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Touch bar vs. non-Touch Bar

macfanrutler

macfanrutler

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 13, 2010
149
7
NJ
I am looking at a new Macbook Pro but am stuck between the touch bar one and the non-touch bar options. I currently have a 2016 13" with touch bar but I rarely (if ever) find myself using it. Also, since I will be using it for work I will likely have an external keyboard that I will be using most of the time.

The question is what would the benefit be of getting the touch bar option? I know there are more USB-C ports but I will likely just get a USB hub. I also will need to use a dual display (can the non-touch bar even do that?)
 
Any reason you're looking for a new one? You're only gaining a spec bump along with some extra ports. The advantages the touchbar models have over the non-touchbar models is the beefier base specs (3.1ghz i5 with 3.5ghz turbo boost vs 2.3ghz i5 with 3.6 turbo boost, 256gb standard ssd vs 128gb) and an extra interior fan. If the touchbar is useless to you, you can just spec the non-TB however you want. Regardless of the model year, both the TB and non-TB's can drive up to two 4k displays at once, or one 5k display.

You just assume wait and see if Apple unveils anything at WWDC concerning the MBP.
 
I use an external keyboard, as well, and so rarely use the Touch Bar.
Once in a while, I'll notice some cool features on it, but again, with an external keyboard, I don't use it.

So, my question, then, is:When will Apple come out with an external keyboard with the Touch Bar?!
 
I don't think upgrade is necessary. But, if you do want to upgrade. Touch bar is better for you. The internal design is different. MBPnt only has one fan, and TB version has two fans which is significantly better, considering you are going to use the MBP to drive 2 external displays. I have a non-touch bar MPB 13" 2017, I use it with one 1080p external display occasionally, and it gets hot very soon, without running any program.
 
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BananaX said:
I don't think upgrade is necessary. But, if you do want to upgrade. Touch bar is better for you. The internal design is different. MBPnt only has one fan, and TB version has two fans which is significantly better, considering you are going to use the MBP to drive 2 external displays. I have a non-touch bar MPB 13" 2017, I use it with one 1080p external display occasionally, and it gets hot very soon, without running any program.
Click to expand...
I agree completely. If you want to drive two displays, and connect other things then the touch bar is the way to go. The extra usb-c ports, and (marginally) better graphics card will be helpful. I think the thunderbolt ports on the touch bar model are faster as well.
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WaltCD said:
I use an external keyboard, as well, and so rarely use the Touch Bar.
Once in a while, I'll notice some cool features on it, but again, with an external keyboard, I don't use it.

So, my question, then, is:When will Apple come out with an external keyboard with the Touch Bar?!
Click to expand...
I was really expecting one of these last year. I only use the touch bar every so often for autocorrect and whatnot, but I’d rather have it and not use it as often than not have it at all and wish I did.
 
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I personally dislike the touchbar, and the instant they released a 15" high end MBP without it, I will probably sell my current 15" touchbar MBP.
 
For my usage I didn't feel that I needed the Touch Bar, although sometimes when the fan gets going in the nTB it can be irritating.
 
Looking down to see the TB is really annoying. Also the brightness in a dark room! OMG! it goes to sleep in 30 seconds I think, but then it goes up in bright with any action over the machine... hate it.

I set it to show the default buttons (brightness, volume, etc) and no to show the app in action commands.

An 15 inch without the TB would be perfect for me...
 
BananaX said:
I don't think upgrade is necessary. But, if you do want to upgrade. Touch bar is better for you. The internal design is different. MBPnt only has one fan, and TB version has two fans which is significantly better, considering you are going to use the MBP to drive 2 external displays. I have a non-touch bar MPB 13" 2017, I use it with one 1080p external display occasionally, and it gets hot very soon, without running any program.
Click to expand...

It wouldn't be an upgrade. The one I have at home is for personal use and the new one would strictly be business. I don't like to mix the two.

zmon said:
Any reason you're looking for a new one? You're only gaining a spec bump along with some extra ports. The advantages the touchbar models have over the non-touchbar models is the beefier base specs (3.1ghz i5 with 3.5ghz turbo boost vs 2.3ghz i5 with 3.6 turbo boost, 256gb standard ssd vs 128gb) and an extra interior fan. If the touchbar is useless to you, you can just spec the non-TB however you want. Regardless of the model year, both the TB and non-TB's can drive up to two 4k displays at once, or one 5k display.

You just assume wait and see if Apple unveils anything at WWDC concerning the MBP.
Click to expand...

I did spec bump the nTB to where I was looking to be and did get a decent price on it. The lack of an extra fan does seem to be an issue though. I will probably wait until WWDC to see what they come up with. If anything maybe at that point I can get the 2017 for a couple hundred less.
 
Touchbar models of the 13" have a higher TDP processor as well, the nTB model is basically a MacBook Air with a better screen/internals.
 
Yeah, nTB, it would really not want to be something you're doing professional work on, from everything I've read.

The Touch bar isn't what is important the two fans inside is, and that's why I've just bought a TB model myself, I don't see it as a hinderance, some will like it, others won't benefit form it, but unless you're using the function keys all of the time, and you can have them readily available by pressing the fn key, its pretty much, can you afford the TB model? And can you afford for the nTB to potentially let you down?
 
csurfr said:
Unfortunately I think you’re going to be waiting a long time for that.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's fine. The touchbar was a 1 minute fun impractical gimmick. I can see it used for very specific applications.

Hopefully Apple continues "innovating" features that no one asks for. Maybe we'll get lucky and they're innovate the wrong thing into the right thing.
 
Touchbar also give you Touch ID.

However, nonTB 13' give you better battery life. (Battery is slightly bigger, CPU a little more energy efficient, no second fan and no TB to power).

- Sent from my nTB MBP
 
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