Apple Magic Trackpad vs Wacom Bamboo Touch

[sam113101]

For those who have tried both, which one do you prefer*? I'm planning to buy a trackpad and I don't know which one to take. I'm using linux and windows. If you know other interesting trackpads, please let me know.

[suntorytime]

I haven't used a Wacom Bamboo Touch before, but the Apple Magic Trackpad just doesn't play well in Windows (win 7). When I tried (this was a while ago mind you) to get the AMT working with multi gesture support, I needed to extract some drivers from bootcamp and even then the multi gesture support was limited.

Mayhaps Windows 7 touch gesture support (*edit: for the magic trackpad) will improve with their upcoming touch mouse, but you'de be an optimistic man to think so.

I have no idea how well either devices work in linux, if at all.

[pitashen]

If you live in north america with bestbuy near buy, get both and return the one you don't like.

[woebtz]

@suntorytime: I agree. Magic trackpad PC support is bad enough that I won't use it even on Win7. It also frequently loses bluetooth connection (but that may be a symptom of my adapter).

For Mac, it works as expected and can be improved when paired with BetterTouchTool.

[Findecanor]

I don't know how much difference there is between the Bamboo Touch and the Bamboo Pen and Touch. They seem to come in two different sizes, also ...

I remembered that I have seen a review at Cnet.com which compares the Apple Magic Trackpad to the larger model of the Bamboo Pen And Touch.

[vun]

I've had great experiences with Wacom products, never heard of anyone ever having issues. That's not to say there aren't any, but chances are you won't regret it.

[NamelessPFG]

I don't know how much difference there is between the Bamboo Touch and the Bamboo Pen and Touch. They seem to come in two different sizes, also ...

I remembered that I have seen a review at Cnet.com which compares the Apple Magic Trackpad to the larger model of the Bamboo Pen And Touch.

The difference is exactly what it says on the tin.

If anything, the Bamboo Touch is an oddball product in Wacom's lineup due to the very fact that it ISN'T a drawing tablet at all, just a glorified trackpad...from a company that's pretty much the standard in drawing tablets (and, in the past, Tablet PC digitizers).

[theferenc]

The difference is exactly what it says on the tin.

If anything, the Bamboo Touch is an oddball product in Wacom's lineup due to the very fact that it ISN'T a drawing tablet at all, just a glorified trackpad...from a company that's pretty much the standard in drawing tablets (and, in the past, Tablet PC digitizers).

I would say still the standard in digitizers. The nTrig doesn't have any where near the same levels of pressure sensitivity. Though for applications that don't require it, I suppose there isn't that much of a difference.

Though I've found Wacom's palm detection to be superior to nTrig's.

[NamelessPFG]

I would say still the standard in digitizers. The nTrig doesn't have any where near the same levels of pressure sensitivity. Though for applications that don't require it, I suppose there isn't that much of a difference.

Though I've found Wacom's palm detection to be superior to nTrig's.

The thing that irks me is that Wacom Penabled digitizers aren't as standard as they used to be...more and more Windows tablets are going capacitive-only for some dumb reason.

Not that it affects me any. Can't wait for Friday to roll around so I can start transitioning to the HP 2730p...still Wacom, so I can keep using my Axiotron Studio Pen.

[pitashen]

I tried bamboo touch for about a week and returned it. No longer believe in touch pad for extensive desktop use. Maybe I didn't give it enough time to use it properly, but it actually put quite a bit of strain on my finger after a while. For me trackball is still the way to go.

[phototristan]

Magic Trackpad totally rocks on Mac. You should switch to Mac.

:horn:

[.XL]

:horn:

Whose horn is that you're tooting?

[sam113101]

Magic Trackpad totally rocks on Mac. You should switch to Mac.

:horn:

Oh god. I will NEVER do that!

[theferenc]

The thing that irks me is that Wacom Penabled digitizers aren't as standard as they used to be...more and more Windows tablets are going capacitive-only for some dumb reason.

Not that it affects me any. Can't wait for Friday to roll around so I can start transitioning to the HP 2730p...still Wacom, so I can keep using my Axiotron Studio Pen.

Oh, I see what you mean. Yeah, that's sort of a stupid trend, set by Apple. And considering the prices of a full screen digitizer, it does make a certain sense.

I mean, just look how expensive a Motion tablet or an X201 tablet is, in comparision to the crippled touch only models. Worth the price, for the most part, if you ask me, but not for everyone, based on uptake of the tech.

[YpoCaramel]

I use a Bamboo Pen & Touch. The touch is decent, but not something I'd get the device for exclusively. Decently responsive but limited in gestures, not really a giant improvement as an input device over a decent trackpad. It's a useful feature to complement the tablet functions though.