, 2010 17:54
If Apple released the magic trackpad before magic mouse, no one would ever buy the mouse. If you think Magic Mouse is good, or if you are hooked with any Macbook multi-touch trackpad, you're going to love this little trackpad.