the graphic tablet is still unbeaten... each command had its unchangeable place and only one click (I can't stand the contextual menus because at each location it doesn't match a single command and I have to look at what is at that time). .
I used it, too, but we're talking about the '80s.
the graphic tablet was born mainly for the digitization (copying) of the drawings from the paper (at the time managing a bn scan (1 bit) and using it to video as a background was really heavy. . . )
but custom command templates were also (in combination with the fast keyboard command) the caddist's daily bread.
the ratio behind the interface with the multifunction bar is that now we have high-resolution monitors (at that time the high resolution was 640x480...), which allows you to use an ordered space to put the commands.
the abandonment of the tablet (with the setting only menus and floating bars of commands) is served to avoid constantly shifting the look from screen to tablet (be blind is not possible. . )
then the next step was to organize the commands in this tape that has a contextual part (it is activated according to what selections).
among other things in the last versions (well, now perhaps at least since 2013...) there is the autocomplete command for those who type from keyboard, that (together with the strengthened "circle") completes a bit the panorama of the tools that are used now.
this rational explanation, which is shared.
It is clear that, to those who passed 8 (and more) hours a day on board, menus and floating bars, this change caused a change of tools that was annoying and slowed down a lot/
but I think if we took two users from scratch, with the new setting (with all the commands that are there today...) it would be more effective.