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jamespb78

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 18, 2015
70
44
Does anyone else have both a M1 MacBook Air and M1 MacBook Pro?

I have both, and I find the trackpad on the M1 MacBook Pro is not as "tight" as the one on the M1 Air.

Obviously the trackpad on the Pro is bigger than the Air's, and also the Pro is thicker at that point also, but to me the trackpad on the Pro feels almost a little rattly compared to the nice crisp trackpad on the Air.

Anyone else with both that has noticed this?
 

Chris3gx

macrumors newbie
Sep 28, 2017
12
9
i've got both in front of me right now and there is a definitely a difference, afaik the click is simulated with the taptic engine and the trackpad does not physically click at all, so maybe it's a software difference.
 

jabbr

macrumors 6502
Apr 15, 2012
382
291
The air trackpad clicks feel more precise. Probably a difference in the haptic motors.
 

Paul1980

macrumors regular
Nov 15, 2020
115
97
United Kingdom
I currently have both and I much prefer the trackpad on the Air. The haptic feedback on the air isn't as loud and the Pro haptic feedback is almost a little tinny sounding and feels as you've described.
 
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1240766

Cancelled
Nov 2, 2020
264
376
They do feel different, I wouldn’t say one is better than the other IMO....the Pro is much bigger so it may influence the feedback as area is larger.
 

Paul1980

macrumors regular
Nov 15, 2020
115
97
United Kingdom
They do feel different, I wouldn’t say one is better than the other IMO....the Pro is much bigger so it may influence the feedback as area is larger.
Agree with this. Definitely down to personal preference. They are different and I prefer the Air but its not better than the pro.
 

0906742

Cancelled
Apr 11, 2018
2,313
613
Does anyone else have both a M1 MacBook Air and M1 MacBook Pro?

I have both, and I find the trackpad on the M1 MacBook Pro is not as "tight" as the one on the M1 Air.

Obviously the trackpad on the Pro is bigger than the Air's, and also the Pro is thicker at that point also, but to me the trackpad on the Pro feels almost a little rattly compared to the nice crisp trackpad on the Air.

Anyone else with both that has noticed this?
Yes, that difference has been there even with previous models. I guess it is structural thing, Air is tighter "packed" making it much more solid feeling compared to Pro. Both trackpad and keyboard sound hollow and noisy in Pro causing it to feel cheap to me, but Air is very solid feeling, both trackpad and keyboard feels much more higher quality. I guess that is personal thing who likes what but I associate things like this sign of quality, just like cheap car has bad noise insulation and all sounds can be hear in the cabin while driving but expensive quality car is nice and quiet.
 
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