Peter Binder Apple's new Magic Trackpad offers Mac users a multi-touch trackpad designed to fit the super-thin aluminum Apple keyboard as a mouse replacement or add-on. We have prepared a review for you.
A bit of history
At the outset, it must be said that this novelty is not exactly Apple's first trackpad for desktop computers. The company shipped an external wired trackpad with a limited edition Mac in 1997. In addition to this experiment, Apple shipped the Mac with a mouse that offered better accuracy than the first trackpads. However, this new technology was subsequently used in notebooks.
Apple subsequently began to improve trackpads in MacBooks. For the first time, an improved trackpad that was capable of multi-touch zooming and rotation appeared in the MacBook Air in 2008. The latest MacBook models can already do gestures with two, three and four fingers (e.g. zoom, rotate, scroll, exposé, hide applications, etc.) .
Wireless Trackpad
The new Magic Trackpad is an external wireless trackpad that is 80% larger than the one in MacBooks and takes up about the same amount of hand space as a mouse, only you don't have to move it. As such, the Magic Trackpad may be preferable for users who have limited desk space next to their computer.
Like Apple's wireless keyboard, the new Magic Trackpad has an aluminum finish, is slim, and also slightly curved to accommodate the batteries. It is delivered in a smaller box with two batteries. The size of the box is similar to that of iWork.
Similar to modern, clicky MacBook trackpads, the Magic Trackpad works like one big button that you feel and hear when pressed.
Setting up the Magic Trackpad is very simple. Just press the "power button" on the side of the device. When turned on, the green light will light up. On your Mac, select “Set up a new Bluetooth device” in system preferences/bluetooth. It will then find your Mac using Bluetooth Magic Trackpad and you can start using it right away.
If you are used to using a trackpad on a MacBook, it will be very familiar when using your Magic Trackpad. This is because it contains the same layer of glass, which is much easier to recognize here (especially when viewed from the side), providing identical low resistance to the touch.
The only real difference is the placement, with the Magic Trackpad sitting next to the keyboard much like a mouse, as opposed to the MacBook where the trackpad is between your hands and the keyboard.
If you would like to use this trackpad as a drawing tablet, then we have to disappoint you, unfortunately it is not possible. It's just a trackpad controlled by your fingers. Unlike a bluetooth keyboard, you can't use it in conjunction with an iPad.
Of course, you may prefer a mouse for some operations. It should be added that Apple did not develop this trackpad as a direct competitor to the Magic Mouse, but rather as an additional accessory. If you are one of the users who work a lot on MacBook and you miss various gestures on the mouse, then the Magic Trackpad will be right for you.
Pros:
- Ultra thin, ultra light, easy to carry.
- Solid construction.
- Elegant design.
- Comfortable trackpad angle.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Contains batteries.
Cons:
- A user may prefer a mouse to a $69 trackpad.
- It is only a trackpad without other functions, such as a drawing tablet.
The Magic Trackpad does not yet come "by default" with any Mac. The iMac still comes with a Magic Mouse, the Mac mini comes without a mouse, and the Mac Pro comes with a wired mouse. Magic Trackpad is compatible with every newer Mac running Mac OS X Leopard 10.6.3.
Source: www.appleinsider.com
Multitouch on the MacBook Pro is the bomb. And this looks like a very good helper when I'm sitting in front of a big monitor. I'm going to do it and I wonder if the work will be more pleasant than with mice.