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Landos Mustache · Jul 24, 2006, 12:08 PM

When i bought my MacBook right out of the box the trackpad button was not properly registering clicks in all areas.

I exchanged it for a new one which was fine. A couple weeks later after moderate use the trackpad buttons already feels quite a bit softer and doesn't give a nice satisfying click.

I want to bring it in to have whatever is causing it to be fixed but I don't want a replacement part that is the same as the old one. If this is a widespread issue Apple might switch parts.

Anywho else have this problem out of the box or have it develop?

ael719 · Jul 24, 2006, 12:24 PM

Yes, I have had this problem since I got my MacBook, but haven't really been effected by I stopped using my BT mouse over the trackpad.

One thing that really bugs the hell out of me with my MacBook is sometimes when 1 finger tap or two finger tap the trackpad, not the button, it makes a click noise. When I apply light pressure on the trackpad it will stop making the click noise, but after a couple hours it will come loose again. I find this way more annoying than the squishy button because I usually use the trackpad as the mouse click.

seaofcrap · Jul 26, 2006, 12:31 AM

Mine was like this out of the box and am considering calling AppleCare about it and asking if they will consider replacing or repairing my MacBook. I did find a solution, where you fold a small piece of paper and ledge it under the battery, but it's annoying.

Ditto with ael about the clicking of the actual trackpad. THAT is annoying.

nickw311 · Jul 27, 2006, 10:23 AM

After seeing all the posts about the paper under the trackpad fix I finally did it and that makes a world of difference. Anyone who hasnt done it should definantly do it ASAP.

Landos Mustache · Jul 27, 2006, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by nickw311

After seeing all the posts about the paper under the trackpad fix I finally did it and that makes a world of difference. Anyone who hasnt done it should definantly do it ASAP.

I don't find it an acceptable solution. Sticking flammable paper in such a hot and expensive bit of equipment isn't the best idea.

I'd rather wait a while until apple figures out the issue and then fixes it properly.

SLiMeX · Jul 27, 2006, 11:27 AM

I dont even know what a mushy trackpad would feel like...

adil · Jul 27, 2006, 11:31 AM

mine seems to be fine, but i never really noticed since i either use my might mousr or just tap the trackpad, tap with two fingers for secondary click. find it more convenient

nickw311 · Jul 27, 2006, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

I don't find it an acceptable solution. Sticking flammable paper in such a hot and expensive bit of equipment isn't the best idea.

I'd rather wait a while until apple figures out the issue and then fixes it properly.

I agree but the thing is, the trackpad worked, it just felt mushy. If a little piece of paper makes it feel better than it is a decent solution.

Helmling · Jul 27, 2006, 11:27 PM

My track pad is higher on one side than the other. I'd count this a minor defect (for now) but I've got to say I'm disappointed in Apple's quality control. If I was anywhere near an Apple store, then i'd swap it out, but this one defect is not enough to make me want to ship back an otherwise beautiful machine ("the absence of flaw in beauty, is itself a flaw").

I hope that nothing gets worse and that this minor defect is all I'll ever have to complain about on this machine.

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 09:42 AM

Question is, why haven't any of us called apple about this?

Hi I'm Ben · Jul 28, 2006, 09:48 AM

I rarely ever use my trackpad button so I really wouldn't know if it went squishy. I use SideTrack for everything.

Anyway, my original one was less sensitive on the right side than the left, this I did notice. So I returned it for a new one and this one is fine. Since I hit my trackpad button like once a month I don't care if it gets squishy or not, as long as it works.

Helmling · Jul 28, 2006, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Question is, why haven't any of us called apple about this?

I intend to write them a letter or something, but I know that all AppleCare could do for me on a physical defect is to have me ship it back to them. If this is all that's wrong, then I don't want to be without it as I already love this machine--warts and all.

seaofcrap · Jul 29, 2006, 02:21 AM

Well, i went to the apple store today about this issue and they agreed it was a problem and offered to repair it.

