Long story short: I unexpectedly received a brand-new-in-the-box 16" MacBook Pro a couple of days ago. It's a work machine and way more computer than I actually need, but they're definitely not getting it back at this point! I'm now drunk with power! 
Anyway, I have thoughts:
1) I don't love the wedge shape of the MacBook Air and never have, but I do love its slim, sleek feel in the hand as well as how light it is, even when in the leather sleeve. This new MacBook Pro, at least on day 1, felt and looked like a brick compared to my M1 MacBook Air. As a portable computer, the Air is going to continue being my go-to notebook.
2) As chunky, squared off, and heavy as the 16" M1 MBP is, it doesn't feel too much heavier than my 2019 15" Intel MBP. I find both models too big and heavy to carry around a whole lot anyway, so it's a wash there. The portable power you get as a tradeoff is worth it in the case of the new models, but I would definitely want my backpack for carrying this beast around an airport or something.
3) On day 1 I did not like the aesthetics of the new MBP design. On day 2, it was starting to grow on me. Today I am more convinced than ever that if the next MacBook Air adopts this new design language, I'm in on day one. That design in a slimmer package is what I've wanted from the Air all along. (None of this is to say I don't love my current M1 Air--it's a wonderful computer.)
4) The screen and audio and all the other new features are every bit as good as everyone is saying. No complaints to report there, and no, the notch really doesn't bother me at all.
I think Apple is on the right track again with the Mac. I haven't been excited about the platform in so long, and I'm so thankful for Apple Silicon.
Anyway, I have thoughts:
1) I don't love the wedge shape of the MacBook Air and never have, but I do love its slim, sleek feel in the hand as well as how light it is, even when in the leather sleeve. This new MacBook Pro, at least on day 1, felt and looked like a brick compared to my M1 MacBook Air. As a portable computer, the Air is going to continue being my go-to notebook.
2) As chunky, squared off, and heavy as the 16" M1 MBP is, it doesn't feel too much heavier than my 2019 15" Intel MBP. I find both models too big and heavy to carry around a whole lot anyway, so it's a wash there. The portable power you get as a tradeoff is worth it in the case of the new models, but I would definitely want my backpack for carrying this beast around an airport or something.
3) On day 1 I did not like the aesthetics of the new MBP design. On day 2, it was starting to grow on me. Today I am more convinced than ever that if the next MacBook Air adopts this new design language, I'm in on day one. That design in a slimmer package is what I've wanted from the Air all along. (None of this is to say I don't love my current M1 Air--it's a wonderful computer.)
4) The screen and audio and all the other new features are every bit as good as everyone is saying. No complaints to report there, and no, the notch really doesn't bother me at all.
I think Apple is on the right track again with the Mac. I haven't been excited about the platform in so long, and I'm so thankful for Apple Silicon.