16" is barely heavier than the 14"

[leman]

I have both a 16” and a 14” at home now and the difference in size is dramatic… the 14” is much more compact and lighter than I expected. The 16” is bulky but has basically the same footprint as the previous 2019 16”. No problem for transportation and handling so far, and for me at least the new form factor is more comfortable - smooth, rounded edges make it more comfy to use in the lap.

I do agree with @bill-p that the new body seems to be an overkill, so far I see 3-4x performance improvements over my 2019 i9 with 3-6x lower power consumption, but there are a couple of additional factors to consider. First, HDMI makes it pretty much impossible to have tapered edges. Second, the miniLED adds a significant amount of thickness to the display panel, the body itself isn’t really any thicker. Third, Apple is on a retro trip - these new designs lean heavily on two most beloved Mac laptop models - PowerBook G4 and the unibody MBP.

 

[throAU]

So much was the hype about the heaviness of the 16" M1

Generally its never about weight IMHO, but physical size.

You just can't use the 16" in situations where the 14" will fit. E.g., on economy aircraft seating tray tables...

 

[lixuelai]

Weight and size differences are definitely noticeable. 14 is a good size. It is one of the most popular business laptop screen sizes after all.

 

[UBS28]

Don’t buy the 16” MBP. I just came from the doctor and the discs in my back are pulverized by the weight of the 16” MBP.

Don’t do what I did and buy the 14” MBP instead.

Also don’t drop the 16” MBP on the ground. I dropped it by accident and that is how the Grand Canyon was created.

I’m afraid if I drop the 16” MBP again, the earthquake will be so big that California might disappear in the ocean

 

[kp98077]

Don’t buy the 16” MBP. I just came from the doctor and the discs in my back are pulverized by the weight of the 16” MBP.

Don’t do what I did and buy the 14” MBP instead.

Also don’t drop the 16” MBP on the ground. I dropped it by accident and that is how the Grand Canyon was created.

I’m afraid if I drop the 16” MBP again, the earthquake will be so big that California might disappear in the ocean

is this 16 really causing back issues??? its not that heavy?? its just awkward

 

[darngooddesign]

The tapering matters. Most bags have a laptop compartment that's tapered to the edges, not boxy. And again, it's not like I can't just squeeze the new 16" body in but it's just super tight so that makes it less than ideal.

There is no need for superior airflow and cooling with the 16". The old body was sufficient enough to cool up to 100W. If you have owned one, you would know. M1 Pro gets nowhere near that. Not even the M1 Max gets to 100W. The new body is completely overkill, all in the name of silence. And even then, it's not really silent once you start pushing the M1 Max. I know... because I had the 16" M1 Max before trading down to 14" M1 Pro.

Have you tried using your MacBook on a plane? No matter how hard you push it, plane noise will drown it out. You need headphones to even hear things.

Most laptop compartments are boxy because most laptops are boxy.

I buy a bag to fit a laptop, not the other way around, and if my Tenba which fits my old 15" MBP doesn't fit the new 16" MBP, I'll just get a bag which does fit my new laptop.

 

[JPack]

You can see the trend here. People coming from 15-inch tanks weighing 4 lbs don't see the problem with the 16-inch model. People who are used to thin and light 13 and 14-inch models are reluctant to travel with such a heavy computer.

 

[jerryk]

You can see the trend here. People coming from 15-inch tanks weighing 4 lbs don't see the problem with the 16-inch model. People who are used to thin and light 13 and 14-inch models are reluctant to travel with such a heavy computer.

I came from 15 and 16-inch MBP tanks. And never enjoyed traveling with them. I did because my photography needed the power to process 30 MP raw images.

Now that I can do that with a 13" screen machine I dumped the bulkier systems.

 

[jerryk]

is this 16 really causing back issues??? its not that heavy?? its just awkward

That is the issue. Walking (or running these days) through airports, train stations, buses, etc. with a heavy laptop with a heavy charger in a bag on one shoulder is not healthy. It creates torque on your spine with each step. Do this year after year and the damage builds up.

 

[darngooddesign]

That is the issue. Walking (or running these days) through airports, train stations, buses, etc. with a heavy laptop with a heavy charger in a bag on one shoulder is not healthy. It creates torque on your spine with each step. Do this year after year and the damage builds up.

I usually travel with a shoulder bag and a rolling carry on. The shoulder bag attaches to the raised handle of the carryon, and the charger goes in the carry-on; I seldom need to plug my laptop in during a domestic flight. When traveling with one bag, a nice backpack, which also has a shoulder strap, will do.

Luckily Apple makes laptops in a range of sizes and weights for everyone's preferences.

 

[bradl]

The issue is that most people use bags designed as fashion accessories rather than for carrying stuff. If you have a decent backpack, you don't really feel the weight under most circumstances. There are some exceptions, such as when you are carrying a lot of other equipment or taking extended trips with carry-on baggage only. Most of the time, it doesn't matter whether a laptop weighs 3.5 lbs or 3.5 kg.

That is the issue. Walking (or running these days) through airports, train stations, buses, etc. with a heavy laptop with a heavy charger in a bag on one shoulder is not healthy. It creates torque on your spine with each step. Do this year after year and the damage builds up.

