trackpad location drives me crazy

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Level 2

190 points

trackpad location drives me crazy

I love my MacBook Pro except for the off-center trackpad. I don't understand why Apple made the trackpad larger and then moved it off center to the keyboard. Anytime I type, there are constant errors and deletions as the base of my thumb touches the trackpad. It isn't even possible to type without touching it except through very awkward positioning of ones hand. This had to be an obvious problem when the design was being tested.
I'm sure I'm not alone in this problem. Also, the "option" of turning on the "ignore accidental trackpad input" is a sorry attempt at a fix (at least I presume that is why this option is offered). Selecting that creates a 'sticky' cursor that won't do what you want it to half the time. My options are choosing between craze inducing or merely very annoying?? Come on.
Does anyone know of a fix? I hate being made to hate my favorite computer, but this makes me want to tear someone else's hair out!!

Message was edited by: Steve Wolfe

Message was edited by: Steve Wolfe

MacBook Pro, 2.16GHZ, 2GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.4.11), various external HDs, Macs since the Mac 512 "FatMac"

Posted on Sep 7, 2008 2:49 PM

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Answer 1

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Sep 7, 2008 4:33 PM in response to Steve Wolfe

You are the first person I have heard complain about this. Frankly I never noticed it nor do I share your issues or your conclusions. I can only assume that the Mac designers work on ergonomics to place components where they are. The fix would be to get a different laptop. Check Dell, Sony or Fujitsu.

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Answer 2

Steve Wolfe Author

Level 2

190 points

Sep 7, 2008 6:06 PM in response to sig

Is the trackpad on your MacBook Pro off center relative to the keyboard? If so, how do you not touch the trackpad while typing? I don't have particularly large hands, and the heel of my right hand literally rests on the trackpad when I type unless I keep my hand tilted to the right (which is neither comfortable nor conducive to accurate typing).
When I look at my previous 2 Mac laptops that I still have on hand, their trackpads are centered under the spacebar and I've never had a problem with them.
Can it really be that I'm the only one struggling with this? I generally agree with your assessment of the normal Apple attention to ergonomics. This trackpad and the sharp edge of this model (where one's wrists rest) don't seem to be a testament to their usual care with this. Not like the good ol' rounded clamshell laptop wrist rests.
I love Macs, but as any long-time Mac fan knows, Apple doesn't ALWAYS get it right, just usually.

PS. I have (and have had) a couple of Dell and IBM laptops that I have to use for my work. No major gripes (or compliments) about their designs (though the weight *****), but...they run Windows!!

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Answer 3

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Sep 7, 2008 6:43 PM in response to Steve Wolfe

Well, mine is certainly centred with respect to the case as a whole , Steve (12.5cm to the beading on either side), and to the keyboard as a whole (8.5cm to either edge). The only difference, I think is actually that the space bar is shortened to enable the "fit" of the up down left right keys, and the pad, itself, of course is bigger.

I haven't noticed contact with the trackpad with the heels of my hands, but I can see that it may be an issue for some, largely because of the size of the pad, rather than location, though.

Cheers

Rod

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Answer 4

Steve Wolfe Author

Level 2

190 points

Sep 7, 2008 9:21 PM in response to Rod Hagen

The trackpad is indeed centered relative to the case and to the entire keyboard. But the index keys (with the bumps) are what controls where ones hands are placed. They have properly centered the space bar under those keys, but the trackpad is offset from them to the right. In this case, that is the only centering that really matters, and it was changed for this model of laptop.
You are entirely correct that part of the problem is that they increased the size of the trackpad...and put the increase entirely to the right side. I thought the original trackpad size was fine, but I guess they wanted to offer finer control for the larger screens and higher resolution.
I guess I'm mostly surprised that Apple didn't get a lot of heat about this and continues with this construction. I guess you are right, most people must keep the heels of their hand off the computer. Maybe the base of my thumb is large or something...

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Answer 5

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Sep 7, 2008 10:14 PM in response to Steve Wolfe

But the index keys (with the bumps) are what controls where ones hands are placed. They have properly centered the space bar under those keys, but the trackpad is offset from them to the right.

Interestingly both of the regular "full size" Apple keyboards that I have within reach have the centre of the space bar offset well to the right of centre of the "home keys", Steve (with the left hand end of the space bar aligned with a thrid of the way in from the right hand side of the "D" key, and the right hand end of the space bar aligned with the centre of the "L" (rather than the centre of the "K", as found on the MBP).

I'm afraid it is too long since I used a regular typewriter to remember quite how this panned out on them! 😉

Cheers

Rod

Message was edited by: Rod Hagen

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Answer 6

LukeD

Level 4

3,153 points

Sep 7, 2008 10:23 PM in response to Steve Wolfe

Steve Wolfe wrote:
PS. I have (and have had) a couple of Dell _and IBM laptops_ that I have to use for my work. No major gripes (or compliments) about their designs (though the weight *****), but...they run Windows!!

How can you compare the track pad of a MacBook Pro to the junk that IBM/Lenovo offers? First, all ThinkPads now have off-center screens. If that does not drive you nuts, then the mini touchpad certainly will. Oh wait, ThinkPads have track point sticks too, except those die out on you after 6-months of use.

The new ThinkPads have an incredible amount of keyboard flex. Just check out NoteBookReview.com.

With respect, the only way that you will find a better notebook is by waiting for the new MacBook Pros.

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Answer 7

Steve Wolfe Author

Level 2

190 points

Sep 8, 2008 4:34 PM in response to LukeD

That post was certainly not intended as a kudo for other laptops, just at statement that I have to use them so I can make a comparison on the egonomics of a couple others to Macs. I'm holding out for Apple to Stop The Insanity (or whatever other chant works good for my problem). I literally am now unable (on my 15" MacBook Pro) to type a whole sentence without retyping a couple of times to fix cursor jumps, and I do a LOT of typing normally, and have done so for very many more years than I like to think about.

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Answer 8

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Sep 8, 2008 6:16 AM in response to Steve Wolfe

Try contacting Apple's Product Feedback:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/

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Answer 9

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Sep 8, 2008 9:14 AM in response to sig

Even better:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

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Answer 10

CMCSK

Level 6

11,452 points

Sep 7, 2008 8:13 PM in response to Steve Wolfe

but...they run Windows!!

So do Macs!! 😉

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Answer 11

Steve Wolfe Author

Level 2

190 points

Sep 7, 2008 9:09 PM in response to CMCSK

Tell that to the State of Florida! Not an option.

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Answer 12

radicult

Level 1

0 points

Sep 8, 2008 3:14 AM in response to Steve Wolfe

hi steve,
i know what you are talking about...i have faced similiar problem with my compaq notebook pc before i switched to macbook. it used to drive me nuts... 🙂

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