Search
  • Videos
  • Windows 10
  • 5G
  • CES
  • Best VPNs
  • Cloud
  • Security
  • more
    • AI
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • Windows 10
    • 5G
    • CES
    • Best VPNs
    • Cloud
    • Security
    • AI
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

Apple Magic Trackpad teardown

25 of 32 NEXT PREV
  • 452453.jpg

    With the iPhone's release, Apple introduced the masses to Multi-Touch (using multiple-finger gestures to navigate the device's UI). In 2008, they brought Multi-Touch to laptops with the launch of the Macbook Air and updates to the MacBook Pro. In 2010, Apple is trying to bring Multi-Touch to the desktop, with the Magic Trackpad.

    Come along as Bill Detwiler cracks open the Apple Magic Trackpad in this teardown gallery.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452454.jpg

    Released in July 2010, the Apple Magic Trackpad costs $69 (US). It requires a Bluetooth-enabled Mac running OS X Snow Leopard v10.6.4. You may also need to download and install the Magic Trackpad drivers from Apple before using the Trackpad.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452455.jpg

    Apple's Multi-Touch technology lets you use multiple-finger gestures to manipulate your computer's GUI. Many of these motions are printed on the back of the Magic Trackpad box.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452456.jpg

    Opening the box reveals the Magic Trackpad.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452457.jpg

    Other than the Magic Trackpad itself, the box contains only the product documentation.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452458.jpg

    According to Apple, the Magic Trackpad is 5.17 inches long, 5.12 inches wide, and 0.18 to 0.72 inches tall (because of the angled touch surface). The pointing devices weighs 4.94 ounces without batteries.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452459.jpg

    Along the Magic Trackpad's left side, you find the battery compartment cap.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452460.jpg

    Along the Magic Trackpad's right side, you find the power button.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452461.jpg

    On the bottom of the Magic Trackpad, you find two elongated rubber feet on the battery compartment, a white plastic panel, and two circular rubber feet on the white panel. These circular feet actually help translate pressing down on the Trackpad into a mouse click.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452462.jpg

    Using a large Phillips screwdriver or plastic spludger (as shown in this photo), unscrew the battery compartment cap.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452463.jpg

    The Magic Trackpad requires two AA batteries to run, and Apple provides them with the device. Those who really want to go green can replace the standard batteries with rechargeable ones. Apple will even sell you a battery charged and six AA NiMH batteries for $29 (US).

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452464.jpg

    Our first step in cracking open the Magic Trackpad is removing the white plastic panel from the bottom of the device. Using a thin metal or plastic spludger or iPod/iPhone case opening tool, you should be able to pry loose the panel's bottom edge. The panel has four tabs that slide into slots on the Magic Trackpad's metal frame. Gently work your way around the bottom edge, releasing all the tabs and prying the white panel away from the metal frame.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452465.jpg

    The white panel is help in place by the four tabs and clear adhesive. The adhesive holds the panel to a plastic, white support structure within the Magic Trackpad.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452466.jpg

    With the bottom panel removed, we get our first look inside the Apple Magic Trackpad. We can see the main logic board, white plastic support structure, "mouse-click" hinge plate, and the underside of the touch surface.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452467.jpg

    Looking at the internal side of the Trackpas's bottom panel, we can see the four tabs and two circular rubber feet. Unfortunately, I broke two of the tabs when removing the panel.

    As the panel is primarily help on with adhesive, it might actually have been better to pry the panel loose from the other end. Pulling it free from the frame and then sliding the tabs out of their corresponding slots.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452468.jpg

    The circular rubber feet on the back of the Magic Trackpad serve two purposes--holding the pointing device in one spot and translating the physical motion of pressing down on the device into a mouse click.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452469.jpg

    The circular rubber feet have hard centers that push up when you push down from the top of the Trackpad.

    A small bit of adhesive cushion also remains in the center of the panel. This helps protect one of the main chips.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452470.jpg

    With the bottom panel removed, we can see the main components with in the Apple Magic Trackpad. There is a white, plastic support structure that fills the void inside the device, the main logic board, a metal "mouse-click" hinge plate, and the underside of the touch surface.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452471.jpg

    Our next step is disassembling the Magic Trackpad, is removing the "mouse-click" hinge plate. Along with the circular rubber feet (discussed previously), this hinge plate translated the physical motion of pressing down on the Trackpad into a mouse click. While this is an interesting may to generate a mouse click, it unfortunately means the device must be used on a hard surface unless you enable the tap-to-click option under the device's software settings.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452472.jpg

    There are six, very small Phillips 00 screws that hold the hinge plate to the metal frame.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452473.jpg

    Thin metal hinges hold the plate to the metal frame.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452474.jpg

    A total of 12 Phillips screws and two hinges hold the plate to the frame.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452475.jpg

    There is another screw at the top of the Magic Trackpad near the battery compartment. This screws doesn't seem to hold anything in place, but appears to a grounding screw for the touch surface.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452476.jpg

    The main logic board reveals chips from Broadcom, SST, and Texas Instruments.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452477.jpg

    The large chip is the Broadcom BCM2042, which provides not only Bluetooth connectivity but also serves as the processors with built-in RAM/ROM memory.

