Apple announced several things today, and while arguably the iMac refreshes and the new Mac Pro configs are the bigger news here, they involve things like comparing specs tables and reading through mind-numbing press releases. So, we’re going to start with the low hanging fruit and tackle the new Magic Trackpad.
I, for one, am excited by this Bluetooth-powered wireless trackpad. Why? Because I love the one on my Macbook Pro, and this is that, but bigger, and for desktops. It lets you use the same gestures the laptops support (two-finger scroll, four-finger exposé, etc), it’s all glass and aluminum, the whole thing clicks (death to buttons!), etc…
And, for those wondering how well a trackpad could perform to make it a better option than say, a Magic Mouse, well, I play Left 4 Dead 2 on my MBP with one. And survive. So, I figure if it’s well-dampened and big enough to safely play a first-person shooter with, it’ll probably do for any general purpose usage, and it’s not even too bad for casual Photoshopping, really.
And did we mention the gestures? C’mon, that’s worth the $69 bucks right there and you know it. Two-finger “right click” makes OSX considerably better than having to remember to hold down option. I promise.
Also announced is the new… battery charger? Yes, a battery charger. It’s white (natch), and uses the same slip of folding prong wall plug as the laptop bricks do (natch), charges two batteries at a time (NiMH), and is of course touted for being environmentally friendly and having one of the lowest vampire rates of any charger going. It’ll set you back 29 clam, but to be fair it does come with 6 of Apple’s NiMH batteries, promising a 10 year life span each.
Apple says they’re available the heck now, so the sooner you call your friendly neighborhood Roberts, the sooner we can have some heading to your door to power your wireless life.
About Derek
Our resident web guru, Derek graduated from Ball State with a BFA in Visual Communications. When not in the office slaying CSS dragons, jousting social media windmills, or working on the blog, he's also a fine artist, working in oil paints and photography. Derek Martin+