Apple recently launched its new MacBook Pro lineup in two different sizes: 14-inch and 16-inch. The company replaced the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the 14-inch one featuring the new M3 chipset. This also marks the end of the Touch Bar as the company has discontinued the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
End Of The Road For Touch Bar As Apple Discontinues 13-inch Model
Apple has discontinued the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar by releasing the new M3 MacBook Pros. The Touch Bar is considered one of the controversial features of the MacBook, as many people hated it.
For those unaware, the Touch Bar was an OLED strip below the display that uses touch and compliments the keyboard’s function. The strip made its debut in 2016 with the MacBook Pro. It showed various things like suggestions while typing and shortcuts for emoji and Siri.
Touch Bar Faced Criticism As It Replaced Physical Keys
It replaced the physical function keys used for controlling the brightness and volume of the MacBook.This proved to be divisive, as many preferred the convenience of physical keys.
Furthermore, the Touch Bar also showed shortcuts for launching apps and app-specific settings such as tabs when browsing Safari. Due to the lack of widespread support, too much touch sensitivity and poor compatibility with third-party apps, users often criticized the Touch Bar.
Apple initially took the first step towards discontinuing the Touch Bar with the 2021 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro by replacing them with tactile function keys. Now, the company is marking the end of the Touch Bar by ceasing the production of the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
It has replaced the smallest MacBook Pro with a larger 14-inch model featuring the M3 chipset. There is a possibility that the Cupertino Giant may introduce a new 13-inch MacBook Pro model with an M3 chip sometime next year.