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MacBook Pro

apple.com

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Re: MacBook Pro

#11

Post by jasonjei »

avitzurel wrote: post #3

I can't get over the ESC key. I need to experience it in order to make a final decision but even though it's "there" the position looks awkward.

In typical Apple fashion, there's a dongle for that.

Sarcasm aside, I wonder how well this will work if you use Boot Camp. Does the TouchBar revert to a normal function bar when OS isn't in control of it? Let's say I don't use VMware, and I want to boot into Linux or Windows, what happens to the TouchBar? Installing Linux or non-OS X operating system could be made more difficult without function keys. And yes, VIM and other modal editors are going to be less fun with the loss of tactile ESC.

I'm hoping the TouchBar will have some failsafe firmware mode that allows normal use of Func keys when OS doesn't have control over it.

The worst possible case in my mind is buying a small, tiny external keyboard (dongle) with just the Func keys if Boot Camp doesn't have a good solution.

Re: MacBook Pro

#12

Post by dchuk »

(Posted in another thread, that probably will not make it as high as this)

I think conceptually this is really neat, but it could potentially suffer from one major flaw: I hardly ever look down at my keyboard. A flat, digital screen containing changing buttons does not cater well to touch typists, of which you can reasonably assume most are who use a macbook pro. Touch ID is sweet though.

Re: MacBook Pro

#14

Post by matt4077 »

HN is full of people who touch-type F9, I know. But I'm pretty excited about the toolbar. In anything but my primary editor, it will dramatically increase my ability to get by keyboard-only. For 99% of people, the increased discoverability will dramatically increase their ability to use shortcuts.

And even the other 1% don't spend all their time within a set of applications small enough to memorize all shortcuts.

Re: MacBook Pro

#16

Post by jonknee »

mcescalante wrote: post #9
avitzurel wrote: post #3

I can't get over the ESC key. I need to experience it in order to make a final decision but even though it's "there" the position looks awkward.

The entire function row still exists including the Escape Key. The Touch Bar is customizable, and I would imagine we will see a "global ESC" application pretty quick.

Though oddly not properly aligned. It's about 2/3 of the way off the ~ key for some reason.

Re: MacBook Pro

#17

Post by avitzurel »

ctocoder wrote: post #8
avitzurel wrote: post #3

I can't get over the ESC key. I need to experience it in order to make a final decision but even though it's "there" the position looks awkward.

Looks like you can program the touchbar to have an esc key.

Saw that, but the position is really weird. So weird that I am not sure muscle memory will adapt.

Since I use a real keyboard 85% of the time, the 15% I use on the mac is bound to be painful.

Re: MacBook Pro

#19

Post by sfrailsdev »

avitzurel wrote: post #3

I can't get over the ESC key. I need to experience it in order to make a final decision but even though it's "there" the position looks awkward.

You can remap the capslock key to escape. Or do what I do, have capslock be ctrl when combined with a non modifier key, and escape otherwise. I enter normal mode with my pinky.

Re: MacBook Pro

#20

Post by brian-armstrong »

Replacing hardware keys with a touchscreen on a laptop made for power users is a sign that Apple has lost touch with what made the MacBook Pro popular in the first place. I think they could have just upgraded to the newest CPU and put a new battery in and made everyone happy.
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