14" Pro to 16" or Vice Versa?

[Ubele]

I don't know guys! I picked up a 16 M2 from Costco to evaluate along side my 14 m2" something is beautiful about that 16. yes its large but by no means (TO ME) anyway does it feel non-manageable. In fact today to the coffee shop writing up a case it felt perfect size on the table and lots of screen and brightness to right. The tricky parts will be travel for fun as work I take my Lenovo! Assume I would leave the 16 at home and take my iPad 12.9....

I’ll be taking two trips this fall during which I’ll need to work remotely part of the time, so I’ll be taking my 16” MBP. It’s one reason I opted for the 16”, since my job involves editing and formatting large InDesign spreads, PowerPoint decks, Word documents, and PDFs, as well as occasionally editing short videos in Adobe Premiere. (I have a work-issued 14” Windows laptop and a 4K monitor at home, but I can do all of the above on my MBP.) When I take trips during which I don’t need to work, though, I bring my 12.9” iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard. It’s been great for that.

 

[kp98077]

I’ll be taking two trips this fall during which I’ll need to work remotely part of the time, so I’ll be taking my 16” MBP. It’s one reason I opted for the 16”, since my job involves editing and formatting large InDesign spreads, PowerPoint decks, Word documents, and PDFs, as well as occasionally editing short videos in Adobe Premiere. (I have a work-issued 14” Windows laptop and a 4K monitor at home, but I can do all of the above on my MBP.) When I take trips during which I don’t need to work, though, I bring my 12.9” iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard. It’s been great for that.

that's a nice combo there!

 

[xraydoc]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's struggled with this. I sold my 14 after getting the 15 and then decided to go back to the 14...

I did this several years ago when the USB-C MacBook Pros first came out. Bought the 13", then saw a friend's 15" and returned my 13" for the same 15" as my friend had. Then about a year later ended up going back to the 13".

 

[kp98077]

I did this several years ago when the USB-C MacBook Pros first came out. Bought the 13", then saw a friend's 15" and returned my 13" for the same 15" as my friend had. Then about a year later ended up going back to the 13".

haha wow that's a round! Seems you prefer smaller!?

 

[Queen6]

13" MBP here, 14" battery is inadequate the 16" is too big for the majority of hotel room safe's and leaving an expensive Mac unattended is asking for trouble. The other factor is unless your applications can take advantage of more cores the 13" is just a fast as it's larger brethren as that's just how Apple Silicon works.

Q-6

 

[Queen6]

haha wow that's a round! Seems you prefer smaller!?

The 12" was the sweet spot for the frequent international traveller, sadly it was overpriced by Apple and lacked performance. That said was perfect as an ultra portable easily beating out the competition in the same class. Would be ideal to bring back the 12" with Apple Silicon nor hike up the price as is just a basic notebook.

Q-6

 

[Lucas Curious]

The 12" was the sweet spot for the frequent international traveller, sadly it was overpriced by Apple and lacked performance. That said was perfect as an ultra portable easily beating out the competition in the same class. Would be ideal to bring back the 12" with Apple Silicon nor hike up the price as is just a basic notebook.

Q-6

when I heard of the M chips, I instantly believed that this MacBook would be the first example of what the M could do. I then sold my 2017 12" and am very hopeful M3 is going to be the one

 

[Queen6]

when I heard of the M chips, I instantly believed that this MacBook would be the first example of what the M could do. I then sold my 2017 12" and am very hopeful M3 is going to be the one

I still have my 2015 12" it served me well and was rather forgotten about for several years. Sadly Apple dropped the ball For such an expensive notebook quality lacked; keys polished up in a matter of months, battery collapsed faster than any other Mac I've owned/used, the Single USB C port became loose so Apple basically shot themselves in the foot.

Apple has now moved on and the quality is back. I dont know all, however my 13" M1 MBP is impeccable and very difficult to fault. Should there be an M3 variant will be an instant purchase as is a very solid platform...

When using my 12" in anger a good friend once said "does that ever runout battery" I said rarely The ever pressing factor with a portable computer is battery longevity when on the go the rest is moot and Apple Silicon has that and then some, with the 13" MBP being the grandmaster...

Q-6

 

[dizmonk]

I have the 15, likely returning it because of the non pro features basically (especially screen). Torn between the 14 and 16 MBP !

Did you decide what you are going to do?

 

[kp98077]

Did you decide what you are going to do?

No haven't made a final decision yet, how about you? For me will be either the 14. or 16 pro.

 

[dizmonk]

No haven't made a final decision yet, how about you? For me will be either the 14. or 16 pro.

I'm leaning toward keeping the 16. I don't travel much at all but I will be lugging it around to coffee shops and campus. I just think especially since the prices have come way down, it's a really good value. I did just see the 15's starting selling in the refurb store.

 

[kp98077]

I'm leaning toward keeping the 16. I don't travel much at all but I will be lugging it around to coffee shops and campus. I just think especially since the prices have come way down, it's a really good value. I did just see the 15's starting selling in the refurb store.

I know i saw that too! That makes it difficult no? (refurb. store).

 

[Lucas Curious]

B&H is selling the fully spec out one for $3k and full spec but with 2tb for $2,600.

 

[kiddlattimer]

Ah, I see your point, and you may indeed be right. Only reason I thought it might not be the case is that I'm one of those for whom PWM plays havoc with my eyes...and supposedly the MBAs have none (that is discernible, anyways). I WILL say my eyes are noticeably less strained with the MBP. That alone is worth the price increase.

