Late 2012 Mini and Trackpad Issue

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Late 2012 Mini and Trackpad Issue

I recently replaced my Mac Pro (1,1) with a mini. The boot drive is an SSD and I have four external drives (3TB each) using USB 3 (for 3 of them, one through a USB 3 hub) and Firewire for one (the time machine drive). It's working great. However...the Apple Trackpad, every now and then, seems to skip around...rather than a fluid movement, it gets a bitter jittery. If I turn the trackpad off and back on again, it's fine for awhile Any thoughts?

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), Three PCs in the storage room collecting dust

Posted on Nov 21, 2012 9:03 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 21, 2012 9:25 AM in response to Only XM

Have the trackpad here with a 2011 mini -- no issues as you describe. You might also consider removing the trackpad from Bluetooth preferences, cycle power on the trackpad, and add it back to Bluetooth preferences. I have also found that the lower the battery level on BT devices, the less responsive they become. I also use the Apple BT mouse.

Trackpad settings:

Following settings:

Point & Click
All enabled except Three finger drag
Scroll & Zoom
All enabled
More Gestures
All enabled except App Exposé

Battery: 44%

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Answer 2

Only XM Author

Level 2

365 points

Nov 21, 2012 10:44 AM in response to VikingOSX

I thought about the battery issue, but (1) I've used this Trackpad since it was introduced (with the former Mac Pro); and (2) it's happened at 100%. I deleted it, cycled it and re-added it...let's see how that works. Thanks for the suggestion....

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Answer 3

Only XM Author

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365 points

Nov 23, 2012 7:55 AM in response to Only XM

After two days, it's jittery again..ugh...cycling it off and on fixes it, but I did not have to do that with when I used it with my Mac Pro (1,1)....

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Answer 4

Nov 23, 2012 9:43 AM in response to Only XM

It might be useful to try a different trackpad to see if the problems remain or vanish. Borrow a newer one, or get a new one from Best Buy or Apple Store (providing you can return it) it.

This may be the only path to short-term closure.

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Answer 5

Only XM Author

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365 points

Nov 23, 2012 10:14 AM in response to VikingOSX

Good thinking! My son doesn't use his, so I've deleted mine and added his....let's give it a few days... (his is newer than mine)

. . .Ian

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Answer 6

Only XM Author

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365 points

Nov 28, 2012 4:01 PM in response to Only XM

Changing to a different track pad did not work...reset the PRAM a few hours ago, so far, so good...stay tuned

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Answer 7

Only XM Author

Level 2

365 points

Nov 30, 2012 4:43 AM in response to Only XM

So far, zapping the PRAM seemed to have worked....will watch it for a few days...

VIkingOSX - thanks for your suggestions!

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Answer 8

Nov 30, 2012 5:46 AM in response to Only XM

Glad to help.

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Answer 9

Dec 2, 2012 6:22 AM in response to Only XM

Trackpad still behaving?

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Answer 10

Only XM Author

Level 2

365 points

Dec 3, 2012 4:14 AM in response to VikingOSX

It got a bit sketchy again, so I tried replacing my rechargeable batteries (eneloope) with regular ones...I'll check back in a few days. If it happens again, I'll give Apple a call...perhaps there's something wonky with the bluetooth receiver....

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Answer 11

Only XM Author

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Dec 7, 2012 6:00 PM in response to Only XM

I called Apple....told him everything I've tried...said it was thorough...said it's possibly the logitech solar bluetooth key board....but it's not...even using a wired keyboard, the signal strength is all over....at 1 foot, it's much better...at too feet, it *****...Will take it to Apple for them to test the bluetooth antenna...

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Answer 12

Dec 7, 2012 8:23 PM in response to Only XM

Show them this article about discovering USB 3.0 interference with Bluetooth on 2012 Mac mini.

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Answer 13

Only XM Author

Level 2

365 points

Dec 8, 2012 6:35 AM in response to VikingOSX

Great find! Turns out that I do have 4 newtech USB 3 enclosures. I ordered a belkin blue tooth dongle that some have reported fixed a BT issue with their earlier Minis.....I think a trip to Apple will mean sending out the Mini, having them replace the BT module with no more shielding and it will be hit or miss. I plan to call OWC ... for 10 bucks and 30 minutes of time, it may be the best solution. While I could move the enclosures further away, it defeats the purpose of the stack, which I think looks pretty cool.

Thanks for finding this article....

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Answer 14

Jan 15, 2013 7:44 AM in response to Only XM

Only XM, I also have a mac mini late 2012 with 250 GB SSB, and one Newtek USB3 external 1TB HD.

I too am having the trackpad get disconnected now and them. I have to cycle the trackpad's power and then it reconnects. Trackpad Movement is fluid. My apple bluetooth keyboard works fine, even if I move it 6 feet away from the mac mini. However the trackpad will loose connection if it is more than 1 foot from the mac mini.

Have you solved your trackpad issue?

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Answer 15

Jan 15, 2013 8:07 AM in response to Only XM

Dear All,

Sounds like I found out what the problem is with the mac mini. The mac mini's antenna is on the bottom side, and since the mac mini is ALL METAL, if you put another piece of metallic equipment underneath (e.g. a Newertetechnoloy ministack 1TB external HD) of the exact same size as the mini then that restricts the mini RF capabilities. I inserted an empty cardboard box (e.g. Parallels Desktop 7 empty software box) under the mini, with the external drive on the very bottom, and the mini on the very top, creating a 2 inch gap between the two.

Results: the trackpad can now operate as far as 18 feet (beyond that I have a hard time seeing the cursor on the screen). I can even pair it from that far away.

So... Apple Management:

Please acknowledge there is a Hardware issue with your mac mini's antenna design.
Provide a fix or tips for existing users.
Fix the issue in current and upcomming mac minis.

Bob

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