An Origami solution to the Apple MacBook TrackPad “squishy” Button Problem

June 29, 2006 on 3:56 pm | In MacBook, apple, button, fix, origami, problem, trackpad | 127 Comments

More and more Apple MacBook users are complaining of a “squishy” or unresponsive trackpad button. Some of the Apple Macbooks have a very crispy and responsive feel when you click down the button on the trackpad, however some Apple Macbook owners are unfortunate to be stuck with a button that doesn’t press down quite right.

A recent visit to the Apple Genius Bar proved to be a completely unhelpful. After waiting 15 minutes past the time my appointment was scheduled for, an Apple “Genius” looked at my issue.

After I explained the issue to the Apple “Genius”, he proceeded to rather vigorously push down on my Macbook’s trackpad button repeatedly. After performing this 10 seconds test, it was his professional decision that there was nothing wrong with my Macbook. He asked me to show him how it was not working. I tried to explain to him that it felt different, and that it didn’t “click” quite like the rest of the MacBooks I had played with. Once again, he starts to push down on the button repeatedly, and finally tells me that it feels just right to him, just like the rest of the MacBooks.

This was my only experience with the Apple Genius Bar. I felt like it was a complete waste of time, as the “Genius” didn’t bother to try to understand my problem. I felt very rushed, and the whole experience was very unprofessional and disappointing.

Now, on to the custom solution to this annoying problem. Screw you Apple, we figured it out ourselves!

Someone on the Apple discussion forums posted a solution. Place a piece of paper underneath the battery cover, where the trackpad button is.

After testing this solution out with various lengths and widths of paper, I believe we have found the perfect solution.

Step #1 – Cut a piece of paper about 1/8 of an inch wide, and 4 inches in lenth.

Step #2 – If you want to be creative, take this piece of paper and follow these steps to make an Origami Paper Star (Thanks Erik!). Make sure to skip the last step. Alternatively, just fold the piece of paper in a square.

Step #3 – Unlock the battery with a coin, and remove it.

Step #4 – Place your Origami Star or square in the middle, as you see illustrated in the picture. Make sure it’s as centered as much as possible, and carefully put the battery back in and lock it.

Now, go test out your trackpad button. You should have a nice crisp click, almost anywhere you click. It should feel very responsive.

Feel free to play around with the size of the paper. If you want a tighter click, make it a little thicker. If you want a looser click, make it thinner.

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