They kept the touch bar but it seems that they added (back) a physical Esc key, isn't that the most criticized missing key?
Which other key do you miss now that Esc is back?
Which other key do you miss now that Esc is back?
EDIT: My mother also says she gets distracting autocomplete suggestions on the touch bar while she's typing. I vaguely remember doing something to turn that off on mine, but she is terrified of Covid so I haven't had a chance to get at her laptop and fix it for her. I don't know what human factors genius at Apple decided it would be helpful for people to see words hopping around at the edge of their vision while they're trying to type.
You can use Messages to easily initiate screen-sharing (with you controlling her Mac) to do that. No 3rd party software, no action on her side needed.
You can choose a few different options there - try "Expanded Control Strip".
Either way, based on this announcement I'll probably hold off on upgrading for another generation. That'll leave some time to see how the transition goes, and with any luck the next ones will include 32 GB RAM, Mini-LED, and 5G (along with a full keyboard).
I'm happily tapping away with them on a 2020 MBA
In my particular case, I use them all the time. Edit some SQL, press F9. Select some files, press F5. And so on.
I can't work without the function keys.
While I prefer the physical keys, once you get the TouchBar configured properly (I use MTMR), it's really quite nice. Combined with a physical escape key, it would be ideal.
Considering how the people on HN boast so much about being L337 Haxxorz, I'm surprised they don't see the value in a secondary interactive screen that they can make do anything they want.
One minor annoyance, however, is that the TouchBar isn't visible in direct sunlight, which is to be expected of any screen. Function keys don't have that problem.
I really need a Forward-Delete key - pressing Cmd+Backspace just doesn't work for me.
[1] Yes, I've remapped/swapped the Ctrl+Fn keys on my ThinkPad too.