Q: Magic Trackpad Erratic Movement

I am having a similar problem, but no tapping--just erratic almost random tracking. I'm wondering whether my MTP is defective or it's a design flaw. If I turn the MTP off and on, the problem usually resolves for a while, but it comes back.

I had this issue today, but only while I was transferring a large file using Airport Wireless. As long as I was using the WiFi in high volume transfers, the Trackpad would behave erratically on my Macbook Unibody ( Late 2008 ). Perhaps the channel used by your local wireless is causing interference? As soon as my high volume transfer stopped, my trackpad behavior returned to normal.

Add me to the list, cant find any correlation between any piece of gear in the room being on or off, un paired, re-paired, uninstalled and installed etc, switched stuff off.. no change, issue comes and goes like... er... magic

JB Smith, see my reply above. I'm convinced it's 2.4 ghz wifi. Were you on a 2.4ghz network?

one of my tests was to switch my airport extreme to 5ghz N only... did that, still twitchy
thought it was my wifes MBP next to me, eliminated that as shut it down and still go it, thought ti was her magic mouse but removing the batteries didnt work either

Yup 11g 2.4GHz

I see it using Ethernet.

Apple Service eventually tracked this down to a trackpad hardware fault. My replacement trackpad seems to be working just fine, at least for now.

After mine having issues last week but then working solid, it started acting erratically again this morning. The difference I think was that I am working from home and had my IBM work laptop near by and plugged into a monitor next to my iMac. Wireless is turned off on that laptop though. My phone and iPad were somewhat close by. Reboots didnt help, until finally I moved my cellphone and iPad far away from the imac (which is odd because I sync my ipad to the iMac normally without issue), put my work machine to sleep, and then put the iMac to sleep and woke it back up again, and now finally the trackpad is working again.

This thing is susceptible to some sort of interference by I dont know what yet.

Apple emailed me last week asking for information on my configuration and logs based on what they read here in the forum and I sent it off, but havent heard back yet.

So it was working for a minute and now it's on the fritz again, even though I have removed everything that is interfering (so I thought) and it still won't work now. Even after reboots. So I plugged in the magic mouse (which is bluetooth and should be subject to the same interference issues) and it works fine.

I am going to the apple store after work and will see if they will swamp my trackpad. I hope so, and I hope the new one works, because I love the **** out of the trackpad when it's working right!

I just asked for the purchase price to be refunded. Maybe I'll try again if and when satisfactory software updates are forthcoming.

I just had mine swapped at the apple store. New one seems to be working great but I'll post here again if I have any more issues

Couldn't manage to get mine working again, the voodoo's gone. =( So far the only solution here in the forums seems to be when they got their Magic Trackpads replaced. If this is a hardware problem, Apple seems to be losing its touch when it comes to quality. Sad. Very sad. Especially when there's no Apple Store near me.

Yup... I have the latest OS (10.6.4) and installed the Magic Trackpad update and the Trackpad goes erratic. I read that certain 3rd party plug-ins may interfere. I Got rid of every conceivable 3rd party plug-in around the Trackpad, and it still goes erratic. I do believe that there is other Wi-fi or Bluetooth interference. There must be. My Magic Mouse never had trouble. I love the Trackpad when it works, but I can only get it to work properly for maybe an hour at best, then it goes back to being erratic (after turning it off then on again, or restarting the computer)... If there is not an update to fix I will have to take it back.

OK, having used my replacement trackpad for a while now, I am convinced this was a hardware problem, as diagnosed by an Apple Service Centre. So, no more erratic movements, No more unresponsive clicking and so on. I'm pretty happy with my Trackpad again!

One last thing - I'd like the ability to select the sensitive area in the preferences - I find I rest my thumb against the edge and so trigger double clicks inadvertently.

Go get that hardware checked!