I think part of the issue with GNOME 3 is that the instructions on screen for how to use the UI hide the most efficient ways to do so. The application launcher

I think part of the issue with GNOME 3 is that the instructions on screen for how to use the UI hide the most efficient ways to do so. The application launcher for me is universally used by hitting super, typing what I want, and hitting enter. I never actually click on anything. Same with swiping up on the login screen, you can do that on a touch screen, but you can also just start typing your password.