I’m stoked that even though the new MacBook Pro touchpad looks the same and is the same size, it’s loaded with multitouch! And LED backlights available across the range! But I was curious why the new MacBook (standards) don’t have either. So I asked them. Here’s the official Apple answer: The multitouch technology is a feature of the MacBook Pro and Air, but not the MacBook. Apple has already committed to transitioning all machines to LED backlights, and will do so when economically and technically feasible. UPDATE: Sources at iFixit have told us that the Broadcom BCM5974 Multitouch controller chip, the hardware component for multitouch in the iPhone and Macbook Air, costs only US$2.95, so cost isn’t the prohibiting factor when it comes to multitouch in the standard Macbook.
Very zen, but what does it mean?
Seems like the LEDs are too expensive for the sub-US$2000 MacBooks. But the difference in the answers above (one gives the reason of cost and one doesn’t give much of an answer) kind of implies that the lack of multi in the standard is another way to separate the standard from the pro. That’s too bad, because like the pinching and zooming on the Air and iPhone, I think non-professional Mac users could get a kick out of using it too. Maybe next round.
Paul
February 29, 2008 at 1:52 AM
Will Apple offer a hardware upgrade for the older generation MBP? I just bought my 17″ last November and I’d hate to have to buy a completely new MBP just to get the multi-touch feature…
Report PermalinkNikolai
March 22, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Hey guys, maybe you should try something called “sidetrack” its a great and is (somewhat) free (((You get a reminder to every 12 hours or so))), anyway, who cares about that 2 Dollar chip or whatever that thing is for mba and mbp. Im sure that some smart cookie is going to get inspired by the multi-touch apples and going to make a third party software, (maybe even sidetrack will do this). You dont need a chip, just a software (that will most probably will b customizable to its bear teeth if it exists), I am sure its possible without the chip, have a look at sidetrack and tell me what you think. I am convinced that a third party app will come out soon, so be patient, hopefully its going to be out soon.
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