Apple Magic Trackpad Pro Reviews

Despite the initial trouble setting it up, the Magic Trackpad is pleasant and easy to use. After using the Magic Trackpad for a while, you may soon find that using a mouse will feel clumsier and more tiring by constantly lifting your hands and arms to do anything. The Magic Trackpad may not replace a mouse, but it can.

In summary, the $69 Magic Trackpad is more novel than magical. As with most every other Apple product we have tried, the execution is spot-on. Tracking was extremely precise, and thus, the pad was very useable. Even the softest taps and the most delicate of swipes were picked up, and there was absolutely no Bluetooth lag on our Mac Pro nor on our MacBook Pro. The sheer quantity of multi-finger gestures that are supported is impressive, and those that take the time to climb over the learning curve will no doubt be rewarded by increases in productivity. But at the end of the day, the Magic Trackpad is a niche device that will only enhance the workflow of a select few.

Apple's Apple Magic Trackpad is pretty expensive for an unnecessary peripheral, but it works as advertised and can even make general desktop activity a little easier than a mouse at times. We've a long way to go yet before we'll be persuaded to part with our mice, but this is certainly an interesting step in the right direction.

Like the trackpads on the MacBooks, the Magic Trackpad supports up to four simultaneous multitouch points. You can use one finger to click and drag. Two fingers have the most functions: scroll, rotate, pinch/open zoom, and secondary tap (right-click) are all two-finger options. Three fingers allow you to swipe back/forward in programs like Safari, iPhoto, and Preview, Apple's built-in photo/JPEG viewer.

Apple brings one of the best features of its MacBook Pros to its desktop users, and it's just as fun to use.

When Apple makes a mouse as foul as its Magic Mouse – and a trackpad as elegant as the one on the MacBook, it’s not surprising to see the Magic Trackpad emerge. And we have to give Apple credit: It’s probably the best replacement for a desktop mouse we’ve ever stumbled upon.

Undoubtedly better than a laptop touchpad, but does anyone need it? And, at this price?

This device is beautiful and comfortable to use. A Multi-Touch trackpad you can use with your iMac is a real boon and you will thoroughly enjoy using it. It may mean the end of the mouse as your primary input device.

There isn't anything truly magical, revolutionary, or groundbreaking about the Magic Trackpad. It's not the first of its kind, and it doesn't turn our current computing paradigms on their ear. It's an excellent device for those who prefer touch input to mouse or trackball, and it's a solidly built piece of gear that will compliment the uncluttered workspaces of lots of geeks out there.

If you're a big fan of the Multi-Touch trackpads on Apple's current laptop models, and you've ever thought to yourself, "I wish Apple would make a trackpad for my desktop Mac," the Magic Trackpad is for you. It gives you the same clickable, glass surface, with the same Multi-Touch gestures, as those laptop trackpads in a wireless desktop model—with the added bonus of nearly twice the trackpad area. The only real caveat is that if you've got an exceptionally large display, or multiple displays, you may find the Magic Trackpad requires more effort to traverse that screen area than a trackball or mouse. On the other hand, if you're the type of MacBook user who prefers a mouse or trackball over the built-in trackpad—say, for reasons of ergonomics or precision movement—the Magic Trackpad probably won't win you over. It's the same trackpad, just bigger.

So desktop users should you ditch your mouse? The mouse might be ugly but it will allow you to whizz around the desktop quickly and it is what you are used to. This brings with it a host of new functions and we feel it is better than the company's Magic Mouse offering. At £59 you really want to make sure this is magical enough to replace your current mouse and we would have to say this comes down to how much you enjoy using a trackpad. For MacBook users wanting to bring that touch experience to their desktop Mac, or if dock your MacBook at your desk, then you probably don't need convincing. For us, this gives you the chance to break the excellent touchpad experience out of your notebook and get it on your desk.

Apple's Magic Trackpad offers all the functionality of a MacBook clickpad in a standalone Bluetooth device. For most people, however, it's not worth the pricey upgrade over an existing mouse.

We can see MacBook owners who may have wanted to use third-party ergonomic keyboards but were loath to give up the notebook’s trackpad choosing the Magic Trackpad too. Perhaps more interestingly, it points to the role touch and multitouch will play in Apple’s future, as it spreads across from their PMP/smartphone/tablet and notebook lines and onto the desktop.

If you're a Mac user who's more comfortable using a trackpad than a mouse, get yourself to your local Apple store and pick up the Magic Trackpad.