What if you use bootcamp to put windows on your MB or MBP? What if you want to open a desktop icon? Is it two clicks to open a desktop icon?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
When will Apple add right click to the MBP?
- Thread starter SDAVE
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It's the same. I did it on the same MBP the other day which had Vista on it. 2 Fingers on the trackpad and button click = right click.
No one here knows the answer to that question, although the vast majority of us suspect it is "no."
What I could see them doing is trying to expand their capacitative technology innovation to the way the trackpad works -- continuing for instance the development done with the mighty mouse and/or the touch-screens.
I think the point is they already have implemented a 2 button trackpad. As other posters have pointed out, the implementation is more comfortable and efficient. Some might disagree, but I believe the majority feel it's an improvement over 2 physical buttons.
Well if they do something innovative that will appeal to the majority (none Apple fanboys) then I am all for it. Apple is very good at taking things that exist and making them better, so I don't see why this isn't possible.
I do feel that tactile feedback on buttons is still needed for human interaction, so touchpads aren't always the answer.
I think it's just a work around. The original implementation was for the users to hold Ctrl then click on the button, but Apple probably got many complaints. Remember the single button mouse before the mighty mouse?
I'm always amazed (and amused) when I see folks who seem to think that right mouse buttons are somehow hard-wired into our DNA. Yes, the right-click menu is important. But, no, a physical right mouse button is not the only, nor even the best, way to access it. I'm confident that the current Apple setup, which doesn't depend on keeping track of a second button, which allows you to right-click from anywhere on a single large track pad and which accomodates right-handers and left-handers equally (and even allows you to switch hands if you want) is a superior system both functionally and aesthetically.
I hope Apple doesn't mess up its superior system by reverting to old-fashioned technology. It's progress. Things change.
I hope Apple doesn't mess up its superior system by reverting to old-fashioned technology. It's progress. Things change.
You place 2 fingers on the trackpad to either scroll or to tap-secondary click. Or you can place 2 fingers on the pad and press the single huge button. In my opinion, this is more usable than only ever using 1 finger, and then having to alter your overall hand position to secondary click.
99.99% of the time, I'd agree with you: personal preference isn't proof of general superiority.
But, seriously, in this instance, the superiority of the current Apple setup - when you factor in the whole package of two-fingered scrolling and two-fingered right-clicking - is patent. The ONLY argument for the old-fashioned second-button approach is familiarity. But as with gas lights, typewriters and other familiar but outdated ways of doing things, times change.
what he said is actually true...I can use the two finger thing with ether hand whereas its much harder to do that with an actual right click. I agree it is progress although still old tech
and why the heck did you say that the trackpad thing was only for fanboys. Nice.I still don't see how it is old tech. Using 3 fingers instead of 1 doesn't seem like "new tech" to me.
You read what I said out of the context. What I said was that some people go crazy with whatever Apple throws at them...such as the Mighty mouse. It's a dumb mouse, seriously. Touch sensative right click? No thanks. Midget scroll wheel? No thanks.
I never said anything about the trackpad. I mentioned that people who think that the 2 finger right click is not a workaround created by Apple must be blind. If Apple REALLY intended to make right clicking via 3 fingers, then they would have done it a long time ago.
I didn't initially see the difference either. But when you factor in the whole package, Apple's setup allows you to scroll, left-click and right-click all from any position on the same large track pad - as opposed to hunting and pecking for separate buttons or scrolling nub. The transition beween scrolling and clicking is virtually instanteous. And if I'm in an unfamiliar setting (like the awkward hotel room chair I'm in at present), I can scroll and click with either hand.
When you can scroll with two fingers, using either hand anywhere on a large trackpad, it frankly would be a chore to have your right-click ability tied to a single fixed location. In fact, a second button would just get in the way.
It's just one of those rare instances where it really is a better way of doing things.
I wouldn't be surprised if Apple removed the physical button altogether and introduced a larger, more capable touch-pad with the new MBPs in January. That's partially what the rumors have suggested.
So... why don't I see this mysterious option to enable two finger right clicking? It does work for a PowerBook, right?
So... why don't I see this mysterious option to enable two finger right clicking? It does work for a PowerBook, right?
I think the very last generation of "High Def" Powerbooks that came out before the Macbook Pro had two finger scrolling but not two finger right-clicking. Possibly also the very first generation of MBPs with Core Duo processors.
