MacBooks Running Windows Gain Improved Trackpad Support With Boot Camp Update

Apple this week released Boot Camp version 6.1.15 for users running Windows on a Mac, as noted in a Reddit post spotted by The Verge.

macbook trackpad
The update adds support for more precise trackpad gestures on MacBooks running Windows, including a single tap to click, tapping the lower-right corner to right-click, swiping down to scroll up, and various multi-touch gestures using three or four fingers.

Support for these precise trackpad gestures while running Windows is available on Macs with Apple's T2 chip, according to an Apple user guide.

Boot Camp allows Windows to boot natively on Intel-based Macs. The utility is not available on Macs with the M1 chip.

Top Rated Comments

Xenomorph Avatar
30 months ago

I love these types of posts. Just because you don't see a reason doesn't mean there isn't one technically. The T2 is a SoC and gives Apple more flexibility on how they can run the system.
There are multiple ('https://github.com/imbushuo/mac-precision-touchpad') fancy 3rd-party trackpad drivers ('http://trackpad.forbootcamp.org/') for older MacBook Pro models, and even my Chromebook running Windows has fancy precision touchpad drivers ('https://github.com/coolstar/crostouchpad4-elan') developed by the community.

Apple choosing to make their new drivers only for Macs with T2 is 100% planned obsolescence. They have direct access to the hardware and original source code, yet can't accomplish what some kid in their mom's basement is capable of?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tom.humphrey Avatar
30 months ago

Why is it a screenshot of Parallels when the article is about Boot Camp? ?
Well that disappeared quick!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
30 months ago
This is why I don’t wanna give up my 16” MacBook Pro; I do light windows gaming in bootcamp and unless windows comes to arm I’m staying away from the m1
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
30 months ago
I guess they're throwing Intel Mac users a bone after announcing a ton of Apple Silicon-only features this week...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AmazeSE Avatar
30 months ago

I love these types of posts. Just because you don't see a reason doesn't mean there isn't one technically. The T2 is a SoC and gives Apple more flexibility on how they can run the system.
So you really need a T2 chip for better Trackpad support?

Even older Macs which do not have the T2 chip have the same and better Trackpad gestures present in the latest Macs.

The T2 chip is a security chip and does not play any role in Trackpad gestures.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AmazeSE Avatar
30 months ago

I am not an Apple engineer, but I'd deduce that what is going on here is they are using spare processing capacity on the T2 chip to handle this. It could be doing the same on macOS, but we wouldn't know since we're not privy to the details. It is also possible they pass built in trackpad and keyboard input data through the T2 chip on T2 equipped Macs for extra security.

There is a reason for it. Even if that reason isn't immediately apparent to us.
If the T2 chips plays a part in trackpad support. What about the older Macbooks which do not have the T2 chip but offers the same trackpad support and gestures as the newer ones with the T2 chip and M1.

Apple could have added the better trackpad support to older Macbooks without the T2 chip if they put their mind to it. They simply chose not to. This is just like how they did not ('https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/several-macos-monterey-features-unavailable-on-intel-based-macs.2300086/') make some features available on the Intel Macs. Even simple features like 3D map, an interactive globe and etc.

What other reason is there? They are simply lazy and do not care.

Some users even made third party drivers which mimic the normal macOS gestures for their Windows Mac. If they can do it why can't Apple?

This update is actually a long overdue one.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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