13" M1 mbp over new 14" mbp?

[Fastball32]

The old Intel model had 4 ports. You really should consider the Air as its a better machine than the 13" M1 Pro. But if you honestly need the Touch Bar then pick one up. I am not sure why you would buy the 13" M1 pro which looks incredibly dated next to the M1 Air & new MacBook Pro's, but each to their own I guess.

Just curious, other than the price, why would you say the Air is better than the 13" Pro? The Pro has the slightly brighter screen, longer battery, touch bar (if preferred), and better cooling (if fans are preferred).
The 13" m1 pro for some people can actually look more modern, as it's thinner and lighter than the 14", but the bezels on the new one are definitely attractive. The 13" pro and 13" air are the same design era, so I would not say one is more dated than the other.
The MBP 13" can be had for close to $1,000 for sale/refurbished so it is a good deal if the 14's power is not needed.

 

[robinium]

And yet, you also said: "For clarification, we are talking about the 13" MBP M1, not the new M1 Pro silicon based MacBook Pro's."

I'm not sure what you're getting at? Maybe you should re-read the poster's comments which you are quoting?

 

[thadoggfather]

13" has the Touch Bar which is basically now obsolete and was never actually very good in the first place. Although the OP wants it, so he should go with it.

The M1 Air and M1 Pro are essentially almost on par when you look at benchmarks.

The M1 Air has a full set of actually useful function keys and is ergonomically superior thanks to its wedge shape design. It's the better machine.

I dont really know why the 13 M1 MBP exists tbh. No offense to people enjoying their machines, its a nice machine, battery is better but

..but I think Air is the better machine too, even if Pro is a little brighter or better P3.

its a powerhouse at a small price and light weight

 

[Eggtastic]

Thanks for all the replies. I had notifications turned off so I figured my question never got answered / buried but double checked and got a lot of responses / arguments.

To whoever recommended the MBA... Yes, on paper it would make sense for me to get that machine. However I prefer the design, look, etc. of the 12" MBP but you do make a good point regardless.

My rMB still holds up well despite the battery not what it used to be. Again my uses are light. The MBA design just doesn't do it for me (not a fan of the tapered design). It would feel more like an upgrade with the MBP overall to me.

If I ever do decide to go through with this I can just take it for a test drive and return it if it doesn't work out.

 

[flapflapflap]

The old Intel model had 4 ports. You really should consider the Air as its a better machine than the 13" M1 Pro. But if you honestly need the Touch Bar then pick one up. I am not sure why you would buy the 13" M1 pro which looks incredibly dated next to the M1 Air & new MacBook Pro's, but each to their own I guess.

The M1 13 still looks sleek and modern. See photo attached.

 

[flapflapflap]

Just curious, other than the price, why would you say the Air is better than the 13" Pro? The Pro has the slightly brighter screen, longer battery, touch bar (if preferred), and better cooling (if fans are preferred).
The 13" m1 pro for some people can actually look more modern, as it's thinner and lighter than the 14", but the bezels on the new one are definitely attractive. The 13" pro and 13" air are the same design era, so I would not say one is more dated than the other.
The MBP 13" can be had for close to $1,000 for sale/refurbished so it is a good deal if the 14's power is not needed.

The new 14 and 16 looks uglier than the M1 13 tbh. Look at the chunk in the 16.

 

[Character Zero]

After ordering and cancelling a 14 I went with a 13 pro coming today. I really want that battery and the touch bar looks interesting with some third party add ins.

 

[GoodGuy313]

Just for the battery life, I would most certainly go for the 13” M1 MBP. I had the base model for the past year and it ran circles around my 2017 15” i7. And let’s be honest, both the M1 Air and this are great laptops. Why do they not differ so much performance wise? Probably because it was the first time putting an SoC on their computers and purely drive testing with audience feedback. I’m expecting they might rebrand the 13” Pro and the Air and bring back the plain ‘Macbook’ branding. Then it would make a great lineup with a well balanced laptop for everybody and the Pro models for VERY intensive workflows.

 

[Character Zero]

Just for the battery life, I would most certainly go for the 13” M1 MBP. I had the base model for the past year and it ran circles around my 2017 15” i7. And let’s be honest, both the M1 Air and this are great laptops. Why do they not differ so much performance wise? Probably because it was the first time putting an SoC on their computers and purely drive testing with audience feedback. I’m expecting they might rebrand the 13” Pro and the Air and bring back the plain ‘Macbook’ branding. Then it would make a great lineup with a well balanced laptop for everybody and the Pro models for VERY intensive workflows.

Also instead of 8/256 and 8/512 base configurations it needs to be 8/256 and 16/512.

