Apple Discontinues Controversial Touch Bar Feature on MacBook Pro Laptops
In a surprising move, Apple has decided to remove one of its most controversial features, the Touch Bar, from its MacBook Pro laptops after seven years of its introduction. The company will no longer sell new MacBook Pro models equipped with this touch-sensitive OLED display above the keyboard.
The Touch Bar, which replaced physical buttons for functions such as volume and screen brightness, garnered mixed reviews since its debut in 2016. It also provided typing suggestions, shortcuts to emoji and Siri, and context-specific options based on the apps or systems in use. While some users appreciated the versatility of the Touch Bar, others found it unnecessary or susceptible to accidental taps. Many users also longed for the tactile buttons that were replaced the dynamic touch-screen strip.
Apple’s decision to discontinue the 13-inch MacBook Pro, which housed the Touch Bar, coincides with the introduction of the new 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the latest M3 chip. The announcement was made during Apple’s recent “Scary Fast” Halloween-themed event. It is worth mentioning that some 13-inch MacBook Pro models did not feature the Touch Bar prior to this decision.
The move to abolish the Touch Bar comes after Apple removed the feature from the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models in 2021, reverting to tactile function keys instead. Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, explained in a WIRED interview in 2021 that the decision was based on the preference of their professional customers for the traditional function keys.
With this bold move, Apple aims to cater to the needs and preferences of its customer base while continuing to innovate and push the boundaries of technology. The discontinuation of the Touch Bar marks a significant transition in the design and functionality of the MacBook Pro lineup, and Apple enthusiasts eagerly await the new possibilities offered the M3 chip in the 14-inch MacBook Pro.