Is the touch bar worth it

I personally loved the Touch Bar, but other did not. My current MacBook Pro (2021) removed the Touch Bar for the function keys again, but it's a complete preference.

My suggestion is going to your closest Apple Retail Store and trying out the Touch Bar and seeing if you like it or not!

It really depends. I found that it was prone to glitches when quickly navigating the interface, as the frequent app switches seemed to 'confuse' it and show an overlay of the previous app's options over the new app's options. As for the feel, I do prefer physical buttons, as sometimes there is a lag time when using the Touch Bar, and it feels a little superficial. The customization of it is nice, but it does take some getting used to. Like I said, I eventually just switched the configuration to just be the standard array of features all the time, such as volume and brightness (the only two features I use anyway) as well as keyboard brightness and window switching.

Bottom line is- there isn't much you can do with the Touch Bar that you can't do with a simple click, keyboard shortcut, or trackpad gesture. However, it's all up to you. In my opinion- it was a novel idea, but there wasn't really a pressing need for it (If it ain't broke, don't fix it!).

This is only my opinion- I hope this helps you make a decision!

Personally I detest the Touchbar. I find it a gimmick for the most part although I can see it being useful for some people in a few limited situations if an app takes proper advantage of it. However, from what I've personally experienced I would avoid it. I've also seen how a Touchbar failure will prevent a Mac from booting normally (yes, an issue with the Touchbar may prevent you from even booting the Mac normally!). Apple actually removed the Touchbar from some of there laptops, but then brought it back again so obviously there are mixed feelings about it.

Consider adjusting the volume or screen brightness. With a Touchbar you touch the icon, which then moves the items to the side where you have to adjust your finger to make the adjustment and perhaps even click the "X" to return the Touchbar to its current defaults. The other problem I have with it is the virtual buttons it presents are not even needed. For example, when logging into the laptop the Touchbar will display a "login" button, but why? I just type my password and press the "Return" key all without lifting my hands. Why lift your hand to reach for the Touchbar to click the "Login" virtual button?

Now I can see some limited number of apps potentially being able to take great advantage of the Touchbar, but none of the apps I use do so.

Personally if Apple had added the Touchbar in addition to keeping the function keys I think it would have been a good compromise like I've seen a standard PC gaming laptop do (I probably would still avoid it, but at least there would be a choice). You really should check a Touchbar laptop out in person in order to see if it is something you may like or feel is useful.

Even if Apple offers a Touchbar and non-Touchbar model laptop, be very careful to look at the laptops' other differences since one will likely have more features than the other and may not be otherwise identical. The 2016 & 2017 non-Touchbar models were completely different from the Touchbar models. While the Touchbar models had a lot of issues, the non-Touchbar model had even more problems with the hardware. I don't have any experience with the newest models though.

Good luck in making your decision as you may find the decision may not even involve the Touchbar itself depending on what else the laptop offers you compared to the other models.

Personally, I found it novel for a while, but ended up locking it to the standard keyset because I never had to use all the extra features.

pjswiz offers an excellent suggestion- test it out at your nearest Apple Store (if possible).

DocHolidaySteve wrote:

I'm thinking of getting a new MacBook but can't choose. I would like a touch bar but also the Retina XDR screen. Do you think a touch bar is useful? I would wait and hope that a new laptop comes with the combination of the XDR screen and the touch bar.

My 2019 intel 16" MBP came with Touchbar—I was slightly dubious...well at least nonplussed.

As it turns out I really like it.

I never used the F keys across the top of non-touchbar MBP , but I use the Touchbar all the time (w/ the F keys turned off.)

I will admit I just use it the default way it came, I don't try and load it up with custom changes for different apps....

I made some fundamental preferences changes to suit me better, and removed the SIRi from the Control strip for ex.

Customize the Touch Bar on Mac - Apple Support

DocHolidaySteve wrote:

Testing is a good suggestion but looking more to how it feels over time. I guess first impression will make it look cool but does it stay useful?

My big thing is that it always seemed rather risky to put all those functions in a combination touch screen/display like that. I remember my wife yelling that hers' froze up a few times. The top of the line MBPs got rid of it - probably because it seemed a bit gimmicky and possibly an additional point of possible failure.

Not really. Also the 13" M2 is a major letdown.

I would go for there 14" M1 Pro instead.

I don't really get it. Always seemed like one more thing to go wrong, when function keys work well enough and don't have as many issues with software freezing up or possible malfunctions of the display.

DocHolidaySteve wrote:

Testing is a good suggestion but looking more to how it feels over time. I guess first impression will make it look cool but does it stay useful?

I have a 2016 MBP (bought it when it first came out) with a TouchBar and I still like it. Do use all the features and make the most use of it that I can? Probably not but the features I use, I like. And, I've never had any problems with it.

I DO use mine and I DO like it.

That said, it’s potential never really seemed to be fully realized by app developers.

I too use the touch bar FAR more than the F-keys. (at least since software developers stopped including plastic “AT-keyboard” templates in their packaging)

Yes ... I found the touch bar useful (I've fully customised mine to fit against all Apps / Window per time)

My wife thinks so, to me it's a solution looking for a problem.