I'm not so sure that theyll have separate UIs.

Apple's MacBook pros and iOS devices have been converging, and MacOS dock is pretty clearly designed for touch screens. I almost never use it to access apps since spotlight is way quicker and more convenient. Same goes for my iPhone - I no longer look for the app icon, I just search and open it from there.

As far as touch screen or no touch screen, I don't care as long as they're still producing high quality computers connected to their ecosystem, but they really could put engineering effort more useful places - such as improving testing and quality of their operating systems, making more robust hardware (they've been getting there with their phones, to the point where they literally advertised the iPhone 13 as able to handle a fall from a table), and countless other things.

Honestly, apple needs to be leading the way with conversion from electronics to optics. I led some of that research in the 20-teens and we have long been at a point where we could be replacing plenty of "bulkier" electrical components with optical ones.

That would be a way better use of their brain capital and workforce than adding a touch screen.

My 2005 HP Pavillion would disagree with that. It had a pretty phenomenal track pad. It wasn't until the 20teens that I realized I could turn on further functionality on it.

Apples trackpad was built with a good basis and better touch tool really tapped into its full potential.

Microsoft nailed exactly that concept with the surface pro. I almost got one when they came out.

I had numerous students who loved theirs and would switch back and forth from popping the screen off for in-class note taking and design drawing to then using it like a regular laptop.

Touch Bar on my 2017 MBP... :(

Touch Bars have existed for decades. However, I never saw one replace the F keys. And guess what? Half the time when I boot my Touch Bar doesn't. No amount of terminal wizardry fixes it, it simply refuses to start.

I'm totally with you about not wanting some stupid gimmick that we get charged for.

Apple is wasting R&D and engineering time on this.