MPB Trackpad Rubbing My Fingerprints Off... Suggestions?

[Makosuke]

I'm a relatively new laptop owner (as of last June), but I'm begining to develop a rather annoying issue with my MBP's trackpad--using the thing seems to be wearing the fingerprints right off my fingers.

Ok, that's an exaggeration--it feels like that, but in truth it's just irritating my fingertips more and more. I think it's just the texture of the trackpad and using it (particularly the two-finger-scroll dragging) for several hours a day over a prolonged period--this didn't happen at first, but has been getting progressively more uncomfortable.

I have a unibutton bluetooth mouse that's fine for the most part, but frankly I kinda like using the trackpad, especially for scrolling.

Anybody have suggestions of what I could try other than wearing gloves? (Which, in fact, I already DO--I bought these really nifty "wrist-rest-gloves" with sort of beanbags in the palms that make prolonged typing drastically more comfortable, but they're fingerless.)

 

[shu82]

Maybe start playing guitar and work up some calluses. I could be the fact that in the winter it is dryer and skin gets irritated quicker(my sure does). Here's a good idea, get a couple "french ticklers" from gas station condom machines. (If you dont know they are like ribbed finger condoms). The latex is meant for rubbing. But your friends will think your a freak for using sex toys to fondle your MBP!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Makosuke]

I'd kind of like to avoid the calluses, but I'll look into the possibility of sex toys. I was thinking more along the lines of something (teflon pad, maybe?) to stick to the trackpad, but nonstick finger protection could fit the bill.

One thing it definitely isn't is the winter air; my skin gets dried out easily, but I happen to live on the Northern California coast, and because we get all our rain during the winter the humidity level is generally somewhere between 80 and 100%. 93% outside right now, and it's only drizzling.

 

[Cult Follower]

Maybe it's just a Macbook pro thing, because my macbook doesn't have that problem.

 

[iW00t]

Your finger will eventually get used to it, or the trackpad will eventually smoothen out to the point where it no longer hurts. I don't know which but I used to have this problem but now don't.

Even if your fingerprint get worn of, then that's a real good chance for you to burglar an Applecentre or something

 

[.JahJahwarrior.]

Does the Invisible Shield or Bestskinsever product cover the trackpad?


I work for a screenprinting shop and we print on a clear vinyl that I put on some thigns to keep them from getting scratched, like my dive computer. I could send you a piece of that. You'd have to trim it down, and it's not thick, but it's not super duper thin either. I doubt it would affect sensitivity of the touch too much, but it'll have a glossier surface that might be easier on the fingers. This stuff is adhesive, not static. I coudl also get you a peice of static, but I think it would come off decently quickly. You could stick it back on, but this stuff would stay on for a good long while (like, 5 years? ) yet, it can be taken off if you wanted to.

 

[iJawn108]

I have the exact same problem, I was begining to think I damaged my trackpad. I bought a mightymouse(which works great if you're willing to bite the bullet and take it appart otherwise look elseware) for just this reason. After not using it regularly its fine. I'd guess it may even be a subtle allergic reaction to the macbook(pro) trackpads :\

All I can say is get a mouse you like and use it for any prolonged use of the mouse.

 

[adrianblaine]

I use my MBP a lot, but I use an external mouse most of the time. I hate mouse pads. Have you considered using a regular mouse? It depends on what situations you are working in...

 

[SuperCompu2]

I'd kind of like to avoid the calluses, but I'll look into the possibility of sex toys.

I personally think this is the best sentence ever. Good laughs for all.

 

[GFLPraxis]

Anybody have suggestions of what I could try other than wearing gloves?

...buy a mouse?

 

[synth3tik]

The track pad uses a very sensitive image sensor, so you do not need to apply much if any force on it. Try just resting you fingers on it and don't push down. We tend to want to push, but there is no reason it.

