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I don't own a Mac, but I've heard of the touchbar. I just never imagined it replaced the function keys. That's insanity! (But I'm still stewing over modern keyboards removing the right Win key, so I can't lock my workstation with one hand any more, so don't mind me.)

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Apple has downplayed the existence of the function keys for much longer than the TouchBar though. On prior generation MacBooks the function keys provided actions (volume, brightness, etc.) as their primary function, requiring you to also press the Fn key to access the true F1-12 keys.

TouchBar MacBooks are much the same. If you press the Fn key, the TouchBar shows F1-F2.

The keyboard settings allow users to switch the behavior so that the function keys behave as such without holding down Fn. For me Minecraft is the driving reason for wanting physical function keys and a big part of why I still use my 2015 mbp.

Right hand thumb to win key + pinky to "L" as I am getting up to walk away still works for me.

My hands are pretty big, but I can only do that on non-full-sized keyboards. And to make matters worse I need an ergonomic split keyboard due to issues with my hands

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