How bad are the issues you have with PWM? I've only tried using MB Air devices (and a Mini with some shoddy monitors) but I've been reading on here about the increase in DPI making things clearer (as @Beau10 was saying). Might be worth trying out.

 

[dizmonk]

I know i saw that too! That makes it difficult no? (refurb. store).

A little... Having tested them all out, the kicker for me is that the 2021 16" is still faster than the new MBA. Battery life is about the same. Much better screen and speakers and power. I'm willing to make the weight trade-off.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I was using a 15" MBP as my only macchine for the last 13 yrs, primarily around the home, balcony and occasional cafe. I got the M2 16" as it had similar ext dimensions, was slimmer and even lighter than the 5,3 before that. I also, and after such a long time, was struggling to lose an inch of screen after 13 yrs of 15". I personally found it less noticable going from 15" to 16" but would have struggled from 15" to 14" with editing RAWS. Plus the speakers on the 16" had quite more stage presence than the 14". So for my use and limited travel, the 16" is great.

 

[Kung]

How bad are the issues you have with PWM? I've only tried using MB Air devices (and a Mini with some shoddy monitors) but I've been reading on here about the increase in DPI making things clearer (as @Beau10 was saying). Might be worth trying out.

They've been pretty obvious to me in the past, once I figured out what the issue was. If I'm using a laptop/screen with PWM that's either not done well, or has a low refresh rate (or whatever you call it), no matter how big or small, I'll know it within an hour or so, as I'll end up with a pretty dang good headache and eyestrain.

E.g., had it pretty routinely with my MBA M2. Got my MBP M2 Pro 14", and no issues at all.

 

[kiddlattimer]

They've been pretty obvious to me in the past, once I figured out what the issue was. If I'm using a laptop/screen with PWM that's either not done well, or has a low refresh rate (or whatever you call it), no matter how big or small, I'll know it within an hour or so, as I'll end up with a pretty dang good headache and eyestrain.

E.g., had it pretty routinely with my MBA M2. Got my MBP M2 Pro 14", and no issues at all.

Thank you, that's great to know. I'm not 100% sure my issue is PWM (I use a Pixel 4a which has it). I might give the MBP a shot, worth a try. Appreciate the info, glad you could find something that works for you!

 

[Kung]

Thank you, that's great to know. I'm not 100% sure my issue is PWM (I use a Pixel 4a which has it). I might give the MBP a shot, worth a try. Appreciate the info, glad you could find something that works for you!

Believe me, me too. I had the same issue with the iPhone X when it first came out. Wanted to trade it in on the XR because I had some serious eyestrain and headaches. My wife was giving me crap until I said "When have you ever known me to trade something in on the CHEAPER model?" She said "....good point."

Traded the X in on the XR, and headaches and strain went away.

 

[ascender]

I've done both for a number of months at a time depending on needs.

Nothing beats the 16" MBP if you want something you can use for a long time without an external monitor and a set of speakers which can genuinely fill a room. So if you're away for a few days, its fantastic.

But, if you're looking to use it on the move, it's very limiting due to its footprint. As you've alluded-to, it takes up a lot of space on tables which means its impossible to use in cramped spaces and on shared spaces, it takes up so much space that it becomes a pain. First class on a train was a good example as you have a decent sized table but you're sharing with others - you have room for the MPB and nothing else.

 

[Kung]

I've done both for a number of months at a time depending on needs.

Nothing beats the 16" MBP if you want something you can use for a long time without an external monitor and a set of speakers which can genuinely fill a room. So if you're away for a few days, its fantastic.

But, if you're looking to use it on the move, it's very limiting due to its footprint. As you've alluded-to, it takes up a lot of space on tables which means its impossible to use in cramped spaces and on shared spaces, it takes up so much space that it becomes a pain. First class on a train was a good example as you have a decent sized table but you're sharing with others - you have room for the MPB and nothing else.

This is a good point. I brought my MBA 13" with me to the UK in May; and used it on the train from London King's Cross to Edinburgh. I had no issues using it but only because no one else had anything other than a book or cell phone. Had I a 16" laptop, and had ANYONE else any sort of laptop, space would have quickly been limited.

 

[alexsa]

I have the 16" M1 for work and bought a 14" m2 for personal.

Love the 16" but it really is big to walk around with. I have gone to coffee shops and travelled with it and its BIG.

So far I am loving the 14". It feels very stealth compared to the 16". Although sometimes I miss the screen size I really don't miss the weight and overall size.

 

[inhalexhale1]

I don't know guys! I picked up a 16 M2 from Costco to evaluate along side my 14 m2" something is beautiful about that 16. yes its large but by no means (TO ME) anyway does it feel non-manageable. In fact today to the coffee shop writing up a case it felt perfect size on the table and lots of screen and brightness to right. The tricky parts will be travel for fun as work I take my Lenovo! Assume I would leave the 16 at home and take my iPad 12.9....

If I was using my laptop standalone and/or the majority of time outside of my house, as you mention traveling for work, I would go with the 16".

My personal setup is the 14" at my desk with a 5k monitor. I do have to be mobile and take the laptop with me for work, but the larger screen would be less beneficial more than better portability in my use case.

 

[ascender]

This is a good point. I brought my MBA 13" with me to the UK in May; and used it on the train from London King's Cross to Edinburgh. I had no issues using it but only because no one else had anything other than a book or cell phone. Had I a 16" laptop, and had ANYONE else any sort of laptop, space would have quickly been limited.

I guess it depends how much you travel, but I frequently did that trip and with the 16" laptop on the large table I was basically using up my allotted space! No room for anything else or even space to put food and drink.

 

[ef519]

What was your final decision 14 or 16?