 

[davidg4781]

I dont really know why the 13 M1 MBP exists tbh. No offense to people enjoying their machines, its a nice machine, battery is better but

..but I think Air is the better machine too, even if Pro is a little brighter or better P3.

its a powerhouse at a small price and light weight

I haven’t looked at the numbers in a while but doesn’t the 13” MBP have a little better performance, or at least sustained performance, due to active cooling?

The way I see it… the MBA is the entry level one. Web browsing, internet, media consumption, casual gaming. 13”MBP is for people that need all that and want a better experience. Personally, I do a little gaming, nothing too fancy, but it’ll be going for a long term and if it’s taxing the system, active cooling will help. For video work, I think the MBA will just take a little bit longer.

And the new MBPs are for actual professionals. I’m considering one but definitely have no need for it.

My 2010 13” MBP was in a similar spot. Back then they had the MBA and higher spec’d MBP with better GPUs. The one I have is that middle ground.

 

[darthbane2k]

My 2010 13” MBP was in a similar spot. Back then they had the MBA and higher spec’d MBP with better GPUs. The one I have is that middle ground.

And that's exactly where the current 13" M1 MBP fits, it is the entry level pro model and the high spec pro models are the new chips. I see the difference as consumer (Air), Prosumer (13" M1), Pro (M1 Pro), Commercial Pro (M1 Max)

 

[Acronyc]

The M1 MBP is a fantastic computer. I've been using one for the last three months in a 16GB/1TB config and it has never let me down. I'm selling it because I decided to pick up the 14-inch MBP, but the M1 MBP is still awesome.

Personally I never was a fan of the wedge design and the M1 MBP has a better screen, longer battery life, better sustained performance, and the Touch Bar if that's your thing. I think it is the better machine, and it's why I got one instead of an MBA.

 

[haruhiko]

I’d suggest you to watch this comparison first.

 

[darthbane2k]

I’d suggest you to watch this comparison first.

Video is absolute BS and the guy is an idiot. Of course the M1 Pro will out perform the M1 as it has more performance cores. Why this is acting surprised and trying to position the 13" MBP as a slow machine is absolute nonsense.

He's also comparing a base level machine with 8GB RAM and less storage with one with Double RAM and double the storage. Its not even a fair test.

 

[thadoggfather]

Video is absolute BS and the guy is an idiot. Of course the M1 Pro will out perform the M1 as it has more performance cores. Why this is acting surprised and trying to position the 13" MBP as a slow machine is absolute nonsense.

It’s the same single core benchmark too

 

[cababah]

I considered getting an M1 as it is more than powerful enough to handle my relatively light tasks, however, the 120Hz (easier reading) and 1080p camera (I do a lot of zoom) convinced me to get the 14" base over the 13"/MBA M1.

 

[darthbane2k]

I considered getting an M1 as it is more than powerful enough to handle my relatively light tasks, however, the 120Hz (easier reading) and 1080p camera (I do a lot of zoom) convinced me to get the 14" base over the 13"/MBA M1.

Thats a wise choice if you're buying new. But for those who already have an M1 there is no real justification to upgrade. I get that people are excited but all of this complaining about the M1 being slow is absolute bull. Just watch the videos from a year ago , just use one for a while. This is what's bothering me the most about all of this - the lies and misinformation being spread about M1 performance.

Furthermore I don't understand why people are accepting apples pathetic trade in value to upgrade the M1 to one of the new MacBook Pros - you may as well flush your money down the toilet or give the device away from what they are offering.

 

[davidg4781]

Video is absolute BS and the guy is an idiot. Of course the M1 Pro will out perform the M1 as it has more performance cores. Why this is acting surprised and trying to position the 13" MBP as a slow machine is absolute nonsense.

He's also comparing a base level machine with 8GB RAM and less storage with one with Double RAM and double the storage. Its not even a fair test.

You know, for me, it's solidifying that I should buy the 13" MBP. I don't need the performance of the 14" but I usually keep my Macs for a while. The display is really nice, but, whatever.

The big thing worrying me now is the 13" is almost a year old and I don't want a newer, better performing one to come out in a month or so. That's what happened when I bought my first MacBook. 6 weeks later the C2D came out and left me in the dust.

 

[darthbane2k]

You know, for me, it's solidifying that I should buy the 13" MBP. I don't need the performance of the 14" but I usually keep my Macs for a while. The display is really nice, but, whatever.

The big thing worrying me now is the 13" is almost a year old and I don't want a newer, better performing one to come out in a month or so. That's what happened when I bought my first MacBook. 6 weeks later the C2D came out and left me in the dust.

I doubt a replacement for the 13 is coming until the M2 is ready, and by then the 13" will become a 14" with standard M2 chip. This will most likely be the time we also see the new colourful Airs.
All speculation of course.

 

[davidg4781]

I doubt a replacement for the 13 is coming until the M2 is ready, and by then the 13" will become a 14" with standard M2 chip. This will most likely be the time we also see the new colourful Airs.
All speculation of course.

