Magic Trackpad

Magic Trackpad

The Magic Trackpad
Manufacturer	Apple Inc.
Release date	July 27, 2010 (2010-07-27)
Operating system	Mac OS X Snow Leopard v 10.6.4 and higher
Connectivity	Bluetooth
Related articles	Magic Mouse

The Magic Trackpad is a multi-touch trackpad produced by Apple Inc. Announced on July 27, 2010, it is similar to the trackpad found on the current MacBook family of laptops, albeit 80% larger. The trackpad is fully compatible with Macintosh computers running Mac OS X Snow Leopard versions 10.6.4 and higher with a software update, as well as Windows 7, Windows XP, and Windows Vista in Apple's Boot Camp with an added device driver. It is also capable of performing in a basic capacity when paired with a Windows computer or a Macintosh without the necessary software.

Description

The Magic Trackpad next to an Apple Wireless Keyboard.

The device's design is similar to the trackpad found on the current MacBook family of laptops, but 80% larger.^[1] It connects via Bluetooth^[2] and runs on two AA batteries.^[1] The trackpad is designed in the same style as Apple's Wireless Keyboard,^[1] and when put next to one, sits flush to it.^[3] Usage can be compared to the multitouch trackpads found in Apple's MacBook and Macbook Pro laptops.^[4] Additionally, the entire pad can be clicked;^[4] pressing on the device puts pressure on it and the surface it is resting on, pushing down two circular feet at the base of the trackpad, registering a click.^[5] The trackpad's required software update also added inertial scrolling and three-finger drag gestures to certain MacBook and MacBook Pro models.^[6]

Release and reception

Announced on July 27, 2010,^[1] early reviews of the trackpad lauded its design but not its price. CNET reviewer Scott Stein wrote: "Apple's $69 Bluetooth device is minimalist and not particularly cheap"; "We're not sure we'd ditch our mouse and use the Magic Trackpad, but it's a compact solution for the touch-addicted."^[3] Macworld also praised the trackpad's design similarity with the Apple Wireless Keyboard: "The Magic Trackpad is the same height and angle of inclination as the Apple Wireless Keyboard, making them a good fit, in terms of size and style."^[5]

Operating system support

• Apple's Magic Trackpad and Multi-Touch Trackpad Update 1.0 includes the required software to use Magic Trackpad. This update also installs a Trackpad System Preferences pane for configuring the Magic Trackpad on Intel-based Mac desktop computers that support Mac OS X v10.6.4 and later.^[6]
• Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista using Boot Camp tools under Mac OS X.^[7]
• Basic functions available on a Windows computer or a Macintosh without the necessary software.^[3]
• Hacked/extracted from Boot Camp native Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 drivers, 32-bit and 64-bit^[8] (not supported by Apple)
• Ubuntu Maverick Meerkat 10.10^[9]

See also

• Apple Mouse
• Mighty Mouse
• Magic Mouse
• Apple Keyboard

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "Apple's Magic Trackpad Is Here". Gizmodo. http://gizmodo.com/5597374/apples-bluetooth-magic-trackpad-is-here. Retrieved July 27, 2010. 
2. ^ "Magic Trackpad – The Multi-Touch trackpad for your desktop". Apple Inc. http://www.apple.com/magictrackpad/. Retrieved July 27, 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Stein, Scott (April 7, 2010). "Hands-on look at Apple Magic Trackpad | Crave – CNET". CNET. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20011788-1.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody;2n. Retrieved July 27, 2010. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "Apple Magic Trackpad first hands-on". Engadget. June 7, 2010. http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/apple-magic-trackpad-first-hands-on/. Retrieved July 28, 2010. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Hands on with Apple's Magic Trackpad | Input Devices". Macworld. http://www.macworld.com/article/152968/2010/07/trackpad_slideshow.html. Retrieved July 28, 2010. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "About Magic Trackpad and Multi-Touch Trackpad Update 1.0". Apple Inc. July 27, 2010. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4254. Retrieved August 9, 2010. 
7. ^ "Apple Magic Trackpad Update 1.0 for Windows 32 bit". Apple Inc. http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1067. Retrieved August 9, 2010 (2010-08-09). 
8. ^ "Use the Magic Trackpad with your Windows PC". Digital Inspiration. http://www.labnol.org/software/apple-magic-trackpad-with-windows/14158/. Retrieved August 9, 2010 (2010-08-09). 
9. ^ "Use the Magic Trackpad with ubuntu". Ubuntu. https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Multitouch/AppleMagicTrackpad/. Retrieved August 27, 2010 (2010-08-27).