I don't think its revolutionary or anything, but it isn't absolutely terrible like some people say that it is. I like it for what it is. Being able to switch tabs easily is pretty cool.
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Why does the touchbar receive so much hate?
- Thread starter Jacoblee23
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Never really used the function keys beyond volume/brightness, so the touchbar was an enhancement for me.
Using keyboard shortcuts, touchpad gestures and the touch bar made it super easy for me to plow through 2K photos I took on vacation last month.
Used gestures to zoom in and out of photo sets in screen, used space bar to move in and out of editing mode and the touch bar to favorite, and apply edits & touchups to the photos. I think it's awesome.
Also, in GarageBand and Mainstage 3, the touchbar can emulate instrument inputs so it makes it easy to use as a keyboard, or drum pads or whatever.
Haven't used it too much in other apps yet, nor have I bought Better Touch Tool, which is supposed to be amazing for the touchpad and touchbar, but both will happen soon enough.
Using keyboard shortcuts, touchpad gestures and the touch bar made it super easy for me to plow through 2K photos I took on vacation last month.
Used gestures to zoom in and out of photo sets in screen, used space bar to move in and out of editing mode and the touch bar to favorite, and apply edits & touchups to the photos. I think it's awesome.
Also, in GarageBand and Mainstage 3, the touchbar can emulate instrument inputs so it makes it easy to use as a keyboard, or drum pads or whatever.
Haven't used it too much in other apps yet, nor have I bought Better Touch Tool, which is supposed to be amazing for the touchpad and touchbar, but both will happen soon enough.
It's hardware that's priced in that not everyone would use or like enough to justify if it were an optional extra. I think if you had the option to buy the top spec MacBook Pro 15" without touch bar, it would be favoured.
You had to install bettertouch tool app that will bring you next level of touch bar functionality. It can add more feature than what Apple can gave you.
So is that the criteria? Apple should only add things that are revolutionary? I for one like the Touchbar and I'm glad its there.
I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, TB is a pure gimmick. Nothing more, nothing less then a gimmick.
Of course, some will find it useful. But me? I gave up on MBP because of TB, and moved on to the PC side.
Everything TB brings I can do with keyboard shortcuts. And it's way faster, easier and more elegant then when using TB. And I do mean everything. Even scrubbing thru youtube videos (k, l). And I don't have to take my eyes of the keyboard.
TB is useful for someone learning some app (like FCP for example). But just at the beginning. Later on it will actually hurt those students process. Why? Because they won't learn kb shortcuts, which are simply put - way faster and better.
I don't hate TB. It's just a gimmick, you can't hate gimmicks. But what I do hate is that Apple gave me no option. If I want 15", I get a TB. And pay premium for something I really never asked, never wanted, and will never use. I would gladly now pay premium just to get rid of TB
P.S.
Actually, there is one option Apple left me - move on. And I have. But since I prefer MacOS over Windows, I will be back. But only if I can purchase a MBP without TB.
Of course, some will find it useful. But me? I gave up on MBP because of TB, and moved on to the PC side.
Everything TB brings I can do with keyboard shortcuts. And it's way faster, easier and more elegant then when using TB. And I do mean everything. Even scrubbing thru youtube videos (k, l). And I don't have to take my eyes of the keyboard.
TB is useful for someone learning some app (like FCP for example). But just at the beginning. Later on it will actually hurt those students process. Why? Because they won't learn kb shortcuts, which are simply put - way faster and better.
I don't hate TB. It's just a gimmick, you can't hate gimmicks. But what I do hate is that Apple gave me no option. If I want 15", I get a TB. And pay premium for something I really never asked, never wanted, and will never use. I would gladly now pay premium just to get rid of TB
P.S.
Actually, there is one option Apple left me - move on. And I have. But since I prefer MacOS over Windows, I will be back. But only if I can purchase a MBP without TB.
All 15" MBPs have one so it was a no brainer. There are a few factors to consider beyond just the touchbar on the 13" MBP.
As a half hearted solution to Apple's inability to deliver "Touch" to the Mac. With the event of powerful thin & light 2 in 1 solutions, the ergonomic excuses are well and truly in the same category as "your holding it wrong"
Q-6
I don't recall the exact stats but there was some pretty significant differences in battery life between the 13" without and with the Touch Bar, with the touch bar being the only major spec difference.
