1) Transmission
The package is is the trackpad, a small manual booklet, two energizer batteries in the devices.
The startup under mac, is very simple. Just click on the button located to the right of the unit.
The aesthetic of the unit is very good, perfect marriage with the aluminum world of Mac.
The device is based on 4 small plastic supports which the bottom two are breaking out (to click).
The finger contact surface is very soft (aluminum on glass).
2) Configuration
You configure the unit via the trackpad preferences tool. This tool allows to link the mac with the device for Bluetooth connection, and then enable or disable the actions provided for 1/2/3/4 fingers.
Actions 1 finger
Tap to click
slip
Latched slip
secondary click (via corner)
Actions 2 fingers
to scroll (with or without inertia)
swing
depart and tighten the fingers
secondary click
Actions 3 fingers
navigate by scanning
Action 4 fingers
Sweep up / down sets
sweep left / right switch applications
We can also adjust the speed of displacement, the double click speed and scrolling speed.
The battery level is indicated.
If these actions do not meet you there is a free utility to more precisely manage the peripheral: BetterTouchTool. It allows to assign actions to the movements (key actions, for example) and more detailed settings such as the sensitivity.
3) Use
The use of this device is quite natural. The movement of non trackpad allows use in tight spaces (like the old trackball) or even without support.
It moves the fingers (mainly index) on the surface is clicked by pressing the down rather trackpad (thumb) or by tapping the trackpad with one finger if you have enabled this feature.
The accuracy of this peripheral is poor compared to a mouse => no time savings.
However, quite natural use makes it a good device for people who have difficulty using a mouse (children ..).
2-finger gestures for scrolls is convenient and walking quickly.
The mouse click is loud and slow.
The movement of the finger on the surface is pretty fast, but is not regular because sweating so much to limit the speed of travel.
Moreover it is necessary that the finger are in contact with the surface (electric contact) so to use a stylus, other than with your fingers, you need a stylus type: Pogo Sketch stylus which, coupled with the Inklet software allows use the Magic Trackpad as a small graphic palette.
Use Office is correct, the use in games is bad (precision, speed click).
One can use this peripheral for presentations. In fact you can take the ring road in one hand and shares with others.
In association click actions, following precedent to movements on the surface (via BetterTouchTool software), it is possible to make a suitable presentation tool. However, as the bond is bluetooh can not deviate from the mac over 3, 4 m. Then there is a significant loss of quality of reception and thus erratic mouse movements
CONCLUSION:
Positives:
Design, ease of use, good office use. Possibility to use for presentations (though less convenient than a Logitech MX Air for example).
Neutral points:
Bluetooth: no congestion usb, remote use but need a power supply, here battery (not supplied with charger unit or USB connection)
However, there is a physical change of magic trackpad (on site MacRumors) that can be fed by a USB cable.
Negative points:
Lack of precision is no true use computer graphics, speed (click, move) so no use in games.
Click mouse sometimes not working.
Price for 70th other more practical devices may be considered (mouse, tablet, trackball). This makes it all a bit but moderately.