 

[e12a]

um...its a touchpad, there's going to be some friction. as someone stated, you dont need to jam your finger into the pad either.

 

[DA-Steve]

toughen up princess...

how much pressure are you applying?

 

[MiniMini]

The track pad uses a very sensitive image sensor, so you do not need to apply much if any force on it. Try just resting you fingers on it and don't push down. We tend to want to push, but there is no reason it.

That is so true!

 

[Sesshi]

Buy a proper mouse. Like a Revolution VX.

 

[XP Defector]

I hate the way the outer coating of the track pad wears off and is replaced by that shiney surface that is TOO smooth.

 

[Makosuke]

Does the Invisible Shield or Bestskinsever product cover the trackpad?

I work for a screenprinting shop and we print on a clear vinyl that I put on some thigns to keep them from getting scratched, like my dive computer. I could send you a piece of that.

I've looked at invisible shield but it seems like you need to buy a whole set to get the trackpad part. I much appreciate the offer, but I can easily enough look into that kind of stick-on laminate at a craft store--I'll poke around for that sort of thing.

Couple of other worthwhile suggestions in there, and I appreciate even the not-worthwhile ones.

For the "Get a mouse" crowd: As I said in the original post, I already have a mouse (several, actually; a bluetooth unibutton I got as a hand-me-down, and I could grab my Mx500 off my desktop or one of my older mice if I wanted), and I use it to save my fingers. I'm asking because it's not always convenient to use a mouse (it is, at least nominally, a laptop, after all), and I kinda like the trackpad when it's not making my fingers unhappy.

And for the use suggestions, were I mashing it around it would be easy to use a lighter touch, but I already do that--when scrolling I just brush the thing, and I'm not heavy handed when doing more precise movements. A childhood of Nintendoitis taught me to have a light touch with peripherals.

Being that for the first three or four months it didn't bother me at all, I'm pretty sure it's just cumulative wear. Since I lost my voice to an illness I've been using this laptop somewhere between 10 and 14 hours a day, every day of the week, and that adds up to a lot of wear over time. So far the texture on the trackpad is holding up one heck of a lot better than my fingers, unfortunately.

I personally think this is the best sentence ever. Good laughs for all.

Why thank you. Now read through this post and see how many misinterpretible euphemisms you can find...

 

[EvryDayImShufln]

I find I have that problem when my hands get slightly sweaty. Then there is more friction. But not enough to be uncomfortable and painful.

If your hands haven't been washed for several hours you could try washing them, that works for me.

 

[MiniMini]

I was thinking more along the lines of something (teflon pad, maybe?) to stick to the trackpad

Apple store sells track pad firms for MBP & MB ($12.95 for 2 sets of track pad films & click button films). I bought it the day I bought my MBP and stuck it on the track pad within hours after I turned on my MBP. It seems like it doesn't affect the sensitivity of the track pad and it has a pretty smooth surface.

Hope this helps.


P.S. I bought it for protecting my MBP

 

[Makosuke]

Just following up on this post in the event somebody runs across it in the future.

It turns out that this one was the best suggestion:

I find I have that problem when my hands get slightly sweaty. Then there is more friction. But not enough to be uncomfortable and painful.

If your hands haven't been washed for several hours you could try washing them, that works for me.

I eventually realized what had changed; the problem is that I gradually wore the texture off the middle of the trackpad over time. It happened so slowly I didn't notice it until I started comparing really carefully, but the middle is smoother than the edges.

The problem is that if your fingers aren't really dry the smoother surface causes MORE friction rather than less even if you touch very lightly. Washing my hands well helps a little, since there's no oil to make it "sticky," but that's not a long term solution. Textured films, however, are. I have yet to find something I like, but I'll report if I do.

I'm glad I wasn't going crazy, I just didn't realize what had changed.

 

[2tallyAwesome]

Is this thread for real?

...like.....really?

 

[Temujin]

toughen up princess...

Hehe, my sentiments exactly.