$1849 Macbook Pro M1pro or $1759 M2 Macbook Air. Please uncloud my thinking.

[4743913]

I have a 2019 Macbook Pro 16" that I am happy with but I sometimes use an M1 Air (that I got for free by trading in my 2017 Macbook Pro abomination) for quick work, editing, coffee shop, etc. I am gifting my M1 Air and want to replace it with the M2. But when I spec it out, it comes dangerously close to Macbook Pro cost. I really want the 1 TB drive in the Air as the 256 in my current Air has chaffed me forever. Am I being dumb for wanting the smaller machine more than the Macbook Pro?


$1849 Macbook Pro

• Apple M1 Pro with 8-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
• 16GB unified memory
• 512GB SSD storage
• 67W USB-C Power Adapter
• 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI port, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3 port

$1759 Macbook Air

• Apple M2 chip with 8‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
• 16GB unified memory
• 1TB SSD storage
• 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
• 1080p FaceTime HD camera
• MagSafe 3 charging port
• Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Depends on what you value. Additionally, you should spec the MBA the same as a base model MBP 14” but you doubled the storage on the MBA so it’s not a fair comparison.

That said, MBA values lie in the base models only. Once you go outside that you’ll most likely encounter thermal issues or slower spec’d hardware that Apple likes to use in their non-pro models. If you’re thinking about upgrading anything on a MBA then go to a MBP 14” at that point.

 

[4743913]

That said, MBA values lie in the base models only. Once you go outside that you’ll most likely encounter thermal issues or slower spec’d hardware that Apple likes to use in their non-pro models. If you’re thinking about upgrading anything on a MBA then go to a MBP 14” at that point.

This makes sense. I cannot exist in 256 anymore though so I have to at least go 512 so its $1399. sigh.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

This makes sense. I cannot exist in 256 anymore though so I have to at least go 512 so its $1399. sigh.

As a MBA fan I don’t think the $200 price increase over the M1 version (which is still sold) is worth it. M2 performance gains are marginal over the M1 and there’s nothing that increases the portability of the new one vs the old and in a MBA I value portability over anything else.

 

[darngooddesign]

I have a 2019 Macbook Pro 16" that I am happy with but I sometimes use an M1 Air (that I got for free by trading in my 2017 Macbook Pro abomination) for quick work, editing, coffee shop, etc. I am gifting my M1 Air and want to replace it with the M2. But when I spec it out, it comes dangerously close to Macbook Pro cost. I really want the 1 TB drive in the Air as the 256 in my current Air has chaffed me forever. Am I being dumb for wanting the smaller machine more than the Macbook Pro?


$1849 Macbook Pro

• Apple M1 Pro with 8-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
• 16GB unified memory
• 512GB SSD storage
• 67W USB-C Power Adapter
• 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI port, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3 port

$1759 Macbook Air

• Apple M2 chip with 8‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
• 16GB unified memory
• 1TB SSD storage
• 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
• 1080p FaceTime HD camera
• MagSafe 3 charging port
• Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports

Price comparison is inaccurate if you don't use the same SSD sizes so the Air is around 300 less than that discounted MBP. Nothing wrong with wanting a smaller and lighter laptop, and that might still win out, but don't forget that the M2Air can only drive one external display.

 

[bobcomer]

It isn't even a close decision for me, the M1 Pro wins, but it all depends on what you're going to use the MBA for. If it's light work where heat wont be a problem, it's a nice machine.

 

[Kazgarth]

If you need that much RAM and storage for the MBA then your usage will probably thermally throttle it without fans.

Get the 14"

 

[eric89074]

Another vote for the pro

 

[BeatCrazy]

14” all the way.

I have a 14” MBP, and a base M1 Air.

 

[4743913]

14” all the way.

I have a 14” MBP, and a base M1 Air.

see thats the thing. I have a 16" macbook pro (2019) and I am not trying to replace it. I want to do the MBP/Air combo. Its the 256 thats killing Air desire. I really need to bump it to 512. How much would that increase my thermals? I think I would be fine with an 8/512 machine

 

[w5jck]

I have a 2019 Macbook Pro 16" that I am happy with but I sometimes use an M1 Air (that I got for free by trading in my 2017 Macbook Pro abomination) for quick work, editing, coffee shop, etc. I am gifting my M1 Air and want to replace it with the M2. But when I spec it out, it comes dangerously close to Macbook Pro cost. I really want the 1 TB drive in the Air as the 256 in my current Air has chaffed me forever. Am I being dumb for wanting the smaller machine more than the Macbook Pro?