There are ways around this.

While most people consider the weight of the Mac or whatever accessories being used for that Mac as the weight they are complaining about (most of which is out of their control; they bought the laptop that has that weight), what they can control is the weight of the bag or backpack being used. Take for example, Swiss.

Most of their bags that they gear towards laptops, especially in something that would carry a 16" laptop weights roughly 6lbs. Most of their "smart" bags that may carry up to a 17" laptop will weigh 3lbs to 3.5lbs...

.. For a bag alone to weigh 6lbs and then have to carry a 3lb laptop? You can't control the weight of the laptop, but you can control the weight of the bag you choose to put the laptop in. And even with that, 3lbs is a lot, and that's for something clunky like Swiss. There are others, and they are similar in size.

Now I have been using a bag like this:

The funny thing on this: IT IS A DIAPER BAG.

Yes, a diaper bag I've had since our son was born. Instead of putting his cloth diapers, milk for feeding, any infant's snacks, etc., in the bag, I'm able to put my 13" MBA, all applicable power cords and charging bricks, a hidden pocket for my iPad (where normally a changing pad would go), and still have room for my glasses (separate pouch for them in the bag) as well as a lanyard for any badges or car keys to attach to. And this is a full 1.25lbs lighter than the lightest SwissGear bag. You know diaper bags have to be light to carry all of the things a new parent needs for their infant.

And to top that off, I was able to put my wife's 2019 16" MBP into the same bag. I didn't really feel the difference between her MBP going in and my MBA, and my MBA is a good 8 years older (back to mid-2011).

Now, granted that this is a near 10 year old bag, but they still make these in different patterns and colors; additionally, while I know I'm paying more for the bag versus running out to a tech store or somewhere new/modern to buy a bag that fits today's age, I'm not sacrificing what is cheap and/or convenient for weight or portability, especially when I have something that is lighter that can carry the same amount of things that the tech-oriented bags are designed to carry.

So if you can control the weight of what the MBP can go into that will make the journey with a 16" more enjoyable.

BL.

 

[wilberforce]

Weight makes a difference when carrying for a long distance. Calculating percent increases is just BS trying to convince yourself otherwise.
Reminds me of carrrying photo equipment. I typically carry a DSLR plus 1 or 2 lenses in a slingbag when hiking (I dislike backpacks.) When I carry 3 lenses, it is really noticeable, more tiring and aching, and detracts from the experience. Now I could calculate that the extra lb is only 0.5% of my total body weight plus clothes plus other stuff carried, but the reality is that it does make a significant difference and the calculation is irrelevant.
16" vs 14" will make a difference for carrying long distances. Not "barely" a difference.

 

[bradl]

Weight makes a difference when carrying for a long distance. Calculating percent increases is just BS trying to convince yourself otherwise.
Reminds me of carrrying photo equipment. I typically carry a DSLR plus 1 or 2 lenses in a slingbag when hiking (I dislike backpacks.) When I carry 3 lenses, it is really noticeable, more tiring and aching, and detracts from the experience. Now I could calculate that the extra lb is only 0.5% of my total body weight plus clothes plus other stuff carried, but the reality is that it does make a significant difference and the calculation is irrelevant.
16" vs 14" will make a difference for carrying long distances. Not "barely" a difference.

However, you're also having to carry around hardware that is not the Mac that adds extra weight to everything that you are doing. I mean, that DSLR and lenses together would weigh just as much as the 16" and exceed the 14", which necessarily wouldn't be an apples to apples comparison in noticing the weight.

That said, your use case is different than others, so I can understand why you're saying that it is noticeable. The reason why I use the backpack analogy is due to how weight can be distributed evenly across the back and not only on one side, as when it is on one side one will notice the difference.

BL.

 

[darngooddesign]

However, you're also having to carry around hardware that is not the Mac that adds extra weight to everything that you are doing. I mean, that DSLR and lenses together would weigh just as much as the 16" and exceed the 14", which necessarily wouldn't be an apples to apples comparison in noticing the weight.

That said, your use case is different than others, so I can understand why you're saying that it is noticeable. The reason why I use the backpack analogy is due to how weight can be distributed evenly across the back and not only on one side, as when it is on one side one will notice the difference.

BL.

I think his point is valid about carrying weight. If you travel infrequently or don't have to carry your laptop on your one shoulder frequently then the 16's weight is a non-issue considering that gets you better battery life and a larger screen; however, if you have to shoulder-carry your laptop a lot then a lighter weight laptop like the Air or 14" is much better for you, especially since the 14" no longer has the power penalty the 13" IntelBooks did when compared to the larger IntelBooks.

 

[geta]

Half kg is not nothing… special when you traveling or carrying it around all the time.

Unless its your only computer and you're not planing to connect it to second screen in the office/work/home, 14” all the way (smaller footprint with the same power).

 

[kp98077]

That is the issue. Walking (or running these days) through airports, train stations, buses, etc. with a heavy laptop with a heavy charger in a bag on one shoulder is not healthy. It creates torque on your spine with each step. Do this year after year and the damage builds up.

