I recently did some serious upgrades to my home office and the Magic Trackpad (version 2) was the sweet cherry on top, pulling it all together. This trackpad is virtually flawless, and as such it's difficult for me to come up with anything negative to say about it. Many will say that it's priced too high for what it is, but I humbly disagree -- well, okay the space gray version goes a bit overboard price-wise just for being a different color, but I digress. This thing genuinely does give me $100+ worth of QOL (quality of life) improvements.
I'm using a 2014 MacBook Pro, it's hard to believe this thing is five years old as I type this! Anyway, about every five years I get an itch to go all out on a new computer. Now that I use an iPad on the go most of the time and primary use my MBP as my home office computer I kept eying a new iMac, but every time I priced out my desired specs it would run a little over $3K! I also priced out a new MacBook Pro and when playing with one at the store I fell in love with the updated trackpad (which this is a stand-alone version of), but since most of my more serious computing is done at home I couldn't justify it. Besides, this 2014 is still a little beast, it handles everything I throw at it for my personal usage and handles it with grace (mainly mixing music in Logic, compiling code, and some basic office-y tasks).
At this point you might be saying to yourself "blah-blah-blah! What does this have to do with the trackpad!?" well... not much honestly. I'm just way too gabby and verbose when I'm excited and talking about new toys, sorry about that.
So, instead of doing a computer upgrade I did a full home office upgrade, which ended up costing me about 1/2 the price of a new iMac. My cruddy rickety tiny desk was replaced with a spacious 63 inch desk, my beater office chair was replaced with a super comfy full sized chair, my tiny 10 year old external monitor was replaced with dual 32-inch 1440p monitors (unfortunately this MBP doesn't handle 4K external monitors... that would come out in 2015), I got an Apple Magic Keyboard, a Logitech MX Master 2 for precise pointing, and most recently I got the pièce de résistance for tracking devices - this Magic Trackpad, and as far as input devices go it's my favorite thing!
(okay, okay I can hear you now -- "dood, this is a Trackpad review not a blog post!" - I'm sorry! I'll get into the Trackpad now)
The Magic Trackpad ties my new office setup together with a beautiful bow. Apple really nailed trackpads years ago and even a decade later competitors are *still* trying to catch up, but Apple has the advantage of tight integration between software and hardware. I honestly didn't think they could really improve on it further until they came up with this. I have hated trackpads on virtually every non-Mac laptop but somehow Apple came up with a solution that I prefer to a mouse! (in most situations). Having a full desktop version is awesome!
The "taptic engine" virtual click is 100% convincing. It feels *exactly* like a regular click, and it even does a super realistic click sound (which can be turned off). What's great is that the pressure to require clicks is even across the entire trackpad. On my MBP some areas are more difficult to click than others (namely corners). I also really dig the "force touch" feature, which allows me to preview links in Safari, automatically view addresses in Apple Maps, look up tracking numbers for shipping, quickly annotate PDF attachments in email, and much more. The integrated battery is great, it keeps the device nice and slim and recharging is just a matter of plugging it in via Lightning cable, allowing me to use the trackpad while it's charging (unlike the Magic Mouse). Furthermore, this thing is massive! Now when I go back to my regular MBP trackpad it feels cramped. What I once thought was the best trackpad humanly possible suddenly feels outdated when compared to the new trackpad. Navigating through macOS using all these crazy gestures still feels amazingly futuristic, when I use my computer at work (regular old HP laptop) it feels like I stepped back 15 years.
In the end, this is an easy 5-stars for me. It's fun to use, it's lag-free, and it really does have that "magic". I'll be the first to say that Apple's Magic Keyboard is really just a basic keyboard that feels good to type on, the Magic Mouse doesn't work for me at all (I prefer big beefy mice, personally), but this Magic Trackpad, well, it has the right stuff. There's no way Apple can improve on this even further... right? Well, I thought that once before yet here we are. If you're on the fence then buy it!
There is a newer version of this item:
Reviews with images
Works Much BETTER than the Trackpad on the MBP. Authenticity Issue Addressed.
