Usage of TouchBar with external Display/Keyboard for programming?

[philotas]

I am in for one of those new 15 inch MBP because my 15" 2010 MBP is dying.

Most of the time I do programming at home having a 24" DELL main monitor (1920x1200) and the MPB as a second monitor so the bottom of the MBP Screen is on the same height as the main monitor . Usually with a few Terminal windows open.

I want 15" because once in a while I do travel and want the bigger screen.

I was wondering if I would use the TouchBar at all since I am using an external Keyboard.
Using the MBPs keyboard in order to be closer to the touchbar is not an option, since the nice MBP screen would be to low and will be bad for my neck, I guess.

Do you think I will end up putting the MPB as my Main Screen because of its sharpness and better resolution?

Anyone with a similar setup/problem?

 

[ncrypt]

I have a 2017 15" MBP and use it at the bottom of a 31" 1440p Dell UltraSharp screen.

I agree that looking down isn't ideal, however since I only use it as a second screen, every once in a while isn't so bad. If I'm looking down for more than 2 minutes my neck does tend to ache and I have to look back up again.

Whilst I love it because as you said, it is very nice and sharp, the main reason I don't put it in clamshell mode and just get a second normal display is because I actually really enjoy typing on this keyboard. Even more than the Apple Magic Keyboard 2, which I have at home.

Saying that, if you're happy with your peripherals and setup, just close the lid and forget about it! The display is nice, but for me, the ergonomics of a proper monitor setup outweighs it.

 

[philotas]

thanks for the input. But you got me wrong. I don't use the mac in clamshell, I use it as second monitor with Terminal windows open for programming.

So you also use the TouchBar a lot in this setup?

 

[mctrials23]

I have 2 4k monitors and my 13" MBP open and I use the touch bar occasionally. Pretty much exclusively for touchID or to change the brightness of all three displays easily. Beyond that I am doing everything on a connected mechanical keyboard. To be honest, even when I am just working on it without the external displays the touchbar doesn't get a lot of use. Volume, touchID, esc key and brightness control is 99% of usage.

 

[rdowty]

Not having the touch bar handy probably isn't a deal breaker. Usually the buttons it gives you are the most common ones and you're also most likely to know the keyboard shortcut anyway.

 

[ncrypt]

Ah okay sure. So for me, the Touch Bar hasn't been particularly useful. The only time I actually use it is when I'm filling in a form on a website. The autofill suggestions make it super quick. But that's it lol. I even dislike the volume slider, much prefer vol. up and down buttons.

The other thing is that it depends what resolution you decide to run the Retina screen at. 1920x1200 would match your existing monitor so it could be compelling to make it your main screen, but if you keep it the same distance as I imagine you do now, it could be too small to actually read. It's only really works well if it's in front of you - but again neck issues etc etc.

Running it at the default, lower res of 1680x1050, there is a chance you might end up making it your main screen, because it will be nice and sharp. In which case, I really wouldn't worry about the Touch Bar! Especially if you do this once you first get it, you won't have 'trained' yourself to utilise it anyway.

Sounds like you're buying anyway, I guess you'll find out when it arrives?

 

[Beau10]

Running it at the default, lower res of 1680x1050, there is a chance you might end up making it your main screen, because it will be nice and sharp

I run my 13" nTB at 1920x1200, use no external monitors. It's super sharp. I'm a 42 yo programmer, this is the only machine I own and work on.

About 15 years ago my work got me a Dell laptop with a 15" 1920x1200 screen that was too much and I had to return it for something of lower resolution, so it's not like I have superhuman eyesight.

Having 4x as many pixels and HiDPI makes a tremendous difference to clarity at high resolutions.

 

[rdowty]

I run my 13" nTB at 1920x1200, use no external monitors. It's super sharp. I'm a 42 yo programmer, this is the only machine I own and work on.

About 15 years ago my work got me a Dell laptop with a 15" 1920x1200 screen that was too much and I had to return it for something of lower resolution, so it's not like I have superhuman eyesight.

Having 4x as many pixels and HiDPI makes a tremendous difference to clarity at high resolutions.

I don't even like running my 15" at 1920x1200. What I tend to do is use the standard setting then set Chrome to zoom out to about 75% so I have room for the inspector which you can also adjust the font size of. I rarely use an external monitor. I find swiping left or right is about as fast as looking left or right with two monitors.

 

[ncrypt]

I run my 13" nTB at 1920x1200, use no external monitors. It's super sharp. I'm a 42 yo programmer, this is the only machine I own and work on.

Yeah totally! If you use the screen right in front of you, the 1920x1200 option is fantastic, lots of real-estate and the sharpness makes it super readable.

I just think if it's pushed further back such as next to an external monitor, it's probably a little too small for most.