If you have an older Powerbook, you can get the two finger scrolling with iScroll2, but I'm not sure if you can get the two finger right click.
I agree with the guy that 2 finger secondary clicking may have been a contrivance cooked up by Apple in order to keep their 1 button interface, but can you honestly say (after actually using it for a few days) that it is a bad idea?
Furthermore, the MacBook Pros and MacBooks use a USB based trackpad, whereas (to the best of my knowledge) the older PowerBooks and iBooks used some other connection. It could be this, in addition to them being larger than the old trackpads that allowed Apple to implement 2 finger usage.
And this anachronistic tie that people have to a second mouse button for a trackpad, or a scroll zone on a trackpad, is just silly. If you actually sit down and use the MacBook or MacBook Pro trackpad, with 2 finger scrolling, and 2 finger secondary clicking turned on, then you may very possibly think the same as most of the rest of us, that it is a very good thing, that most of us would not trade for any number of additional buttons.
Furthermore, the MacBook Pros and MacBooks use a USB based trackpad, whereas (to the best of my knowledge) the older PowerBooks and iBooks used some other connection. It could be this, in addition to them being larger than the old trackpads that allowed Apple to implement 2 finger usage.
And this anachronistic tie that people have to a second mouse button for a trackpad, or a scroll zone on a trackpad, is just silly. If you actually sit down and use the MacBook or MacBook Pro trackpad, with 2 finger scrolling, and 2 finger secondary clicking turned on, then you may very possibly think the same as most of the rest of us, that it is a very good thing, that most of us would not trade for any number of additional buttons.
+1
I had 2-finger scrolling on my 17" PB - it became second nature within minutes of using it. When I got my C2D MBP, the 2-finger tap for right-click was a natural extension of that. They're both implemented so well, I can't remember a time when either of them "mis-fired".
Then maybe you need more time with it. How long have you been using PC trackpads with two buttons and a funky scroll deal on the right-hand side? Probably a lot longer than one weekend.
No, Apple cares about aesthetics AND usability; they are not opposing attributes.
Not quite sure what this has to do with the trackpad of a mbp, but I agree. The Mighty Mouse is not Apple at its best.
Agreed. I like "Apple's way" of scrolling much better than the "PC" way.
Agree 100%. Even relatives who have been life-long PC users have found it easy to use the two-finger scroll and right-click when using my mbp.
Another 100% agreement. I have to say that this is one of those things that Apple did do right.
Thanks for the info. I do have two finger scrolling so apparently iScroll2 doesn't support my generation of PowerBook. Oh well...
Sorry for being a little off topic.
Same here. I have bought one, too. Never used mine after the scroll button stopped responding after a couple of weeks. Trackpad all the way
The scroll button gets dirty fast, that might be the reason for the unresponsive...ness.
No probs... when Apple made that transition, they sort of did it quietly, and there were a lot of powerbook owners who kept asking when/if they would get the right click, and no one knew....
One option you do have is to use Sidetrack -- it's not free, and it doesn't do "Apple-style" scrolling. It does Windows-style scrolling along the edges, plus it gives you corner taps for mouse buttons 2/3/4/5 and several other features, all highly configurable. I've had it on my iBook since long before Apple scrolling.
A Mac is a PC (especially the new Intel ones) without a BIOS.
Learn before you embarrass yourself with misinformation.
Who needs a right click mouse button?
I never use the mouse buttons ever...the touchpad is much easier (I can click faster with the touchpad). The double tap for right click makes so much more sense than the button.
Very weird though...on my iMac, with my MM, I've come to pressing control-click to right click rather than use the right button on the MM. I find it much more enjoyable to just click anywhere on my mouse to left click, because 90% of the time I am left clicking anyway. I find it to be more ergonomic, but hey, that's just me.
I'm perfectly with the right-click systems apple has integrated.
I never use the mouse buttons ever...the touchpad is much easier (I can click faster with the touchpad). The double tap for right click makes so much more sense than the button.
Very weird though...on my iMac, with my MM, I've come to pressing control-click to right click rather than use the right button on the MM. I find it much more enjoyable to just click anywhere on my mouse to left click, because 90% of the time I am left clicking anyway. I find it to be more ergonomic, but hey, that's just me.
I'm perfectly with the right-click systems apple has integrated.