Do the New MacBook Pro 14- and 16-Inch Models (2021) Have the Touch Bar? 

Apple’s newest MacBook Pro models are here – and they come powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. However, in comparison to the previous generation, plenty is new about the newly introduced notebooks, including changes to the Touch Bar. More precisely, the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models come without the Touch Bar, which has been around since 2016. Keep on reading to learn more!

What Has Replaced the Touch Bar? 

The Touch Bar has been replaced by a row of physical function keys – which means that Apple has returned to its pre-2016 strategy. This is a row of standard function keys, with the 'ESC' key on the left and Apple’s 'Touch ID' button on the right. 

Speaking of the new MacBook Pro keyboards, they’re now called 'Magic Keyboard,' and they come set in a double-anodized black well. As you can imagine, the keyboard is backlit, which means the glyphs on the keys should be visible in any situation. 

Why Did Apple Remove the Touch Bar? 

As Apple explains, the newly introduced 2021 MacBook Pros come without the Touch Bar as the company wanted to "bring back the familiar, tactile feel of mechanical keys."

We’re sure that some of you liked and used the Touch Bar during the last couple of years. However, we’re also sure that many of you saw no point in that feature. That especially applies to pro users, as the Touch Bar never really reached its promise. In fact, implementing that feature quite often contradicted its premise, and it looks like Apple was well-aware of that.

Lastly, please note that the Touch Bar is still available on the previous MacBook Pro generation. More precisely, the 13-inch MacBook Pro, powered by the M1 chip and released last year, is still available for $1,299.00.