Over the past few weeks, I’ve run into a problem with the trackpad on my MacBook Pro. Seems like, over time, it took more and more pressure before a mouse click was recognized. I did some research, tried all the suggestions I could find short of opening my computer (I’m still under warranty). This morning, I reached the tipping point. I accepted the fact that I’d have to make the trek over to my nearest Apple Store.

The first step was to make an appointment at the Genius Bar. I followed this link.

It’s been a while since I’ve made a Genius Bar appointment, but something seemed different to me. The last time I went through this process, I went through a process of selecting my nearest store, then homed in on my product, made an actual appointment. I added a few notes, then I was done. I might have the order of things wrong, but the process seemed pretty linear. All roads led to an appointment at the Genius Bar.

This time was different.

This time around (as you can see if you click on the link above), I was funneled to this page, which led off with this text:

A Genius Bar reservation is an easy way to get hardware repairs, but we can solve many issues over the phone or by chat. Tell us a little about what’s going on and we’ll suggest the right support option.

I clicked my way to Mac, then Mac Notebooks, then through some clicks to diagnose my problem. Ultimately, I ended up at a page that offered me an immediate callback from Apple tech support, along with a range of other options (schedule a callback or a follow-on call, start a chat session, set up a visit to the Apple Store to drop off my machine, or schedule a Genius Bar visit). I chose the immediate callback. My phone rang within a minute.

Two things here. First, if you have a Mac with a wonky trackpad switch, this fix worked for me. I pressed down hard on the four corners of my trackpad with four fingers at once. Then I pressed down hard in the middle of the trackpad, again with four fingers. Like magic, the trackpad seems back to its old reliable self. If you are under warranty, I would bring it in to the Apple Store, if possible, just to get it on the record in case the fix proves temporary.

Second, I love the immediacy of this service path. I did not have to leave the comfort of my couch (one step closer to WALL•E, right?) to get help. I asked the Apple support rep when this happened, he told me the process changed towards the end of last year. He wasn’t sure of the exact date, but thought it was sometime in November.

Not sure how widely known this is (it was new to me), thought it was worth a mention.