Apple issues Magic Trackpad drivers for OS X and Windows, updates MacBooks with new gesture support

Right on schedule, Apple's released new drivers for the Magic Trackpad, in both OS X and Windows flavors. The download is pretty amusingly huge at 75MB, since it includes videos of all the gestures in action, but at least you'll know exactly how many fingers to use for that new three-finger drag gesture. The bad news? It requires OS X 10.6.4, so you're out of luck if you're still running Leopard and itching to get your swipe on with Apple's latest peripheral.

The new software also updates the MacBook and MacBook Pro multitouch trackpads with inertial scrolling and three-finger drag, which is pretty nice -- we've got it installed on a unibody MBP and it's working as advertised. Hit up Software Update now, or check the source link to score your bits old-school.

[statickeith Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:53PM]

@bingster This is it.

@engadget, REMOVE THIS GUY'S PROFILE!!!! BAN HIM!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:43PM]

My cousin will be happy about this.

[Epsen Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:50PM]

@(Unverified)
so... this means the gestures and all work under windows too, right? right?

[liftedngifted1 Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:52PM]

@(Unverified) Wait did I read right? This thing is for Windows too? Too bad I would not waste my money on the "magic trackpad" because my trackpad can do everything this crap can do....

[kapanak Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:56PM]

@liftedngifted1

Well, many people also run Windows Vista or 7 on their iMacs, MBPs, etc. So it would only be logical that you get to use the same input devices whether you are on OSX or Windows.

Naturally, this provides an opportunity for those who have no interest in Macs to use this on Windows. Unfortunately, I have no idea whether the gestures would work, or even be recognized under Windows...perhaps only on Windows 7?

[system22 Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:58PM]

@liftedngifted1 do you have to call this product crap cuz yours does the same stuff? didn't realize this stuff was so all or nothing.

[Chuckinator0 Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:59PM]

@liftedngifted1 Mmmm no it doesn't.

[j3oomerang Posted Jul 27th 2010 6:01PM]

Really wanted a 13" MBP with ULV i7 and switchable graphics ≥ Ion2. Oh well

[JojoMojo Posted Jul 27th 2010 6:02PM]

@liftedngifted1 Aren't you so sophisticated? Commenting on something that you have no interest in ... and something which you will never buy and something of which you have very little knowledge. Good job. Keep the hate coming.

[Epsen Posted Jul 27th 2010 6:33PM]

@cwalters74
Is there a difference from a mac running windows (7) to a "normal" machine running windows (7)?

I really was waiting for this trackpad because I think its great fun to browse with gestures on a desktop pc. But if the pc is what makes it impossible I would die a little inside...

[Son1ze Posted Jul 27th 2010 7:29PM]

@(Unverified) Not sure why nobody knew about Smart Scroll...

Downloaded and installed the new firmware on my MBP but sticking with Smart Scroll v1.7 as inertial scrolling doesn't work with Mighty Mouse trackball...only Magic Mouse, Trackpad and Magic Pad. Smart Scroll allows inertial scrolling with any peripheral.

Comparatively speaking after comparing both Apple's Inertial Scroll does zip you down to the bottom of the page faster than my default Smart Scroll 'coast' setting.

Three-finger gestures are a nice addition though...

[Son1ze Posted Jul 27th 2010 7:33PM]

@Son1ze Oops. Meant Smart Scroll v3.7.4.

[Baz1984 Posted Jul 27th 2010 7:40PM]

@Unverified User Lol so windows is so rubbish due to it's lack of drivers etc and it only works on osx 10.4 lol love it

[Wesscoast Posted Jul 27th 2010 7:57PM]

@liftedngifted1

It's for desktops you peon

[drange Posted Jul 28th 2010 4:26AM]

@Epsen
The drivers... AFAIK they only work an install on a Mac with EFI bios and you can't download them separate from boot-camp.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:43PM]

My cousin will be happy about this.

[fpad77 Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:49PM]

@(Unverified) Your 2 cousins will be very happy then.

[Epsen Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:51PM]

@fpad77
happy cousins are good cousins.

[Maxipad Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:53PM]

@fpad77 The comment system isn't working well for me. It's the second time it posted my comment twice.

[Psyclotr0n Posted Jul 27th 2010 6:09PM]

@fpad77
are they.... dangerous cousins?
/George Michael Bluth

[Psyclotr0n Posted Jul 27th 2010 6:18PM]

@Maxipad
this comment system felates all sorts of barnyard animals.

i mean really, is this 1998? everyone still top posts from the first comment just to make it on the first 3 pages.

[fpad77 Posted Jul 27th 2010 6:21PM]

@Psyclotr0n I think that's just something you need to get used to. At the end of the day everyone wants to be heard, just for some its more important to be than others...

[Maxipad Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:44PM]

@bingster GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!!!!