Landos Mustache · Jul 31, 2006, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by seaofcrap

Well, i went to the apple store today about this issue and they agreed it was a problem and offered to repair it.

How long did they say it would take and what are they going to do?

Dark Helmet · Oct 23, 2006, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

When i bought my MacBook right out of the box the trackpad button was not properly registering clicks in all areas.

I exchanged it for a new one which was fine. A couple weeks later after moderate use the trackpad buttons already feels quite a bit softer and doesn't give a nice satisfying click.

1) as I mentioned above my first MacBook was mushy out of the box. Returned it got a new one.

2) 2nd MacBook was fine for the first 2 weeks and after some very light usage the middle of the button went very mushy.

Ok so in continuation...

Brought my MacBook in last week to replace sudden shutdown problem and at the same time had them replace my top casing to fix the mush button. When they replace it they replace the whole keyboard, trackpad and button as it is one big piece.

In the shop when I was inspecting it after the repare the BRAND NEW casing I noticed that the middle and right half of the trackpad button was nice and clicky but the left was totally mushy and didn't make a click.

I pulled the guy who repaired it over and told him and his reply was "call Apple" so I got the manager over and showed him and he agreed that it was mush. I ask him what was going on because this is my 3rd one in a row that is defective.

So now they are ordering ANOTHER casing for me so I have to wait for it.

kikkoman · Oct 24, 2006, 05:00 AM

mine was a bit too stiff. it is fine now but will it mushy later?

Tuoder · Oct 24, 2006, 09:09 AM

Mine has gotten mushy. It still works the vast mojority of the time, but still. Now, I just tap. If they fix it well, I will take it in. There is no sense in taking it in if there is jsut going to be another problem.

Dark Helmet · Oct 24, 2006, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by kikkoman

mine was a bit too stiff. it is fine now but will it mushy later?

I dunno. I mean my 5 year old iBook clicks as well as the day I got it while I have had 3 mushy MacBooks.

I have never seen the mushiness on any other Apple laptop.

ChasingApple · Oct 24, 2006, 10:44 AM

My father got his Macbook and it had a broken trackpad button. Only if you pressed it in the exact center would it click, everywhere else got nothing but a mushy feeling and no click. We took it back to the Apple store and got another one, which works perfectly.

My wifes was perfect on the first shot.

Honestly the build quality of the Macbook is sparatic at best, but this is what happens when a product is in such demand that Apple has them pushed out the door as quickly as possible. At least Apple has been good about repairs and replacements.

Dark Helmet · Oct 24, 2006, 12:23 PM

Best thing to do it bring your book in, show them the problem, tell them to order the part and to call you when it comes in. After that it doesn't take long to swap the parts.

ChasingApple · Oct 25, 2006, 06:38 AM

Ok Dark you wait for a replacement, when I go back because of a defective just bought Mac I get it swapped there and then. I'm not waiting.

Dark Helmet · Oct 25, 2006, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by ChasingApple

Ok Dark you wait for a replacement, when I go back because of a defective just bought Mac I get it swapped there and then. I'm not waiting.

That is what I did the first time but after 2 weeks you need to have it serviced instead.

Railroader · Oct 25, 2006, 12:40 PM

Nice and clicky. No mushiness.

ChasingApple · Oct 25, 2006, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

That is what I did the first time but after 2 weeks you need to have it serviced instead.

Ok that makes more sense then. One day I will buy another Mac laptop, but not with the current crop.

volcano · Oct 25, 2006, 06:01 PM

I had a 12" iBook G4 (last revision, 1.33GHz model) that showed signs of "mushiness" about two months after I purchased it. Furthermore, it had the most annoying "plastic click" on the bottom right-hand corner of the trackpad that used to annoy the heck out of me... and the click was blatantly obvious when I used my laptop in a quiet coffeeshop.

The trackpads on the MacBooks feel like they're made from the same material as the iBooks. Unfortunately, I don't think it's a "serious" issue that Apple will ever address.