Apple Magic Trackpad first hands-on

So it's real, and... it's a trackpad. What seemed like it might have been pure rumor and some good Photoshopping just a short while ago has magically (ha ha!) transformed into reality. If you're wondering what the Magic Trackpad is like to use -- get ready for a shock. It feels just like using a slightly larger version of a MacBook or MacBook Pro pad. And we mean exactly, right down to the multitouch gestures and whole-pad click. Yes, it clicks. There's also a new gesture, if you're keeping track -- a three-finger move that lets you drag windows around (very helpful), though you give up the functionality of being to navigate stuff like iPhoto galleries with a swipe (it's an option you can toggle in preferences -- you have a choice). We're going to be doing some serious testing with the new peripheral, but for now, feast your eyes on the pics below.

Magic Trackpad first hands-on

[KMGLOBAL Posted Jul 28th 2010 4:18AM]

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Trackpad is like Trackball not comfortable like a mouse for most of us

Q:Would you like use trackpad in Notebook or optional mouse?
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[rmbrown09 Posted Jul 28th 2010 1:04PM]

@KMGLOBAL Well I'll be honest right now, I have a bluetooth magic mouse connected to my MBP right now, but when I'm surfing the web, I forget it's there and use my trackpad. So intuitive and nice to use.

Gaming, and basically anything else though I will use the real mouse, but the trackpad is in no way some kind of burden like PC notebook trackpads.

[commonman Posted Jul 28th 2010 6:57AM]

I'm buying one, not because I need it, just so I can piss off all you Apple haters. $74.13 w/Tax

[JojoMojo Posted Jul 28th 2010 3:29PM]

How long before we see a Microsoft clone of this?

Yes... yes...I know the iHaters will be chiming in... "but, but...this is not the first. There was something like this before" Hey iHaters thank you for magnanimity in educating us. Thanks for commenting on an product you don't care for, won't buy and don't know much about.

[lilo Posted Jul 28th 2010 4:54PM]

@JojoMojo

You are right. There was something like this before. Long before. Track pads in laptops.

[rmbrown09 Posted Jul 28th 2010 6:25PM]

@lilo yea! and it was just like this almost..kinda.... so it's just like the same thing!

[DanaG Posted Jul 28th 2010 11:49PM]

Say, now all I need are non-locked-to-Apple-desktops-only Windows drivers*, Linux drivers, and the ability to use 2-finger MIDDLE click, and 3-finger right-click.... I use middle-click a hell of a lot more than I use right-click, and when I need to right-click, I can press the "context menu" key on the keyboard.

Then again, I can just use my laptop's middle button. The touchpad would be only for when I have to use OTHER computers.

I prefer touchpads, because they seem to be far less RSI-inducing than mice.

* http://www.desktopreview.com/default.asp?newsID=1160&Review=Apple+Magic+Trackpad+Bluetooth+Multitouch+Touchpad

[DanaG Posted Jul 28th 2010 11:56PM]

@DanaG
Er, the "Magic" touchpad. Why do they call it a TRACKpad? You touch it, not "track" it. Hey, I'm tracking my mouse... oops, it got away!

Oh, IT tracks YOU... well, then we should name webcams WATCHcams, because THEY watch YOU. Or something like that.

[Thor e Posted Jul 28th 2010 11:49PM]

Another dumb invention from the inventors of the ipad. Dumb.

[sirebral Posted Jul 30th 2010 4:41PM]

bamboo touch, ftw.