Still though, at the moment I can step through code without really thinking about it, partly because I know where the keys are based on how the keyboard feels, combined with the tactile feedback of pressing the buttons.

I would worry that with no physical presence on the keyboard, I would spend a lot more time looking at the keyboard figuring out where the function key I need is than actually getting things done.

I would be keen to see a review from somebody who uses the new Macbook Pro professionally as a developer to see if this is as much of an issue as I imagine it to be.

> I would worry that with no physical presence on the keyboard, I would spend a lot more time looking at the keyboard figuring out where the function key I need is than actually getting things done.

Exactly. In Eclipse, F5 steps into a function call, F6 steps over it, F7 returns from the current function, and F8 resumes execution, and mistakenly pressing the adjacent key can be frustrating (although, with time-travel debuggers, this issue might be alleviated?).

Interestingly, when Lenovo did Thinkpad T430 series, they removed the spacing between the F-keys (in order to fit ESC in the same row). Such a tiny change, yet how much usability it destroyed - suddenly it was impossible to use F-keys by touch.

With T440, the spacing was back.

As a touch typist, can you please explain how that would work for me?

It's the same argument from the Blackberry v iPhone days. Maybe not great for you. The question is - for most people are configurable F keys more useful than touch-typable F keys.

As a touch typist, can you please explain how function keys are particularly relevant to touch typing?

Stepping through the debugger is not typing, and function keys change role according to the selected app anyway. And when they are system function keys (brightness, volume, etc) they are even more irrelevant to typing and/or touch typing.

Besides, there's nothing particularly hard about finding a touch based F6 key compared to a physical F6 key. A key's position (which won't change) gives more of a clue than the key's boundaries.

Heck, it's called touch typing -- a touch strip doesn't sound that alien to it.

You can feel the boundaries of physical keys, unlike virtual ones on a touchscreen. The nubs on F and J serve a similar aligning purpose as, and enhance the functionality of, the interkey gaps on the function key row.

Stepping through the debugger is not typing,

I disagree. E.g. when you're deciding to step in vs. step past vs. step out vs. run etc.; finding the right key is extremely important.

...and I challenge anyone to hover their fingers over the respective keys continuously for hours without touching them, losing their alignment, or unnecessarily tiring the muscles of their hand.

Thanks, you answered the question perfectly. I never look at the keyboard whilst typing normally. I have transitioned to using Visual Studio 2015 in the last year, and am now also developing my muscle memory of the function keys.

I use a Logitech G910 keyboard (love those Romer G switches now, even though it took a while), and e.g. setting a break point with F9 is easy as it's the first key of the third block. For a debugging session, the rest follow - I can rest my fingers on the buttons and just step through / skip over etc - no need to look at all, the focus staying on the code.

Actually knowing when I press the button too is extremely important; there's no mistaking the action on a physical keyboard.

I also have a X1 Carbon laptop, the first gen. Fantastic keyboard (and thanks to getting the i7/8/256 version which was rather outstanding back then, it still serves me well today even though the 8gb is getting limiting). In its 2nd iteration, they went for capacitive function keys, much to just about everyone's chagrin. Thankfully, Lenovo listened to feedback and in its the 3rd generation the function keys are back to normal, i.e. same as mine. If they bring a 32gb model out by the time I feel I need to upgrade, I'll probably look at another one (in 1-2 years).

There are many applications, that do use F-keys for shortcuts.

Not only debuggers, like others mentioned. But also some popular file managers (windows: Far, Total Commander; linux and osx: Midnight Commander).

When using these applications, I can copy files using F5 - and I know it is F5 without looking, because it is in the middle and has an empty space to the left. Similarly with F8 (delete) - in the right region, has space to the right.

With touch strip, you pretty much have to look away from the screen, onto the strip.

>When using these applications, I can copy files using F5 - and I know it is F5 without looking, because it is in the middle and has an empty space to the left. Similarly with F8 (delete) - in the right region, has space to the right.

Well, no such space on the physical keyboard I'm using now. Not after F5, and not after F8.

You are exception, then :)

Yes, there are such keyboards, from the popular ones Thinkpad [TX][245]30 series for example and the previous rMBP too. However, most keyboards do have the spacing.

Actually Xcode has been updated for touchbar, and has some useful code editing commands. But does not show any debugging commands in the touchbar. Perhaps it will in future.

It is possible to show F keys by holding the fn key and you can configure the touchbar to always show F keys by default.