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Can't Decide Between 14" and 16"
- Thread starter StoneCold X
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Thanks! I love that you have the pic of the 26 inch with iPad pro on the screen!
I have 16" since a week and was still doubting the decision (went to the store twice in the past days to check on the 14", coming from very light m1 Air. Girlfriend thinks I am totally crazy haha). The 14" and 16" are almost of the same thickness, the real difference is not even 1mm... (between the old 16" and new 16" the difference on the table is much higher, probably thanks to the feet). Sticking with the 16" for good, even though I will carry it to the office few days a week... But working on the display on a shared office desk (so without external monitor) is simply great. Also working in the train here is much nicer with the 16" - I don't use desks in the train and just keep the laptop in the lap, and it's more comfortable with the big screen, don't need to hunch over and I can do much more with it.
The biggest problem now is that it does not fit (just so so) to the nice Piquadro backpack I had, so I just had to order a bigger one, more €€€ gone
Haha, glad im not the only one who's at least been contemplating running to the apple store to compare. Typing this on my 16" max, but every MacBook I've ever had before this (2007, 2011, 2015) were 13", so its taking a little time to adjust to this beast. In theory, the smaller size sounds nice, but I'm 6'3", and mainly use my laptop around the house or its in a backpack when traveling, so the size/weight isnt much of an issue other then when I'm awkwardly standing around holding my laptop in one hand like a serving tray while working the track pad with the other hand, which is just dumb on my part to begin with, lol. The 14" would be an upgrade from my 13", but I do a lot of photography/video stuff and charting, and think the extra real estate would be handy. After a week with the 16", I think the 14" would look small, and after reading the advantages of the 16" cooling/battery/etc, don't think I could make the swap. I guess ill find out for sure next time im near an apple store.
I think the approach is great and it seems that you are absolutely happy with your decision, although I did not really understand why the categories "Built-in speaker quality" as well as "Battery life" went to the 14" model.
Yeah I didn't understand that either. Seems its more personal subjective for them but no one else. They wanted 8 hours battery life, the 14" has like 18 hours. Of course the 16" has 2(?) more hours and is clearly the winner, but the 14 was "more than enough for them".. Its constantly getting back to their clear bias towards something more portable, with external justifications (external monitors, iPads, AirPods, etc) which have nothing to do with those individual computer specs.
really? ill be 40 in 2 years and I'm better now than I was in my 20s. The only tension I get is by squatting heavy barbells at the gym. I also don't believe in sitting
I'm glad that you brought up these points and how they are subjective, and you are absolutely right. These are considerations that are best for my use case (therefore, it is "best-fit model" and not "best model"). I arrived at those decisions after the reasoning, and also deciding on the best fit generally based on the minimum that will do the job (unless there is a path to additional benefit without cost, i.e. Pareto improvement). Of course, everyone will have a different requirements list (e.g. graphics, ports etc.).
Also, I think it helps to write down the requirements before looking at reviews. I find reviews very good at colouring my perception of what is important. When I write the requirements down before looking at reviews, I can lock down what's most important to me. Then I can look at reviews to find information in making those decisions. I think Cal Newport explained this method in his book Digital Minimalism (though in the context of using social media).
I’m a little surprised you went 14”. Most editors I know are going for the 16”. Video editing on small screens isn’t nearly as efficient as a larger screen.Oh god I so feel everyone in this thread!
Having the hardest time deciding between the two.
My scenario is especially complex:
I (video editor) moved my Mac Pro with two XDR Displays from home to an office three months ago. Since then, my only home computer is an ipad 12.9“ which works fine most of the time, but sometimes I had to run back to the office late night to fix some render error or so, so I need a mac at home.
I would love to have an iMac but the 24“ just doesnt convince me. Too small, too slow.
Sometimes I have to go out to work at clients Offices where they force me to work on 4 years old iMacs or so, which is annoying the hell out of me.
So I figured to get a maxed out MacBook Pro to have something good at home and to be able to bring it on jobs where I can‘t take my Mac Pro. But then the thinking started, 16“ or 14“?? 16“ because of the thermals, but if I have to carry it every day out to clients, the 14“ would be preferable, given that it has the exact same performance. I guess I dont care too much about the fan noise since mostly editing with headphones anyways.
Still, for at home use a bigger screen would be nice. But then again 16“ is still too small for serious work, so I would like to have an external display anyways.
So after long pushing back and forth I went with the 14“ now. I know myself, once the bigger iMac Pro comes out I‘ll get serious fomo and will want that as well.
