HONEST Question, NOT TROLLING about touch bar

[Aluminum213]

What does the touch bar do that makes it FASTER and EASIER than using the actual mouse pointer with the trackpad when performing an operation? Right now after all the reviews and impressions I've seen and read it seems like only scrubbing through something seems to be better used with the touch bar. Everything else looks more cumbersome

 

[andreyush]

What does the touch bar do that makes it FASTER and EASIER than using the actual mouse pointer with the trackpad when performing an operation? Right now after all the reviews and impressions I've seen and read it seems like only scrubbing through something seems to be better used with the touch bar. Everything else looks more cumbersome

Touch Bar? Ha ! There is a key combination for that xD. I can't see how a tb could help me in Logic Pro X. If you are familiar with the keys combinations then tb is useless. Even in Safari...

 

[ardchoille50]

What does the touch bar do that makes it FASTER and EASIER than using the actual mouse pointer with the trackpad when performing an operation? Right now after all the reviews and impressions I've seen and read it seems like only scrubbing through something seems to be better used with the touch bar. Everything else looks more cumbersome

I think the answer to your question would come easier once you take into account use cases and personal practices. Something one person does may be faster/easier with the Touch Bar but may seem less so for you.

 

[xaqt93]

Touch Bar? Ha ! There is a key combination for that xD. I can't see how a tb could help me in Logic Pro X. If you are familiar with the keys combinations then tb is useless. Even in Safari...

Very true...I got the new mac and then returned it...It definitly was not worth the price.

 

[montanaco]

Volume, and backlight changes are faster. I've found opening bookmarks in Safari to be faster. While using Final cut, zooming in and out, and moving along the timeline feels more precise and quick. Imo it's improved on a lot of simple QOL things that I've been really enjoying. I'm excited to see how Adobe uses the Touchbar for CC.

 

[RobinInOR]

Here are some that I use:
1. Put it to sleep without closing the lid. Don't have to travel up to the system menu. Don't have to remember a 3 key keyboard shortcut. Don't have to press the power button.
2. Screen print that defaults file location to where I want - another 'I can't remember the keyboard shortcut'
3. Safari open new tab, its more visible and easier for me than keyboard.

I move back and forth between windows at work and Mac at home. I'm tired of keyboard shortcuts. I've been using computers since before there WAS a GUI and keyboard shortcuts were all we had. I like having contextual buttons.

 

[adh328]

I personally like the Siri button and the functionality in Photos as well as Spark (my mail client)

 

[alphaod]

My problem with the touch bar is that since there are no physical feedback or tactile mechanism, so it's difficult to use by "touch."

However I have seen many scenarios where it's very nice to use, so I guess it's just a matter of adapting to its use.

 

[jjjoseph]

What does the touch bar do that makes it FASTER and EASIER than using the actual mouse pointer with the trackpad when performing an operation? Right now after all the reviews and impressions I've seen and read it seems like only scrubbing through something seems to be better used with the touch bar. Everything else looks more cumbersome

When I tested it, I felt the exact same way. Right when I started using it I felt like it was a gimmick. I don't need my mouse clicks on this touchbar. I know a few power users that are keeping their 15' and are trying to figure out a way to make the touchbar a faster way to do day to day operations and figure out a way to improve their workflows, sadly a lot of power users I respect are scratching their head as how the touch bar is making their lives easier. They all agree it COOL and NEAT and use it if they can, but the unanimous agreement for these people is that they don't really use it that much. Does it make your work go any faster?? The main problem is that they NEVER look at the keyboard while working, NEVER. Its cool, granted, its fun, yes, you can do cool stuff with it, totally, but making your day to day workflow faster for a power user, not in the slightest. As power user I took offense and I am glad I passed on the 15". I want a machine not a toy. I went with the 13" non touch, but I also have a 5,1 tower as my heavy lifting computer at home, so it was an easier decision for me.

Honestly, why not put a little strip of TOUCH next to the trackbar, you can have fingerprint login and maybe a place to do a few gimmicky things, but the space above your keyboard? Just weird... IMHO.

 

[Macalway]

I like it. Volume is great, and I was sure i'd hate that.

 

[skids929]

Very true...I got the new mac and then returned it...It definitly was not worth the price.

And what did you get instead?

 

[xaqt93]

And what did you get instead?

I opted for the MacBook Pro 15 without the Touch Bar. Older model, but it works great! Got it at Simply Mac!

 

[reasonrulaz]

IMHO, TouchBar is not for "power user"... So, arguing about Touch Bar,, base on power user is wrong..

Apple's way for cash is not related with power user nowadays.. There is a lot of "non power user" on the world.. I mean... billions..

What do you do, if you are CEO of that kind of tech emperior company like apple ? Do you make a products for tech nerds who's complain everything like us, or make a products for billions for billions...