[Maclovinit Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:46PM]

@Maxipad Seriously!! i reported him and down ranked him

[Formul Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:47PM]

uhm i do have the bit older mbp17 (released with first unibodies, last of the classic ones) and no update for me although my trackpad supports every gesture the glassones do

[Formul Posted Jul 27th 2010 6:16PM]

@Formul the late 2008 17 inch mbp is clearly in the list of devices supporting 3finger drag, but even after manually installing update i got just intertia scrolling :(

[Teerim Posted Jul 27th 2010 7:49PM]

@Formul

You need to go to your preferences and change the 3-finger dragging option. I think this was added because it is extremely tough sometimes to click + drag on the apple trackpad with one hand.

[kapanak Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:48PM]

Wow...Windows drivers...I shall consider this then, if it goes on sale in BestBuy or Futureshop for 40-50 dollars...

[Jack Posted Jul 28th 2010 2:02AM]

@kapanak

yeah, like Apple is just going to lower the price because you're not going to buy one otherwise?

I like how you think Apple cares about you, who wouldn't buy an Apple product even if they did drop the price down to where you think it should be. That's cute.

[bingster Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:48PM]

why so hostile guys. You know you love me, and me you.

[Maxipad Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:51PM]

@bingster Not only are you annoying but you also have bad grammar.

[statickeith Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:54PM]

@bingster dude, you need to get off Engadget and get back to jerking off while watching some pr0n!

[Apple Google Microsoft Posted Jul 27th 2010 6:12PM]

@bingster

Without people like you engadget would get really boring. It's true, how boring is it when everyone just agrees in the comments?

[PathogenX Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:48PM]

Question as a PC user (and I am planning on getting a mbp so dont call me a fanboy or anything) Whats apples reasoning behind making windows drivers for this? I personally just don't see many PC users buying this.

But i mean none the less awesome one apples part for having it for both mac and PC.

[UptownDonkey Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:52PM]

@PathogenX
Probably just because they need to supply BootCamp drivers for MacBooks so why not support the Magic Touchpad too? It's a unique product so I think some PC users would like it too.

[Canucker Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:52PM]

@PathogenX
Business is business. I don't ask what religion someone is if they want to make a donation to my retirement fund.

The inertial scrolling update for MacBooks is pretty cool. Works so well you wonder why it wasn't there years ago.

[Shash450 Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:54PM]

@PathogenX
Well, as an MBP user, I dual-boot with windows sometimes, so its nice to know that i can still use the peripheral when i'm on there. Also, this'd be a good option for any HTPC users. Its a lot easier to use this type of mouse than to fiddle around with a normal mouse on a coach.

What i'm most happy with however is that they didn't forget about us first-gen unibody users with updated drivers! What an un-Apple move lol

[kapanak Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:57PM]

@PathogenX

For the sake of repetition:

Well, many people also run Windows Vista or 7 on their iMacs, MBPs, etc. So it would only be logical that you get to use the same input devices whether you are on OSX or Windows.

Naturally, this provides an opportunity for those who have no interest in Macs to use this on Windows. Unfortunately, I have no idea whether the gestures would work, or even be recognized under Windows...perhaps only on Windows 7?

[LJKelley Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:59PM]

Does anyone have a link to the updated Windows drivers applicable for the Macbook/Macbook Pro?

[craigjc Posted Jul 27th 2010 6:12PM]

@UptownDonkey
actually, I have a Windows Desktop and a MB 13". I'm not a huge fan of OSX, but I frigging love the MB trackpad. Its the main redeeming quality for the MB... I mean I like quality, but the thing was $1200... damn. I might get down on some of this action for my PC.

[UptownDonkey Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:49PM]

It's nice getting a really useful new feature for a product I've owned for more than a year simply by hitting an Update button. Good work Apple.

[Phenom Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:55PM]

@UptownDonkey Welcome to the 21st Century - where have you been? Oh wait - you've been paying for service packs lately (snow leopard...)

[inimicus Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:50PM]

Now update the drivers for the Magic Mouse to support more gestures.

I know there's third party drivers to do so, but c'mon.

[primetime4 Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:50PM]

Sadly, I was already out of luck running Leopard with my iPad. That was a bit of a kick in the jimmys.

[GANGREEN167 Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:52PM]

the new 3 finger gesture alouds you to high light any words or pictures you swipe your 3 fingers over... awesome! also the screen dragging only works if your courser is over the top of said screen.

[GANGREEN167 Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:54PM]

@GANGREEN167 for some reason I'm noticing some screen tearing when I do 2 finger scrolling... does anyone else noticing this?

[Sp Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:54PM]

what's the difference between magic trackpad and magic mouse???

[shishi Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:56PM]

@Sp

The money you pay for the magic mouse goes into Steve's left pocket. The money you pay for the magic trackpad goes into Steve's right pocket.

That's the difference.

[Lothar Posted Jul 27th 2010 6:08PM]

@Sp
One is a trackpad, one is a mouse /duh

[shishi Posted Jul 27th 2010 5:55PM]

Uh... the trackpad in my Windows 7 Touchsmart TM2 notebook does all this already... sigh.