Touch Bar: gimmick or useful tool?
That Touch Bar on your MacBook. Gimmick or handy? Many users don't know. They prefer tapping on old, familiar keys to that shiny screen. And that's understandable – new technology often feels unnecessarily complex. But here's what almost no one realizes: precisely because the Touch Bar adapts to every app you use, you save dozens of mouse clicks every day. No more searching through menus in Photoshop. Instantly selecting the right emoji while typing. Adjusting the volume without taking your hands off the keyboard. It's those small time savings that add up to hours per month . And the best part? A refurbished MacBook with a Touch Bar now costs less than a new laptop without one. Combine it with the right accessories and you have a workspace that truly thinks along with you.
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The Touch Bar in practice: more than a gimmick
The Touch Bar has been dividing MacBook users since its introduction in 2016. While some swear by the traditional function keys, others discover new ways to work more productively every day. The difference? Primarily the time you invest in exploring its possibilities.
The most immediate time savings are in basic functions you use dozens of times a day. Adjusting the volume is done with a swipe across the bar, without first having to find the Fn key. Adjusting brightness is just as quick. These may seem small improvements, but add them up: five seconds here, three seconds there. After a month, you're talking hours.
App-specific features that make the difference
Word processing and communication
In Pages, Word, or Google Docs, the Touch Bar adapts to your workflow. Format text with a single tap: bold, italics, underline. No more remembering Command+B. Emojis appear instantly when typing messages. No more searching through menus or remembering special characters.
The predictive text feature works particularly well in Mail and Messages. The system learns from your writing style and suggests logical follow-up words. Completing Dutch sentences is faster when you can tap the correct suggestions directly.
Creative work
Photoshop users can access brush settings, layer options, and color pickers without leaving the canvas. In Final Cut Pro, you can scroll through your timeline with precision a mouse can't offer. Logic Pro displays volume sliders and effects buttons that you normally have to dig deep into menus.
This integration works because developers program specifically for the Touch Bar. Adobe, Microsoft, and other major players regularly update their software with new Touch Bar features. The ecosystem thus grows along with your work needs.
Adjust to personal preferences
The default settings are a good starting point, but the real power lies in customization. Via System Preferences > Keyboard, you can determine which buttons remain permanently visible. Many users opt for a combination of media keys and app-specific shortcuts.
BetterTouchTool takes customization to the next level. This app (around €20) lets you program complete workflows. For example: a single tap to open three specific websites, check your email, and launch Spotify. Or a slider that controls the transparency of your active window.
Comparison with traditional function keys
Traditional F-keys have advantages. You can press them blindly, they provide tactile feedback, and they always work the same way. The Touch Bar requires visual attention and lacks that physical click.
But the comparison isn't entirely fair. F-keys do one thing. The Touch Bar adapts to each app, each situation. Instead of F5 for refresh, you get a button that says "refresh." This is more intuitive for new users.
The learning curve is primarily about unlearning old habits. Users switching from an older MacBook have a harder time with this than those new to Apple.
Touch ID: The Underrated Addition
The fingerprint scanner in the Touch Bar deserves special attention. Typing passwords for websites, apps, or system settings is a thing of the past. Online payments via Apple Pay are just as fast as on your iPhone.
Multiple users can register their fingerprints. Convenient for families or when sharing a MacBook with colleagues. Everyone gets instant access to their own account, complete with personalized settings.
Battery life and technical considerations
The Touch Bar uses OLED technology. This means black pixels consume no power. Apple claims the impact on battery life is minimal, at about 1-2% of total power consumption.
In practice, you won't notice much difference between MacBook Pro models with and without the Touch Bar. The processor, screen, and other components play a much larger role in energy consumption.
Considering refurbished options
A MacBook Pro with Touch Bar from 2019 or 2020 will still offer years of performance. These refurbished models are available at prices competitive with new Windows laptops. You get premium build quality, the macOS ecosystem, and the Touch Bar for less.
When purchasing a smartphone, pay attention to the year of manufacture and specifications. A 2018 model with an i7 processor and 16GB of RAM often performs better than a newer base model. The Touch Bar functionality remains the same, regardless of the year of manufacture.
Tips for optimal use
- Start simple : Focus on the basic features first before you start customizing
- Use Touch Bar in full screen : Apps then show more options because there is more space
- Try different apps : Some surprising integrations you discover by chance
- Screenshot function : Command+Shift+6 takes a screenshot of your Touch Bar layout
- Escape key : This always remains on the left, even in the Touch Bar version
The Touch Bar isn't a revolution, but an evolution. It doesn't replace a keyboard or trackpad, but complements them. For specific workflows and users, it delivers measurable time savings. Whether that gain is worth the learning curve depends on your work and willingness to experiment.
Conclusion: evolution instead of revolution
The Touch Bar remains a personal choice. For those willing to let go of old habits, it delivers measurable time savings —especially for creative work and word processing. These small improvements add up to hours per month. A refurbished MacBook with Touch Bar combines this functionality with an attractive price. Add the right accessories , and you have a workspace that adapts to your way of working. Not a revolution, but a smart evolution for those who put in the time.