Ahhh yes see that!!

 

[bradl]

I think his point is valid about carrying weight. If you travel infrequently or don't have to carry your laptop on your one shoulder frequently then the 16's weight is a non-issue considering that gets you better battery life and a larger screen; however, if you have to shoulder-carry your laptop a lot then a lighter weight laptop like the Air or 14" is much better for you, especially since the 14" no longer has the power penalty the 13" IntelBooks did when compared to the larger IntelBooks.

Bold for emphasis. "If" implies there's a choice. When I do travel, and it has been frequently over the past year, my Mac has been in my backpack, with both straps on my shoulders. That makes it easier for handling any other luggage that needs to be dragged..

However, if shoulder carried because of using an actual laptop case, that is a different story, and that goes back to choice of bag. My point with this is that there are means available to mitigate the weight issue that people don't take much into consideration, but will take all the time they can to complain about the weight.

That said, as I said above, I'm not discounting anyone's complaint about carrying weight; what I can discount is the means to carry it; one can lighten that load by lightening things around the laptop, if possible.

BL.

 

[jerryk]

Bold for emphasis. "If" implies there's a choice. When I do travel, and it has been frequently over the past year, my Mac has been in my backpack, with both straps on my shoulders. That makes it easier for handling any other luggage that needs to be dragged..

However, if shoulder carried because of using an actual laptop case, that is a different story, and that goes back to choice of bag. My point with this is that there are means available to mitigate the weight issue that people don't take much into consideration, but will take all the time they can to complain about the weight.

That said, as I said above, I'm not discounting anyone's complaint about carrying weight; what I can discount is the means to carry it; one can lighten that load by lightening things around the laptop, if possible.

BL.

Even weight in a backpack with both shoulders in a harness can cause damage over time. It's an unnatural weight on your back. You will start compensating by bending forward.

Putting the laptop in rolling carry-on luggage is a solution, but then it gets squished in overhead bins by the other passenger's overstuffed bag of barbells and other "must-have" travel items.

 

[darngooddesign]

...Putting the laptop in rolling carry-on luggage is a solution, but then it gets squished in overhead bins by the other passenger's overstuffed bag of barbells and other "must-have" travel items.

I travel with a carry-on and a second bag. Before boarding I transfer my laptop from the carryon to the second bag, which goes under the seat in front of me.

 

[anthonymoody]

So much was the hype about the heaviness of the 16" M1 that I decided to get the 14" even before I began shopping.

The size difference is definitely huge; actually even more than I imagined it would be in person. However, I had to pick up both MacBooks in both hands and then swap hands to actually feel any difference in weight. It was actually only until I did the quick hand swapping trick that I could notice any significant difference.

I would say it's a difference of about a single 12" running shoe. It's obvious that the weight difference is primarily due to the battery and aluminum chassis. Given that aluminum is so light, it's not surprising that there isn't much difference in weight.

Hopefully that info helps some of you in your decision.

Thank you for making me laugh. This is the funniest weight comparison ever ?

r/oddlyspecific

 

[JouniS]

Even weight in a backpack with both shoulders in a harness can cause damage over time. It's an unnatural weight on your back. You will start compensating by bending forward.

This is a ridiculous argument. You can damage your body in extreme situations, such as if you carry heavy loads in a poorly designed or adjusted backpack for decades. However, as long as we are talking about 5 kg or 10 kg day packs, sitting in front of your computer is more harmful than carrying the backpack.

 

[NdTonks]

you must have the luxury of traveling in business ?

Nope. I still struggle to see why everyone has so much trouble, guys it isnt THAT big...relax.

 

[bradl]

Nope. I still struggle to see why everyone has so much trouble, guys it isnt THAT big...relax.

That's what she said. ?

BL.

 

[jinnyman]

I haven't had a chance to travel with a newly acquired MBP 16 M1 Max yet.
But based on my general experience from the past, it seems that physical dimensions of your laptop is more critical factor as most laptops nowadays are not that heavy unless you go gaming laptops or desktop replacement ones.
Compared to a unibody MBP, M1 MBP 16 is more than 10% lighter.

However, the physical dimension is the problem. Anything bigger than 15", you have to carry a big bag. It's more difficult to move around and operate. And you are literally limited by tray table size and clearance of airplane seat.

What's wonderful about AS era is that smaller sized MBP like 14" can enjoy almost the same performance level of a bigger brother. This never happened in Intel era, and perhaps kinda so in Powerbook G4 era (because performances of various sizes offered pretty much the same performance). I was really tempted to get a Razer 14" with RTX graphics and I'm glad that I didn't. I've went with 16", but when needs arise, I can easily go 14" and enjoy the same workstation performance level with great battery life. People can easily go 14" enjoying the same great performance that also provide a better portability.

 

[JPack]

Nope. I still struggle to see why everyone has so much trouble, guys it isnt THAT big...relax.

It might be fine for people 5 ft. tall and don't rotate their display past 90 degrees. But most adults will have trouble.

See how awkward a 15-inch is just by Googling for photos. Can't imagine how most adults would use a 16-inch.