Quick Scoop

A trackpad is a flat, touch-sensitive surface on a laptop or external device that lets you move the pointer, click, scroll, and use gestures with your fingers. It’s basically a built-in alternative to a mouse, and the term is often used interchangeably with touchpad.

What it does

  • Moves the cursor on the screen when you slide a finger across it.
  • Lets you click, double-tap, scroll, and zoom with gestures on many devices.
  • Is commonly found below the keyboard on laptops.

Trackpad vs touchpad

  • In practice, they mean the same thing.
  • “Touchpad” is often used more in Windows contexts, while “trackpad” is commonly associated with Apple devices.

Simple example

If you’re on a laptop and drag your finger to the right on the pad below the keyboard, the arrow on the screen moves to the right—that’s the trackpad translating your finger movement into pointer movement.

TL;DR: A trackpad is the finger-controlled surface you use to operate a computer pointer without a mouse.