What the heck is it anyway? I often hear MBP users praising the glass trackpad but when I compare the two computers at the apple store I feel/see no real difference, except for the clicking button at the bottom of the trackpad.
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Are we really missing out on the glass trackpad?
- Thread starter DannyNguyener
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Doesn't the Air have the same multitouch features? Swipe left, right, scroll with two fingers, etc?
The resistance on the glass trackpad is really nice and the fact that the trackpad is the button is kinda of nice, though I just tap the touch pad on my MBA most of the time anyways.
It's certainly better but I'm not sure its the deal breaker many people think it is.
It's certainly better but I'm not sure its the deal breaker many people think it is.
Here is a video about the trackpad
http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/features.html#overlay-trackpad
I am not familiar with the mba abilities. Does it have same features?
Yes, the MBA trackpad has exactly the same gestures. The only difference is the MBA has a button at the bottom rather than pressing the trackpad itself as you would on a glass trackpad.
What I don't like about the glass trackpad is you have to press the trackpad for a click. On the MBA trackpad you can just tap it for a click. I'm not sure, can you change the settings on the glass trackpad so that you can just tap to click without having to actually depress the trackpad? If not, a disadvantage to the glass trackpad that I have seen is you have to depress it at the bottom. You can't click at the top if I recall correctly.
Personal preference I guess. Most PC converts/Mac n00b's enjoy the Air/older MB models for it's trackpad since there's an actual button to push just like on their previous units. Personally, being a PC convert, I like the trackpad better since it's larger and more user friendly than your standard trackpad. The gesturing is really great too which the Air has as well.
...What? Every Mac laptop before the unibody MacBook Pros had a physical button to push.
After feeling both of them, you should notice the difference. The Air's trackpad isn't nearly as smooth as the one on the MBP.
While I am indifferent to having a separate button vs. depressing the whole trackpad, I would have to admit that the glass trackpad definitely feels smoother under my fingers.
Both the button and the trackpad-as-button have their advantages. For general browsing and such, I think the trackpad-as-button has the edge. It's just easier to push down as opposed to lifting a finger (or thumb) to hit a button, or lifting and tapping (and I think double-clicking with trackpad taps is really crappy). However, for dragging operations, I think the separate button still has the edge.
But the real thing is that I'd rather just use a mouse for the majority of the time while at a desk.
Both the button and the trackpad-as-button have their advantages. For general browsing and such, I think the trackpad-as-button has the edge. It's just easier to push down as opposed to lifting a finger (or thumb) to hit a button, or lifting and tapping (and I think double-clicking with trackpad taps is really crappy). However, for dragging operations, I think the separate button still has the edge.
But the real thing is that I'd rather just use a mouse for the majority of the time while at a desk.
I really love the glass trackpad. Most people don't realize how often the trackpad is used. It's probably the way most people interact with their computers most of the time. I feel the keyboard and trackpad feel are incredibly important.
I have used the glass trackpad on a uMB I had while waiting for the June 2009 MBA update. In those two months I fell in love with the glass trackpad. It was very difficult to go back to the plastic trackpad on the MBA. I often will setup stuff on my kids 13" MBPs, and I LOVE the way the trackpad feels instantly. It is MUCH NICER than the plastic trackpad found on the MBA.
I really believe the glass trackpad is the feature I will most enjoy when the MBA is updated. I know I want more RAM, but it's not something we enjoy in terms of looks and feel of the computer. I most need more RAM, but I most look forward to a glass trackpad.
Where Apple really succeeds in computing is the look and feel. Apple needs to bring the MBA on par with the other Mac notebooks. The other thing I hope Apple does, is use the glass material it used with the iPhone 4 back on the Mac computer keyboards. The keyboard itself needs to feel like the glass trackpad or aluminum. I cannot tell for sure, but I hope Apple does something to improve the feel of the keyboard along with the MBA's trackpad. If the keyboard and trackpad had the same feel, that would be great.
I think it's almost a guarantee that Apple will update the trackpad to glass when it does update the MBA. Some say the MBA isn't think enough for a glass trackpad, but that argument doesn't make sense. Apple doesn't have to use the same glass trackpad it uses in other Macs... it can make a thinner implementation to fit the MBA.
I have used the glass trackpad on a uMB I had while waiting for the June 2009 MBA update. In those two months I fell in love with the glass trackpad. It was very difficult to go back to the plastic trackpad on the MBA. I often will setup stuff on my kids 13" MBPs, and I LOVE the way the trackpad feels instantly. It is MUCH NICER than the plastic trackpad found on the MBA.
I really believe the glass trackpad is the feature I will most enjoy when the MBA is updated. I know I want more RAM, but it's not something we enjoy in terms of looks and feel of the computer. I most need more RAM, but I most look forward to a glass trackpad.
Where Apple really succeeds in computing is the look and feel. Apple needs to bring the MBA on par with the other Mac notebooks. The other thing I hope Apple does, is use the glass material it used with the iPhone 4 back on the Mac computer keyboards. The keyboard itself needs to feel like the glass trackpad or aluminum. I cannot tell for sure, but I hope Apple does something to improve the feel of the keyboard along with the MBA's trackpad. If the keyboard and trackpad had the same feel, that would be great.
I think it's almost a guarantee that Apple will update the trackpad to glass when it does update the MBA. Some say the MBA isn't think enough for a glass trackpad, but that argument doesn't make sense. Apple doesn't have to use the same glass trackpad it uses in other Macs... it can make a thinner implementation to fit the MBA.
+1 for the Air trackpad - it has a much nicer feel imho, and the button is there defined should you choose to use it - which I only occasionally do.
my wife's MB had the glass pad which is weird, and I'm not a fan.
bottom line is - it's a matter of personal preference
my wife's MB had the glass pad which is weird, and I'm not a fan.
bottom line is - it's a matter of personal preference