That’s what I’m thinking. Either way, I think it’ll last me a good 5 years or so. By then, something new will be out.

And I’m alright with silver. Although, that blue looks pretty nice.

 

[haruhiko]

Video is absolute BS and the guy is an idiot. Of course the M1 Pro will out perform the M1 as it has more performance cores. Why this is acting surprised and trying to position the 13" MBP as a slow machine is absolute nonsense.

He's also comparing a base level machine with 8GB RAM and less storage with one with Double RAM and double the storage. Its not even a fair test.

If you buy new, his video is relevant; I’m exactly pinpointing this situation. If you spec the M1 13 inch Pro to 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage, the cost is suddenly quite close to the base model 14 inch and you miss out on the gorgeous and larger XDR promotion miniLED screen, not to mention the performance gap, new design, etc.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

The old Intel model had 4 ports. You really should consider the Air as its a better machine than the 13" M1 Pro. But if you honestly need the Touch Bar then pick one up. I am not sure why you would buy the 13" M1 pro which looks incredibly dated next to the M1 Air & new MacBook Pro's, but each to their own I guess.

because it has the same typical brightness as the new 14 pro ,500 nits for sdr and real life usage
because it smokes litteraly any other macbook in battery life,beating the 16" even
because it has a fan which can come in handy for sustained workloads
because the performance isnt that bad,at all
because it has touchbar which can come in handy when u need to type foreign languages' words
because its screen has a much better contrast than the air ,as well as better response times ,and less ghosting also

idk man,the 13 mbp makes sense even now,and it made even more sense 1 month ago .

 

[asohal]

Last macbook pro I had was the late 2013 15” rMBP. It lasted me 8 years. I used it for my studies and laboratory (Network Engineer). Im in the same boat and cant really decide if I should go with the 13” or 14”. Most of the applications I need are still not running on Silicon chips, it’ll probably take another 1-2 years, not really sure. If I configure the 13” w/ 16 RAM & 256 Storage, it comes out to USD 1660. I have a gift card for my old 2013 15” when I traded it in at an apple store. If used it comes down to like USD 1370.

I know 14” base has bigger & better screen, more storage, more GPU cores and ports for USD 1980 (using my gift card). Its more powerful than the M1 for sure, but since its not working for the things I needed, its wasted power.

Thats almost $600 difference. I personally dont like the notch, and I think this will be used for the next 4-5 years on the macbooks. I already have a 1TB external USB-C storage, so Im covered there.

Dongles, you say? I would still need to buy for my ethernet needs anyway, so same thing I guess.

Any healthy inputs or opinions are welcome.

 

[jungleghost]

Last macbook pro I had was the late 2013 15” rMBP. It lasted me 8 years. I used it for my studies and laboratory (Network Engineer). Im in the same boat and cant really decide if I should go with the 13” or 14”. Most of the applications I need are still not running on Silicon chips, it’ll probably take another 1-2 years, not really sure. If I configure the 13” w/ 16 RAM & 256 Storage, it comes out to USD 1660. I have a gift card for my old 2013 15” when I traded it in at an apple store. If used it comes down to like USD 1370.

I know 14” base has bigger & better screen, more storage, more GPU cores and ports for USD 1980 (using my gift card). Its more powerful than the M1 for sure, but since its not working for the things I needed, its wasted power.

Thats almost $600 difference. I personally dont like the notch, and I think this will be used for the next 4-5 years on the macbooks. I already have a 1TB external USB-C storage, so Im covered there.

Dongles, you say? I would still need to buy for my ethernet needs anyway, so same thing I guess.

Any healthy inputs or opinions are welcome.

An iPhone 13 or iPad Pro 11 of difference. You really don't need the 14". The M1 MBP with 16GB RAM, it's an amazing machine! Much much better than the old intel 13" (that at the time people bought and were amazed at how good they were).

 

[marstan]

Odd question but wasn't sure if there are many of you in this boat. I have a rMB that I have been waiting to upgrade. 14" comes around and while impressive, 2 grand for a light use laptop doesn't make sense.

I do not want the air, so I figured a 13" m1 mbp would be a good move. Great battery, touch bar (I would use it for sure), cheaper, slimmer, etc.

Bonus question... I am only seeing 2 ports on the 13 mbp m1. I thought I saw somewhere it would have 4?

Thanks

If touch bar is a must have, then you know the answer. If you can live without it, then it comes down to a choice between the base 13" and 14" (I wouldn't consider the upgraded 13" because due to price just go directly to 14"). Sure the 13" is $700 cheaper but in 6 months time you will not remember or notice the extra $700 but you will notice everyday for as long as you have it what you could have had but missed out on (XDR screen, more and faster storage and ram and more cores and overall faster performance).