Is an old trackpad compatible with a M4 iMac?

Is an old trackpad (1st gen) compatible with a M4 iMac? I can’t see a reason why this wouldn’t work. But I noticed that buying a trackpad together with the iMac is a lot cheaper than buying it on its own later. (£59 with iMac, or £129 when bought separately.)

I imagine so. I was using an old Magic Trackpad (the version that used replaceable AA batteries released in 2010) with a 15" M2 Air. So while I cannot say I tried it with that exact configuration, I think you can be pretty confident.

As an aside, am I the only one who would rather use rechargeable, replaceable batteries in devices like this? I had to replace my AA-powered Trackpad (which died after 14 years) with a new one (and right before they changed from the Lightning to the USB C connector, darn it). I’m sure this one will experience battery failure long before the 14 year mark, and generate unneeded e-waste as I won’t be able to replace the battery. My rechargeable AA batteries, while not as good as they were when I bought them still were fine in the old trackpad.

Sorry for the digression.

Good luck.

Kevin

Actually, it’s not cheaper. The iMac ships with a mouse by default. If you prefer a trackpad, you pay the difference in cost between the mouse and the trackpad.

Thanks for pointing this out, you’re right.

I’m very happy with my old AA-battery powered Apple mice; I do like that I can quikly swap in a spare set of Eneloop rechargeables anytime they run down.

But ironically, the battery door latches on Apple’s mice, from the plastic-bonded-to-metal ones on the original plastic orb to aluminum tabs on the Magic Mouse, were the flimsiest darn things. Especially since they were the part that tended to bear the brunt of the impact if they ever got dropped. I’m pretty sure that switching to sealed rechargeable batteries on Apple’s mice has actually improved their longevity.

(Or, you know, Apple could have just engineered sturdier latches.)

Yes. I have one in use now - an older model (maybe v 1?) powered by AA batteries, M4 Pro mini, macOS 15.3. One of the last things in my house using AA or AAA batteries, along with solar flashlights and kitchen scale. Rechargeable, of course, although I now have a pile that seem to barely hold a charge…

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