$1849 Macbook Pro

• Apple M1 Pro with 8-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
• 16GB unified memory
• 512GB SSD storage
• 67W USB-C Power Adapter
• 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI port, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3 port

$1759 Macbook Air

• Apple M2 chip with 8‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
• 16GB unified memory
• 1TB SSD storage
• 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
• 1080p FaceTime HD camera
• MagSafe 3 charging port
• Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports

What you decide is up to you. But to have a more fair comparison, pump that Pro price up by looking at the 1TB SSD price, or lower the Air price by dropping back to a 512MB SSD. Maybe that will lessen the cloudiness a bit!

I have a MacBook Air M1 with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD. Totally more than I need for post processing hundreds of RAW images in Lightroom, using Photoshop, processing smallish (a few minutes long) 4K video in FCP, etc. I have no clue what kind of work load you need, but don't under estimate the MacBook Air M1 when it is loaded. I can't speak for the new M2 version, but I suspect it will be at least some improvement over the M1 model.

 

[doolar]

14” all the way.

I have a 14” MBP, and a base M1 Air.

Same here although my M1 Air is my work computer, and the Pro is my own, and if I had a 2019 MBP (which OP have, and seems to be happy with), the Air (M1/2) would make more sense to me.

The portability of the M1 Air can’t be understated. It’s a great computer on the go, I did invoicing on a train yesterday, it fits nicely on the tray table.

 

[johnsterdam]

It's impossible to decide that without knowing what you want to use it for.

That said, in my view the most important trade-off between the two is between size/weight and the laptops' speed when pushed to the extreme for sustained periods (e.g. when exporting long movies). Whether you do, and whether a slowdown bothers you, only you can answer. If you're asking the question, the air is likely the better choice. I have the 14mbp and the fans very rarely go on - essentially only when using programmes like blender or unity. I just exported a movie in final cut and the fans didn't even turn on.

 

[Jonathan2019]

I have bought three Intel MacBook Pros. The first one had hard drive issues. The other two had chronic battery issues (Google MacBook Pro battery problems including M1s). Recently I saw a post of someone with a new M1 14" MacBook Pro that had a seriously swollen battery after ten days! If you don't need the portability buy an M1 Mac Mini like I did. Otherwise buy a MacBook Air. They seem reliable the only thing is that they don't have fans. Lesson learned I brought in my MacBook Pro that had a swollen battery 2 weeks after the 3 year warranty was up. The Apple employee said there was no indication anything was wrong with the battery but it could not leave the store since it was a fire hazard. So Yep I had to pay $199 for a new battery that became swollen again after two more years. Google MacBook Air battery problems I could not find many.

 

[Misheemee]

I have a MBP 14", find it portable, take it everywhere and love it, and think it's the better value buy, but.... value is in the eye of the beholder, and based on what you're saying, I'd go with the spec'd out MBA. I think that the portability outweighs the need for a pro machine for you, and will compliment (and possibly outperform) your MBP 16". I'm also guessing that the reason that portability is key is because the 16" isn't.

 

[BeatCrazy]

see thats the thing. I have a 16" macbook pro (2019) and I am not trying to replace it. I want to do the MBP/Air combo. Its the 256 thats killing Air desire. I really need to bump it to 512. How much would that increase my thermals? I think I would be fine with an 8/512 machine

256 vs 512 won't have any impact on thermals.

Once you experience an M1 machine, it's going to be hard to go back to that Intel 16" MacBook Pro.

 

[drecc]

I have a 2019 Macbook Pro 16" that I am happy with but I sometimes use an M1 Air (that I got for free by trading in my 2017 Macbook Pro abomination) for quick work, editing, coffee shop, etc. I am gifting my M1 Air and want to replace it with the M2. But when I spec it out, it comes dangerously close to Macbook Pro cost. I really want the 1 TB drive in the Air as the 256 in my current Air has chaffed me forever. Am I being dumb for wanting the smaller machine more than the Macbook Pro?


$1849 Macbook Pro

• Apple M1 Pro with 8-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
• 16GB unified memory
• 512GB SSD storage
• 67W USB-C Power Adapter
• 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI port, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3 port

$1759 Macbook Air

• Apple M2 chip with 8‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
• 16GB unified memory
• 1TB SSD storage
• 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
• 1080p FaceTime HD camera
• MagSafe 3 charging port
• Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports

I was wondering how much faster/snappier your M1 Air felt compared to your 2019 Macbook Pro 16"?

 

[darngooddesign]

see thats the thing. I have a 16" macbook pro (2019) and I am not trying to replace it. I want to do the MBP/Air combo. Its the 256 thats killing Air desire. I really need to bump it to 512. How much would that increase my thermals? I think I would be fine with an 8/512 machine

A larger drive or more RAM doesn't increase your thermals; running more demanding apps does.

 

[kp98077]

Depends on what you value. Additionally, you should spec the MBA the same as a base model MBP 14” but you doubled the storage on the MBA so it’s not a fair comparison.