Amazon delivered this Trackpad next day. It came sealed and the unit is brand new. I was surprised that the unit was almost fully charged. Connecting it to my MPB indicated that it had an 89% charge. So, this unit should not be old stock. I took the easy way to connect and set up by using the USB/Lighting cable. The Trackpad paired to my MPB via Bluetooth without me doing anything. I did this because I wanted to charge the Trackpad anyway. There is one thing that Apple did not do well. The Trackpad connects via a Lightning connection and the other end is an USB-A. I had to get an adapter to connect to my MBP. Apple should have just furnished the Tracked with an USB-C to Lightning wire.There are so many discussions comparing the Magic Trackpad and the Magic Mouse. Some prefer one over the other. I like them both. Both of them could be connected to the MPB at the same time.This Magic Trackpad 2 works well with my MBP. There is no learning curve. There is no reason not to considered this if you have MPB a little away from you and you have a hard time of reaching it (e.g. connecting to an external display). I would get both the mouse and this trackpad.Authenticity IssueAfter writing this review, I noticed that a review that claimed that his Magic Trackpad 2 that was sent was not authentic.I was quite happy with the purchase as it was working very well. However, when I checked the box, I discovered that “Energy Veryfied” is printed at the back of the box. Veryfied is not a word. So, I thought it is misspelled. Maybe I receive a non-authentic Apple product.So, I starting the returning process sending this back to Amazon. Before I sent it back, I dropped by an Apple Store. I wanted to purchase another Magic Trackpad directly from Apple. I showed My Trackpad to the Apple Associate and he told me that my Magic Trackpad is fine. It is indeed an Apple Product. I showed him the misspelled words and he laughed. He said the word Veryfied is all over some of Apple’s products. Varyfied is probably the name of the company that made the product for Apple. He showed me the back of a Magic Trackpad 2 box from the store. Sure enough, it read “Energy Veryfied”. He checked my Magic Trackpad again, handed back to me and told me that I do not need to buy another Magic Trackpad. So, I am keeping mine and I am not sending it back to Amazon.The 2 images I uploaded were back of the boxes. One is my Magic Trackpad from Amazon and the other is from Apple Store. They both have the words “Energy Veryfied"Updated and revised 7/25/2011I was so concerned with the Authenticity of this Magic Trackpad that I did not really talked much about it except that it works just like the Trackpad on an Apple Laptop. After a few more days using it, I need to revise my statement. This Magic Trackpad works much better than the one on the MBP. The reason is that the location of the Trackpad on a laptop is at the center of laptop at the bottom of the keyboard.Some keyboards are split and have a space in the middle. This enables the hands opening up and not crowded in the middle. Locating the trackpad in the middle forces the hand reaching to the center. Not a comfortable position.Locating laptop trackpad at the bottom right would be better for right handed people as there would be no need to reach the right hand towards the center. The wrist could be in a straight position instead of cocked. However, locating it to the right would create a problem for left handed people. This Magic Trackpad could be placed anywhere. For right handed people, this would be to the right and away from the keyboard. When using this Magic Trackpad, the right hand and wrist would be in a more comfortable position. While this Magic Trackpad is not cheap but I think it is worth the money. I have better control with my wrist straight. Get it if you work with an apple laptop. Highly recommended.Authenticity Issue additional information 7/26/2021One thing I forgot to mention about the Authenticity Issue verification. There are web sites that supposed to check the serial numbers. I can tell you that this does not apply to Magic Trackpad 2. Apple does not track the serial numbers on peripherals. I uploaded a third picture of the Magic Trackpad 2 box with the serial numbers. This picture is the one with the price tag and was taken on the back of the box of a Magic Trackpad 2 at the Apple Store. This serial numbers on this cannot be verified. Go ahead and search and check this serial numbers. It appears that some reviewers might have been sending back authentic Magic Trackpad 2's unnecessary.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2021
There are so many discussions comparing the Magic Trackpad and the Magic Mouse. Some prefer one over the other. I like them both. Both of them could be connected to the MPB at the same time.
This Magic Trackpad 2 works well with my MBP. There is no learning curve. There is no reason not to considered this if you have MPB a little away from you and you have a hard time of reaching it (e.g. connecting to an external display). I would get both the mouse and this trackpad.
Authenticity Issue
After writing this review, I noticed that a review that claimed that his Magic Trackpad 2 that was sent was not authentic.
I was quite happy with the purchase as it was working very well. However, when I checked the box, I discovered that “Energy Veryfied” is printed at the back of the box. Veryfied is not a word. So, I thought it is misspelled. Maybe I receive a non-authentic Apple product.
So, I starting the returning process sending this back to Amazon. Before I sent it back, I dropped by an Apple Store. I wanted to purchase another Magic Trackpad directly from Apple. I showed My Trackpad to the Apple Associate and he told me that my Magic Trackpad is fine. It is indeed an Apple Product. I showed him the misspelled words and he laughed. He said the word Veryfied is all over some of Apple’s products. Varyfied is probably the name of the company that made the product for Apple. He showed me the back of a Magic Trackpad 2 box from the store. Sure enough, it read “Energy Veryfied”. He checked my Magic Trackpad again, handed back to me and told me that I do not need to buy another Magic Trackpad. So, I am keeping mine and I am not sending it back to Amazon.
The 2 images I uploaded were back of the boxes. One is my Magic Trackpad from Amazon and the other is from Apple Store. They both have the words “Energy Veryfied"
Updated and revised 7/25/2011
I was so concerned with the Authenticity of this Magic Trackpad that I did not really talked much about it except that it works just like the Trackpad on an Apple Laptop. After a few more days using it, I need to revise my statement. This Magic Trackpad works much better than the one on the MBP. The reason is that the location of the Trackpad on a laptop is at the center of laptop at the bottom of the keyboard.
Some keyboards are split and have a space in the middle. This enables the hands opening up and not crowded in the middle. Locating the trackpad in the middle forces the hand reaching to the center. Not a comfortable position.
