I think that the touchbar could have been fine if it had been spaced one row above a full sized set of function keys.
As it is, when I use the keyboard on my work MBP, my fingers will brush the touchbar and do things. I have turned off the functionality in most apps so that I don't get that. (terminal especially)
For my actual usage, it's a step backwards from the pre-2016 function keys, an always available pause/play/stop, volume and brightness. I can't be doing something in emacs and then hit pause or louder, it's switch to music and then I can pause.
The lack of a physical escape key also dooms it in my usage. (no, escape is not going on caps-lock, that's where control goes)
So the work MBP is 99% used with an external keyboard/monitor. The personal 2015 MBP is generally used on the lap.
USB-c is ok, and the real magic is when you've got a Thunderbolt/USB-c power delivery monitor with a built in usb3 hub. One wire to the laptop and you're done. (and even better when the monitor has a built-in kvm so that the other computer is just a switch away, without mucking with cables).
Why not the best of both worlds? Bind capslock to "control when chorded, escape when pressed alone."
I use Karabiner-Elements for this, it's very easy to set up. https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/
As it is, when I use the keyboard on my work MBP, my fingers will brush the touchbar and do things. I have turned off the functionality in most apps so that I don't get that. (terminal especially)
For my actual usage, it's a step backwards from the pre-2016 function keys, an always available pause/play/stop, volume and brightness. I can't be doing something in emacs and then hit pause or louder, it's switch to music and then I can pause.
The lack of a physical escape key also dooms it in my usage. (no, escape is not going on caps-lock, that's where control goes)
So the work MBP is 99% used with an external keyboard/monitor. The personal 2015 MBP is generally used on the lap.
USB-c is ok, and the real magic is when you've got a Thunderbolt/USB-c power delivery monitor with a built in usb3 hub. One wire to the laptop and you're done. (and even better when the monitor has a built-in kvm so that the other computer is just a switch away, without mucking with cables).