after very short time with TB 15 I found the finger print touch log on / power on very useful - I now have watch unlock that is awesome feature - I haven't really used the other touch features so understand that some will feel its a waste- the HUGE missing thing that is inexcusable is the elimination of Magsafe power cord !!
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When will Apple acknowledge The Touch Bar as a failure and scrap it?
- Thread starter freddisier
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I think the usefullness of the Touch Bar is subjective. Even if it is a failure, Apple has a huge ego and likely won't admit defeat for a while down the road.
I do not see Apple abandoning it, even though I personally prefer the physical function keys. If Apple were to abandon it, that would leave them with either A) revert to the old design (an admission of failure), B) a touch screen (something that they have strongly resisted), or C) turning the touchpad into a touchpad + OLED display with Apple Pencil capability (I think this would be awesome, especially with the 15-in giant trackpad.)
Some Users indeed like it a lot, and I imagine Apple has a plan to expand its usefulness over time. If Apple were to add some type of taptic feedback to allow location and/or key differentiation, I think the TB would rapidly gain more followers (I'd be one of them.) And who's to say that isn't the direction they are going!
Some Users indeed like it a lot, and I imagine Apple has a plan to expand its usefulness over time. If Apple were to add some type of taptic feedback to allow location and/or key differentiation, I think the TB would rapidly gain more followers (I'd be one of them.) And who's to say that isn't the direction they are going!
And I couldn't be happier. One of the best products I purchased this year. And....I saved $300.00 by having the option of NOT purchasing the Touch Bar model with features I didn't require. Thanks Apple.
No problem. I just wanted to mention it.
People seem to forget that the Touch Bar model offers more than just the aforementioned Touch Bar.
Hell... I had to look it up to make sure they weren't charging more for just an extra narrow screen.
Apple *may* bring back the physical function keys, but I doubt it. Since they eliminated the power button key, they could put a touch ID "button" in its place and still retain physical function keys.
Apple needs to break down and offer touchscreens. If you have used a Windows laptop with a touchscreen, you will realize that it is a *supplement* to a keyboard and mouse, not a replacement for it.
Also, the Macintosh GUI does *not* need to be redesigned for touch, since touch on a notebook is useful for only certain things where it would be more intuitive to use touch instead of a trackpad or mouse. I didn't use the touchscreen on my Zenbook all that often, but it was a very nice feature to have when I wanted to use it.
Apple needs to break down and offer touchscreens. If you have used a Windows laptop with a touchscreen, you will realize that it is a *supplement* to a keyboard and mouse, not a replacement for it.
Also, the Macintosh GUI does *not* need to be redesigned for touch, since touch on a notebook is useful for only certain things where it would be more intuitive to use touch instead of a trackpad or mouse. I didn't use the touchscreen on my Zenbook all that often, but it was a very nice feature to have when I wanted to use it.
Personally I like the touch bar and think it's useful in certain applications like Final Cut Pro and Photoshop where you don't have to dig through the menus to edit projects. I also use it often in Safari to open another tab or access one of my bookmarks without having to lift my hands off the keyboard. However I will say I think the computers are over priced by at least $200 each and I think the next MacBook Pro update will include a price drop.
Rene Ritchie mentioned in passing on a video podcast episode of MacBreak Weekly that Apple has ten years invested in developing the silly thing. Although I very much wish they would offer the emoji barf bar as an option on higher spec Macs I'm not at all optimistic that they will even do that let alone eliminate it completely.
Having to look away from work on the screen in order to look at the keyboard is an irritating break in concentration. Being forced to do so is serious productivity hit for touch typist power users who depend on function keys.
My only real complaint about the TB at this point is that it's not "tall" enough. If it were about the same length as a standard keyboard key, I'd love it even more, but at the moment it's just a little too thin.
1. Apple charges $300 more because they can, not because of TB. They would still charge the same without it, and they will drop the price in a year or two with it.
2. There is no consensus that TB is a failure. There are bloggers that used it for a week and decided they don't like it and there is this forum. We don't really have the numbers from average users. Also, as others have pointed out: it's too early. We'll know in a few years, when Apple improves it and spreads it across the entire MacBook line. They will not back away from it anytime soon, that's certain.
3. Touch Bar becomes very useful in some apps, to the point that you start missing it on other computers. Not in all apps but in some. That shows how it is not inherently flawed, just that Apple and developers need to learn how to put it to good use.
4. Overly critical Macrumors forum users are rarely indicative of anything in the outside world.
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It's not $300 cheaper because of the lack of TB alone, but because of a slower CPU, fewer TB3 ports, smaller SSD - and, sure, lack of TB.
As aforementioned, I'm aware of the reasons why the Non-Touch Bar model is "Cheaper", In which I discussed the differences with another forum member prior. Again, I don't have a need and or requirement for the Touch Bar model, and the additional features are not applicable to my requirements. Which is why I opted for the Non-Touch Bar model and the extended battery life.
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I guess some people will like it, but I just wish they'd offer a 15" option without the Touch Bar.
I'm buying the 2015 model instead, as I want the function keys.
I'm buying the 2015 model instead, as I want the function keys.
It makes sense to scrap the MacBook Pro 13.3-inch nonTB version, if Apple wants more people to buy/want the MacBook Pro with TouchBar, along with lowering the price on both versions of the MacBook Pro with TouchBar. $300 isn't worth it for a TouchBar.
A 15" option without Touch Bar would be greatly appreciated.
One day
You will pick your lid: resolution screen, and or touch enabled, or full tablet.
then your top cover: keyboard, battery size, trackpad type, wireless options
last bottom cover: main processor, memory size, disk array, ports.
Mix and match to your hearts content.
And it will still cost like sin
You will pick your lid: resolution screen, and or touch enabled, or full tablet.
then your top cover: keyboard, battery size, trackpad type, wireless options
last bottom cover: main processor, memory size, disk array, ports.
Mix and match to your hearts content.
And it will still cost like sin
Do you guys feel the Touch Bar is a failure because it doesn't work or is it because of its limited use?
I had the 2016 15" and 13" TB, and I felt it was a hinderance to my workflow. Physical keys still have lots of uses, and I can easily use the function keys without looking. Having to look down at the toucher and dig through an unintuitive and dynamic menu was just a waste of time. I ended up choosing the 13" NTB because it had physical keys, the better battery life, and better sound compared to the 13" TB. I wish I could have kept the 15", but the TB was a deal breaker.
I wish Apple would offer the TB as an option, rather than force it onto people. I'd happily pay MORE money for MPB without TouchBar...
I wish Apple would offer the TB as an option, rather than force it onto people. I'd happily pay MORE money for MPB without TouchBar...
I've only dablled with them in stores but I think its a case of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. People are very used to function keys, and they did their job well enough. It didn't need re-inventing
"Geeks" use the function keys, but represent a small minority of apple customers. How many times do you think a random mum has intentionally hit the fn keys?
Fair enough, I won't lie... I bought into it hoping for "a potential use" for the touch bar, not because I needed it or found it useful. All I knew was the bar was programmable and dynamic so I "invested" in the new technology hoping for something useful to come out eventually.
I don't find myself using the Fn keys very often in my older MBP's, other than to summon the Dashboard, MC, brightness and volume buttons.
For me it is lacking haptic feedback, knowing and feeling you are touching something would be great!