I needed a new laptop. Something fast, light, and good for work. I’ve always used Apple products, so the MacBook was an easy choice. But I wasn’t sure about the Touch Bar at first. It looked cool, but I didn’t know if I’d actually use it. Still, I went for it. The model fit my budget, and I liked the sleek design.
Now, after months of using it, I have a lot to say. Some good, some not so good. If you’re thinking about getting one too, I’ll share what it’s really like. Here’s how it’s been for me.
Table of Contents
My First Impressions Were All About Looks and Curiosity
It looked sleek. It felt light. I wanted to see what it could do.
Unboxing the MacBook was smooth. Apple really knows how to make the packaging feel special. I slid it out of the box, and the brushed aluminum body instantly caught my eye. It felt premium and solid but not heavy. The minimalist look made everything feel neat and clean.
The Touch Bar lit up, and that’s when I paused. It looked cool, but I wasn’t sure how useful it would be. I tapped it a few times just to see it respond. It felt new and a bit strange—but exciting. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was ready to try it out.
How I Actually Use the Touch Bar in My Day-to-Day
It surprised me. I didn’t expect to use it this much every day.
At first, I used the Touch Bar for small things:
- Brightness and volume adjustments were fast and smooth
- Emoji picker made texting and commenting more fun
- Autocorrect suggestions popped up right where I was typing
Then I saw how apps changed the Touch Bar:
- In Safari, it showed open tabs and search
- In Final Cut, I could scrub through timelines
- In Photoshop, tool shortcuts appeared right on top
It started to feel faster than keyboard shortcuts. I wasn’t reaching for the mouse as often. I got used to looking down at the bar, especially when editing or typing fast.
At first, I forgot it was there. But now it’s part of how I work.
What I Love About It – These Small Touches Matter
Little changes made my day smoother. It’s not perfect, but it helps.
Here’s what stands out for me:
- The Touch Bar changes based on the app I’m using
- I love the sliders for scrubbing through music and video
- Touch ID is my favorite — logging in feels fast and secure
- It helps me switch tasks quickly when I’m editing or writing
I don’t think of it as a game-changer. But I do miss it when I use a Mac without it. It just saves a little time here and there—and those moments add up.
What I Found a Bit Frustrating About the Touch Bar
Not everything worked. Some things felt more annoying than helpful at times.
The Touch Bar isn’t perfect. It looks nice, but it can get in the way.
- I often accidentally tap volume or brightness while typing
- Some apps don’t support it at all, so it just sits there
- I miss the feel of real function keys, especially when coding
- In many apps, it doesn’t really add anything useful
It’s a mix of fun and fuss. I like it when it works well, but I get frustrated when it doesn’t do much. It feels like a cool idea that didn’t get finished.
Would I Recommend It? Here’s My Honest Take
It depends on how you work. Not everyone will find it worth it.
If you love shortcuts and visual tools, you’ll probably enjoy it.
- It’s great for creative pros editing video, music, or design
- It helps multitaskers move fast without reaching for the mouse
- But if you’re a casual user or mostly use the keyboard, you won’t need it
- Coders might prefer physical keys and a more basic layout
If you’re already using other Apple devices, it fits in well. But the price bump makes you think twice. For me, it’s useful—but not a must-have.
The Final Touches That Made It Feel So “Mac” to Me
It felt familiar but new. Apple knows how to make small things stand out.
There’s something about the way the Touch Bar fits into macOS.
- I liked how I could customize the Control Strip to show what I use most
- It looked clean and blended right into the MacBook’s design
- The animations were smooth, never distracting, just simple and quick
- Even the way it lit up when I opened the lid felt polished
It has that extra shine that Apple is known for. The design, the feel, the way it all works together—it just feels like a Mac should. Not perfect, but definitely stylish and thought-out.