Why Apple Removed The MacBook's Touch Bar

In 2016 Apple introduced new MacBook Pro models that featured the Touch Bar. A narrow touch-sensitive glass display at the top of the keyboard. Apple promised it would offer intuitive new ways to interact with content. But with their latest MacBook Pro release, the Touch Bar was removed. And there are a few reasons for this.

[Cargo_Bay]

I would like the touchbar more if it existed in addition to the physical function row.

[DannTheMan]

I actually love the touch bar. The apps that do take advantage of it make use of that function row that goes unused 99% of the time in my workflow. Shame it never caught on.

[FireBlade]

I much prefer the touchbar! Fine Gradient control over sound and brightness, silent operation, word correction for foreign languages, customizable. It is so good. I don’t get why people hate it.

[advait]

I love the Touchbar, I'm honestly sad to see it go. I rarely needed the Function keys, and if it was ever needed I could use them with the Fn toggle button. But the sliders that it provided for system functions were invaluable and I loved them way over physical buttons. I wish they bring it back as an optional feature

[iLikeCrabrangoons]

I personally liked the touch bar, maybe more for optic reasons just because it looked cool. To see it go is a little sad, but function over fashion should always be priority.

[MetalJesusRocks]

New cars are going through this very process right now, trying to force everybody to use touch screens for simple tasks like climate control, adjusting the volume of your radio, etc…and it sucks…. Only to bring back some of the physical buttons on later models.

[jasonyonkers]

As a fond touchbar user, it will feel like a downgrade when I need to replace my pro in a couple of years & will have no option but to go back to the traditional tactical f-key layout. The touchbar made the Mac Pro stand out upon other macs/laptops & was a considerable selling point to me. Over two years I’ve grown accustomed to all of the functionality, features, accessibility & never had issues with control. Very disappointed to hear apple has gone away with it.

[hw]

I kinda wished they still had the touch bar as an optional feature, like how you can choose which chip you want inside. I totally would have gone for the touch bar option, even of it was an extra $100!

[KenRuns]

I personally love the Touch Bar! It’s the soul reason why I bought the M2 MacBook Pro woh the highest specks. The touch bar is beyond amazing and it allows me to have a smoother workflow in the HR field! Also one of my favorite features is the ability to skip adds on Hulu, Peacock, YouTube and Pandora! That alone makes the touch bar worth it 😊

[userxv]

the touch bar was such a revolutionary concept, tech-wise. I wish they kept it along with the extra keys to maximize user experience.

[Chrinsj]

When recommendations are faster than notifications

[JeffCD]

I absolutely love the touch bar! It's shocking to me that so many people don't. Although reading through the comments here, I'm certainly not the only one. I really wish Apple would bring it back.

[zoey.amelia]

I never really understood the hate for the touch bar since it’s always been useful for me. Overall watching experienced was improved, easier to do my papers bec of predictive shortcut and tools, and editing software shortcuts. And not gonna lie I only really used that row for brightness and volume before it’s existence—which the touchbar does a better job at in controlling.

[jittiphatrueangsawat]

I am the one who is actually in love with the touch bar and still wishes for them to bring it back to the newer models and not only for the older models.
It would be great if they make an option to ask the user if they want to get the physical keys or the touch bar, just like they did on the AirPods where they asked the user if they want the normal charger version one or the MagSafe one.

[paul]

I actually love the touch bar, I don't have to look up when typing and am blown away with the functions it does

[Kai-owek]

Why I loved the Touch Bar:
> More customisability
> Shortcuts in supported programs
> I always use the touch bar to pick emojis
> PET GAMES
> I love the feel of adjusting volume and brightness
> It’s silent
> Scrubbing through videos without using the popup, which is way faster and aesthetically pleasing (used it a lot for watching reference videos as an animator)
> Skipping ads on YouTube

I rarely use the function keys (I have a separate Magic Keyboard with Touch ID) so I am reluctant to upgrade to the newer MacBook Pro.

I think the touch bar was honestly the best feature on the MacBook Pro as compared to other laptops.

I REALLY DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE CAN HATE IT?!?!

Hoping that they will add it back as an optional upgrade in the future, preferably with half-sized function keys below for the people who needs it

[Superbustr]

The point of the Touch Bar was to provide custom in app shortcut keys and custom keyboard function keys.

3rd party App developers never funded Touch Bar integration and Apple never funded Touch Bar integration so it basically failed.

The Touch Bar could have been great but no one wanted to fund (custom software implementation / user ease of use) to make it work.

[derrviel]

Probably one of the things I love about the Touch Bar is the ability to change songs through Spotify without having to actually switch to the app itself. But sometimes it gets buggy too, like I can’t find the option to change the song on the Touch Bar or it doesn’t work. Don’t want to upgrade my first generation MacBook 16 inch now because of this function lol

[truthteller]

I love the touch bar. I just bought a "Pro" a few years ago and had no clue it was now phased out. I think it's stepping back. I use it quite a lot and it's very much appreciated.

[Alterdmindsett]

I mainly use my MacBook for music production and video editing but so far the Touch Bar is AMAZINGLY HELPFUL! equalizing and editing tracks has never been so smooth and seamless. (For me at least) it takes the function of a basic soundboard without any connections or additional purchases which suits my studio in a lovely way. Also helpful when using two displays and as long as I have no hardware issues with it, it’ll continue to be my favorite part of my Mac. Literally bought an older model just for the feature. If you don’t use your Mac for those purposes i could see how it’s annoying