Full-Size Function Keys Expected to Feature on New MacBook Pro Models

[Royksöpp]

You say you want function keys? Now you have them and in jumbo size! Who says Apple doesn’t listen?

 

[BootsWalking]

Plot twist - they're removing the touchbar because the entire keyboard will be a touch display.

 

[Danoc]

That would be great. I have always wondered why laptop makers are putting tiny keys on their keyboards. Function keys are used all the time, macOS or Windows.

 

[Havoc035]

My current MBP has a touchbar but from the start I've configured it to just show the standard volume, brightness etc. buttons. I wouldn't be surprised if among those who don't like the Touch bar others have done this as well. I wonder if Apple can see the ways in which the Touch bar is used from analytics. If so, I'd decided what to do with it based on that data.

 

[jdavid_rp]

I loved the Touch Bar, so easy to use the autocorrect, make my own shortcuts on each app, skip YouTube ads... Too bad they never added it in an external keyboard to add compatibility for iMacs, Mac mini, etc

 

[Nozuka]

I don't care either way... never had problems with or without it.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Plot twist - they're removing the touchbar because the entire keyboard will be a touch display.

If you want to see people go crazy, that will do it

 

[zombierunner]

Good morning, a lovely day to buy a 10th gen core i5 13 inch macbook pro. 😅

 

[arobert3434]

Please don't go back – numbered "f" keys are so PC!

 

[Gabebear]

Not sure what I'm doing differently but I can't remember the last time I used a function key

I love the Touch Bar for volume and brightness (swappable), music controls, emojis. I'll miss it

The MacBook has always had the function keys dedicated to being primarily for those uses(you has to hold down the “fn” to get them to be F1-F12). I look forward to not accidentally brushing the TouchBar and changing it accidentally.

 

[NPC Compliant]

Which after today will be easier to do with a dedicated volume key/F10 rather than a silly Touch Bar 🤪

Have you even used the Touch Bar, let alone correctly? I can set my volume precisely with a single motion, far quicker than a interval based function key

 

[Xenobius]

"Full-Size Function Keys Expected to Feature on New MacBook Pro Models"

For what?

 

[BvizioN]

“If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” Henry Ford.
People never fail to amaze me. Now the "Faster Horse" wish is granted.

 

[jonnysods]

Seems unnecessary. I like them the size they are as they are feature keys - and I like loads of space for a massive trackpad!

 

[Nitrokev2]

Some people are holding back progress because of their inability to adapt

 

[AlekseyS]

Touch bar should be options, but very happy to have F-keys as well back. Full size / half size (height) - does not matter.

 

[zedsdead]

I am very worried that Apple will not have the inverted arrow keys, like on the new iMac keyboard. They finally realized it when they dumped the butterfly keyboard to go back to the inverted arrow keys but have seemed to regress again.

 

[Pakaku]

This actually sounds like a terrible idea. No need for wasting double the space on function keys.
Let's hope that the product can deliver on its expectations.
But still, anything will be better that the departing generation.

There's lots of room above the function key row for a set of full-height keys. They could some of that space and not lose out on much. Or bring the keyboard forward by a quarter of a key's height, and I doubt anyone would notice the difference

 

[EugW]

Full height function keys provide room for Touch ID.

 

[Ries]

The only thing I've ever used the bar for is volume and brightness. Haven't even once used it for anything else other than accidental thouches.

 

[iPadified]

What about better arrow keys? The current inverted T with small up and down is not particularly good.

 

[TheOldChevy]

I like the touch bar, but I can live with function keys too. The main advantage of touch bar is for things that have "analog" settings (sound, screen backlight ...). The main advantage of function keys is that they can be operated without looking at the keyboard and they are much better for advanced editors.

 

[Falhófnir]

The squashed trackpad isn’t a good look on that Air concept IMO

 

[Reason077]

A step backwards to reduce the volume of the moaning minority.

Err, really? Was anyone really crying out for full-size function keys on MacBooks? I'd be happy with the normal half size keys, just like on my beautiful and almost-perfect M1 MacBook Air.

The only thing I really wish for in my next MacBook is an OLED display with smaller bezels.

To me, much like the Touch Bar, full-size function keys seem like change for change's sake, not something that has been well thought out or fulfilling a real need.

 

[orbital~debris]

Apple is all-in on making the MacBook Pro a true professional's machine once again.

If being ‘professional’ is the spin that’s being put on losing a feature that has so much potential & utility (for professionals), then following that logic the Touch Bar could resurface on a future MacBook Air.