Rich Shibley / Digital Trends
In almost all cases , I prefer to be on a Windows motorcar . That ’s just who I am .
But when I do occasionally switch over to my Mac mini , there ’s one aspect of the setup I enjoy the most . No , it ’s not a software feature in macOSthat is n’t in Windows . It ’s not even the hardware itself .
Rich Shibley / Digital Trends
Rather , the missing piece is a peripheral — the fantastic Magic Trackpad 2 . The outside tactual trackpad accessory does n’t presently have a replica on the Windows side , and that ’s a shame , especially given the large ecosystem of peripherals and accessory that Windows should have .
The Magic Trackpad 2 is indeed magical
The nerveless part of using the Magic Trackpad 2 on a Mac Mini is the gesture and comfort it offers compare to a mouse . The touch surface can feel how firmly you flick . For model , highlight a news once in Safari , and then “ entreat ” a bit harder on it again to look up the meaning of that word with a Force Touch , for lesson . Of course , there are also a short ton of gesture , all customizable in the macOS background app .
The two - fingerbreadth pinch - to - rapid growth gesture helps me read small text on web pages . The two - finger tinge - to - rotate gesture helps me cut exposure in the macOS Photos app . The three - finger swipe - up motion help me bring up Mission Control to see open apps . Pinching my thumbs and finger together open Launchpad to see all my apps .
You might be able to accomplish some of the tasks I advert by assign a button on something like the Logitech MX Master 3S or a keyboard , but the gesture declare oneself by a tactile touchpad add-on like the Apple Magic Trackpad 2 are more natural .
Since the looking glass touch surface is one bit , my finger never run out of elbow room when scrolling on the Magic Trackpad 2 . I also do n’t have to move my hands all over my desk like when using a mouse . low finger movement do the work . Unlike the impression of holding a mouse , I almost blank out that the trackpad was sitting there . It finger like part of my desk and hike my productiveness .
Windows Laptops already have cool haptic trackpads
There ’s no doubt that there is a wad of interest group in haptic trackpads in the personal computer blank . It was n’t always the typeface , but today , there are a host of excellent Windows laptops with onboard haptic touchpads . Apple pioneered the engineering first with MacBooks , and then Microsoft bring it over to Windows personal computer for the first time with theSurface Laptop Studio . Now , even the newDell XPS 14has one , and so do some recess products like theThinkPad X1 Fold 16 .
This is a great modification , too , as , unlike a traditional trackpad , these haptic ace give up you to snap anywhere and are smooth to the touch . It is part of what makes me wish well that Microsoft or Dell could do what Apple does and pull the trackpad off these laptops and release them as a freestanding gizmo . I ’m notalwaysusing my laptop as a laptop computer , and when I ’m plugged into a monitor or in clamshell mode , I want the same prosperous trackpad I make love , but on my desk .
Can Logitech or someone else deliver?
And here ’s the secret . A lot of what I mention works very well on Windows , too . you could actually apply the Apple Magic Trackpad 2 with a microcomputer over the USB connection , and it ’s just as much as a treat . Downloading third - party driver , you ’re even able-bodied to use some of those same gestures from macOS on a Windows PC when it ’s dock .
It ’s just like I would on a preciseness or haptic trackpad . A four - finger gesture , for example , opens the Windows 11 Task View way , and I can nobble back and forth on the trackpad to move between web pages . Apple does n’t mention Magic Trackpad 2 works on Windows , but if Apple can do this , why ca n’t an OEM like Dell or Lenovo ?
There have been attempts , but it is n’t the same as what Apple has done . ProtoArcmakes one , for example . but it does n’t support Bluetooth . Microsoft has the Arc Touch shiner , but that ’s a black eye and not a trackpad . There even was an effort from Brydge , with the W - Touch Wireless , but the company has since gone bankrupt . The near affair I can see is the novel Logitech Casa Pop - Up Desk , which come with a wireless touchpad but does n’t have enough of a “ premium feel,”according to other reader .
Senselis the fellowship behind many of the haptic trackpads found today on Windows laptop . alas , though , the ship’s company is just a engineering science provider . It does n’t sell products to everyday consumers like you and me . It give me Bob Hope , though , that if one day there ’s a Windows version of the Apple Magic Trackpad 2 , it ’ll come from Sensel .
Until then , I ’ll keep using my Apple Magic Trackpad 2 with my Windows PC and expect for something better .
