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helloapple1

macrumors 6502
Jan 20, 2020
474
308
I'm using the trackpad on my M1 MBA and have to say that even though I got a 15" M2 MBA with a "decent" trackpad, this M1 MBA trackpad totally blows it out of the water. It feels like smooth glass while I'm using it. I haven't found any M2 Air model that comes even close to this. Very unusual.
 
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CloudsNeverDie

macrumors regular
Apr 11, 2015
215
281
So I received my new M3 Pro MacBook Pro a few days ago in Space Black. I was so trepidatious about the keyboard and trackpad that I'd been putting off opening and using it, after so much hassle with the M2.

But the news is really good! The trackpad feels much better than the Midnight M2 Air I had. There's much less friction and it's much more pleasant on the finger.

The keyboard is also clearly improved. It seems to have been redesigned slightly. The keys are much more accurately placed - the backlight shining from under the keys is much more consistent from key to key, and it just looks really sharp and well made. The keys don't wobble as much. The feel of the keys feels more consistent and satisfying than before, too. I'm not missing keystrokes as much and the keys actuate properly.

Let's hope they bring these improvements to the M3 Airs next year! For now, I'm finally a happy camper.
 
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helloapple1

macrumors 6502
Jan 20, 2020
474
308
So I received my new M3 Pro MacBook Pro a few days ago in Space Black. I was so trepidatious about the keyboard and trackpad that I'd been putting off opening and using it, after so much hassle with the M2.

But the news is really good! The trackpad feels much better than the Midnight M2 Air I had. There's much less friction and it's much more pleasant on the finger.

The keyboard is also clearly improved. It seems to have been redesigned slightly. The keys are much more accurately placed - the backlight shining from under the keys is much more consistent from key to key, and it just looks really sharp and well made. The keys don't wobble as much. The feel of the keys feels more consistent and satisfying than before, too. I'm not missing keystrokes as much and the keys actuate properly.

Let's hope they bring these improvements to the M3 Airs next year! For now, I'm finally a happy camper.

That’s awesome to hear! Thank you for sharing. I wonder if the improved quality is because of it being a pro model. I wonder if they don’t put as much focus on QC in the MacBook Airs.
 
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CloudsNeverDie

macrumors regular
Apr 11, 2015
215
281
That’s awesome to hear! Thank you for sharing. I wonder if the improved quality is because of it being a pro model. I wonder if they don’t put as much focus on QC in the MacBook Airs.
It's possible but my guess is (based on coarse trackpads on M2 Pros I tried a few weeks ago) the new Airs will have it too. I'm really liking the feel of this M3 MBP trackpad the more I use it. In fact I think I prefer it to the glass trackpad on my old late 2013 Retina MBP. It has just the right amount of smoothness and friction, and it never feels sticky like pure glass does sometimes. I think it may actually be my favorite out of any trackpad I have ever used in my life thus far.
 
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helloapple1

macrumors 6502
Jan 20, 2020
474
308
It's possible but my guess is (based on coarse trackpads on <2 Pros I tried a few weeks ago) the new Airs will have it too. I'm really liking the feel of this M3 MBP trackpad the more I use it. In fact I think I prefer it to the glass trackpad on my old late 2013 Retina MBP. It has just the right amount of smoothness and friction, and it never feels sticky like pure glass does sometimes. I think it may actually be my favorite out of any trackpad I have ever used in my life thus far.

Awesome! :) Gonna have to check out the M3 MBP again myself. It sounds like a treat to use!
 
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thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Oct 1, 2007
16,108
17,030
tried out a space black 14" MBP M3 at Best Buy, and liked the color more in that moderate lighting than under bright lighting of Apple Store where I was underwhelmed. Under normal conditions, I think it does look a little nicer than Midnight and initially thought the exact opposite.

The keyboard does feel different from memory than M2 Pros when I played with those in the store, but could be down to unit variation like anything. I still prefer the feel of my 15" M2 MBA.

Also, the trackpad felt good and not grainy on the unit I was playing with. But to be honest, it felt identical to how my good trackpad 15" Air felt, not any different so...
 

helloapple1

macrumors 6502
Jan 20, 2020
474
308
I used a bit of isopropyl alcohol on my trackpad and it seemed to improved the texture experience. Feels smoother. Try at your own risk.
 

helloapple1

macrumors 6502
Jan 20, 2020
474
308
Let's just hope the trackpads on the M4's have the smoother finish. Guess we will find out very soon.
I was thinking the M3’s would have solved that, but the last time I was at an Apple Store I tried a couple 15” MBA’s and some of the units trackpads felt next to sandpaper. Hard to imagine a computer at that price has this issue. The 13” models seemed to be more consistently normal than the 15” ones I feel.
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Oct 1, 2007
16,108
17,030
The trackpads are so rough, using them feels like a free exfoliation session

The iPumice nano texture particles. Seamlessly gloss not seamlessly across the friction-full surface.

MKSJV5W6VNE5PCY5DN7WX6QUBY.jpg
 
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DeepSix

macrumors 6502a
Feb 4, 2022
810
890
Apply some vaseline on the trackpad, smear it evenly edge to edge like you're making a PB & jelly sandwich and it instantly fixes the rough texture. A friend of mine had the same rough trackpad out of the box and did this and said the trackpad is perfect now.
 
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helloapple1

macrumors 6502
Jan 20, 2020
474
308
Apply some vaseline on the trackpad, smear it evenly edge to edge like you're making a PB & jelly sandwich and it instantly fixes the rough texture. A friend of mine had the same rough trackpad out of the box and did this and said the trackpad is perfect now.
Joking aside this would be hilarious
 

CloudsNeverDie

macrumors regular
Apr 11, 2015
215
281
A tip from our very own Tim Cook: you can try a little cornflour. Alternatively, thanks to our exciting collaboration with Nike, try some rock climbing chalk - it's really great!
 
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