That said, MBA values lie in the base models only. Once you go outside that you’ll most likely encounter thermal issues or slower spec’d hardware that Apple likes to use in their non-pro models. If you’re thinking about upgrading anything on a MBA then go to a MBP 14” at that point.

base meaning 8gb?

 

[4743913]

256 vs 512 won't have any impact on thermals.

Once you experience an M1 machine, it's going to be hard to go back to that Intel 16" MacBook Pro.

I have an M1 Air now.. I am gifting it , hence the need for the m2 Air.. I want to correct the mistakes of the first one, so thats why I actually want to do 16/1 TB this time. As awesome as the M1 air has been, I still prefer my 2019 i9.

 

[4743913]

I was wondering how much faster/snappier your M1 Air felt compared to your 2019 Macbook Pro 16"?

The M1 air is awesome and is snappy in some ways but limited in others. Because I did not want to wait for a build, I got the 8/256 when it was released. That has been a sore spot the whole time but that was my fault. The other two annoyances are the bait and switch that we can run iOS apps on it (Apple even disabling ones that I had installed), which is Apple's fault and the fact that it is missing Boot Camp, which is Microsoft's fault (for now). So that is why my 2019 i9 is my daily driver and the Air is the coffee shop machine.

 

[drecc]

The M1 air is awesome and is snappy in some ways but limited in others. Because I did not want to wait for a build, I got the 8/256 when it was released. That has been a sore spot the whole time but that was my fault. The other two annoyances are the bait and switch that we can run iOS apps on it (Apple even disabling ones that I had installed), which is Apple's fault and the fact that it is missing Boot Camp, which is Microsoft's fault (for now). So that is why my 2019 i9 is my daily driver and the Air is the coffee shop machine.

The M1 air gets single/multi geekbench scores of 1706/7420, and the 2019 MBP i9 gets 1056/6498.

I was wondering if the 61% faster single core score really makes it feel like the M1 is 61% faster when you're using it with certain apps? Or were you mainly doing things that heavily used all cores?

 

[jonblatho]

The M1 air is awesome and is snappy in some ways but limited in others. Because I did not want to wait for a build, I got the 8/256 when it was released. That has been a sore spot the whole time but that was my fault. The other two annoyances are the bait and switch that we can run iOS apps on it (Apple even disabling ones that I had installed), which is Apple's fault and the fact that it is missing Boot Camp, which is Microsoft's fault (for now). So that is why my 2019 i9 is my daily driver and the Air is the coffee shop machine.

I'm a web developer and occasionally use my personal M1 MacBook Air for work tasks, which at their greatest extent involve running about a dozen Docker containers simultaneously. M1 handles it excellently, but I did get one with 16 GB RAM. I can't imagine it'd work nearly as well on 8 GB RAM. Contrary to what some on here would have you believe, unified memory is not magic RAM.

The other two annoyances are the bait and switch that we can run iOS apps on it (Apple even disabling ones that I had installed)

If you bought a MacBook Air expecting to run certain software and didn't verify compatibility on your own before doing so — especially if it's software that you depend on — that's on you, not Apple. The App Store plainly lists which iOS apps can run on Macs in the app's compatibility section. Apple's simply respecting a developer's decision to opt out of making some or all of their apps available on Apple silicon, regardless of whether that's a "have to" or "want to" decision.

 

[4743913]

If you bought a MacBook Air expecting to run certain software and didn't verify compatibility on your own before doing so — especially if it's software that you depend on — that's on you, not Apple.

Thats not what I said. Apple marketed the M1 as being able to run iOS apps and it did run every app I wanted until Apple started disabling the apps one by one and then totally killing the ability to load them outside of the app store. It was nothing more than a gimmicky bonus but it was a nice one. But its on Apple for reneging on the feature.

The App Store plainly lists which iOS apps can run on Macs in the app's compatibility section.

Thats now. It was not the case when the M1 came out. Stop with the revisionist history.

 

[4743913]

The M1 air gets single/multi geekbench scores of 1706/7420, and the 2019 MBP i9 gets 1056/6498.

I was wondering if the 61% faster single core score really makes it feel like the M1 is 61% faster when you're using it with certain apps? Or were you mainly doing things that heavily used all cores?

As I said, the M1 is snappier but due to the 256gb I only use it for small projects in Premiere for example. So I cannot really give fair comparison. Even if it ran 2x faster, that would not be enough for me to quit the i9 as I use boot camp a lot. They are both great machines in their own ways. But the m1 does load the Adobe programs faster. That I can say for sure but I don't really notice a difference during the use of the apps. The other stuff, Omnifocus, Fantastical, Screenflow, etc. all run about the same for me on both machines.