So I probably will get the lowest base model of that 30“ or whatever iMac when it comes out with not crazy performance and just carry the 14“ out to clients. Sigh. What a waste of money
Another day in one of our offices (not my main one, so no desk with external monitor etc., just shared open space desks) and I am 100% happy with 16”, for this use-case it’s simply great to work with such large laptop screen. At the end of the day still 48% of battery (maybe 4h of Teams calls), I guess I will stop carrying the charger with me ? Will save some weight…
I took a bigger backpack and did not really notice the weight difference when walking/taking the tram.
I took a bigger backpack and did not really notice the weight difference when walking/taking the tram.
I suggest doing what I have done if you can which is bringing a 15” MB pro to compare with both the 14 and 16. For me it was obvious that the 16 was a behemoth in footprint and weight so went with the 14
I'm here using this new 16" and again I want to say how much I enjoy using this laptop. Was a big change going from the intel version.
It also depends on your size. I'm a big guy at 320lbs. My old 13" MBP felt tiny and hard to reach. The 16" "fits" me a lot better. Different strokes.
Another factor I’m trying to evaluate is pure footprint. I lean toward the 16” but pre-pandemic I used my MBPs on trains and planes. That’s going to be a lot less important starting in January but it’s still true that whether talking about trains and planes or Starbucks the 16” needs a noticeable amount greater depth, between the actual depth and the extra room needed for the display. Not huge differences, I know, but in some situations I’ve had trouble with 13” machines.
Keep in mind this 16" is almost exactly the same size as the 2015 MacBook Pro 15", which was pretty much the standard for people that needed more power than a MacBook Air. People keep talking about it like it's the size of the old 17", but it's really a 15 with smaller bezels. It will take up most of an airline tray table, but it should fit on one. I'm using mine on a little pop up table in a hospital room, and it works fine. Noticeably bigger than my old 13", but not too big to be usable.
that is certainly true, I'm average at 180lbs and don't mind the weight actually, it's just the footprint but I guess there's nothing more you can do at 16.2 inches
likewise for those whose work involves word, excel, ppt. the 2 inch difference is substantial and I myself find carrying a charger/power bank and multiple devices with me pretty annoying.
The footprint issue, at least for me, has less to do with the size of the table, more to do with the space around. A lot of my work life has been spent traveling with a seat in front of me... trains were okay with a 15, planes, were too crowded in coach. I found the MacBook Air to be fine with flying and working. Having said that, with the advent of the iPad, I started using my actual computer less while on a plane, my iPad more for reading and email, and that was small enough. Hence, I now went with the 16 inch for the screen to be used in the hotels. Case in point, literally 3 hotels in 3 nights last weekend and my 16 was perfect. As for the 'huge' weight difference? Pfft. Its exactly a vente cup of Starbucks lol. I bet all those complaining about the weight aren't putting down their coffee.
yea but like I said I dont plan to edit anything really on this screen, wherever I go I'll attach the thing to an external display.. I dind 16" way too small for serious work anyways.
After agonizing over this for a full week now, with both in hand, I've finally managed to make up my mind. 16" it is. The large screen is just SO nice and it's been a pleasure working on it.
The funny thing for me is that when I first got the 16", it felt ENORMOUS. Over time, I've become more normalized to it and now the 14" is feeling small. So interesting how our perspective changes.
The funny thing for me is that when I first got the 16", it felt ENORMOUS. Over time, I've become more normalized to it and now the 14" is feeling small. So interesting how our perspective changes.
If you want to carry the 16" around it's all about backpack, got a Deuter Stockholm backpack today (cheap urban backpack, but of very good quality, Deuter...) and the 16" fits exactly into its laptop compartment, without feeling bulky on the bag, no pressure on the lower spine, all is perfect. Tried other (cheaper but also more expensive) backpacks this week but the lower edge of the macbook was pressing into my back all the time
Maybe you need a laptop stand for when you’re, er, browsing on the couch. You do know that you’re not actually playing out a Game of Thrones character, don’t you?
"The 16-inch is too big & heavy."
Let me introduce you to the 17-inch PowerBook G4. 😎
I bought it in 2004. I toted this back & forth to work for a couple of years without an issue.
Weight: 6.8 pounds
Dimensions: 1.0" x 15.4" x 10.2"
I no longer have this computer. I brought into my Apple Store last fall to be recycled.
Let me introduce you to the 17-inch PowerBook G4. 😎
I bought it in 2004. I toted this back & forth to work for a couple of years without an issue.
Weight: 6.8 pounds
Dimensions: 1.0" x 15.4" x 10.2"
I no longer have this computer. I brought into my Apple Store last fall to be recycled.