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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Desktops > Who would buy a Touch Bar Keyboard?

View Poll Results: Would you buy a Touch Bar Keyboard
Poll Options:
No, what's the point? 2 votes (33.33%)
Yes, with tiny premium price 1 votes (16.67%)
Absolutely, I can't wait! 3 votes (50.00%)
Voters: 6. You may not vote on this poll
Who would buy a Touch Bar Keyboard?
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schalliol
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Feb 23, 2017, 02:01 PM
 
I use desktop Macs often (like my 5K 4GHz iMac), and I even put my MBP on a pedestal at work beside my monitors many times. Assuming a price premium to the existing keyboard, who else would buy one?
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CharlesS
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Feb 23, 2017, 04:02 PM
 
If it had a full-sized keypad, non-tiny arrow keys, and the pgup/pgdn/home/end keys? In a minute.

Otherwise? Eh, it might be useful for software development, maybe.

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schalliol  (op)
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Feb 23, 2017, 04:10 PM
 
Good point on the keypad. I bought a NewerTech full keypad that works great, but I do sometimes set it aside. Page up and down would be in the Touch Bar. I agree on the arrow keys, but I've gotten used to them.
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reader50
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Feb 23, 2017, 04:16 PM
 
I use a Tactile Pro with a full key set, and full key travel. The only way I'd consider a TB is if it were in addition to all the regular keys. Paying to take away existing keys doesn't make sense. Especially when I paid extra to get the existing keys.
     
schalliol  (op)
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Feb 23, 2017, 06:04 PM
 
I suppose we're in a special group on this forum. I had a Tactile Pro v1 and v2 before moving to Das Keyboards. I use an Apple Magic Keyboard in the office now because my office doesn't have a ceiling (and tactile keys are loud). I enjoy being able to sit at my small conference table and use the keyboard to.

They won't do it, but if Apple could offer a self-standing Touch Bar, that would be awesome. It just seems like an oversight that if you have a Mac Pro, a loaded iMac or a loaded Mac mini, you can't use this special feature that would be relevant. They haven't killed the function key, as Phil said they did, while only portables get the treatment.

I use a couple of PowerMates and I used to use the Logitech NuLOOQ to get some of these kinds of functionality.
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reader50
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Feb 23, 2017, 06:29 PM
 
I used the TP v1 until it wore out (and broke a foot), followed by the Quiet Pro today. It still makes key noise, but noticeably less.

note: I kept the one intact TPv1 foot, if someone needs to repair a beloved keyboard.
     
P
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Feb 24, 2017, 05:29 AM
 
I would probably buy it if it was a full-size, preferably wired, but I do like backlights even on desktop keyboards, so I do want that too.
The new Mac Pro has up to 30 MB of cache inside the processor itself. That's more than the HD in my first Mac. Somehow I'm still running out of space.
     
OreoCookie
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Feb 26, 2017, 12:14 AM
 
If the key mechanism combined the clicky-ness of the new laptop keyboard and a little more key travel, I'd buy one in a heart beat. Currently I have a Matias Quiet Pro (because I share my office), and while it is good, it is nowhere nearly as satisfying to use as the Tactile Pro (v1) that I had a few years ago. But the latter was so loud I got into trouble with colleagues
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schalliol  (op)
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Feb 26, 2017, 03:07 AM
 
Agreed that the tactile are better. I think the problem with my question is we're too advanced as an average user set. Does anyone heee have a Touch Bar MBP?
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P
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Feb 26, 2017, 11:30 AM
 
Originally Posted by schalliol View Post
Agreed that the tactile are better. I think the problem with my question is we're too advanced as an average user set. Does anyone heee have a Touch Bar MBP?
Yes, why?
The new Mac Pro has up to 30 MB of cache inside the processor itself. That's more than the HD in my first Mac. Somehow I'm still running out of space.
     
schalliol  (op)
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Feb 26, 2017, 11:34 AM
 
Just wondering if you're finding it useful. I know it's early days, so most probably don't support it. I figured if useful people would want it on the desktop too (and in my case an elevated MBP with two 24s).
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OreoCookie
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Feb 26, 2017, 09:24 PM
 
Originally Posted by reader50 View Post
I used the TP v1 until it wore out (and broke a foot), followed by the Quiet Pro today. It still makes key noise, but noticeably less.
I wore out the E key on mine
Do you find the Quiet Pro as pleasant to use as the Tactile Pro?
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reader50
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Feb 26, 2017, 10:11 PM
 
I had multiple keys sticking, and tons of dust inside. It would have required a full strip down to make it nice again.

The QP seems about the same today. Not quite as strong a feedback, but I barely noticed the difference. I'm happy with it. I do miss the power key sometimes.
     
P
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Feb 27, 2017, 06:08 AM
 
Originally Posted by schalliol View Post
Just wondering if you're finding it useful. I know it's early days, so most probably don't support it. I figured if useful people would want it on the desktop too (and in my case an elevated MBP with two 24s).
I use it when I'm using the laptop away from my desk, but mostly I've been fiddling with making the setup work there. It's fine for what it is, and I like that you can push the dialog box buttons directly there, but it isn't a killer feature right now.
The new Mac Pro has up to 30 MB of cache inside the processor itself. That's more than the HD in my first Mac. Somehow I'm still running out of space.
     
OreoCookie
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Feb 27, 2017, 07:23 PM
 
Originally Posted by reader50 View Post
I had multiple keys sticking, and tons of dust inside. It would have required a full strip down to make it nice again.

The QP seems about the same today. Not quite as strong a feedback, but I barely noticed the difference. I'm happy with it. I do miss the power key sometimes.
I'm asking because it turns out I really seem to miss the sensation of overcoming the force barrier, and my QP has a much more linear action than my Tactile Pro or my Model M (that I had for two years in Canada, because I shared an office with a ghost). For that reason, I strangely and unexpectedly like the keyboard covers for the iPad Pros.
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