TB is eye candy, gimmick or whatever.. it's a big "wow" factor for "non power user"...

So, if you define yourself a "power user" TB is not a technological improvement for you, if you want to use it because of have it, then find a way to benefit from TB..

 

[nikhsub1]

The touchbar is nice because your hands don't need to leave the keyboard to do things on the touchbar - moving to the mouse/touchpad is just another step. Splitting hairs but still.

 

[jjjoseph]

IMHO, TouchBar is not for "power user"... So, arguing about Touch Bar,, base on power user is wrong..

Apple's way for cash is not related with power user nowadays.. There is a lot of "non power user" on the world.. I mean... billions..

What do you do, if you are CEO of that kind of tech emperior company like apple ? Do you make a products for tech nerds who's complain everything like us, or make a products for billions for billions...

TB is eye candy, gimmick or whatever.. it's a big "wow" factor for "non power user"...

So, if you define yourself a "power user" TB is not a technological improvement for you, if you want to use it because of have it, then find a way to benefit from TB..

I'm totally fine with that. Just have Apple remove "Pro" from their end of the word MacBook. Its confusing for people who have used Apple products to make film, video and money since the Grey and White G4.. Its confusing as heck now.

Maybe if everything is stripped of its label and just called an APPLE product, it would make more sense.

 

[cmaier]

Volume slider is definitely faster. Emoji keyboard is pretty nice (but could be better). Other than that haven't found much use for it, though I suspect I would use some of the photoshop and MS Word stuff that was demo'd but hasn't shipped yet.

 

[CaptRB]

It's pretty early to be critical of the TB.

But if Final Draft (screenwriting software) and other word processors get involved with the TB, I see tons of ways that will be helpful.

If you can't see that, then let's hope developers are more imaginative because there's tons of potential.

For example: While writing scenes, the TB could allow direct access to specific heads, scenes and the predictive text spell checking is going to be a big help.

If touch bar had been created 5 years ago we'd all consider it a MUST HAVE feature. This new MBP is in it's infancy. Let's see where it goes!

Best notebook I've owned so far.



R.

 

[skids929]

I opted for the MacBook Pro 15 without the Touch Bar. Older model, but it works great! Got it at Simply Mac!

Well there ya go you stayed in the family. I thought you were going to say you got nothing or a Windows clunker at which point I would said you never wanted a Mac in the first place! Honestly though the TB isn't the reason to buy these new MBPs there are a lot of other neat features that make them worth looking at. But overall, I agree they DO NOT present a good value like the previous generation 15 inch.

 

[bjet767]

I thought it would be just show, but you know I like it, especially the touch instead of password feature.

I don't think it makes turning volume, or brightness up or down any better or worse.

Is it faster? I really don't know, however it works really well.

 

[CaptRB]

Well there ya go you stayed in the family. I thought you were going to say you got nothing or a Windows clunker at which point I would said you never wanted a Mac in the first place! Honestly though the TB isn't the reason to buy these new MBPs there are a lot of other neat features that make them worth looking at. But overall, I agree they DO NOT present a good value like the previous generation 15 inch.

What does everyone DO with their Macs where they're so worried about "value?"

I mean, what price do YOU put on a better screen, better speakers, faster computer that's loaded up with new tech? If it was 200 or 300 cheaper, what would that really mean in the grand scheme?

Very little beyond some vague idea of market value. Considering that the new Macbook's improved on the old in so many ways, it's a bit shocking to hear crying over price. I mean a TB Mac 13" is just 250 dollars more than a MacBook Air (with same size drive/RAM), so how is the 13" MBP a bad value??? Did you expect apple to do all that R&D, add new features and improvements/performance at the same price? I have a 2015 rMBP sitting on my shelf. It's a great computer, but NOT as good as these new machines. Why expect more for less out of the gate? Apple would be idiotic to price too low. They start high, then adjust if required.

So far it looks like they can barely meet demand.



R.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Right now in all honesty the TB is not really providing a great benefit, however it's usefulness is in its potential. Day 1 everyone's just stuck a lot of shortcuts on it, partly because they want compatibility to show up in the App store and stuff, and partly because they need time to figure it out. It's a new kind of input so there's not going to be a whole heap of usefulness for at least 6 months.

Keyboard shortcuts are the main thing, and it will never replace these as it wouldn't allow for apps to be backwards compatible. Most people know a lot of the shortcuts in the software they use, but it is nice on the more obscure ones with not having to navigate menus and stuff.

Personally I'm just finding it different to use, using it with Affinity Designer and it's kind of slowing me down but speeding up my thinking in a way. Just small things like using the pen tool, obviously hitting 'P' and starting, but being able to change modes by tapping on the icons rather than having to stop what I'm doing and click on the buttons is allowing me to be a little more fluid with it. Hard to explain to be honest but it just feels better rather than having to pause to press a button command or navigate menus.

