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I can't stand using the trackpad on my laptop. I have a mini Logitech wireless (USB) 2 button that I use whenever possible. Only when I don't have a level surface to set the laptop on will I use my trackpad.

For those who find a trackpad more functional than a mouse, I'm curious what kind of mouse you are using, and what functions you have assigned to the buttons (if using a multiple button mouse). For my Mac mini, I use a 2-button scroll mouse with a clickable scroll-wheel (I guess you could consider that a third button). I have the scroll-wheel 'button' set to engage Exposé when I click it -- I find this to be a very handy setup, and something that I could not do with a trackpad.
 
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http://flickr.com/photos/andrewlyle/3255476499/
 
Why not....

....A trackpad/touch screen the size and shape of the current wireless keyboard? Could have configurable virtual keyboards of any sort, layout, function.

Anyone: mockup, please?
 
I'm with the OP on this one. I am a GD and and I live with one hand on my mouse (NOT a mighty mouse), one hand on my keyboard, and one hand on my coffee mug...

I don't think the trackpad is ready to replace the mouse—I still much prefer a mouse, but after using a multi-touch pad, I think the potential is enormous. Definitely for average users, possibly for graphics pros (needs work). Although the multi-touch wacom table would be awesome. Not sure about gamers though...

I also think it should be standalone—personal preference. Anyway I think it all comes down to how far they go with the development of multi-touch and how widely it is embraced. We aren't quite there, but the potential definitely is.
 
No need to loose the mouse. You could have a keyboard with a trackpad surface for mousing and/or multi-touch and your favorite mouse would still work via USB RF-dongle/bluetooth/cable. Win win.
 
I would totally be for an iphone/ipod touch app that connects to your computer and becomes your trackpad- that would be awesome.
 
As i have seid in another thread. I would love to see a multi-touch pad built into a mouse mat. I would find it very useful to have but a mouse is still better for design work.

One built into a (large) mousemat would allow it to be used alongside a mouse.
 
So earlier today I was thinking about how my glass trackpad on my macbook allows me to do so much more than a mouse and a hell of a lot easier too!

I agree strongly. I can't wait for someone to release either a keyboard with multi touch track pad or just a straight external multi touch track pad. I find myself increasingly disconnecting my MBP from my 24" external monitor and using it as a pure laptop - the productivity I lose on the smaller screen is made up for several times over by the productivity increase of using the multi touch track pad. I find the track pad massively more efficient when sorting and editing large numbers of photographs in Aperture.
 
I can't stand trackpads. Just a personal thing, but I have much more control with a mouse.
 
I like the idea of the aluminum keyboard with the multi-touch trackpad on the right side.

I would also like to see a mighty mouse whose top surface can be used as a multi-touch trackpad. No scroll ball. No side Buttons.

It will know when your palm is resting on it so it would provide regular two button mouse with scroll wheel features. Also if your hand is not resting on the mouse, you may use its top surface as a multi-touch enabled track pad like on the laptops.

I would pay good money for a mouse like this.
 
There was something like a trackpad on a mouse, and a guy actually made a mockup of this. You might wanna check that out. I'm sorry, I can't remember where I saw this, but I'm sure it google-able =p. It's basically the mighty mouse, with a trackpad where the buttons are supposed to be (on a normal mouse, as the MM has no buttons).
 
See, I can't use a trackpad with my fingers. I use it with my thumb with most of my fingers on the keyboard.

I think that if Apple extended the bottom portion of the KeyBoard, and just put a trackpad there, that'd be best. Like a laptop, only its built into the keyboard.
 
As much as i would like a multi-touch glass trackpad (large one) as the primary interface it would finally finish off my fingers. i use a regular 2" trackpad on my laptop and its making my fingers ache like crazy ... i tend to have to start using a mouse because i get to the point where i can't bend my index finger.

:(
 
....A trackpad/touch screen the size and shape of the current wireless keyboard? Could have configurable virtual keyboards of any sort, layout, function.

