Learn Hardcore Italian: Il trackpad è vicino alla tastiera.

In Italian, il is the definite article for masculine singular nouns. Even though trackpad is an English borrowing, it’s treated as a masculine noun, so you say il trackpad (“the trackpad”).

Why is it alla tastiera instead of a la tastiera?

Alla is the contraction of the preposition a (“to”/“at”) + the definite article la (feminine singular “the”). In Italian you always merge a + la → alla.

Why can’t we drop the article and say vicino a tastiera?

When indicating the position of one object relative to another, Italian normally requires the definite article. So you use vicino alla tastiera, not vicino a tastiera, otherwise it sounds incorrect.

Can I use accanto instead of vicino?

Yes. Accanto also means “next to.” You can say:
Il trackpad è accanto alla tastiera.

What other verbs or constructions express “is near”?

Besides essere + vicino a, you can choose:
• Il trackpad si trova vicino alla tastiera.
• Il trackpad sta vicino alla tastiera.
Both mean “the trackpad is near the keyboard.”

How do I make this sentence plural?

You pluralize article, adjective and noun, and adjust the preposition+article contraction:
I trackpad sono vicini alle tastiere.

i = masculine plural article
trackpad often stays invariable (some add -s)
vicini = masculine plural adjective
alle = a + le (feminine plural)
tastiere = feminine plural noun

How would you answer the question “Where is the trackpad?”?

You can invert and drop the subject for a brief reply:
Dov’è il trackpad?
Risposta: Vicino alla tastiera.