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2 years in, is the TouchBar still a gimmick?
- Thread starter Yr Blues
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What are the issues? If it is a keyboard issue, then just get Apple to fix it. I am one of the few that like the TB, but I do not think it should cost more money tbh. It is nice in the Office suite and being able to control music, etc really easy. However, it does not make a huge difference. Since Apple did not put it in any other computer, I have to think that we will not really see much more development for the TB. It should have at least made its way to other notebooks and maybe a stand alone keyboard. It will be interesting to see where TB goes from here.
TB should've been above the function keys...there certainly is room for it in the current design, at least on the 15"which has an awkwardly large swath of metal above the touchbar.
I like it, think it could be implemented better within apps and given time it will evolve into something quite useful. I think it’s really up to software developers to be innovative with their designs to utilise it in better ways.
I disliked the Touch Bar so much that I sold my 2017 MacBook Pro after 6 months of ownership. I use function keys a lot in my development work and hated the loss of tactile keys. On the other hand, the Touch Bar was also too easy to hit when I didn't actually want to.
I need a professional laptop, but will not buy another from Apple if it comes with a Touch Bar.
I need a professional laptop, but will not buy another from Apple if it comes with a Touch Bar.
I reckon people said stuff like that when the mouse came out as well, or digital camera, or the car. Some people though just got on with it, just pointed a curser, took a photo and drove.
Each will have a different view of change.
It’s not worse in everyone’s eyes, just different for a while.
I dont even think there were function keys on the first keyboard, not sure there were even functions.
Shift key was introduced on the Remington No. 2 typewriter.
Right. I am sure it is right up there with Google Glass, the Newton, Gull Wing doors on cars and the Nintendo Virtual Boy as tech items we can't live without. That is why everyone is knocking themselves out to copy the idea 
Yea beacause they are all apple products and apple has never innovated successfullyRight. I am sure it is right up there with Google Glass, the Newton, Gull Wing doors on cars and the Nintendo Virtual Boy as tech items we can't live without. That is why everyone is knocking themselves out to copy the idea
No, only the Newton, but you can throw the touchbar on the pile with the Newton and the Lisa
I’ll keep my powerglove and go play Nintendo.No, only the Newton, but you can throw the touchbar on the pile with the Newton and the Lisa
Just voicing on the plus side for the tb.
It isn't about having a "different view of change"... some changes are good, some are bad, some yet are indifferent. The mouse didn't replace the keyboard.
For many users the TouchBar is worse than having the physical keys.
I get that, but I don't think we can put the touchbar in the same category as the mouse, digital cameras or the car. Those were revolutionary devices for their time and gained widespread adoption. Developers never really developed for the touchbar outside of Better Touch Tool, Apple has done nothing to improve upon it or increase its functionality. They even appear to be abandoning the touchbar, not including it in the new MacBook Air.
I personally will be surprised if it survives the next major redesign, but I guess we shall all see.
Yep - And I've always argued they got it backwards in terms of who the TB most appeals to and benefits and what devices it should be on.
Some Pro's can and have worked it into things, but the majority of stuff a TouchBar is good at and defaults to is really best targeted at more mainstream and non Pro users.
To me, the rMB and MBA should be the machines that do have a TouchBar, if any do.
I find the Touch Bar useful but sometimes when a message pops up on the MBP display I find myself touching the screen forgetting it's not a touchscreen lol
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It's gimmick. It does not really improve things due to me having to really check the tb before touching it, yet it removes the essential esc keys and function keys that I use alot from it.
With all the keyboard problem, the only reason I guess I'm still using my 16 MBP tb 15" without any problem is because I use an external keyboard most of the time.
It's really sad that more than 2000 USD laptop pretty much forces me to use an external keyboard.
With all the keyboard problem, the only reason I guess I'm still using my 16 MBP tb 15" without any problem is because I use an external keyboard most of the time.
It's really sad that more than 2000 USD laptop pretty much forces me to use an external keyboard.
I'm curious about the esc key many people mention it missing, are you guys customizing the TB? My 2018 MBP has the esc key I use it a lot sometimes it changes depending what I'm doing. For example, if I'm creating a new calendar entry and decide to cancel it the TB displays Cancel instead of esc.
I don't hate it. I actually sort of like it because the brightness and volume sliders are nice to have vs having to click a button several times. It does feel like a gimmick though. Like it's tech that really only has a few superficial uses, but ultimately doesn't add anything to your experience. I'd rather have function keys and touchID like the MBA.
All TB's do, but I think he's referring to the new MBA keyboard where you can get TouchID without the TB.
To me that's ideal.
I press the esc key thousands of times a day (editing text in the vi editor) and losing the physical button is a horrible loss for me. The flat, non-tactile, non-haptic Touch Bar is jarring and unpleasant to use. I returned my TB MBP and replaced it with a non-touchbar 13” MBP. My only hope is that this machine lasts long enough for Apple to come to their senses and my next laptop can still be a MacBook Pro.
No way in hell I would ever buy another Mac without a full keyboard.
honest question, to those who are pleased with the UX design of the volume slider in the Touch Bar:
does it not bug you that the positioning of the volume slider ensures that if you press and drag, you can easily run over the end of the Touch Bar before maxing out the volume?
meaning you either have to tap to open the slider, then move your finger and drag the slider, or press and drag and if you run out of space, go and select the slider to continue adjusting.
at least on better touch tool, I was able to map 2 and 3 finger gestures that can be triggered anywhere on the Touch Bar to adjust volume and brightness. I can adjust brightness easily without ever looking away from the screen (as I could with tactile buttons previously, its worth mentioning.)
does it not bug you that the positioning of the volume slider ensures that if you press and drag, you can easily run over the end of the Touch Bar before maxing out the volume?
meaning you either have to tap to open the slider, then move your finger and drag the slider, or press and drag and if you run out of space, go and select the slider to continue adjusting.
at least on better touch tool, I was able to map 2 and 3 finger gestures that can be triggered anywhere on the Touch Bar to adjust volume and brightness. I can adjust brightness easily without ever looking away from the screen (as I could with tactile buttons previously, its worth mentioning.)