Did you get an Air for the function keys?

[Pugly]

I'm just curious if anyone got an 13" Air over a 13" Pro just for the function keys. Any willing to take the performance hit of using an Air, just to have function keys? I'll be ordering one soon, and having the function keys was a pretty big concern to me.

I use the function keys for additional key commands in Logic that are pretty integral to how I work. I'm so used to using it by feel that I don't think I'd ever get used to using the Touch Bar for that. (for those curious, I setup the function keys to change Logic's note division values on the fly, many of the editing is tied to the division values)

I was a bit disappointed when they were dropped completely from the Pros (especially before they got rid of the butterfly keyboard). It looks like that part of a MacBook Pro is here to stay. I thought maybe they would sell it as an option... or charge more for it's removal given how Apple's upgrade prices have been going lately.

 

[SaranshRolex]

I definitely did and I'm happy I went with my i3 air instead a similarly priced MacBook Pro 2019 13 inch cuz that Touch Bar just aint it. plus if you really want it and have a somewhat newer iPad laying around. you can use sidecar on that and have a Touch Bar show up on your iPad haha

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I'm just curious if anyone got an 13" Air over a 13" Pro just for the function keys. Any willing to take the performance hit of using an Air, just to have function keys? I'll be ordering one soon, and having the function keys was a pretty big concern to me.

I use the function keys for additional key commands in Logic that are pretty integral to how I work. I'm so used to using it by feel that I don't think I'd ever get used to using the Touch Bar for that. (for those curious, I setup the function keys to change Logic's note division values on the fly, many of the editing is tied to the division values)

I was a bit disappointed when they were dropped completely from the Pros (especially before they got rid of the butterfly keyboard). It looks like that part of a MacBook Pro is here to stay. I thought maybe they would sell it as an option... or charge more for it's removal given how Apple's upgrade prices have been going lately.

You can turn on the function keys permanently on the Touch Bar if you need to. I was worried about this as well, but I got used to it pretty quickly with muscle memory. The good thing about the Touch Bar is you can make it display whatever buttons you want.

 

[Falcon80]

I'm just curious if anyone got an 13" Air over a 13" Pro just for the function keys. Any willing to take the performance hit of using an Air, just to have function keys? I'll be ordering one soon, and having the function keys was a pretty big concern to me.

I use the function keys for additional key commands in Logic that are pretty integral to how I work. I'm so used to using it by feel that I don't think I'd ever get used to using the Touch Bar for that. (for those curious, I setup the function keys to change Logic's note division values on the fly, many of the editing is tied to the division values)

I was a bit disappointed when they were dropped completely from the Pros (especially before they got rid of the butterfly keyboard). It looks like that part of a MacBook Pro is here to stay. I thought maybe they would sell it as an option... or charge more for it's removal given how Apple's upgrade prices have been going lately.

Yes, I am still hoping they will bring back the physical function keys for the MacBook Pro. If not, I will seriously consider the MacBook Air.

 

[sportdan31]

Yes, I did as well. I use LogMeIn for work and use the function keys very often with our system software. I'm hopeful I'll be able to get used to this keyboard as I use an ergonomic Microsoft keyboard at the office. I received the MacBook Air today and am still trying to figure out how the function keys work.

 

[vyruzreaper]

I did, and I ditched my 2018 15' MBP...

 

[Pugly]

Yes, I did as well. I use LogMeIn for work and use the function keys very often with our system software. I'm hopeful I'll be able to get used to this keyboard as I use an ergonomic Microsoft keyboard at the office. I received the MacBook Air today and am still trying to figure out how the function keys work.

There's an option in keyboard setting to switch the function keys to actual F1-F12 keys, and the Fn button toggles to the labeled functions.

That was a pretty big workflow enhancer in Logic for me, it's a fresh bunch of key commands ready to go.... and especially nice since they don't need any modifier keys either.

 

[thermals]

Touch bar should be an entry-level feature, not for "Pros".

If you type a lot, you can do it without looking at the screen. Apple said that the touch bar is an extension of the keyboard, not the screen. So in theory, you should be able to keep working fast if you are used to typing without looking at the keyboard.

But because the touch bar is dynamic, you have to look there every time you want to use it, disrupting what you do.

I know this sounds like a mild inconvenience, but if you have years of typing muscle memory messed with then alltogether you spend more time finding the keys/features on the touch bar than getting more use out of it.

Also: if the touch bar wouldn't froze during meetings so you are not able to lower volume on videos or stop playback instantly, perhaps I wouldn't hate it that much. But it does.