The HyperSpace TrackPad Pro is one of a handful of technology devices that I like, but it might not be quite ready for prime time.
The concept is simple enough: It’s a mammoth haptic trackpad that’s primarily designed for people who don’t already own one. The external trackpad connects via USB-C and measures 3.85 inches x 6.29 inches (98mm x 160 mm) and maybe half an inch thick. That’s a huge trackpad for most users, and Hyper (which was acquired by Targus in 2021 for its peripherals capabilities) thinks that most PC users need one.
And to be fair, I agree. Most PC users should have one. Virtually all laptops ship with a good-to-decent trackpad, and more and more of them are following Apple’s lead in adding haptics (the force feedback technology that simulates the feel of a “click” when you press down). Desktop PCs, however, lack trackpads altogether — and that will be one of the key target markets for Hyper and its new peripheral.
The trackpad ships with utility software that can assign regions of the trackpad’s surface to perform tasks like gestures. The “click” sensation can be configured, and the utility software can even perform different tasks depending on much force you impart upon the surface. Gestures and multitouch appear to be supported as well.
Demonstrating a brand-new product is difficult, especially when it’s obviously going through its beta period. But the demonstration I saw at CES 2025 wasn’t impressive, with the executive practically leaning on the trackpad to enable clicks and repeatedly clicking to perform basic actions, like moving icons around on a screen.
Hyper’s trackpad makes sense for desktop users, who probably lack trackpad capability altogether unless they’ve already bought such a peripheral of their own. As for laptop users? I understand that engineers, artists, and content creators may have specialized needs, but I’m not sure Hyper made a compelling case.
It looks like Hyper will need to make several software and firmware revisions before the HyperSpace TrackPad Pro can become a winner. According to an executive, the TrackPad Pro will ship at the end of the second quarter of 2025 with a starting price of $129.
Author: Mark Hachman, Senior Editor, PCWorld
Mark has written for PCWorld for the last decade, with 30 years of experience covering technology. He has authored over 3,500 articles for PCWorld alone, covering PC microprocessors, peripherals, and Microsoft Windows, among other topics. Mark has written for publications including PC Magazine, Byte, eWEEK, Popular Science and Electronic Buyers' News, where he shared a Jesse H. Neal Award for breaking news. He recently handed over a collection of several dozen Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs because his office simply has no more room.