I wish that Apple offered a non-Touch Bar edition of the 15".
I tried the Touch Bar at the Apple Store and personally didn't understand why it was there...? Some folks have already worked it into their workflows, and that's awesome. But for me, it sort of just gets in the way. I really don't dig the lack of a physical Escape key, and using the touch bar to adjust brightness etc. is more difficult than simply hitting a key. Again, wished there was a 15" without the Touch Bar, with a lower price to match. I think the lack of choice is part of why it gets hated on.
I tried the Touch Bar at the Apple Store and personally didn't understand why it was there...? Some folks have already worked it into their workflows, and that's awesome. But for me, it sort of just gets in the way. I really don't dig the lack of a physical Escape key, and using the touch bar to adjust brightness etc. is more difficult than simply hitting a key. Again, wished there was a 15" without the Touch Bar, with a lower price to match. I think the lack of choice is part of why it gets hated on.
because there is nothing "pro" about it.
i have no doubt that some people will find it useful.
For me, I rarely have to look at my keyboard to do anything because i use keyboard shortcuts all the time.
Also I use ESC a lot - being able to hit ESC reliably without having to look at the touch bar is now a challenge.
i have no doubt that some people will find it useful.
For me, I rarely have to look at my keyboard to do anything because i use keyboard shortcuts all the time.
Also I use ESC a lot - being able to hit ESC reliably without having to look at the touch bar is now a challenge.
I think everything on a notebook computer needs to have a reason to exists. Most people are not seeing the value of the touchbar. Maybe some day it will be useful. Maybe. But right now, for most people, it is like the Bixby button on my S8. A button attached to minimally valuable software.
An interface element that requires the user to look away from their work on the screen is inherently flawed. Power users who make heavy use of function keys for their work flows are understandably very unhappy. While this group of people is very likely to be a small percentage of users they represent a disproportionate percentage of influencers for Apple's ecosystem.
But it's actually quicker to switch tabs using your mouse/trackpad/keyboard shortcut, rather than moving your hand away from the natural position, at least I found that to be the case, especially when you have to look where you have to press on the touch bar, affecting your field of view focus.
Because they're shoving it in our face for $400~$500. If it was an option, rather than being mandatory, people wouldn't complain as much.
To count as an option, we require exact identical models minus the TB and minus the extra price.
i.e., nTB 13" doesn't count. 15"... if you're happy paying $2,000 for a Haswell laptop in 2017.
To count as an option, we require exact identical models minus the TB and minus the extra price.
i.e., nTB 13" doesn't count. 15"... if you're happy paying $2,000 for a Haswell laptop in 2017.
This. I do not hate it, nor do I think it is a gimmick. I do find the lack of choice somewhat frustrating, though. Some Users really like it a lot, and who am I to tell someone else how they feel? If it works well for someone else, great. If someone says it enhances their personal productivity, I believe them 100%.
However, for me it does not add to my experience, and I prefer the physical function keys because I use them. Kind of like how I am given the option of choosing whether or not to pay more money for extra storage, an upgraded CPU, or an upgraded GPU, I would like to be able to make the choice on my own, where, in this case, I would rather put that money towards something else.
I hate it because:
1. It adds cost
2. You can't "touch type" without looking - my most common use case is reaching for volume controls
I don't have a macbook with one yet, but have tried them out in the store and just found it annoying/pointless. Maybe I'll change my mind in the future.
While I'd considering getting the non-TB model, the fact that is has 1 louder fan vs. 2 fans of the TB model is probably the deal breaker for me.
1. It adds cost
2. You can't "touch type" without looking - my most common use case is reaching for volume controls
I don't have a macbook with one yet, but have tried them out in the store and just found it annoying/pointless. Maybe I'll change my mind in the future.
While I'd considering getting the non-TB model, the fact that is has 1 louder fan vs. 2 fans of the TB model is probably the deal breaker for me.
Except it isn’t the only difference.
Different CPU, different graphics, different ports, different cooling system.
Oh. And different battery.
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Hitting the ESC key by accident and not having a physical ESC key was driving me insane when I had my TB MBP. Sent it back for this and a couple of other reasons. Working with the machine was a hassle. I do not know what to buy when I need to upgrade.