Deals: Get $300 Off Apple's 16-Inch MacBook Pro at Amazon and B&H Photo

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MBP is no-go for me until they drop the touchbar.

Virtual function keys is just an awful idea. The touchbar looked gimmicky when it was first announced, and I have yet to see any functionality, apps, or even customer feedback to suggest otherwise.

Even with touchbar off (which if you’re turning it off that shows it’s unnecessary right?), it’s too easy to press the wrong key. With physical buttons, for instance, it’s easier to change the volume, etc. With touch, you have to pay closer attention (tested this myself many times with MBPs in stores, friends, etc). It’s just an unnecessary inconvenience.

At the very least, TB should be optional. Who wants to constantly look down at the keyboard for some gimmicky functionality that isn’t all that efficient (actually quite the opposite).

Let’s flip the script... Give me a good reason to make TB mandatory on MBP for a reason other than being able to turn it off.

I absolutely hated the Touch Bar for the first couple of weeks having it for the accidental inputs. Not allowing an out-of-the-box way to 'desensitize' the TB with a delay slider in System Preferences (e.g. 'Ignore input <400 ms') is bad design and a problem for accessibility. I have MS, and the feeling in my left hand is reduced so I was always triggering things accidentally.

But, having said that, once I installed BetterTouchTool, I became a convert. It allows you to set up the TB exactly as you want it. I work with HTML and CSS all day, so I have nested folders of frequently used code snippets. I also have common email responses, app shortcuts, and scripts that I can fire off in an instant. And best of all, I'm now able to set a delay that has completely eliminated accidental presses. I can perform each of these actions with a single press of a finger, without needing some convoluted keyboard shortcut.

It's a valid complaint that Apple should offer this functionality as part of macOS. I would never want a Mac notebook without a Touch Bar, though. The combo of the Touch Bar with Better Touch Tool has transformed my workflow and I would feel lost without it.

Maybe never then

Virtual function keys is just an awful idea. The touchbar looked gimmicky when it was first announced, and I have yet to see any functionality, apps, or even customer feedback to suggest otherwise.

I'd love to hear a coherent explanation of why.
1) I have an older MBP with actual keys, I use the power button, but none of the other keys. so a Touch Bar, where there were actual useful functions I might use is a plus,
2) You can turn off the Touch Bar in settings and have it simply be the old school keys, so if you use them (I don't), they are there, so you are out nothing.

The only thing I can think of is you want a key to go "click". Please help me here

Even with touchbar off (which if you’re turning it off that shows it’s unnecessary right?), it’s too easy to press the wrong key. With physical buttons, for instance, it’s easier to change the volume, etc. With touch, you have to pay closer attention (tested this myself many times with MBPs in stores, friends, etc). It’s just an unnecessary inconvenience.

At the very least, TB should be optional. Who wants to constantly look down at the keyboard for some gimmicky functionality that isn’t all that efficient (actually quite the opposite).

Let’s flip the script... Give me a good reason to make TB mandatory on MBP for a reason other than being able to turn it off.

MBP is no-go for me until they drop the touchbar.

Maybe never then

Picked one of these up the other day with the same Amazon deal on the silver 1TB. Arrived yesterday and so far so good. My 2010 MBP just couldn't handle any video stuff I was working on, so it was finally time to upgrade.