Trackpad insensitive on 2017 MacBook Pro (`MacBookPro14,1`)

osalbahr

Hi,

With macOS 13 (Ventura) end-of-life (EOL), and Windows 10 is also EOL, I am exploring other OS options for my previous laptop, a 2017 MacBook Pro (MacBookPro14,1) so users of that hardware have options. Linux works. Now I'm testing the BSD's. I chose GhostBSD for its ease of installation.

GhostBSD installed "fine". However, during installation and in the installed system, the trackpad is very insensitive. I have to press hard on it to move the cursor, which makes using the system a bit challenging and borderline unbearable. Sometimes I even have to press with two fingers to move the cursor. Thankfully, the GUI installer supports installing using the keyboard, so after launching it I was good to go.

What are my options for fixing the trackpad sensitivity issue?

nevillehay

I think the trackpad gives even Linux users trouble. You may want to look at getting an SPI trackpad working on FreeBSD. Apple uses SPI instead of USB for trackpads. Does the keyboard work okay?

osalbahr

nevillehay yes, the keyboard works fine as far as I can tell. And btw the trackpad works fine on Linux.

nevillehay

Can you play with the trackpad settings inside your desktop? There may be a way to increase sensitivity that way. Search for mouse and trackpad in your desktop environment settings.

osalbahr

nevillehay thx for the suggestion. Yeah changing sensitivity in settings did not help. So I guess sensitivity is not the right term here.