Linux touchpad like a Macbook: goal worth pursuing?

Re:Linux touchpad like a Macbook: goal worth pursuing? by harrygeez on Tuesday July 17, 2018 @05:36AM (#17548451)

AFAIK macbook's keyboard and touchpad has a dedicated chip to handle user interactions and is possibly part of the firmware. This explains why it works on Apple EFI level and it works smoothly even on high CPU load.

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Re:Linux touchpad like a Macbook: goal worth pursuing? by peterburkimsher on Tuesday July 17, 2018 @08:57AM (#17549349)

I salvaged a 2010-model MacBook Pro trackpad, soldered on some USB wires, and made it external. I was actually more interested in the keyboard, but discovered that I needed both because the USB controller is on the trackpad.

https://hawkwood.com/archives/743

Here's a closeup of the chips:

https://hawkwood.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/IMG_3578.JPG

CY8C24794: Converts SPI to USB. [1]

SST 25WF020: 2 MBit serial flash memory. [2]

BCM5974: Multi-touch controller. [2]

TI CD3238: Driving IC. [3]

[1] https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/333175-macbook-pros-...

[2] https://appleinsider.com/articles/10/07/29/teardown_of_apple...

[3] https://www.semisrael.com/blogs/technology/ti-touch-screen-c...

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Re:Linux touchpad like a Macbook: goal worth pursuing? by ehayes on Tuesday July 17, 2018 @08:42AM (#17549251)

I use a 1st gen "Magic Trackpad" that works great with my hackintosh. Maybe there's special hardware in a MacBook, but the OS seems to be able to work without it.

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