13" MacBook Air M2 16GB VS 13" MacBook Pro M2 16GB

[Dukey]

Hey guys I'm deciding between

13" Apple MacBook Air 2022 M2 8-Core CPU 10-Core GPU 16GB 256GB
VS
13" Apple MacBook Pro M2 Chip 10-Core 16GB RAM 512GB.

Same Price (Around $1000).

I'll mostly use it for browsing web and video/ photo editing. I have a mac mini at home for heavier load work but wanted something portable. The Air seems more up to date but with potential heating issues vs the Pro being somewhat outdated but slightly better performance.

I keep going back and forth and I just wanted a 3rd opinion on this. Thank you!

 

[russell_314]

How much video editing? Do you have a YouTube channel or do this for work? Or are we talking about random stuff you’re doing out of boredom?


If you’re doing a lot of video editing get the Pro. If not get the Air. I would recommend going to the Apple Store and picking them up. I mean literally picking them up and not buying them. There’s a big difference with how they feel. Of course if it’s mostly sitting on your desk then it’s a moot point.

 

[Dukey]

How much video editing? Do you have a YouTube channel or do this for work? Or are we talking about random stuff you’re doing out of boredom?


If you’re doing a lot of video editing get the Pro. If not get the Air. I would recommend going to the Apple Store and picking them up. I mean literally picking them up and not buying them. There’s a big difference with how they feel. Of course if it’s mostly sitting on your desk then it’s a moot point.

Hey thanks for the quick reply. I am pro video editor by trade for 60% of work.

My thought process at the moment is to do use the laptop as a daily organizer and browse/edit on the go and then come home and use the mac mini pro for the bigger loads.

I prefer the feel the new airs but "feel" would have to be secondary to pure performance, though I have heard of a lot of people editing on their m2 airs also read up on heating issues as well...

 

[Bruh Bear]

Hey thanks for the quick reply. I am pro video editor by trade for 60% of work.

My thought process at the moment is to do use the laptop as a daily organizer and browse/edit on the go and then come home and use the mac mini pro for the bigger loads.

I prefer the feel the new airs but "feel" would have to be secondary to pure performance, though I have heard of a lot of people editing on their m2 airs also read up on heating issues as well...

If you don’t want thermal throttling, get the Pro. It’s still an incredibly thin and light laptop.

 

[Dukey]

If you don’t want thermal throttling, get the Pro. It’s still an incredibly thin and light laptop.

I read that Thermal Throttling is really a non issue...

 

[Bruh Bear]

I read that Thermal Throttling is really a non issue...

It’s an issue during long video or 3D rendering projects or if you’re playing video games. Anything that’s extremely demanding. Otherwise, it’s mostly unnoticeable.

 

[maerz001]

I read that Thermal Throttling is really a non issue...

In the pro because it has a fan.
The Air on the other side doesn’t have one and can throttle

 

[bellflyer14]

Hey guys I'm deciding between

13" Apple MacBook Air 2022 M2 8-Core CPU 10-Core GPU 16GB 256GB
VS
13" Apple MacBook Pro M2 Chip 10-Core 16GB RAM 512GB.

Same Price (Around $1000).

I'll mostly use it for browsing web and video/ photo editing. I have a mac mini at home for heavier load work but wanted something portable. The Air seems more up to date but with potential heating issues vs the Pro being somewhat outdated but slightly better performance.

I keep going back and forth and I just wanted a 3rd opinion on this. Thank you!

If you an are a pro video editor I'd say go with the Pro. Almost same footprint of the Air since the Pro M2 13" is the older style. At least has a single fan to help with throttling. Main reason is double the SSD at the same price as the air. the 256 ssd on the air is going to have a single nand chip and therefore be slightly slower ssd speeds. Might be noticeable for a pro video editor

 

[arcite]

IF they are nearly the same price, go for the PRo. It’s graphics will be around 20% better, plus it has a fan, so no throttling.

 

[specialstyle]

Hey guys I'm deciding between

13" Apple MacBook Air 2022 M2 8-Core CPU 10-Core GPU 16GB 256GB
VS
13" Apple MacBook Pro M2 Chip 10-Core 16GB RAM 512GB.

Same Price (Around $1000).

I'll mostly use it for browsing web and video/ photo editing. I have a mac mini at home for heavier load work but wanted something portable. The Air seems more up to date but with potential heating issues vs the Pro being somewhat outdated but slightly better performance.

I keep going back and forth and I just wanted a 3rd opinion on this. Thank you!

Get the Pro if it's this close of a race. It's just gonna be....better. ;-)

 

[mysticmanix]

M2 air, the bezels on the old pro series are dreadfully thick, performance differences will be negligibile.

 

[coachingguy]

The pro will run rings around your mini... Unless you got the M2 Pro mini... I have the air from work and I bought a 14" Pro... I've never been able to even spin up the fans while editing pictures with...multiple layers - 500-900 pictures at a time... I've gotten the spinning ball from the Air, just using Photos...

YMMV, but I think at the end of the day, you'll end up being dissatisfied with Air

Coachingguy

 

[Runaway Train]

Was at the Apple Store today checking on the MBA and MBP offerings. For the 14" MBP was hands down the winner. The MBP 14’’ is not that much heavier than the Air - completely manageable and the MBA cannot box in the same class as the Pro. The 16’’ Pro felt to me like a brick - way too bulky. Thermal concerns would have me shy away from a max with the 14, but the M Pro should be fine. I’m hoping to get a few good solid years out of this one. YMMV