I don't do video editing so no idea about the possibilities on that side, but I can imagine scrolling through videos is a bit more natural and easier using the TB.

I also like how when I'm using iTunes a little icon appears that I can click and adjust certain things without leaving the current app I'm using.

The bulk of it currently however I feel is fairly useless, things like the word suggestion I could see use if I couldn't touch type, but that side of it the only useful thing is the emoji selector.

Anywho it's nice, it's different, and it has a lot of potential.

 

[cmaier]

I think it would be a lot better with taptics. Frankly i hit it more by accident than intentionally. If you had to apply pressure instead of just brushing it for "buttons" (still allowing sliders and such when appropriate) it would be a lot more useful to me. .

 

[skids929]

What does everyone DO with their Macs where they're so worried about "value?"

I mean, what price do YOU put on a better screen, better speakers, faster computer that's loaded up with new tech? If it was 200 or 300 cheaper, what would that really mean in the grand scheme?

Very little beyond some vague idea of market value. Considering that the new Macbook's improved on the old in so many ways, it's a bit shocking to hear crying over price. I mean a TB Mac 13" is just 250 dollars more than a MacBook Air (with same size drive/RAM), so how is the 13" MBP a bad value??? Did you expect apple to do all that R&D, add new features and improvements/performance at the same price? I have a 2015 rMBP sitting on my shelf. It's a great computer, but NOT as good as these new machines. Why expect more for less out of the gate? Apple would be idiotic to price too low. They start high, then adjust if required.

So far it looks like they can barely meet demand.



R.

Rationalize much?


Are you saying I am crying? Where in my post did I say it was a "bad value"?? Clearly you need to settle down and reread..Now, because Apple can't meet demand means NOTHING considering they use a pull supply chain. They create their own demand by delivering on what is ordered..Lastly, you are completely ignoring the law of diminishing returns, a lot of responsible adults live their lives by this common sense choice and choose (wisely I might add) not to over pay for things if they don't have to.

In the case of the leftover models, they do present a better overall value considering a lot of the improvements in the new MBPs aren't game changers. You can tell yourself they are, but the reality is they are just updates, nothing to run out and pay 30% more for. With that said I have a nicely equipped BTO 2016 TB model and I love it. But obviously you have money to burn if you have 2015 and a new one. A lot of folks can't have a previous years model sitting on a shelf and purchase a new model that's performs marginally better. So to answer your question, this isn't about what people do with their Macs, it's about what people DO with their MONEY

 

[CaptRB]

Rationalize much?


Are you saying I am crying? Where in my post does I say it was a "bad value"?? Clearly you need to settle down..Now, because Apple can't meet demand means NOTHING considering they use a pull supply chain. They create their own demand by delivering on what is ordered..Lastly, you are completely ignoring the law of diminishing returns, a lot of responsible adults live their lives by this common sense choice and choose (wisely I might add) not to over pay for things if they don't have to.

In the case of the leftover models, they do present a better overall value considering a lot of the improvements in the new MBPs aren't game changers. You can tell yourself they are, but the reality is they are just updates, nothing to run out and pay 30% more for. With that said I BTO model and I love it. And obviously you have money to burn if you have 2015 and a new one..

Sorry I'm not going to be PC about this...it's a Apple forum!

I have a 2015 MBP. The screen is nice. The keyboard is poor. They've been a standard we just accepted, but they wobble, they clack, light leaks etc. The screen on the new model is incredible. Side by side the difference is easy to see in my photography work. This new model can actually work well enough outside in bright light, while last years model can't (had to buy a sun shield for it.). Bigger trackpad makes PP easier on the fly.
I don't care much about the speakers, but they DO sound better. The Touch Bar may indeed be a game changer, but we'll have to see how it pans out. For now I really like it. The machine is faster, along with the SSD. It can charge from a slim power pack, and the USB-C ports actually mean MORE connectivity options. Siri and Touch ID and the list of upgrades is REALLY LONG. And to top it off it even feels more rock solid than last years outgoing model, which was more like three years old.

It's not a matter of what the computer is worth. It's a matter of what I'M worth...and a few hundred bucks extra is certainly no big deal. Putting a value against these machines, while pretending they're mostly the same, is disingenuous.



R.

 

[Cameron604]

Only thing I think it's useful for is calling Siri, and the finger print scanner. The latter really isn't a touchbar feature though, it just seamlessly blends into the touchbar.

The touchbar is gimmicky, but I still like it. It is pleasant. It isn't worse than the physical keys... but it's not really better either, if we're just talking productivity.

Apple won't admit that touchscreen is the way of the future, and updating the OS to accommodate a hybrid experience of touchscreen + keyboard + trackpad is the way to go. Some will disagree with me, but I think it's a matter of vision. As OS X stands, it's not particularly touchscreen friendly, that's for sure.