    Below and to the right of the large Broadcom chip is the SST25WF020, which provides 2Mbit of serial flash memory.

    Above and to the right of the large chip is the Broadcom BCM5974 touchscreen controller. This is the same chip found in other Apple devices that support Multi-Touch, like the MacBook Pro.

    Above the large Broadcom chip is a Texas Instruments chip with markings CD3238 TI 01J P20T.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452478.jpg

    There are two ribbon cable connectors for the Multi-Touch surface on the main logic board.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452479.jpg

    Extremely thin wiring for the touch surface is located along the bottom of the Magic Trackpad.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452480.jpg

    More wiring from the touch surface is located under the white support structure along the side.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452481.jpg

    There are four wires soldered to the main logic board for the battery and LED connections.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452482.jpg

    The picture shows the Magic Trackpad's power button, the internal support structure, and thin metal tab held in place by the screw we removed from the top of the Magic Trackpad.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452483.jpg

    Looking at the device from the side, you can see the Magic Trackpad's Multi-Touch surface--the darker gray layer onto of the shinny aluminum frame. This surface is help onto the frame with adhesive. To remove the surface, I would need to heat the adhesive. As this would likely damage the device beyond repair, I'm going to leave the surface in place.

    Besides, there's nothing really to see on the underside of the surface other than adhesive. You can see much of the touch surface's underside through the internal support structure.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • 452484.jpg

    The Apple Magic Trackpad is definitely a unique touch interface device. It's somewhere between a Wacom tablet and a mouse.

    Unfortunately, there's not much inside the user-serviceable. Other than replacing the batteries, the device shouldn't require much, if any, routine maintenance.

    Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

25 of 32 NEXT PREV
Bill Detwiler

By Bill Detwiler | August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT) | Topic: Apple

  • 452453.jpg
  • 452454.jpg
  • 452455.jpg
  • 452456.jpg
  • 452457.jpg
  • 452458.jpg
  • 452459.jpg
  • 452460.jpg
  • 452461.jpg
  • 452462.jpg
  • 452463.jpg
  • 452464.jpg
  • 452465.jpg
  • 452466.jpg
  • 452467.jpg
  • 452468.jpg
  • 452469.jpg
  • 452470.jpg
  • 452471.jpg
  • 452472.jpg
  • 452473.jpg
  • 452474.jpg
  • 452475.jpg
  • 452476.jpg
  • 452477.jpg
  • 452478.jpg
  • 452479.jpg
  • 452480.jpg
  • 452481.jpg
  • 452482.jpg
  • 452483.jpg
  • 452484.jpg

Apple's Magic Trackpad bring gestures to the Mac desktop computer. Bill Detwiler cracks open Apple's Multi-Touch trackpad in this teardown gallery.

Read More Read Less

The large chip is the Broadcom BCM2042, which provides not only Bluetooth connectivity but also serves as the processors with built-in RAM/ROM memory.

Below and to the right of the large Broadcom chip is the SST25WF020, which provides 2Mbit of serial flash memory.

Above and to the right of the large chip is the Broadcom BCM5974 touchscreen controller. This is the same chip found in other Apple devices that support Multi-Touch, like the MacBook Pro.

Above the large Broadcom chip is a Texas Instruments chip with markings CD3238 TI 01J P20T.

Photo credit: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Published: August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT)

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

25 of 32 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

iPhone Hardware Mobility Smartphones Tablets iOS
Bill Detwiler

By Bill Detwiler | August 3, 2010 -- 03:25 GMT (20:25 PDT) | Topic: Apple

Show Comments
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • Has your iPhone or iPad stopped charging? Check this first!

    Has your iPhone or iPad suddenly and unexpectedly stopped charging? Or has charging become slow, or is charging intermittent even though the cable is plugged in and the charger is ...

  • Apple M1 questions

    I've just again re-watched Apple's M1 chip unveiling event, and I'm left with more questions than answers.

  • Apple Silicon M1 chip -- in pictures

    Here's what we know about Apple's new M1 SoC.

  • Silicon Mac first look: Everything unveiled at Apple's 'One More Thing' event [pictures]

    CEO Tim Cook and Company show off next generation Mac computers and a whole lot more...

  • BodyGuardz cases for Apple iPhone 12: Unequal drop protection and antimicrobial treatment

    BodyGuardz incorporates its Unequal technology to help protect your phone from drops. The cases do not add much weight or thickness, but provide a nice option for protection for less ...

  • ESR cases for the Apple iPhone 12: Kickstands, protection, and MagSafe support

    Video content is enjoyable on a smartphone, but it helps to have a kickstand case to prop it up. ESG makes some of the best kickstand cases, but also has other case options for the new Apple ...

  • Incipio and Survivor cases: Sleek, stylish protection for the Apple iPhone 12

    The four new Apple iPhone 12 devices are available to purchase and case collections from Incipio and Survivor are now available to protect your new investment. ...

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2021 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Policy | Cookie Settings | Advertise | Terms of Use

  • Topics
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • All Authors
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In
  • Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums