That new MacBook Pro with TouchID

As soon as people see that I’ve got the new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, they’re interested in it. “Do I like the Touch Bar? What’s it like? Oh, [insert reaction here…].”

For me, it breaks down like this:

• TouchID is the big deal about the new Touch Bar. I use huge passwords and every opprotunity to skip typing them is a bonus. Even if I hated the rest of the Touch Bar, I’d still be in for this.
• I’ve used the Touch Bar more than I used the function keys that it replaces. But, it’s TouchID that makes it worth it.
• If I still used emacs or vi, I might care more about the ESC soft key. As it is, it’s fine—except for the fact it’s drawn inset from the left margin. Thank goodness it still activates when you hit the blank area to the left of the key.
• The color gamut on the 15" display is gorgeous. The photographer in me loves it.
• I totally dig the new dark grey color.
• I miss MagSafe, but I do appreciate being able to power up from any of the ports on the machine and find myself using the right side ports to do it quite often. Wash.
• Battery life started out fairly poor, then sorted itself out after a few days. Most of the time, I get perfectly acceptable long battery run times even when I’m using Xcode. Acceptable enough that I’m rarely looking for a power outlet during the day.
• USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 is great. The cable transition story is always somewhat annoying at first, over played for reaction, and then becomes irrelevant faster than seems reasonable. While dealing with adapters for a bit sucks, being able to use any port is a treat. Wash.
• It’s a worthy laptop. If you need a new MacBook Pro, then get it. If you don’t — and you might not as even three and four year old MacBook Pros are still adequate performers—then don’t get it. Use the money on something else. Economics 101.

The most irritating thing about the laptop to me: the lack of a touch screen. Yes, I understand Apple’s position on the matter and agree that a laptop should be a keyboard and mouse experience. I don’t want a touch-based UI for MacOS X, however. I just want to be able to reach up and swipe things occasionally or rotate images or the like.

Disclosure: I currently work for Microsoft who’s obviously bet big on touch everywhere. My Windows laptop has taught me that any screen should be touchable, even if it’s only for occasional gross gestures.