Anyone: mockup, please?

Great idea, but the lack of tactile feedback would turn off a lot of people imo. A keyboard-sized touch screen display would also be very expensive, I should think. There is at least one keyboard on the market where every key has an embedded LCD display so you can assign custom labels, but it's not cheap at all.

Now, if the trackpad itself had that function, so you could still have a number pad and assign some custom "keys" to that section of the keyboard, that would be fantastic.
 
Like others said, no need to get rid of the mouse. I'd definitely get a keyboard with a trackpad if it added pinch to zoom, rotate, swipe and all the other functions of the multi-touch trackpad on the new laptops. It'd just be adding ability, not taking away your normal point and click. Some might take the opportunity to clear their desk of the mouse, and others wouldn't. Options are good. Same number of tools, but more function, sounds like a plus to me.
 
I'd be happy with a keyboard + trackpad that was laid out exactly like the MBP, with the trackpad right below the keyboard, that way my hand has to travel a lot less off the keyboard (I'm a heavy keyboard user). It would have to be wireless, as I want to sit on my couch with it in front of my HDTV that I'll buy someday. I don't care about num-pad and separate buttons for PgUp, PgDn, Home, End, etc. I used to think I would miss them, but after spending enough time on my MBP I don't mind at all and kind of prefer that layout. Basically something like the current Bluetooth keyboard with a trackpad attached on somewhere would be nice.

I like the above idea the best. Extend out the front of the keyboard to make a wrist rest like the MBP, and with the multitouch trackpad located in the same area.

1. Easy to reach with either hand.
2. You know where it's at without talking your eyes off the screen
3. Is located within your peripheral vision, even if you are wearing glasses.
4. It's an ergonomically superior location to being off to one side where the hand must leave the keyboard and they eyes leave the screen.
5. It solves one of the key risk management issues with mice in a normal work station.
6. It allows the user to pull the keyboard into his/her lap and work in a relaxed position (much like with a notebook)
7. The keyboard could also be offered in a split version for even better ergonomics, the resulting extra space used for a larger multi-touch trackpad and two short wrist rests could be added via a re-attachable adhesive to up the ergonomic quotient even more.
8. Mice still could be optionally used with this solution, although I suppose it would be more of a weaning off option than really necessary.

I remember the arguments against mice when they were first offered:
1. "It's not work efficient to remove your hands from the keyboard."
2. "A mouse will cause you to look away from the CRT."
3. "There's no room beside the keyboard for a mouse so it will be located up on the desktop and cause over-extension to reach it."
4. "When you properly tilt a keyboard platform for maximum comfort, the mouse wants to fall onto the floor."

Those who may be against a trackpad, maybe overlooking the advantage of one with multitouch gesturing built in for many often used common needs. This should not be considered an "end-all" for devices. Gamers, Graphic Artists, and others may need additional input devices. But I think you will find that for most application the below-the-space-bar multitouch trackpad is a superior solution.
 
Trackpad for Mac Desktops should be the next wave of the future. It makes total sense to have the glass trackpad as an option for the desktops, mice will still be compatible for all you haters.

I really hope they come out with the mockup I made. The aluminum illuminated keyboard with black keys and a builtin glass trackpad, I would pay up to $150 for it.

To be honest, the mighty mouse is probably the worst Apple product still available for purchase to date.

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i wouldnt mind having a seperate glass trackpad maybe a little larger. id like it not connected to anything though so i can move it to have room for my hand. I hate it when people come up with cool ideas like this. Then there is the let down that it will likely never be made.
 
the day I bought my mbp, I started asking the Genius if Apple is going to release a separate trackpad for the iMac... he looked at me like I was from mars.

Glad to see others want it too. Not to replace the mouse for every task, to accompany it. Like a quiver.

(I have a quiver of skis, and a quiver of computers. Makes sense to have a quiver of mice.)
 
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