14" M1 Macbook Pro vs MBA just for streaming and light tasks? Too heavy to place on stomach?

[Mity]

I'm typing this on my M1 MBA with 8GB RAM. I use this laptop for light tasks like browsing the web, music and streaming before bed. The 8GB of RAM isn't enough for me. I have a bad habit of having lots of windows open - right now, I have 26 Chrome windows open, many with YouTube videos.

So, I'm in the market for either the 16GB M1 MBA or the 14" M1 MBP with the base processor. My only concern is having a quiet machine that isn't heavy. The MBA checks both of these boxes. But how much more uncomfortable would would the 14" be? If I just use it for Netflix and YouTube, will I ever hear the fans? What about with all my windows open? Is blooming a real issue on the MBP? Also, is the weight more cumbersome when placing it on you stomach before bed? The 14" MBP isn't that much more expensive so if the above are not real concerns, I can just pay a bit more for a better screen and better speakers.

I know these sound like weird questions but I think it's more weird if I go to the Apple Store and ask if I can lie down with the Macs on my stomach. So, I'm hoping a fellow Mac user has a similar use case and can help me out.

 

[Gnattu]

- right now, I have 26 Chrome windows open, many with YouTube videos.

If you use your Mac like this 8GB will definitely run out fast.

But how much more uncomfortable would would the 14" be?

You probably won't hear the fans, but the 14" looks much thicker and is heavier and having shorter battery life. If more performance is not what you want, the MBA is much better. I carry by 14" to my office and back home everyday, it is not that heavy that you don't want to put it in your bag, but it is too heavy (at least for me) to use it on my bed, and an iPad is what I use before bed.

 

[SeenJeen]

I think it's more weird if I go to the Apple Store and ask if I can lie down with the Macs on my stomach. So, I'm hoping a fellow Mac has a similar use case and can help me out.

"Hello Genius, can I borrow your laptop? I'm gonna lie on the floor here with it for a few minutes."


Buy the 14" and return it if it's too cumbersome for you.

 

[Burnincoco]

The new M2 MacBook Air 16GB 512GB is the computer for you

 

[wilberforce]

You could simulate the weight by putting a book/magazine under the MBA, of similar size and about 0.7 lbs.

I really struggle to hear the fans on my 14" when they are on, which is seldom.

The thing about the 14" MBP, is that it feels very dense. A pound of lead weighs the same as a pound of popcorn, but the lead just feels heavier.

 

[theorist9]

You need to sign up for Apple's MBP bootcamp. It's specially designed to train your abs to support your new Macbook Pro.

Here's a sample from the more advanced version, in case you want to use a Mac Pro in bed:

 

[1BadManVan]

MacBook air definitely makes the most sense for your use case, just get a 16gb ram model and you’ll be set