User repair generally unlikely

Repair firm iFixit has published a teardown of Apple's Magic Trackpad, which was launched on Tuesday. The controller is said to pack a surprising number of parts into a thin design. Some of these include a Broadcom BCM2042 Bluetooth transmitter, also used in the Magic Mouse, and the Broadcom BCM5974, the same touchscreen chip used in the iPhone, iPod touch and MacBook Air.

Because of the tight design, however, the Trackpad is said to be extremely difficult to repair without breaking it. An inner spacer requires "quasi-non-destructive" prying to remove, and slender ribbon cables are stuck underneath the touchpad. Actually removing the touchpad off of its aluminum chassis requires not only a heat gun to soften the glue, but an assortment of tools to dislodge it.

iFixit comments that as with a lot of Apple products, "'thin and pretty' does not translate well to 'user serviceable.'" Apple is complimented, however, on using highly efficient (but difficult to manufacture) square threads on the battery screw, and for coming up with a unique way to trigger mouse clicks. When pushing down on the Trackpad, the rubber feet near the front edge push up against a plate in the chassis, triggering the button.

by MacNN Staff