2016+ MBPs - Windows VM + USB Hub?

[FeathersMcgraaw]

Currently got a 2013 MBP 13 and pretty much decided to upgrade to the new 16" - it's been long enough. Got a couple of questions for anyone with a "new" MBP (i.e. 2016+ redesign), primarily relating to TouchBar and USB-C ports:

- Does the TouchBar do anything when you VM into Windows? I use Citrix to remote login to my work desktop pretty much daily to work in the evenings - almost entirely Excel and Powerpoint. Clearly in Excel (within Citrix) I use the function keys (F2 and F4), anyone got experience of how this works with the TouchBar?

- All my accessories (HDMI monitor, SD card, USB-A keyboard, mouse, external SSD and micro-USB vape charger) will now need to connect via USB-C so thinking about getting one of those "X-in-one" plugin hub adapter things. Any recommendations or "must know" information?

Given I'm using a laptop that's now 6 years old I'm pretty excited about the upgrade, but the TouchBar in particular could be an absolute killer for me so appreciate any advice / experience!

Cheers

P.S. Very keen to hear advice on issues specific to my questions above but, from being a long-time reader, not really interested in hearing "you don't need that power" or "this laptop sucks because of X niche technical spec". I basically need it to work with keyboard shortcuts when VM'ing into Excel via Citrix, run Lightroom Classic/CC and Logic Pro X and not much more!

 

[nbuubu]

When in Windows via boot camp the touch bar displays either F1-F12 or the media function keys, and you can set whichever you want as default in boot camp settings.

When looking at USB-C hub accessories with HDMI and USB A 3.1 ports etc, there are a ton of choices and just be sure you pick one that supports 100W power delivery so that everything can connect through one cable ... picking one of the cheaper options will just mean you need a second USB-C connected as power cable.

Also be sure to watch out for USB-C hubs that can do 60hz to a 4K monitor, if that's something you imagine hooking up. Many can only do 30hz at 4K, which is practically unusable with stutter.

 

[poorcody]

You can pretty much get the Touchbar to do whatever you want, one way or another...

I run Windows under Parallels. I use an app called BetterTouchTool that allows me to create custom macros that control Visual Studio. I can create my own buttons that do almost anything you can think of. If you just want straight F1-F12 to appear, that is an option too.

Parallels also allows customization per Windows app. See:
https://www.parallels.com/blogs/mac-touch-bar-with-windows-applications-in-parallels-desktop-14/

 

[FeathersMcgraaw]

Thanks both. I wouldn't be using Parallels but rather Citrix, any idea if the Touch Bar can display Windows Fn keys in there? I assume if I can get it to display the Fn keys then having an application with a Remote Desktop connection would basically run off the same mapping? Can't use Excel properly without F4!

 

[poorcody]

Thanks both. I wouldn't be using Parallels but rather Citrix, any idea if the Touch Bar can display Windows Fn keys in there? I assume if I can get it to display the Fn keys then having an application with a Remote Desktop connection would basically run off the same mapping? Can't use Excel properly without F4!

Sorry, I thought you were running Citrix under Windows under a VM.

But yes, you can actually have the Mac automatically switch the Touchbar to function keys per application (e.g. Citrix). (You can also set the function keys to be on all the time in System Preferences.) See:
https://www.imore.com/how-make-function-keys-default-touch-bar-display

Also, if you use them a lot, some people don't like the fact they can't "feel" the function keys. To get around that, one of my colleagues setup pressing Fn-1 to trigger F1, Fn-2 for F2 etc.

 

[FeathersMcgraaw]

Sorry, I thought you were running Citrix under Windows under a VM.

But yes, you can actually have the Mac automatically switch the Touchbar to function keys per application (e.g. Citrix). (You can also set the function keys to be on all the time in System Preferences.) See:
https://www.imore.com/how-make-function-keys-default-touch-bar-display

Also, if you use them a lot, some people don't like the fact they can't "feel" the function keys. To get around that, one of my colleagues setup pressing Fn-1 to trigger F1, Fn-2 for F2 etc.

Perfect - thank you!