Locating laptop trackpad at the bottom right would be better for right handed people as there would be no need to reach the right hand towards the center. The wrist could be in a straight position instead of cocked. However, locating it to the right would create a problem for left handed people. This Magic Trackpad could be placed anywhere. For right handed people, this would be to the right and away from the keyboard. When using this Magic Trackpad, the right hand and wrist would be in a more comfortable position. While this Magic Trackpad is not cheap but I think it is worth the money. I have better control with my wrist straight. Get it if you work with an apple laptop. Highly recommended.
Authenticity Issue additional information 7/26/2021
One thing I forgot to mention about the Authenticity Issue verification. There are web sites that supposed to check the serial numbers. I can tell you that this does not apply to Magic Trackpad 2. Apple does not track the serial numbers on peripherals. I uploaded a third picture of the Magic Trackpad 2 box with the serial numbers. This picture is the one with the price tag and was taken on the back of the box of a Magic Trackpad 2 at the Apple Store. This serial numbers on this cannot be verified. Go ahead and search and check this serial numbers. It appears that some reviewers might have been sending back authentic Magic Trackpad 2's unnecessary.
Works Much BETTER than the Trackpad on the MBP. Authenticity Issue Addressed.
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2021
Amazon delivered this Trackpad next day. It came sealed and the unit is brand new. I was surprised that the unit was almost fully charged. Connecting it to my MPB indicated that it had an 89% charge. So, this unit should not be old stock. I took the easy way to connect and set up by using the USB/Lighting cable. The Trackpad paired to my MPB via Bluetooth without me doing anything. I did this because I wanted to charge the Trackpad anyway. There is one thing that Apple did not do well. The Trackpad connects via a Lightning connection and the other end is an USB-A. I had to get an adapter to connect to my MBP. Apple should have just furnished the Tracked with an USB-C to Lightning wire.Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2021
There are so many discussions comparing the Magic Trackpad and the Magic Mouse. Some prefer one over the other. I like them both. Both of them could be connected to the MPB at the same time.
This Magic Trackpad 2 works well with my MBP. There is no learning curve. There is no reason not to considered this if you have MPB a little away from you and you have a hard time of reaching it (e.g. connecting to an external display). I would get both the mouse and this trackpad.
Authenticity Issue
After writing this review, I noticed that a review that claimed that his Magic Trackpad 2 that was sent was not authentic.
I was quite happy with the purchase as it was working very well. However, when I checked the box, I discovered that “Energy Veryfied” is printed at the back of the box. Veryfied is not a word. So, I thought it is misspelled. Maybe I receive a non-authentic Apple product.
So, I starting the returning process sending this back to Amazon. Before I sent it back, I dropped by an Apple Store. I wanted to purchase another Magic Trackpad directly from Apple. I showed My Trackpad to the Apple Associate and he told me that my Magic Trackpad is fine. It is indeed an Apple Product. I showed him the misspelled words and he laughed. He said the word Veryfied is all over some of Apple’s products. Varyfied is probably the name of the company that made the product for Apple. He showed me the back of a Magic Trackpad 2 box from the store. Sure enough, it read “Energy Veryfied”. He checked my Magic Trackpad again, handed back to me and told me that I do not need to buy another Magic Trackpad. So, I am keeping mine and I am not sending it back to Amazon.
The 2 images I uploaded were back of the boxes. One is my Magic Trackpad from Amazon and the other is from Apple Store. They both have the words “Energy Veryfied"
Updated and revised 7/25/2011
I was so concerned with the Authenticity of this Magic Trackpad that I did not really talked much about it except that it works just like the Trackpad on an Apple Laptop. After a few more days using it, I need to revise my statement. This Magic Trackpad works much better than the one on the MBP. The reason is that the location of the Trackpad on a laptop is at the center of laptop at the bottom of the keyboard.
Some keyboards are split and have a space in the middle. This enables the hands opening up and not crowded in the middle. Locating the trackpad in the middle forces the hand reaching to the center. Not a comfortable position.
Locating laptop trackpad at the bottom right would be better for right handed people as there would be no need to reach the right hand towards the center. The wrist could be in a straight position instead of cocked. However, locating it to the right would create a problem for left handed people. This Magic Trackpad could be placed anywhere. For right handed people, this would be to the right and away from the keyboard. When using this Magic Trackpad, the right hand and wrist would be in a more comfortable position. While this Magic Trackpad is not cheap but I think it is worth the money. I have better control with my wrist straight. Get it if you work with an apple laptop. Highly recommended.
Authenticity Issue additional information 7/26/2021
One thing I forgot to mention about the Authenticity Issue verification. There are web sites that supposed to check the serial numbers. I can tell you that this does not apply to Magic Trackpad 2. Apple does not track the serial numbers on peripherals. I uploaded a third picture of the Magic Trackpad 2 box with the serial numbers. This picture is the one with the price tag and was taken on the back of the box of a Magic Trackpad 2 at the Apple Store. This serial numbers on this cannot be verified. Go ahead and search and check this serial numbers. It appears that some reviewers might have been sending back authentic Magic Trackpad 2's unnecessary.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Michael
Worth every dollar if you love the Apple laptop trackpad.
Reviewed in Canada on January 13, 2021tt53
Great versatility for command on Apple desktop computers.
Reviewed in Australia on December 20, 2020