Apple acknowledges lack of "Ignore trackpad" options for some laptops.

Many people have noticed that on newer MacBook and MacBook Pro computers, the option for ignoring trackpad input when typing is missing. In a recent knowledgebase document, Apple acknowledges the lack of this feature and discusses the reasoning for its removal.

This feature was apparently purposefully removed in versions of OS X after 10.5.5 because it conflicts with the way multi-touch is implemented on the new trackpads. According to the article, Apple removed it "to allow full use of gestures." In a past MacFixIt article on this topic, commenters posted suspicions that this only affected newer models of computers, which Apple confirms in the knowledgebase document.

Lets hope something similar is reimplemented because some people, especially folks with certain forearm disabilities, have had problems with the trackpads sensing input when typing. One workaround is to use a heavy pad such as a mouse pad to place over the trackpad when typing, which will stay in place and not allow any movement. This isn't an elegant solution and may be a little cumbersome, but should essentially do the same thing as ignoring input.

Other trackpad related updates:

Apple has updated a couple of other knowledgebase documents with tips on the use of their trackpads, which may be useful for some people having problems with scrolling or gesturing with multi-touch. For instance, given that the whole trackpad can be depressed as a button, to click and drag people might just use one finger and try to press while sliding to drag a file. This may work for short distances, but could have you running out of trackpad room. Using your thumb to click and then a separate finger to drag the file is a method of doing this that offers a wider dragging range.

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