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Computers

Logitech Wireless Touchpad is a Magic Trackpad for Windows PCs

By Darren Quick
September 14, 2011
Logitech Wireless Touchpad is a Magic Trackpad for Windows PCs
Logitech's Wireless Touchpad supports multi-touch gestures on a Windows 7 PC
Logitech's Wireless Touchpad supports multi-touch gestures on a Windows 7 PC
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Logitech's Wireless Touchpad supports multi-touch gestures on a Windows 7 PC
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Logitech's Wireless Touchpad supports multi-touch gestures on a Windows 7 PC
Logitech Wireless Touchpad
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Logitech Wireless Touchpad

Apple released its Magic Trackpad in July 2010 but it wasn't until the release of Lion a year later with its support for multi-touch gestures borrowed from iOS that the device really came into its own. With Windows 8 also set to embrace touch in a big way Logitech has provided a way for Windows 7 users to get is some early Windows touch experience with the Logitech Wireless Touchpad.

The Wireless Touchpad features a touch sensitive surface 5-inches (12.7 cm) across that supports up to four fingers at a time to replicate some of the multi-touch gestures found in Lion, including two-finger scrolling, and three- and four-finger swipes. There's also two physical buttons at the lower edge for left and right clicking. It is powered by two AA batteries, which should provide up to four months of touch swiping and scrolling.

Logitech Wireless Touchpad
Logitech Wireless Touchpad

In contrast to Apple's minimalist design fashioned from aluminum that communicates via Bluetooth, Logitech's offering is made from plastic, is a little bulkier and communicates wirelessly to a range of up to 82 feet (25 m) via the 2.4 GHz frequency by way of Logitech's Unifying USB receiver. Only Windows 7 is supported, meaning Apple still has no competition for its Magic Trackpad in OS X.

Logitech's Wireless Touchpad is expected to ship later this month and is available for preorder now for US$49.99.

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ComputersLogitechTrackpadWindows 7Multi-touch
7 comments
Darren Quick
Darren Quick
Darren's love of technology started in primary school with a Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong (still functioning) and a Commodore VIC 20 computer (not still functioning). In high school he upgraded to a 286 PC, and he's been following Moore's law ever since. This love of technology continues as Managing Editor of New Atlas.

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7 comments
Artisteroi
Yes because people love those stupid little track pads on the laptops. Not
Here\'s an idea. Make a touch screen monitor that we can use a real stylus on. I dont want to write, draw, or move things on the screen with my fingers. Is this kindergarten? Are we 6 years old? Use a real stylus. With a pointed plastic tip. Can you do that microsoft? probably not...
iE
@Artisteroi
Fabulous - the misguided rantings of an arty type. The annoying broadcast of your failure to appreciate this device is idiosyncratic of excessively vocal and narrow-minded tech bigots - how like PC-vs.-Mac (pillow)fighters.
Here's an idea: Go save-up for a Cintiq, with which to employ whatever mode of phallic scribbling tool you desire. Leave the multi-tasking and multi-touch gestures to capable computer users. Can you do that Artisteroi? Probably not...
jack.wickwire
\"it wasn\'t until the release of Lion a year later... that the device really came into its own.\"
Seriously? I have been using the Magic Trackpad since soon after it came on the market and it has been wonderful. I have had RSI problems and it has allowed me to use multi-gestures and a more flexible input method that helped me immensely.
Rather say that its usefulness has expanded with Lion but it was already well into its own.
Grunchy
On a tablet, eg. RIM playbook, you can move things using just your finger, but it's not really intended for kindergarten. I think I know what you mean, for example at Ikea they have touchscreen computers for kids to color and play games with. I think it is more the coloring application that is intended for kids, not simply the touch interface. I also have a HP slate Windows 7 tablet, it uses a stylus but you know what I found out? The stylus is prone to pick up a piece of dust on the tip that can scratch the display. I also have a Dell ST2220T touchscreen monitor, I found you can use it with fingertip but also with stylus if you want, the stylus is a bit more accurate. Either way I have found it is difficult to use, you have to lift up your whole arm from the shoulder to interact with the touch monitor and it becomes tiresome very soon. I have found that a plain old mouse actually works better for at least 90% of the time.
Bill Bennett
Grunchy, were did you get your stylus? China, Walmart or China? My stylus has never marred the screen on my HP tablet or my iphone 4S thingy bobber, gawd, I miss the screen gestures on my old Palm Pre 3, getting used to the Yapple, 2 months now, sigh, miss my old phone
Crankie Fahrt
@Bill
Remember Palms input writing Boxes? It was called Swype, and is a free app on the Android store.
May not be faster, but I don't have to hunt-and-peck every frikkin' ietter - I can input without even looking @ my Tablet just using one fingertip.
pointyup
I would be happy if MS could combine origami with electonics and produce a mouse that is as flat as a credit card and can hide in my laptop. 4 buttons and a swipe screen to replace the scroll wheel would be near perfect. Then a bit of imagination to expand it to multifunction. Oh well the world is made from dreams